研究：長時間的日曬會削弱腦力

陽光是人類生存所不可缺少的，缺乏日曬會導致缺鈣，但是長時間日曬也會對人體健康產生不良影響。新研究發現，頭部長時間暴露在陽光下會削弱腦力，導致認知能力下降。

Those tempted to set up office in the garden as temperatures soar should think twice or put a hat on.

隨着氣溫驟升，那些想要在戶外園子裏辦公的人應該三思，或者戴上一頂帽子。

New study shows that sunshine could diminish brain power, making it harder to make the right judgments.

新研究表明，陽光可能會削弱腦力，讓人更難以做出正確判斷。

Working in hot temperatures is already known to cause hyperthermia – a rise in body temperature – which can cause physical exhaustion. But now scientists say prolonged exposure of the head to the sun also affects the brain's ability to function properly.

衆所周知，在高溫下工作會導致中暑並讓人體力衰竭。但現在，科學家們指出，頭部長時間暴露在陽光下也會影響大腦正常運行的能力。

hyperthermia [,haɪpɚ'θɝmɪə]: n. 中暑，過高熱

A study by university teams in Denmark and Greece said workers could be damaging their brains by working in hot, sunny conditions.

丹麥和希臘的大學團隊開展的一項研究指出，人們在炎熱暴曬的環境下工作可能會損害他們的大腦。

Eight healthy, active males aged between 27 and 41 took part in the research.

八名年齡在27歲至41歲之間的活躍的健康男性參與了這項研究。

The brain function test consisted of four different computer-based maths and logic tasks that relied on precise calculations. Four heat lamps were positioned to radiate either on the lower body or the back, side and top of their heads.

這項腦部功能測試包含四個基於計算機的數學和邏輯任務，均需精確計算。測試時，研究人員將四臺加熱燈放在不同位置，分別照射人體下半身、背部、側面和頭頂。

Professor Lars Nybo, of the department of nutrition, exercise and sports at the University of Copenhagen, said: "This study provides evidence that direct exposure to sunlight – especially to the head – impairs motor and cognitive performance."

哥本哈根大學營養、鍛鍊和運動系教授拉爾斯·尼伯說：“這項研究提供的證據表明，直接暴露於陽光下——尤其是頭頂——會損害運動和認知表現。”

The decline in motor and cognitive performance was observed at 38.5 degrees.

在溫度達到38.5度時可以觀察到運動和認知表現的下降。

Researchers said those exposed to sunlight for long periods should cover their heads.

研究人員稱，長時間暴露在陽光下的人應該戴遮蓋頭部。

Professor Andtreas Flouis, of the FAME Laboratory in Greece, said: "It is of great importance that people working or undertaking daily activities outside should protect their head against sunlight."

希臘FAME實驗室的安德特雷亞斯·弗盧伊斯教授說：“每日在戶外工作或活動的人應該保護頭部免受陽光照射，這一點非常重要。”

Dips in mental performance caused by sunshine could also mean drivers were more likely to make mistakes on the road, he suggested.

他指出，日照引發的大腦功能下降還意味着司機更容易在路上犯錯誤。

The findings appear in the journal Scientific Reports.

該研究結果發表在期刊《科學報告》上。