【推荐1】Depression can be harmful to those affected by the disease，but the pain it causes doesn’t end there.    1     They can see the damage the disease is causing, but may feel helpless orconfused about what to do to assist. Yet there are many ways that friends and family can help.

    2    . That means learning the symptoms of depression. Also, it means realizing that the individual may not recognize the signs himself or herself. Depression may appear as persistent unhappiness, anger, tiredness or other feelings and emotions that the individual may owe to something other than depression.

The most important thing is to be sympathetic.    3    . Listen with patience andacceptance. Let the person talk about how they’re feeling no matter how sad or negative their comments are. Do not argue about their points or try to convince them to see things in a more positive light, because someone wrestling with depression does not have the ability to do so.    4    

Talk to your physician and share what’s going on and ask what they suggest. It won’t be the first time they have heard this, and they have resources that will be helpful. For the friend or loved one, the best thing to offer is your understanding and a sense of hope. Let them know that, they will start to feel better and see things differently once they seek help and undergo treatment.

It can be helpful to point out that depression is not a personal problem or weakness of character but it’s a medical condition that responds to treatment, just like most other medical problems. And help your loved one stick with treatment.     5           .

【推荐2】According to a recent study, a new genetically modified rice can prevent infections of HIV, the virus responsible for the disease AIDS.

The study reports the newly-developed rice produces proteins that attach directly to the HIV virus. This process prevents the virus from mixing with human cells. The scientists say it can remove the effect of the virus and block its spreading.

The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS reports that worldwide, nearly 37 million people were living with HIV in 2017. The organization says the largest number of those are in developing countries. Nearly two-thirds of HIV cases are in Africa. Now there is no cure for HIV/AIDS though there have been developments in oral drug treatments to slow the progression of the disease.

The new study predicts the rice-based method will lead to long-term use of the anti-HIV treatment across the developing world. Researchers said the “groundbreaking” discovery is “realistically the only way” that anti-HIV combination treatments can be produced at a cost low enough for the developing world.

They say the easiest and most cost-effective way to use the rice will be to make it into a cream to be put on the skin. The HIV-fighting proteins can then enter the body through the skin. People all over the world could grow the rice and make the cream themselves. This would prevent the cost and travel required for many patients to receive treatments and medicine.

The process of changing the genetic structure of food crops has been debated for some time. Critics of genetically engineered crops believe they can harm people. The scientific team says further testing is needed to ensure that the genetic engineering process does not produce any additional chemicals that could be dangerous to people.

【推荐3】Covid-19 is not the only catastrophe that 2020 has brought. In parts of Asia and east Africa, swarms（成群）of locusts（蝗虫）have destroyed fields. Locusts are usually inoffensive, spread-out creatures that do not stay far from the place where they were born. But under the right circumstances, that is, a heavy rain and a following boom in plant growth, they can be gregarious. Millions of the insects gather in swarms which can fly more than 100km in a day.

In a paper published in Nature, Xiaojiao Gou and a group of other researchers clarify part of the biochemical system that drives that transformation. Dr Gou and her colleagues collected 35 chemicals acquired from the bodies and wastes of locusts. When tested, locusts were strongly attracted to just a chemical, one called 4-vinylanisole （4VA）. Scientists already know that swarming is a response to overcrowding, and Dr Gou and her colleagues found that 4VA production rose with population enlargement. Further investigation confirmed the odour receptor （气味受体）on the insects' antennae（触角）is sensitive to the chemical.

Humans have tried everything they can to deal with locust swarms, with mixed results. Man-made version of 4VA might be used to bait（诱捕）traps. If 4VA turns out to be a language that all locusts understand, then it may help humans persuade them to abandon their gregarious ways, and return to a peaceable life of being alone.

【推荐1】Is it OK for children to count on their fingers? Generations of pupils have been discouraged by their teachers from using their hands when learning maths. But a new research article published in Frontiers in Education shows using fingers may be a very important part of maths learning.

