【推荐2】Research has found that storing crucial pieces of information on an electronic device does not rot your memory skills and can actually increase your ability to remember things you would otherwise forget. Storing important information or smartphones may free up our own memory to store a larger amount of less crucial information, allowing us to keep more in total across our internal and electronic memory banks.

Researchers took 158 participants aged between 18 and 71 and showed them up to 12 numbered circles on a screen. Some of the circles would briefly appear pink or blue before all fading to a yellow colour, indicating that they had to be dragged to either the pink side or the blue side of the screen at a later point.

Some of the circles were classed as “high value”, some as “low value” and some as zero value. Users had to remember which side of the screen to drag the circles to in order to earn points. In some of the experiments they had to rely on their own memories. In others, they could set an electronic reminder on a device.

Researchers found subjects tended to use digital devices to store information about which were the highest-value circles. This led to an 1896 increase in accuracy when placing these circles. They also found, to their surprise, using electronic reminders for high-value circles led to a 27% increase in accuracy when differentiating from memory between the low and zero-value circles, even when no electronic reminders had been set for these.

The study said that when people store important information on an external device, their brains tend to delete it from their “internal memory”, reallocating (再分配) that space for “low-value content”.

“The results show that external memory tools work. Far from causing digital dementia, using an external memory device can even improve our memory for information that we never saved. But we need to be careful that we back up the most important information. Otherwise, if a memory tool fails, we could be left with nothing but lower-importance information in our own memory.”

【推荐1】Owls and Larks

Larks are most likely to be healthy, wealthy and wise, according to the old saying.

But those who are early to bed and early to rise do not always have the upper hand, researchers say. They have found that night owls are generally brighter and wealthier than those able to get up early in the morning.

Experts from the University of Madrid carried out tests on around 1,000 teenagers and found that those who preferred to stay up late proved the kind of intelligence associated with honored jobs and higher incomes. “Larks” or “morning people”, however, often acquired better exam results, possibly because lessons are held at the wrong time of day for night owls. The researchers examined the habits and body clocks of the youngsters to determine whether they liked to stay up late and sleep later in the morning, or preferred to go to bed early and were at their peak in the morning. School performance and inductive(归纳的)intelligence, or problem solving, were measured and academic grades in the major subjects were also taken into account. The results showed that evening types scored higher than morning types on inductive reasoning, which has been shown to be a good estimate of general intelligence and a strong indicator of academic（学术的） performance. They also had a greater capacity（能力） to think conceptually（概念地） as well as analytically. Such abilities have been linked to innovative(创新的) thinking, more admired occupations and better incomes.

Famous night owls include President Trump, Obama, Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill, Keith Richards and Elvis Presley. George W. Bush, who is regularly in bed by 10 p.m., Thomas Edison, Napoleon, Condoleezza Rice, who wakes at 4:30 a.m., and Ernest Hemingway are among those known as larks. Jim Horne, professor of psychophysiology at Loughborough University, said, “Evening types tend to be the more active and creative types, the poets, artists and inventors, while the morning types are the deducers(推导者), as are often seen with civil servants and accountants.” A previous study of US Air Force recruits found that evening types were much better at thinking to solve problems than larks.

【推荐2】It’s always nice to have a little help around the house. But what if you could employ the assistance of one of the greatest minds of the 20th century？

That’s the idea behind a new robot modeled after Albert Einstein. Called Professor Einstein and standing at just over a foot tall, this personal assistant can tell you the weather and keep track of your schedule like any other robots. With built-in Wi-Fi, Einstein robot has access to brain ceasing games, and can answer math problems and science questions. With natural language speech processing, you can actually interact with Professor Einstein. And because the robot is connected to the Internet, it is constantly updated with new information.

To help get the perfect replica（复制品）of Einstein, the Hong Kong-based tech company Hanson Robotics turned to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the home of the Albert Einstein archives（档案）. “We worked very closely with them to bring the product co marker,” the company’s Dr. Jeanne Lim said.

Einstein robot was introduced to the public at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and was quickly hailed by those who saw it. “He became one of the breakout stars of the convention,” wrote Melia Robinson on Business Insider. “Crowds flooded into the company to have a look at the little guy.”

“Technology is often now very cold and socially isolating（孤立的）,” explained David Hanson, the co-founder of the company behind the new robot, “By bringing an lively character into our physical world, we’re humanizing（使人性化）the technology instead of dehumanizing the humans.”

