【推荐1】Can staying up late make you fat? A growing body of research has suggested that poor sleep quality is linked to an increased risk of obesity (肥胖症). But a new study found that it’s not the sleep loss that leads to obesity, but rather that overweight can cause poor sleep.The researchers discovered their findings in a very small worm, called C.elegans.

Study co-author David Raizen stressed that while these findings in worms may not translate directly to humans, C. elegans offers a good model for studying humans' sleep. Like all other animals that have nervous systems, they need sleep. But unlike humans, who have complex neural circuitry (神经回路) and are difficult to study, a C. elegans has only 302 nerve cells，one of which scientists know for certain is a sleep regulator.

In humans, people who get fewer than six hours of sleep per night are more likely to be obese. Moreover, starvation in humans, fruit flies, and worms has been shown to affect sleep, indicating that it is regulated, at least in part, by nutrient availability. However, the way in which sleeping and eating work in tandem (协同地) has remained unclear.

The researchers genetically changed C.elegans to “turn off" a nerve cell that controls sleep. These worms could still eat, breathe, and reproduce, but they lost their ability to sleep.With this nerve cell turned off,the researchers saw a severe drop in ATP levels, which is the body's energy currency. “That suggests that sleep is an attempt to conserve energy; it's not actually causing the loss of energy,"Raizen explained.

The researchers knocked out the KIN-29 gene to create sleepless worms, and the mutant (突变的) C.elegans accumulated much fat. They assumed that the KIN-29 mutants did not sleep is because they were unable to release their fat.To test this guess, the researchers again controlled the KIN-29 mutant worms,this time expressing a chemical substance that freed their fat. With that operation,the worms were again able to sleep.

【推荐3】Passwords don’t have to be a pain. There’s a way to choose and remember them with confidence. With the right approach, you can start using the process to your advantage, by setting passwords that also strengthen your memory.

Passwords should be complex and varied enough to be secure, yet still memorable. But with so many to keep track of, this can be hard to achieve. No wonder so many people use the same password over and over again or simply write them all down!

A much better idea is to follow a system. You save time at the setting stage, and have a clear pattern for your memory to follow. It’s good exercise for your brain and a valuable way to protect your identity online.

The following system uses letters, numbers and symbols, so it will please even the strictest website. And the random-looking codes it produces would be extremely difficult for someone to crack, but just enough of a challenge for your brain. First, choose a short quotation, one that no one would have any reason to associate with you. Pick out the initial letters-creating the first “building block” for your passwords. So, if you chose, “play it again, Sam”, you’d have the letters PIAS.

Next, choose a meaningful date-again, one that can’t be guessed or easily researched. Maybe the year of a favourite holiday, ‘86’, say.

Then add a random element by picking any two keyboard symbols: for example, & and $.

Finally, organize these building blocks in any order you like. And strengthen the code further by making some of the letters lower case, and some upper: maybe 86& $ PiAs.

Spend a little time getting to know this “foundation” for your passwords. “See” it in your mind’s eye. And then start using it as the basis for every new password you set. Add two or three extra letters each time, a few initials to remind you of what this particular password is for. For example, you might use CC for the camera club forum.

So the final password for your BBC account could be: BBC86&$ PiAs.

With a system like this, you’ve got a basic formula to follow. But each password ends up being complex and unique, helping to protect your identity and giving your memory a cracking workout every time.

【推荐1】What do you think of the “double reduction” policy (双减政策)? Do you have more time to do your favorite things after school? Some students talk about it. Let’s have a look.

【推荐2】Is homeschooling good or bad? That is a question that many parents ask themselves. In my opinion, homeschooled kids can give reliable answers.

Kayla Murray, who lives in Greensboro North Carolina, started homeschooling almost eight years ago, after attending two local schools. “Homeschooling is school at home,” like the name says, but it’s not just that/ she says. “You're able to learn more and do more.”

Having experienced learning at both school and home, Kayla says that she prefers the latter. “With homeschooling, I can do schoolwork in my pajamas, and no one cares,” she says, “you also have more chances. Earlier this year, my family and I were able to take a short vacation and go to an air show. My siblings and I get to take the day off for our birthdays. This year, I spent that time reading and playing the piano and guitar.”

There are, however, drawbacks of being homeschooled, Kayla says, especially “the lack of people”. While she doesn't miss homework, al school, she did enjoy getting to see my friends every day.”

Matthew Dimmette, also from Greensboro, used to be a homeschooler. He now attends public high school. He says being homeschooled is quite different from going to public school. The differences depend on how you are homeschooled and the things you do. “For me, it wasn't really different in terms of the classes but the school environment was a big change atter hearting at home. says Matthew.

Talking about his homeschooling experience, Matthew says the best part of it was being able to learn what he wanted to. Yet the main disadvantage was that he couldn't do many experiments in homeschooling unless taking classes at different places. “My interest in science has been growing quickly in recent years, so I chose to go to public school,” he says.