how did homosexuality evolve?

同性戀是如何演化而來的？

Hey guys, Tara here for Dnews - and over the past 2 years of doing this show,

嗨！大家好，這裡是《探索新聞》，我是Tara－這個節目已經進行了兩年，

we've covered a lot of scientific breakthroughs. Finding water on Mars, birth control for men, the relative usefulness of bras…

內容囊括許多科學重大突破，像是發現火星有水源、男性避孕藥，內衣的其他作用...

but now, science may have solved one of its greatest mysteries

不過現在，科學也許解開了最大的謎題

yet: how did homosexuality evolve?

那就是：同性戀是如何演化而成的？

Well, according to new research published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior,

根據「性行為檔案」期刊中發表的最新研究

it may have evolved in order to promote social bonding amongst humans.

這項演化是為了促進人與人之間的社會關係

This is the first study of its kind to find discrete evidence that our need to bond with others,

這是第一個相關研究提出證據表示人與人之間有建立連結的需求

actually increases our openness to engaging in homosexual behavior.

實際上，這項研究也讓人們對同性性行為的想法更為開放

For their study, a team of researchers from the University of Portsmouth looked at the

在他們的研究中，樸茨茅斯大學的研究人員檢視

relationship between sexual attitudes and the hormone progesterone.

性取向與黃體素之間的關係

What they discovered, is that the more progesterone there is in a heterosexual woman's saliva,

他們發現，女異性戀者口水中黃體素越多

the more open she is to the idea of engaging in homosexual behavior.

對於同性性行為的想法就越開放

Likewise, heterosexual men who are subtly reminded about the importance of having male comrades.

同樣的，男異性戀者則是會被暗示擁有男性戰友的重要性

Reported feeling more open towards engaging in homosexual behaviour - and that was particularly true for men with

報告內容亦顯示，他們對於同性性行為也持較開放的態度－特別映證於那些

higher levels of progesterone.

體內黃體素含量較高的男性

But what is it about this hormone that relates to all of this? Well, a bit of background -

但這個牽引所有一切的賀爾蒙究竟是什麼？先來點背景知識－

progesterone is a steroid hormone, typically found in women's ovaries and men's adrenal glands.

黃體素是一種固醇類賀爾蒙，基本上存在於女性卵巢和男性腎上腺之中

In the same way that oxytocin is considered to be the “love hormone”,

催產素也同樣被視為「愛情賀爾蒙」

progesterone is basically the “friend” version of that.

黃體素基本上跟它是「朋友」。這種賀爾蒙主要負責

It's one of the main hormones responsible for caring and friendly behavior, which is why your levels of progesterone tend to rise

這種賀爾蒙主要負責照顧和友誼行為，這就是為什麼你體內的黃體素濃度

when you're having a close interaction with a friend.

在你和朋友有親密互動時容易升高

Obviously, from an evolutionary standpoint, it's beneficial for humans to form social bonds.

很明顯地，從演化的角度來看，這個反應對人類建立社交連結有助益

So from that perspective, more progesterone in your body is a good a thing.

以這個觀點來看，體內黃體素濃度高是一件好事

But then comes the topic of reproduction - which for humans, is basically the logical endpoint

但談到生育－依邏輯來看，人類繁衍

of sexual behavior. Or at least, we think it is.

是性行為的最終目的。至少，我們認為是這樣

According to lead author Diana Fleischman, sexual behavior hasn't always been just about reproducing,

根據報告主筆者黛安娜．弗萊施曼的說法，性行為不只是為了繁衍

it's also about forming and maintaining social bonds.

也有助於建構和維持社會關係

And there's certainly evidence in other species, demonstrating that recreational sex isn't limited to just humans.

而且，這種情形也有明確證據表示出現在其他物種，這表示休閒性質的性愛不只是人類才有

Great apes, for example, have historically engaged in homosexual behavior as a way of forging new friendships.

舉例來說，大猩猩長久以來將同性性行為當作一種建立新友誼的方式

While we are on the topic of forging friendships,

講到建立友誼這件事

I wanna veer off for a minute and let you guys know that today will officially be my last day on Dnews.

我先岔開話題一分鐘，我想告訴大家今天是我正式在《探索新聞》的最後一天

For those of you who follow me on Twitter, this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise -

有在推特上追蹤我的人，對這個消息應該不會太驚訝－

since I did announce a few weeks ago that I would be leaving Discovery at the end of November.

因為我在幾個星期前已經公布這個消息，我會離開《探索》，在 11 月底前離開

But I just wanna say, for the record, what an absolute pleasure it has been working on this show -

我只是想告訴大家，說真的在這個節目工作一直非常愉快－

it has been such an amazing experience

這是個很棒的經驗

getting to host what I consider to be one of the best YouTube channels out there - no bias obviously.

可以在這個我認為是 YouTube 上最棒的節目當主持人－沒有私心

Not to mention, being able to work alongside such an amazingly talented team, both on-screen

更不用說，還可以和這個超有才的團隊一起工作，不管在幕前

and behind the scenes, has been very inspiring.

或是幕後，都讓我有意想不到的啟發

I specially wanna thank you guys, our viewers, for welcoming me onto the show and into your homes.

我想特別感謝你們，各位觀眾，謝謝你們在節目上給予的支持，讓這個節目進入你的生活，

you guys have been so wonderful to me these

但大家帶給我的一切真是太美好了

past 8 months, and I will forever cherish my time with Dnews.

過去的 8 個月中一直如此，我會永遠珍惜這些在《探索新聞》的時刻

Of course, if you would like to keep up with me outside of the show, I encourage you to

當然，假如你在節目之餘想持續關注相關訊息，我推薦您

follow me on Twitter, at twitter.com/taralongest.

到推特追蹤我，網址是 twitter.com/taralongest

As always, if you guys have any questions, comments, fun memories, embarrassing moments

一如往常，假如你們有任何問題、意見、軼聞軼事

of me you'd like to reminisce about, please leave them in the comments below. Otherwise,

想要告訴我，請在以下的意見欄中留言，另外

thanks for watching! I'll miss you guys.

感謝大家收看！我會想念你們的