"發現肺「刷子」"

科學家表示微小的毛刷有助於保持肺部無黏液。

北卡羅萊納大學的科學家對肺部運作的方式有了新發現。他們發現肺細胞上裝有一種毛刷，稱為「纖毛」，這種毛刷有助於移除像是黏液之類的有害物質。截至目前為止，一般都是認為有液態物質在潤滑肺部，不過科學家的發現讓我們更加了解人體。

主導這項研究的麥可魯賓斯坦博士解釋，我們不斷吸入汙染物質，然後汙染物質會被黏液困住。黏液會一直更新，讓肺部免於感染。他說：「纖毛一直都在奮戰，連我們在睡覺時也是…若它們停下來，我們就會充滿黏液，而這些黏液提供讓細菌滋生的肥沃溫床。」

科學家相信當人有囊腫性纖維症或某些其他嚴重的肺部疾病時，纖毛就會停止正常運作。魯賓斯坦認為：「這個毛刷的衰竭就是引發感染、發炎和最後肺部組織壞死以及肺功能喪失的主因。」他表示纖毛的發現可以幫助我們研究嚴重的肺部症狀。

(Health) Lung Brushes Discovered

Scientists say the tiny brushes help to keep our lungs free from mucus.

A team of scientists from the University of North Carolina have made an interesting discovery about the way lungs work.They found that cells in the lungs are fitted with a kind of brush V known as cilia V that help to remove unwanted substances like mucus. Until now, it was thought that the lungs were lubricated with a watery substance, but the scientists discovery gives us a much better understanding of the body.

Dr. Michael Rubinstein, who led the study, explained that were constantly breathing in pollutants, which is trapped by mucus. The mucus is continually replaced to stop the lungs from getting infected.The cilia, he says, are constantly beating, even while we sleepK. If they stopped, wed be flooded with mucus that provides a fertile breeding ground for bacteria.

The scientists believe that when a person has cystic fibrosis or certain other severe lung disorders, the cilia stop working properly. Rubenstein argued that the collapse of this brush is what can lead to Kinfection, inflammation and eventually the destruction of lung tissue and the loss of lung function.He said that the discovery of the cilia should help us research serious lung conditions.

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