The researchers worked with 137 primary pupils aged between six and seven. All the children were given different combinations of counting and number games to play -- but only some were given exercises which involved finger-training. Some pupils played games involving number symbols, such as dominoes, shut-the-box, or snakes and ladders. Other pupils were asked to play finger games, such as being asked to hold up a given number of fingers, or numbering fingers from 1 to 5 and then having to match one of them by touching it against the corresponding(对应) finger on the other hand, or following coloured lines using a particular finger. Both these groups did a little better in maths tests than a third group of pupils who had simply had 'business as usual' with their teachers. But the group which did both the counting and the finger games performed far better.

This study provides evidence that fingers provide children with a “bridge” between different representations of numbers, which can be verbal, written or symbolic. Combined finger training and number games could be a useful tool for teachers to support children's understanding of numbers.

【推荐2】Faces, like fingerprints, are unique. Did you ever wonder how it is possible for us to recognize people? Even a skilled writer probably could not describe all the features that make one face different from another. Yet a very young child or even an animal, such as a dolphin can learn to recognize faces.

We also tell people apart by how they behave. When we talk about someone’s personality, we mean the ways in which he or she acts, speaks, thinks and feels make that person different from others.

Like the human face, human personality is very complex. But describing someone’s personality in words is somewhat easier than describing his face. If you were asked to describe what a “nice face” looked like, you probably would have a difficult time doing so. But if you were asked to describe a “nice person” , you might begin to think about someone who was kind , considerate , friendly , warm and so on.

There are many words to describe how a person thinks , feels and acts.Gordon Allport , an American psychologist, found nearly 18,000 English words characterizing differences in people’s behavior.And many of us use this information as a basis for describing or typing his personality.

People have always tried to “type” each other.Actors in early Greek drama (戏剧）wore masks to show the audience whether they played the villain’ (坏人）or the hero’s role.In fact , the words “person” and “personality” come from the Latin , meaning “mask” .Today , most television and movie actors do not wear masks. But we can easily tell the “ good guys” from the “bad guy” because the two types differ in appearance as well as behaviors.

【推荐1】Don’t talk to me; I’m busy with my iPhone.

Riding a London subway, a person from China will notice one major difference: in London, people do not look at each other. In fact, eye contact is avoided at all times. That’s not rudeness—people are just too busy to bother looking.

Busy doing what, you ask? Well, they’re certainly not using the time for a moment of quiet reflection, nor are they reading a book. New technology has replaced quiet habits. Today the only acceptable form of book on the London underground is an e-book.

Apple must earn a fortune from London commuters(乘车上下班的人). Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, over 40,000—yes, that’s 40,000—“apps” (programs downloaded for the iPhone) have been designed.

Commuters love them because they are the perfect time-fillers. One “app”, called iShoot, is a game that features tanks. Another one, Tube Exits, tells passengers where to sit on the train to be closest to the exit of their destination. ISteam clouds the iPhone screen when you breathe into the microphone. You can then write in the “ steam” on your phone screen.

For those without an iPhone, another Apple product, the iPod, may be another choice. It’s not just teenagers who “plug in” to their music—iPods are a popular way to pass the time for all ages.

And if games, e-books and music aren’t enough to keep you occupied. Then perhaps you would prefer a film. The development of palm DVD technology means many commuters watch their favorite TV show or film on the way to work. With all this entertainments, it’s amazing that people still remember to get off the train.

【推荐2】Before the discovery of DNA information in the 1980s, fingerprints（指纹）were the easiest way to solve serious crimes. It’s believed that each one of us has our own fingerprints. But did you know that our fingerprints could show a lot about us?

According to The Conversation, fingerprints can show lifestyle and environment, eating habits, possible medical problems and even the job of a person.

So how can we work all this out from just a simple fingerprint? Well, a fingerprint is formed when a finger touches a surface. Most fingerprints can’t be seen to the eye and require a chemical development process in order to make them shown. Stuck between the raised lines of a fingerprint, however, are things that can tell a story about who we are. Things like sweat, blood, and food show a lot of information about us.

Besides, its use could be much wider. For example, it may be helpful in the future to doctors treating their patients. A fingerprint check may also tell a doctor whether a patient is properly having a medicine. In the treatment of some of the most serious illnesses, having proper medicine is important.

In the future, fingerprint science can be used to the police and help doctors keep us in the best possible health.