VOA常速英语:Consortium Takes Aim at 'Neglected' Tropical Diseases

2. launch vt. 开办;发起;使开始从事
例句：We launched a new project.
我们开始从事一个新项目。

3. pledge v. 保证, 许诺; 发誓
例句：I pledge you my words.
我向你保证说话算数。

4. investment n. 投资
例句：They made an investment in heavy industry.
他们投资于重工业。

5. sicken v. (使)生病
例句：The animal began to sicken and soon died.
这只动物患了病很快就死了。

6. malady n. 病,疾病
例句：The boy is suffering from some strange malady.
这男孩患了某种奇怪的病。

7. manifestation n. 显示；表明；表示
例句：These were manifestations of the darker side of his character.
这些是他性格阴暗面的表现。

8. scourge n. 带来灾难的人或东西,祸害
例句：After the scourge of war came the scourge of disease.
战乱之后瘟疫接踵而来。

9. donate vt. 捐赠，赠送
例句：They used to donate large sum of money to the Red Cross every year.
他们过去每年都向红十字会捐献大笔的钱。

10. impact v. 产生影响
例句：It is obvious how bad movies will impact on children.
坏电影对儿童会产生什么影响是显而易见的。