Inwhathasthepossibilitytochangehowscientistsanddoctorst...

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In what has the possibility to change how scientists and doctors treat blindness, researchers have discovered that light not only makes the brain active, it also does so even in people who can't see.

Research from the University of Montreal found that even when vision(视力) is damaged or objects can no longer be seen, changes in light still reach the brain and blind people can tell whether a light is turned on or off. This is because the light is picked up by a part of the retina(视网膜) in the eye that controls vision.

Researchers put three blind people in a room and asked them to say whether the light in the room was turned on or off.

The researchers flashed lights directly at the participants' eyes to study more closely what effect the light had on the brain. “The aim of this second test was to determine whether the light affected the brain patterns associated with attentiveness, and it did，” said researcher Olivier Collignon.

Finally, the participants were put into a functional MRI (fMRI) brain scanner and each took part in a sound matching task while lights were flashed in their eyes.

The study claims that the default(默认的) network in the brain is linked so humans use a little amount of resources when monitoring their surroundings. “If our understanding of the default network is correct, our results raise the possibility that light is the key to keeping continued attention，” said the researchers. This theory may explain why the brain's performance is improved when light is present during tasks.

Lockley concluded, “Light doesn't just allow us to see, and it tells the brain whether it's night or day which in turn makes sure our physiology(生理机能), metabolism(新陈代谢) and behaviour keep pace with environmental time.”

The research could have great effects on the treatment of blind people, as well as on other cognitive disorders, because doctors can potentially use light to activate specific parts of the brain.

31. According to the passage, blind people can still feel changes in light due to their ________．

A. vision B. retina C. brain D. subconsciousness

32. Why did the researchers flash lights directly at the participants' eyes?

A. To prove the blind's brains are more sensitive to light.

B. To make sure whether the blind's brains are more active.

C. To know if brain patterns about attentiveness are affected by light.

D. To learn what kind of light can influence the blind's brains.

33. What do we know from the passage?

A. Blue light is very important to make humans' brains active.

B. The fMRI brain scanner controls people's vision and helps people see.

C. Light is helpful to the brains' good performance.

D. Humans can use light to monitor their surroundings.