【推荐1】If you thought running was just great for the body, then think again. Scientists have found that the sport not only keeps people fit but also improves your brain power (脑力).

The research found that people who keep fit are more likely to have larger brains, better memories and clearer thinking. They also found that unfit people tended to have smaller brains and reduced cognitive skills. The findings add to a growing body of evidence which links exercise with helping protect the brain against ageing (老化) and also helping it replace dying cells (死细胞). This might reduce the risk of many illnesses and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

One research paper within its latest issue sees scientists at Kentucky University putting 30 adults aged 59-69 on a treadmill (跑步机). Their heart and lung capacity (肺活量) was measured and an MRI scanner was used to assess the blood flow to their brains. Those who were less fit had smaller brains compared to the fitter volunteers who had larger brains. Scientists in Germany followed 21 adults aged between 60-77. As they went through a three-month fitness program, they saw improvements in their memory.

Researchers are not yet sure why exercise helps to protect brain cells but some research in mice has produced results. Mice, examined at the National Institute on Ageing, in Baltimore, found that cells in the hippocampus (海马体), an area of the brain used for memory, were actively reproducing while their fatter peers were in decline.

Linda Clare, professor of clinical psychology of ageing and dementia at Exeter University and a member of the Global Council on Brain Health told The Sunday Times: “Moderate intensity aerobic (有氧的) activity such as walking, cycling or running can produce changes in brain structure and function.”

【推荐2】Everyone has got two personalities—the one that is shown to the world and the other that is secret and real. You don’t show your secret personality when you’re awake, because you can control yourself.     1     In a normal night, of course, you often change your position. The important position that best shows your secret personality is the one that you go to sleep in.

If you go to sleep on your back, you’re a very open person and you are easily influenced by fashion or new ideas. You don’t like to upset people.     2     You’re quite shy and you aren’t confident.

If you sleep on your stomach, you are a person who likes to keep secrets. You worry a lot and you’re always easily becoming sad. You’re very stubborn, but you aren’t very ambitious. You are satisfied with your life the way it is. You usually live for today not for tomorrow.     3    

If you sleep curled up(卷曲), you are probably a very nervous person. You have a low opinion of yourself and so you’re often defensive. You don’t usually like meeting people.     4     You are easily hurt.

    5     You know your strengths and weaknesses. You’re usually careful and confident. You sometimes feel anxious, but you don’t often get depressed. You always say what you think even if it annoys people.

【推荐3】Once the temperatures rise to full-on summer highs, life becomes difficult for pet parents. Long walks, the lunchtime run and road trips, things you enjoy together quite safely for the rest of the year, can become dangerous because too much exercise in hot sun or leaving animals in a car, even in the shade, can cause heatstroke (中暑) which can be deadly.

“Heatstroke is a condition where a dog’s temperature rises to the point where damage to internal organs (器官) can occur,” warns Dr. Cindy Bressler. “This is usually seen during the summer months or in warm climates, and is caused primarily because the dog cannot cool itself quickly enough.”

Because of their fur coats, dogs can’t cool via sweating through the skin like humans and they cool themselves by breathing heavily, quickly pulling cool air into the lungs and pushing hot air out. Overweight dogs are more likely to suffer heatstroke. Signs of heatstroke include breathing difficulty, vomiting (呕吐), high body temperatures and a bright red tongue.

“Dogs do not sweat like humans, and without this natural body cool-off response, they are more vulnerable than humans in high temperatures,” says Bressler. “To help prevent heatstroke, you should always have cool water available for your dog and never leave your dog alone in a car, especially in hot weather. Pets who are outdoors should always have access to a shaded area.”

If heatstroke occurs, Bressler advises cooling your pet with cool water, wet towels, fans and cold air.

“Do not cool them too quickly because that can be dangerous,” she adds. “Bring them to the doctor immediately.”

Cats also run the risk of overheating: “With cats,” says Bressler, “it’s important to include water in their diet as they do not seek out water like dogs do. Cats should always have access to fresh and clean water.”

【推荐1】We use both words and gestures to express our feelings, but the problem is that these words and gestures can be understood in different ways. It is true that a smile means the same thing in many cultures. So does laughter and crying.There are also a number of striking similarities in the way different animals show the same feelings. Dogs, tigers and humans, for example, often show their teeth when they are angry. This is probably because they are born with those behaviour patterns.

Fear is another emotion that is shown in much the same way all over the world. In Chinese and English literature, a phrase like “he went pale and began to tremble” suggests that the man is either very afraid or he has just got a very big shock. However, “he opened his eyes wide” is used to suggest “anger” in Chinese whereas in English it means “surprise”. In Chinese “surprise” can be described in a phrase like “they stretch out their tongues”! “Sticking out your tongue” in English is an insulting gesture or expresses strong dislike.

Even in the same culture, people differ in the ability to understand and express feelings. Experiments in America have shown that women are usually better than men at recognising fear, anger, love and happiness on people’s faces. Other studies show that older people usually find it easier to recognise or understand body language than younger people do.

【推荐2】Animals grow up in different ways. Some newborn animals are helpless, for they can’t take care of themselves, but their mothers protect them. A newborn kangaroo is very small. It is only a few centimeters long. It closes its eyes and doesn’t have hair. It stays safe in its mother’s pouch (育儿袋) for a long time. A newborn monkey cannot walk. Its mother carries it everywhere.

Other baby animals can walk soon after they’re born. They learn to run with their mothers when danger is near. A baby zebra can run, an hour after it is born.

Some baby animals are born in a place that is safe. Baby wolves are usually born in big holes with little light. Other baby animals are born in the open. A baby elephant is often born on open land.

Animals that drink their mothers’ milk are called mammals. A mother bear’s milk is rich. Baby bears have milk for a few months. This is the same as baby zebras. As baby animals grow, they need solid (固体的) food. Baby lions eat what their mother can catch!