【推荐3】It has happened to us all: sitting on the sofa, toying with the idea of sending an old friend an unexpected text, but worrying that a message out of the blue may seem unusual or just unwelcome.

However, research suggests such fears are unfounded, with those on the receiving end often far more grateful than the sender may expect. Dr. Peggy Liu, the lead author of the research said the team began their research because they felt a lot of people were losing touch with each other due to their concerns or fears.

Liu and her colleagues conducted a series of experiments, based on hypothetical (虚构的) and real-life plots, involving more than 5,900 participants. In one experiment, 54 participants wrote a note to a fellow college student they hadn’t been in touch for a while. This note was emailed to the latter by the researchers, who asked both the writer and the receiver to indicate how much they felt the message was appreciated.

The results show that on average senders rated receivers’ appreciation at 5.57 on a seven-point scale, while the receivers themselves rated their appreciation at 6.17. The team said this and other experiments revealed that people receiving messages appreciate them significantly more than the sender tends to expect.

But Liu said questions remained. “While we show that people typically underestimate how much others appreciate being reached out to, it remains an outstanding question how we can actually motivate people to reach out to others more,” she said. “That’s what we’re going to do next.”

Stephen Reicher, a professor of social psychology at the University of St Andrews, said the results made sense. “If the pandemic (疫情爆发) has taught us anything, it is that we have a pandemic of loneliness causing massive harm and we need to address it urgently as a matter of public health,” he said, “Feeling connected to others has consistently been shown to be good for our physical and mental health. Such connections can be remarkably effective in everything from protecting against depression to recovery from heart attacks.” He added that simply feeling part of a group was equally effective.

【推荐1】“There’s no place like home.”This English saying has much truth in it: the best place to be is surrounded by our treasured possessions and our loved ones and with a roof over our head. And for many young adults (成年人), it’s the only affordable place to stay, where they can receive first-class service from mum and dad. But this comes at a price!

In some countries, it’s quite traditional for young people to live at home with their parents, while in other places, leaving home to start their own independent life is much preferred. But there’s been a growing trend (趋势), in the UK at least, for young people to return home to live. According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, a quarter of young adults aged 20-34 now live at home, and that number has been growing.

A survey by a website has found that 18% of adult children in the UK say they are moving back home because of debt, compared with8% last year. More young people have lost their jobs, and others can’t afford their housing cost. So, it’s easy to see why they’re increasingly becoming home birds.

The BBC’s Lucy Hooker explains that many returning adult children enjoy home comforts. These include cooked meals, a full fridge and cleaning, as well as their bills being covered by what is commonly called ‘the hotel of mum and dad’. But for the hoteliers- mum and dad, the survey has found their cost has gone up sharply.

With parents spending aroundf1, 886 on take-away food, buying new furniture and Wi-Fi services for their children, it’s easy for the returning children to put their feet up and make themselves at home. That’s before they learn a home truth- that one day it might be their own kids who’ll be checking into the hotel of mum and dad!

【推荐3】Record fires sweeping across the Amazon this month have been grabbing global headlines as scientists and environmental groups are worried that they will aggravate climate change crisis and threaten biodiversity (生物多样性).

As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is often called "the lungs of the world". It is also home to about 3 million species of plants and animals, and 1 million local people. The vast rainforest plays an important role in the world's ecosystem because they absorb heat instead of it being reflected back into the atmosphere. They also store carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, ensuring that less carbon is released, mitigating the effects of climate change.

"Any forest destroyed is a threat to biodiversity and the people who use that biodiversity," Thomas Lovejoy, an ecologist at George Mason University told National Geographic. "The overwhelming threat is that a lot of carbon goes into the atmosphere," he stressed. "In the midst of the global climate crisis, we cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity. The Amazon mu:st be protected/⁵ U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.

Data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) show that the number of forest fires in Brazil quickly increased by 82 percent from January to August this year from a year ago. A total of 71,497 forest fires were registered in the country in the first eight months of 2019, up from 39,194 in the same period in 2018, INPE said. "We estimate that the forest areas in the Brazilian Amazon have decreased something between 20 and 30 percent compared to the last 12 months," Carlos Nobre, a researcher at the University of Sao Paulo, told German broadcaster Deutsche Welle.

Brazil owns about 60 percent of the Amazon rainforest, whose degradation could have severe consequences for global climate and rainfall. The extent of the area ruined by fires has yet to be determined, but the emergency has transcended (超出)Brazil's borders, reaching Peruvian, Paraguayan and Bolivian regions.

