【推荐1】At the end of 2019, I learned that a software start-up, whose goal is to let the living communicate with the dead, was looking for applicants of its new project. Intrigued by what it was promising, I applied to experiment the software on my very-much-alive parents.

At first, I thought it would be just a fun project to see what was technologically possible. Then the pandemic (流行病) added some importance to the experiment. I was frightened that my parents might die, and that with the strict control on hospital visits at the time, I might never have the chance to say goodbye.

The first step of the experiment was an interview. My parents were asked questions by a technician for hours — about everything from their earliest memories to what they believe will happen after they die. Whether through pandemic-related concerns or a willingness to humor their daughter, my parents put up zero resistance. The company then took their responses and started to create the voice assistants. A few months later, my virtual parents arrived via email.

When I communicated with them through the app on my phone, my hands were shaking. I hadn’t seen my actual, real parents for six months. They told me personal stories I’d never heard. They gave me life advice and told me things about their childhoods, as well as my own. It was fascinating.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about my experiment. I’m glad to have my virtual parents. They’ve enabled me to learn new things about my parents, and it’s comforting to think that those bots will be there even when my parents aren’t. On the other hand, I can’t help but find it sad that it took a stranger interviewing my parents for me to properly know the complex people they are. But I feel lucky to have had the chance to grasp that and to still have the precious opportunity to spend more time with them and learn more about them, face to face, no technology involved.

【推荐2】As my kids and I walked around a community garden the other week, I asked them what veggies they could identify. We were in Alberta, where many plants were still in their early stages of growth — I wasn’t optimistic about what the kids would be able to name by leaves alone. However, they called out, “Tomatoes! Potatoes! Carrots!” Their answers made me even prouder than if they’d just explained some knowledge of physics. All the time we’ve spent in our home garden is actually sinking in.

Although I’ve been gardening for years, this year feels different. Spending time in the garden has helped me with my own well-being at a trying time, and it has given me a new way to connect with my kids when I’m running out of steam.

My garden is wild, full of life, and a bit messy. Honestly, the same goes for my kids — and I don’t expect perfection from them either. Unless you’re relying on your yield for money or food, it’s a good idea to have your expectations for gardening as low as possible. My kids say they “love the garden” but “don’t like gardening” — I think they mean they don’t like the chores. If I have some weeding or potting to do, I’ll also have some entertainment for them, which can be as simple as “find these 10 rocks” or “wet this plot with your water gun”.

Involving the kids in every stage of the process can be powerful and fun, even if what you have are just a few containers on a balcony. “Gardening allows us to spend free, unscheduled outdoor time with our kids,” writes journalist and author Shannon Brescher Shea in her book Growing Sustainable Together. “Let your kids lead the way. Invite them to participate in every step, from planting to harvesting, but don’t force it.”

One of the best things about gardens is the food, but frankly, my kids are not going to be pushing greens into their mouths any time soon. Finding uses for garden goods that go beyond food production can spark interest and supply you with some unexpectedly good results.

【推荐1】Wanting to lose weight or quit smoking are often resolutions made at the beginning of the New Year. Meg Baker, one University of Alabama at Birmingham wellness expert says there is a key ingredient to being successful health-wise in the coming year. About half of the most popular resolutions made each year are health-related, according to the United States government. In addition to losing weight and quitting smoking, they include eating healthier foods, getting fit, managing stress and drinking less alcohol.

Meg Baker says while the focus on self-improvement is good, an individual must be ready to make a change in order to actually do so. “Readiness to change is a big factor,” Baker said. “Based on the stages of the change model: precontemplation (unwilling to make a change), contemplation (considering a lifestyle change) and action, you have to want to change your lifestyle to successfully improve your health.”

Develop small, short-term goals that will fit into your schedule; these should be realistic. Consider the benefits and reasons for the change. Talk to a family member, friend or co-worker about goals, this accountability will increase the possibility of your staying committed to a new gym plan or quit-smoking play, and they may want to join you.

Baker says starting small increases the possibility of success. Find a form of exercise that you love, make small nutritional changes like packing a lunch or cooking dinner at home, and get digital reinforcements by using tracking systems and apps.

