In these modern times, almose anything is possible, nothing seems to be beyond the reach of science.
在这个现代社会里,几乎所有的事情都有可能会发生,似乎没有任何事情是科学解决不了的。
for fear the agents of other firms should be able to trace the kind of research they are likely to be undertaking.
他们生怕别的公司的情报人员据此摸到他们可能要从事的某项科研项目。