【推荐1】When you hear the word “birthmark”, you probably think of one of those black or brown spots that you have on your body. For me, it’s different―I have them on my lips and inside my mouth. I’m used to being asked, “What are those black marks on your lips?” When I tell people they’re birthmarks, they usually say, “That’s strange.” I used to consider them ugly. However, my mom calls them beauty marks.

In pictures, I used to hide my birthmarks by pursing (噘起) my lips so I wouldn’t ave to deal with people’ s questions, As I was growing up, people wore me out with them. Some people would ask me the same questions even before knowing my name. In society I feel like we judge people by their looks before their personality.

My birthmarks are caused by a genetic condition from my mom’s side of the family, My mom’s mom has birthmarks on her lips, and my mom’s uncle and my uncle have some on their bodies. Every year I plan to have procedure to remove them. But when imagining the process, I always get nervous and give up.

My cousin faces a similar challenge. She has a huge birthmark that takes up her whole arm. She’s never tried to hide it or change her appearance. Once, her grandmother told her that the birthmark looked extremely prominent and suggested that she should wear long sleeves more often. If my cousin had actually taken that suggestion, she wouldn’t be such a person as she is.

Inspired by my cousin, I am finally accepting who I am and now I don’t hesitate when someone asks me about them either. I say, “They’re beauty marks” and smile without pursing my lips.

【推荐2】One advantage of the Internet is shopping conveniently online for clothes; one disadvantage of the Internet is also shopping conveniently online for clothes.

“Nothing fits,” said Lam Yuk Wong, a senior in electrical and computer engineering at Rice University. “Everyone says this. They order clothes and they don’t fit. People get very unhappy.”

Wong and her design partner, Xuaner "Cecilia" Zhang, are Team White Mirror, creators of what they call a "virtual (虚拟)fitting room". Their goal is simple and consumer-friendly: to let online clothing shoppers have a perfect fit and a perfect look when shopping every time. Both women are from China, Wong from Hong Kong and Zhang from Beijing. They both order most of their clothing online. They got the idea from their own experience as consumers and from listening to the complaints of friends and relatives. They say, ‘The color is wrong’ or ‘I got the right size but it still does not fit.’ We want to make it like you’re in the store trying on the clothes,” Zhang said.

Using a Kinect developed by Microsoft for use with its Xbox 360 video game player, Zhang scans Wong and turns her image into, in effect, a virtual model, keeping Wong's dimensions (尺寸), and even her skin and hair color

“We put the clothes on the shopper’s 3-D body models and show how they look when they are dressed,” Wong said. So far, Wong and Zhang have adapted the software to show dresses and shirts, and they are now working on shorts.

Asked if she thought men as well as women might be interested in using their virtual fitting room, Wong said, “I think their wives will care about this, so it will also be important to men.”

【推荐3】The James Geddes Language Center includes two language laboratories, especially equipped for language teaching and extensive tape production and processing facilities. A test is required of every student whose recent course in French was taken in high school or at a college other than Boston University. The test can be taken at any time, but should be taken only once. The following is the arrangement for the French courses this summer.

This is for students who have never studied French including grammar, conversation practice, written exercises and directed compositions. Lab 1 is required.

Tuition: $1,800

Duration: July 1 - July 15

Time: Monday to Wednesday 9 am-11:30 am

The CAS LF 111 examination result is required. This is a continuation of the CAS LF 111 basic text: grammar, conversation, compositions and additional readings. Lab 1 is required.

Tuition: $1,800 Duration:

Duration: July 16 - July 31

Time: Monday to Wednesday 9 am-11:30 am

The CAS LF 112 examination result is required. If you want to strengthen your skills in grammar and conversation, don’t miss it. Literary readings, listening to novels in the language laboratory and discussions in class are included. Lab 2 is required.

Tuition: $2,000

Duration: August 1 - August 15

Time: Thursday to Saturday 11 am-1 pm

The CAS LF 211 examination result is still a must. Like the three above, the whole class is also instructed in French. You’ll continue CAS LF 211 grammar review, conversation and compositions, learning selections from modern literature, listening to novels in the laboratory and discussions in class. Lab 1 is required.

Tuition: $2,000

Duration: August 16 - August 31

Time: Thursday to Saturday 11 am-1 pm

【推荐1】New York’s best classes for kids include sports classes, performing arts classes, art classes, language programs and baby classes. Make sure your kids are ready for new adventures with these super-cool offerings!

