◎鄭寺音

People with quick reactions are likely to live longer than those less quick off the mark, a study suggests.

研究顯示，反應快的人，活得可能比反應不那麼快的人久。

The joint Edinburgh University and Medical Research Council team looked at the response rates of more than 7,400 people, the journal Intelligence said.

「智力」期刊說，愛丁堡大學與醫學研究委員會團隊觀察7400多人的反應率。

Researchers found those with the slowest reactions were 2.6 times more likely to die prematurely.

研究者發現，反應最慢者，早逝的機率高2.6倍。

They said quick reactions may be a sign of intelligence.

他們說，反應快可能是智力的跡象。

Reaction times were taken using a computer programme during the 1980s along with range of other factors including alcohol intake, smoking habits, blood pressure and weight. The average age of those studied was 46.

（研究人員）利用在1980年代的一個電腦程式，以及納入酒精攝取量、抽菸習慣、血壓與體重等其他因子，來估算反應時間。接受研究者平均年齡為46歲。

Dr Geoff Der, one of the authors of the report, said： "Research has shown that there is a correlation between reaction times and intelligence.

報告作者之一吉歐夫．德表示：「研究顯示，反應時間與智力有相互關係。」

新聞辭典

be quick off the mark：片語，對某件事情或某種情況反應迅速。例句：The police were quick off the mark reaching the scene of the accident.（警方很快地抵達意外現場。）

along with ：片語，與、連同、一起。例句：California, along with Florida and Hawaii, is among the most popular US tourist destinations.（加州，連同佛羅里達與夏威夷，都是美國人氣旅遊地點。）

intake：名詞，攝取量。例句：It says on the packet that four slices of this bread contains one half of your recommended daily intake of fibre.（包裝上說，這種麵包4片含有每日建議纖維攝取量的一半。）

自由時報-980312

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