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Less than 5 percent of elephants die from cancer, and researchers may have finally figured out why.

According to a study from The University of Chicago, elephants produce "zombie genes"  (僵尸基因)that can help protect the animal from cancer.

Here's how it works: Humans and other animals carry one copy of a " master tumor suppressor" Gene(主肿瘤抑制基因). Elephants have 20 copies. Scientists found that gene can cause a "zombie gene" to come back to life with a new purpose: killing cells in damaged DNA.

This is beneficial. because it acts in response to genetic mistakes, errors made when the DNA is being repaired, said Vincent Lynch, an assistant professor of human genetics at the University of Chicago and the study's lead author, in a statement. " Getting rid of that cell can prevent a subsequent cancer. "

Scientists say the gene also helps elephants enjoy long lives. They likely emerged roughly 25 to  30 million years ago, when small - sized ancestors of modern elephants grew bigger, Lynch said.

Researchers want to conduct more studies to find out exactly how the genes in elephants kill off cells in damaged DNA. That could help humans: Studying how animals' bodies fight off cancer could lead to strategies to treat people. An estimated 17% of people worldwide die of cancer, according to the study published in the journal Cell Reports.

"If we can understand how these genomic changes (基因组变化 ) are contributing to cancer  resistance, then we'll be able to start thinking about how we translate these to our patients. "Joshua Schiffman professor of pediatrics at University of Utah and an investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute, said in an interview with CNN.

1.Why do elephants have a lower risk of dying from cancer than humans?

A. They have less "zombie genes".

B. They eat less meat and more grass.

C. They are huge enough to kill cells in damaged DNA.

D. They have more copies of a "master tumor suppressor" gene.

2.The "master tumor suppressor" gene brings the following benefits except that        .

A. it can prolong elephants' lives   B. it can be transplanted into humans

C. it can kill cells, in damaged DNA   D. it can bring "zombie genes" back to life

3.What does the underlined word "these" in the last paragraph refer to?

A. genomic changes   B. cancer resistance

C. animals bodies   D. cells in damaged DNA

4.What is still a "puzzle" for researchers?

A. How many people die of cancer.

B. What kind of gene can kill the cancer

C. Why we adopt the strategies to treat people.

D. How the genes defeat the cells in damaged DNA.

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