92nd Street Y Classes

At this institution your musician can learn how to play an instrument. After-school classes examine different musical pieces and encourage work in a group setting. At the end of the program, mini Mozarts can impress their family and friends at open-house performances. Plus, when they're not jamming, kids can take advantage of homework help in the Clubhouse, where they are divided up by grade level. Ages 5-15.

The Cliffs at LIC

After a day of fighting the academic obstacle course at school, your favorite achievers can reach new heights on a rock-climbing wall. The Cliffs, offerings allow developing bodies to build muscle strength. For example, introductory sessions teach climbers how to tie safety knots (结) as well as other basics, mastering them with hands-on games and activities. The Cliffs at LIC, Long Island City. Ages 6-18.

Staten Island Skating Pavilion

This large area maintains its year-round frosty temperatures for ice-skating fun. Courses are offered every day for a variety of interests and skill levels, and public and freestyle sessions are available for children who want to spend some afternoons there without instruction. Ages 4 and up.

West Side YMCA

If your child wants to learn how to swim, you'd be pressed to find more options than those offered at the Y. Kids are grouped by age and capability. The courses cover personal safety and stroke techniques. If your offspring prefer dry land, the Y also offers dance, basketball and football. Visit website for class descriptions and detailed price information. Ages 5-18.

【推荐2】In the UK you will see people wearing all kinds of clothing. School children usually wear a uniform until the age of 16. For older students, UK schools, colleges and universities are typically informal environments where you can choose what to wear.

For classes, students tend to wear casual clothes. Some courses require you to wear special clothing for health and safety. For example, if you are in a science laboratory, you may need to wear protective glasses and a white lab coat. Check with your course provider what you need and if you need to buy them yourself.

For parties and nights out, people dress in many different styles. If it's a more formal evening event, such as a university ball, this might mean wearing a dress or suit and tie. You can avoid the expense of buying formal wear by renting it from a local shop.

The weather in the UK is rarely extreme, but it can change quickly. In just one day, you might have warm sunshine, rain and cold wind. Wear several layers so you can put them on or take them off as the weather changes, and always carry an umbrella.

The UK is a multicultural place and it is common for people to wear clothing associated with their culture and religion, for example, a head scarf, kippah, turban, sari or long skirt. In major towns and cities, you will find special shops selling clothing from around the world, particularly Asian and Middle Eastern clothing.

Most UK towns and cities have a large range of shops selling clothes to suit all styles and budgets. As well as high-street shops, there are plenty of second-hand and old shops. These are perfect for bargain-hunting and are often found in student areas.

【推荐3】Red squirrels (松鼠) , a kind of animal once lost from their native woodlands, have been returned to the north-west Highlands, early results of a reintroduction (重新引进) project show.

The new population has naturally increased since they were reintroduced to north-west Scotland last year. The animal had disappeared as a result of the reduction of forests, as well as illness and competition from the introduced non-native grey squirrel. However, Trees for Life—the organization behind the project—is hopeful that red squirrels will continue to add to their 138,000 number and continue their increase.

“Early results shows that this could be a real wildlife success story. The new squirrel populations are not only living in their new homes, they are also starting to spread out into new areas, with squirrels being sighted as far as 15km away, “said Becky Priestley, Trees for Life’s wildlife officer.

The first relocation began in the spring of 2016, through to this year, when the first 33 squirrels from Inverness-shire and Moray were set free at Shieldaig in Wester Ross. Another 22 were set free at the Coulin estate, next to Beinn Eighe, plus 30 at Plockton, which is partly owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

The red squirrel, found throughout Eurasia, has experienced a great population reduction in recent years. In 2007, just 25,000 could be found throughout the UK after a one-time high of 3.5 million. This is often because of the fact that their grey cousins have a larger appetite (食欲) and eat most of the food in the forest. Reds are also more likely to be influenced by viruses (病毒) than greys, dying up to 25 times quicker.

Grey squirrels first came to England from North America in 1876 as a decorative species. However, it was not until 1930 that the damage they did was realized, when it was almost too late for the reds.

Now, though, red squirrels appear to naturally take over their land again. During 2016, they spread beyond Shieldaig, with one sighting eight miles away beyond Loch Torridon. One was seen recently near Nostie, about five miles from the release site, and there have been sightings further.