【推荐1】When it comes to phones, music, movies and shows, it’s common for teenagers and young adults to listen too loud and too long. So turning down the loud noise isn’t just for unpleased parents, it could protect more than one billion young people at risk of hearing loss, according to a new study published in the journal BMJ Global Health.

Researchers conducted an analysis of scientific articles on unsafe listening practices published between 2000 and 2021, in which the unsafe practices were tracked based on the use of headphones as well as attendance at entertainment venues, such as concerts, bars and clubs. “We estimated that around 0.67 to 1.35 billion individuals aged 12-34 years worldwide are likely involved in unsafe listening practices and are therefore at risk of hearing loss,” said lead study author Lauren Dillard, who is a consultant to the World Health Organization and a researcher at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Plugged into a smartphone downloaded with MP3 audio files, listeners often choose volumes (音量) as high as 105 decibels (分贝), and venues like concerts and parties often range from 104 to 112 decibels, which are too much for the ears to take, the study said. “Exposure to sound at a too high volume can wear down the sensory cells and structures in the ear,” said Dillard. “If that goes on for too long, they can become permanently damaged, resulting in ringing in the ears, hearing loss or both.”

“Music is a gift to be enjoyed for a lifetime, and hearing is the sense that connects us to the people we love,” said De Wet Swanepoel, professor of audiology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. “Taking care of our hearing is key to maintaining general health and well-being. So the message here is to enjoy your music but safely.”

“Fortunately, policies, businesses and individuals can put measures into place to encourage safe listening and protect hearing from damage over time,” Dillard said.

【推荐3】The kitchen and bedroom are the most unsafe places. Common accidents in these rooms include falls, fires, poisoning, cuts, hot water burns and electric shocks. How to make sure your kitchen and bedroom are safe. The following are some tips.

THE KITCHEN

*Turn off all appliances after use.

* Make sure the floor is not slippery.

* Keep matches out of the reach of children.

*Turn pan handles away from the front of the stove.

*Always cut away from your body when you use a knife.

* Follow instructions for all electrical appliances carefully.

* Always use a ladder to reach high cupboards; never stand on a chair.

*Store all cleaning materials and poisonous materials in a locked cupboard.

THE BEDROOM

* Never smoke in bed.

* Keep a lamp near the bed.

*Turn off electric blankets when not in use.

*Have a telephone near the bed, especially if ill.

【推荐1】Many regions in China have introduced COVID-19 vaccination (接种疫苗) among children aged 3 to 11. Kids are encouraged to take it and the project is progressing, which might be important to stopping the spread of the coronavirus.     1    

Why do children get the same dosage (剂量) as adults?

When children get sick, they are generally given a reduced dosage. Many parents are worried that the same COVID-19 vaccine dosage will be a burden on the small body. So there is need for proper dose in children.     2    . The process of vaccines taking effect has no relation with the weight and body surface area of the receiver. In fact, for the majority of vaccines, the recommended doses for both babies and adults are the same.

Can children have full immunity (免疫力) after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

Some parents doubt whether vaccinating children aged 3 to 11 can produce the due immune effect as their immune systems are still developing. Actually, vaccines can work exactly the same in both children and adults. The vaccine will produce a near 100 percent immune response in children.    3     So the same vaccination strategy has been adopted for all age groups in China.

    4    

A vaccine has to go through a strict procedure before being widely used in a specific age group. Enough data need to be collected to get emergency use or come onto the market. So the medical experiments have to be considered in advance. China has carried out a series of such studies. Based on research resnlts, the risk of negative reactions in children is no higher than that of adults.

    5    . So far the most frequently reported three negative reactions are fever, pain and tiredness. At present, the government is planning to study children as young as 6 months old in the future.

【推荐2】Paper Industry in the Recovery

Today the paper industry has, like many others, been hit by the Covid-19 outbreak. But the industry is expected to bounce back in 2021, and by 2023, it's predicted to reach new heights of $1,031 billion.     1    

Last spring the world was impacted by the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020, as people rushed to pile up this bathroom product.     2     People just lost their heads to follow the rush. Anyway, today the tissue market is still growing. Meanwhile, the Covid-19 outbreak brought added bonus to this industry.     3     Others have temporarily switched to surgical face masks to meet the demand for personal protection equipment.

But there's more surprising medical use for paper: rapid tests. The system is widely used for many tests, such as to detect HIV or if a person has developed antibodies to Covid-19.     4     There has been a sharp decrease in the number of customers wanting to reach into a pot to fetch spoons, forks or straws for obvious reasons, causing restaurants to use more and more single use packaging. Meanwhile, schools have started to provide paper lunch boxes so that students don't need to eat all together in a canteen.

    5     After months of lockdown, practical hobbies such as DIY, crafts, and art have recently experienced a recovery. Some paper companies have seen more interest in paper for art and design.

Paper is now protecting us from infections and boredom, and it will always be a valuable material in our life.

【推荐3】A year ago, Joe Stilin spent the summer training for the Berlin Marathon. The professional proceeded 100-mile weeks in preparation, and his effort paid off, running a 2:17:15—a career-best on a record-qualified course.

This year, almost every racing opportunity was canceled among safety measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak. As a runner who succeeds on a full racing schedule, Stilin was taken aback by the sudden cancellations—but in the face of the upheaval, he used the summer to run for a purpose that went beyond personal achievement.

From May to September, the Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier participated in the One Wisconsin Running Challenge—a virtual(虚拟的) running fundraiser for local charities providing essential goods and financial support to those affected by the global pandemic(流行病).

Weeks after the marathon trials, most major sports competitions were cut off, including the Tokyo Olympics. But Stilin approached the change as an opportunity to steel himself on the stress-relieving benefits of running and use the miles of the One Wisconsin Running Challenge as a way to give back.

For the first time ever, Stilin left one day off in his weekly mileage this summer, which has been vital for recovery and his development as a runner.“That’s actually been a good lesson to learn,” Stilin said.“As someone who puts a lot of pressure on myself before competition, my goal is to remember to move forward next year when we get races back. I want to remember this summer when the pressure was off and we still worked hard, and the fitness came of its own accord(一致).”

“I think this year is breaking down a lot of people a little bit but also building them back up,” he said.“It’s forcing myself and everybody to get out of their comfort zone. Unfortunately, a lot of people are stressed, anxious, and maybe depressed. But I really think that when we heal from it, we’re going to be better for it.”