As for Hanson Robotics, the company has been building human-size robots for over a decade. But this marks the company’s first commercially available product. “Professor Einstein is just the start,” said Hanson. “We’re witnessing the arrival of conversational robots that can walk in our world. It’s a golden age of invention.”

【推荐1】Air pollution may be causing baldness, scientists have shown for the first time. A new study found that fine particulate matter emitted by cars would damage the skin that holds hair follicles in place. A series of laboratory tests on human cells showed that levels of the crucial proteins needed for hair to grow and be retained decreased when they were exposed to pollution particles. While there is a growing body of evidence showing how these tiny particles can damage internal health, including by entering the bloodstream through the lungs, this is the first to demonstrate such a risk to the surface of the body.

The study was conducted by exposing cells from the human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) ,to various concentrations of PM10-like dust and diesel particles. After 24 hours the researchers performed a process, known as western blotting, to detect the levels of specific proteins in the cells.

The results showed that the presence of PM10 and diesel particles decreased levels of B-catenin, the protein responsible for hair growth. The study also revealed that the levels of three other proteins—cyclin DI, cyclin E and CDK2, which are responsible for hair growth and hair retention, were decreased by PM10-like dust and diesel particles in a "dose-dependent" manner.

Dr Hyuk Chul Kwon, who led the study at the Future Science Research Centre, said, “While the link between air pollution and serious diseases such as cancer and lung diseases is well established, there is little-to-no research on the effect of particulate matter exposure on the human skin and hair in particular. Our research explains the mode of action of air pollutants on HFDPCs, showing how the most common air pollutants lead to hair loss. ”

Sources of PM include the burning of fossil fuels--petrol and diesel, as well as other solid fuels, and other industrial activities such as building, mining and the manufacturing of building materials like bricks.

“While it is difficult to escape from the surrounding pollution, limiting the time for walking in busy streets, especially during rush hour, should help reduce exposure, ”said Dr Kwon. "If you are exercising outdoors, try to do so in areas that are less polluted and do not spend too much time waiting at traffic hot spots such as traffic lights. "

【推荐2】“When I think of England, I think of the queen taking her dogs for walk in the countryside,” says Carsten Haferkamp, a dog-owning German working in London. Data from Tractive, a firm that provides GPS tracking for pets, show that Britons walk their dogs more than their European neighbors do.

The British love for dog-walking may have more to do with the walking than the dogs. Britons are big walkers –they came fifth in the world in a study in 2017, the highest in Europe. Dogs provide walkers with company and a purpose, so it may be that walking encourages dog-ownership.

But Julien Dugnoille, an expert at Exeter University, suspects dog-walking has a deeper significance. Dogs, he suggests, are a useful aid to a socially awkward nation. “Britons tend to have a chat with strangers and exchange a few jokes and comments about the weather without putting themselves in danger.”

A tradition among the British nobles of owning and training dogs also leads Dr Dugnoille to assume that dog-walking is a way to keep ancient honor. “When people in the park say Max is very well-behaved,” says Dr Dugnoille, “that is a way to show their authority in the art of dog training compared to those dog owners who are not in control of their own dog.”

But it’s not just about showing off, in his view. He believes walking with one’s best friend creates a time and space where dogs and humans meet as species and connect as individuals.

Still, Britons should not congratulate themselves too much on their behavior towards their dog companions. According to Dr Carri Westgarth of Liverpool University, “People say that a dog needs a walk every day, but they will find reasons why their dog doesn’t need a walk. They’ll say: he’s got company indoors, he’s nervous or he doesn’t like the rain.”

【推荐3】A team of scientists says that playing sounds underwater can get fish to return to areas with severely damaged coral reefs(珊瑚礁).In an experiment, they found fish returned after hearing recordings of the sounds like a healthy ocean reef. The research results were reported in Nature Communications.

The scientists placed underwater speakers in areas where coral had been dying in Australia’s northern Great Barrier Reef. They played the sounds over a period of about six weeks in 2017 and studied the results. The team reported that twice as many fish arrived in the areas where the sounds of healthy coral were played. The sounds also led to a 50 percent increase in the number of species present in the area, the researchers found. The researchers noted the importance of having many different kinds of fish return to the area. Different species of fish perform many activities that support the ocean environment and sea life.

Steve Simpson is a professor at the University of Exeter who helped lead the research. He explained, “Healthy coral reefs are remarkably noisy places. They contain the sounds of many kinds of shrimp, fish and other sea creatures. Young fish listen to these sounds when they are looking for a place to settle. Reefs become extremely quiet when they suffer destruction that is usually related to human-caused pollution. Coral damage can drive shrimp and fish away. But the experiment suggested that the use of underwater loudspeakers was an effective way to get young fish to come back.”

