【推荐1】In recent times, it has become common for people to “cancel”, “block”, “delete” or “unfollow” each other on social media. It’s especially common when people are discussing political or social issues.

For example, in the US, there has been a lot of debate (辩论) in recent weeks over police’s cruel behavior. I know many people who have “lost” friends and family members online because they disagree with each other’s opinions on these issues. While some people will still try to argue with others, some have found it easier to simply cut off connection with those they disagree with.

I can understand why some people feel this way. I myself have unfollowed many people on social media for different reasons. It’s usually because they have posted ignorant, offensive (冒犯的) or rude things online. When I delete that kind of content from my social media circle, I needn’t see them any more, which makes me feel relieved (安心的) and calm. Also it entirely makes my online experience far less stressful.

On the other hand, I think it’s important for us to hear different views sometimes. When I discuss complicated (复杂的) topics with my friends, I might ask them a question in which I disagree with them and see how they defend their opinion. This teaches me how to defend my own thinking—as well as remind myself that everyone can be wrong about things from time to time.

【推荐3】With fashion magazines, advertisements and teenage icons sporting the “latest and greatest” trend, there’s a lot of pressure on teenagers to fit the mold. For decades, teenage and adolescents have used fashion as a social weapon. Bullies will pick out peers that aren’t wearing the best brands of clothing and criticize them.

Dr. Jensen, a professor at Western Illinois University, says there are some tell-tale signs that your child might be a victim of fashion bullying. They’ll become picky about what clothes they wear and will be very demanding when you take them shopping.

Dr. Mary Bousted, the general secretary of The Association of Teachers and Lecturers said, “Bully of this kind can be insidious (阴险的), and it can just be a look that a child is given. Advertising and marketing have made our society increasingly image-conscious and our children are suffering the consequences. Schools should be places where all children feel equal, but it is virtually impossible for schools to protect their pupils from the tough aspects of these commercial influences.” Andy Cranham, a teacher at City of Bristol College said, “The need to belong in groups is paramount to young learners and exclusion is something they see as the end of the world.”

What Not to Wear, a popular television show, features fashion bullying as entertainment. Each week Stacy and Clinton make fun of a fashion victim, criticizing her appearance, and both verbally and literally laughing at her wardrobe.

I think beauty is probably at the base of fashion, and the problem comes when so called “stylish” people start defining beauty in a way that excludes other people. Why wait for a trend in order to wear something in its wake? If you’re able to wear something with confidence, YOU will be the one starting a trend.

【推荐1】Imagine you’re moving to a new country on the other side of the world. Besides the geographical and cultural changes, you will find a key difference will be the language. But will your pets notice the difference? It was a question that nagged at Laura Cuaya,a brain researcher at the Neuroethology of Communication Lab at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest.

Cuaya set out to find the answer. She and her colleagues designed an experiment with 18 volunteer dogs—including her two Border Collies, Kun Kun and Odin—to see if they could differentiate(区分) between two languages. Kun Kun and Odín were used to hearing Spanish;the other dogs Hungarian. The dogs sat still within an MRI machine, while listening to an adaptation from the story The Little Prince. They heard one version in Spanish,and another in Hungarian.

Then the scientists analyzed the dogs’ brain activity and they found a different activity pattern for one language versus(与……相比)the other. Andics, who leads the lab where the study took place, said, “The finding suggests that dogs’ brain can differentiate between these two languages. In terms of brain imaging studies, this study is the very first one which showed that a non-human species brain can discriminate between languages. ” They also found that older dogs brains’ showed bigger differences in brain activity between the two languages,perhaps because older dogs have more experience listening to human language.

Amritha Mallikarjun, who wasn’t involved in this study but has been working on similar research about dogs and language, said, “It is a very exciting study because it shows that the ability to grasp the sounds and rhythms of a familiar language is something accessible to non-humans.”“And while this work relied on brain imaging,” Mallikarjun said, “it would be worth investigating whether dogs could differentiate between languages in behavioural studies, too.”

【推荐2】Children at boarding school get the best night’s sleep because of strict lights out time, according to a recent study, which was presented at Sleep Down Under, the 33rd yearly scientific meeting of the Australasian Sleep Association. Professor Kurt Lushington, a psychologist who led the study; said, “It is a naturalistic experiment showing the key to good sleep in teenagers is quite simple: a good timetable and no mobile devices (设备) at night.”

Over the past 20 years, the time children spend sleeping has fallen and only half regularly get more than seven hours. The recommended amount is eight to ten. The biggest problems are smartphones and tablets (平板电脑) whose blue light wakes the brain, making it harder to drop off.

An Australian team compared sleep patterns ( 方 式 ) of 15 to 18-year-olds at a school in Adelaide. The 59 boarders had to leave their phones in a kitchen area or on their desk before bed and turn their lights out by a set time. They slept-for an average 8 hour 26 minutes a night compared with 7 hours 46 minutes for day pupils.

Lack ( 缺 少 ) of sleep affects mental health and school performance ( 表 现 ) and causes behavioural problems. It has also been connected with the child obesity epidemic and other diseases. This year an American study found that teenager who didn’t get enough sleep took in extra sugar during a school year. They ate sweets, cakes, chocolate and biscuits and drank, fizzy drinks to promote their energy levels.

Lushingon recommends that parents reach agreement on not using a phone. This is most likely to work if they do likewise and offer other enjoyments, such as books. “I think if you put these rules in place, kids will go along with them,” he told New Scientist.