Mark Meekan is a fish biologist. He said that the return of the fish is the first step towards seeing major improvements in reef health. “Recovery is underpinned (巩固) by fish that clean the reef and create space for corals to regrow,” he said. University of Bristol professor, Andy Radford, said the underwater sounds are a promising way to fight coral reef damage at the local community level. But he noted that other threats need to be reduced as well. These include climate change, pollution and over fishing.

【推荐1】Come on a magical hot air balloon flight over Melbourne- one of the few cities in the world that you can fly above in a hot air balloon! Admire Melbourne's city skyline at early dawn as your balloon flies for approximately one hour and then have your nice breakfast.

Highlights:

·Instant confirmation

·Enjoying fantastic views

·Romantic experience, perfect for couples

·Free hotel pickup and drop-off included

The route:

You will be transported to the launch site for your Melbourne balloon flight where you may help with the launch, or stand back and take pictures. Your balloon will drift over Melbourne's parks, gardens and the Yarra River as the city comes to life. As your balloon floats above Melbourne you'll look down on some of the city's famous venues including the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Park and Albert Park racetrack. After the final landing and packing the hot air balloon away, head back to the centrally located Pullman where you can then stay for breakfast or take a quick 10-minute walk back to the city center.

Attention:

Balloon flights in Melbourne are weather dependent and your route will be determined by the winds. Your balloon may fly over Melbourne's CBD. Alternatively, your Melbourne balloon flight may head over the inner suburbs to discover why Victoria is labeled the Garden State.

【推荐2】I can still remember it as if it happened yesterday. I was a college freshman and had stayed up most of the night before laughing and talking with friends. Now just before my first class of the day my eyelids were feeling heavier and heavier and my head was drifting down to my desk to make my textbook a pillow. A few minutes’ nap time before class couldn’t hurt, I thought.

Boom! I lifted my head immediately and my eyes opened widen. I looked around with my heart beating quickly trying to find the cause of the noise. My young professor was looking back at me with a boyish smile on his face. He had intentionally(故意地) dropped the pile of textbooks he was carrying onto his desk. “Good morning!” he said, still smiling. “I’m glad to see everyone is awake. Now let’s get started.”

For the next hour I wasn’t sleepy at all. It wasn’t from the shock of my professor’s textbook alarm clock either. Instead, it was from the attractive discussion he led. With knowledge and good humor, he made the material come alive. His insights were full of both wisdom and loving kindness. And the enthusiasm(热情) and joy he taught with were contagious(有感染力的). I left the classroom not only wide awake, but a little smarter and a little better as well.

I learned something far more important than not sleeping in class that day. I learned that if you are going to do something in this life, do it well, do it with joy, and make it an expression of your love. What a beautiful place this world would be if all of us did our work joyously and well! What a beautiful world we could create if every doctor, teacher, musician, cook, waitress, poet, miner, farmer, and laborer made their work an expression of their love! Don’t sleepwalk through your life then. Wake up! Let your love fill your work and your soul. Life is too short not to live it well.

【推荐3】When you look at a map of the Caribbean, you will see a bunch of little islands surrounded by blue waters,which include places that aren’t always household names, like Montserrat and Anguilla.

While some of the names may not be familiar, the Caribbean is a popular holiday region. Those little dots on the map often turn out to be ideal resorts. There are thousands of islands in the area, many of which are sparsely(稀少的) populated but with breathtaking landscapes.

The biggest challenge you might face in planning your trip is choosing where in the Caribbean to go . All of the nations feature excellent weather. Most feature beautiful beaches. You can enjoy the waters in most of the Caribbean nations and as is often the case with island nations, you will be welcomed warmly by the locals. Here is some information to help you.

Unless you can walk on water or you cruise the Caribbean, the best way to visit is to fly. Some destinations have more frequent and cheaper flights than others. You should do some comparison shopping on flights to the Caribbean. And if you are planning on flying there during the Christmas holiday weeks, it's important to book as early as possible because prices will just keep going up as they get closer.

The Caribbean offers a wide variety of accommodation options. Check out the Caribbean hotels that are available to get a better idea of the various options. If you are on a tight budget, then the Caribbean could be challenging, as there are only a few cheap hotels and hostels that might help you save some money.Many people see the Caribbean from a cruise ship. There is no shortage of cruises that will take you through the region. You can go online to find the cruise or holiday package that is right for you.