Additionally, Baker says, because so much time is spent at work, it is a good idea to consider signing up for workplace wellness programs, if offered. “Many companies want to see their employees thrive, so they will offer incentives to help them improve their health, like the My Health Rewards program we are starting at UAB,” Baker said. “Whether it is to improve your energy level, improve mood, combat health conditions and disease, or to be there for your kids, future, there’s always a reason that a resolution was made,” Baker said.

“So when the going gets tough, remind yourself of why you’re making a lifestyle change, and this will keep you motivated.” Also, consider modifications to the new plan if it isn’t viable. Baker said, “If the new plan proves it can’t be done, switch things up. Variety is the key to life and can keep you from getting burned out.”

【推荐2】Asthma (哮喘) is a condition that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. It is a lung disease that affects your airways—the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs. It causes the muscles in these tubes to contract, the tubes themselves to swell and sticky mucus to be produced. All of these factors can make it very difficult for a sufferer to breathe properly.

Shortness of breath, especially after exercise, coughing or difficulty breathing while sleeping are all common symptoms. These can be described as mild asthma attacks; however, they can usually be controlled by medication. A severe asthma attack, on the other hand, where a sufferer finds it very difficult to breathe, may require hospital treatment. How badly you are affected by these symptoms depends on what types of asthma you have—from mild to chronic—and how well you are able to control the disorder.

Mild or moderate asthma can be easily controlled through medication or lifestyle changes. Additionally, all attacks need a trigger, and if these triggers can be identified and avoided, the likelihood of an attack decreases. Triggers can include: pollution, smoking, dust, animal hair, stress, pollen, exercise and cold air. These triggers are personal to each individual sufferer, so if you have asthma, make sure you know what is causing your attacks.

In the last half-century there have been many developments in the treatment of asthma. There are presently two main types of medicine: preventers and relievers. A preventer is used every day and reduces the swelling of the airways, cutting the risk of an attack. A reliever is taken when breathing has become (or is going to become) difficult; this actually relaxes the muscles of the airways, reducing constriction and improving the airflow.

Prevention is also good treatment. So if you have asthma, remember to keep generally healthy, take regular exercise and lots of vitamin C to avoid colds and flu —which can be dangerous for asthma sufferers. A healthy diet is also important, and do watch what you eat, as certain foods or food additives can be asthma triggers.

【推荐2】Pandas have always been one of the cutest creatures of the animal kingdom, but did you know that there are actually two types of pandas?

These animals are divided into Sichuan and Qinling subspecies (亚种群). The Qinling giant panda, which lives in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, has a round head and short mouth, which makes it look like a cat. The Sichuan giant panda, which lives in Sichuan province, is more bear-like and has a bigger and more oval (椭圆形的) head, according to a study published in a recent issue of the Chinese Science Bulletin.

The study, conducted by Zhejiang University, the BGI Life Science Research Institution and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, showed the subspecies’ differences and evolutionary (进化的) characteristics, including the first report on the genome (基因组) of the Qinling subspecies.

The two subspecies evolved around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, which means they haven’t contacted one another for at least 10,000 years. Besides their different physical features, the Sichuan subspecies is better adapted to survive in the wild due to its history of greater genetic variation. The Qinling subspecies never migrated (迁徙) across the Yellow River Basin, so it has had no major changes in genetic variation.

The key factors affecting the long-term survival of a species are its ability to reproduce and develop immunity (免疫力) against disease. When it comes to making babies, the Sichuan subspecies is more reproductive than the Qinling subspecies, said Fang Shengguo, a professor at Zhejiang University’s College of Life Sciences.

Pandas were once meat eaters but later turned to a bamboo diet. In response to the huge changes in their eating habits, they evolved relatively small internal organs to slow down their metabolism (新陈代谢). Changes in giant panda genes are mainly related to their reproductive system, which may be responsible for their reduced reproduction, according to the study.

Accurate genetic management is important in artificial breeding (繁殖) and conservation, Fang pointed out. He also suggested gene exchanges between small populations of pandas within the same subspecies should be sped up, which could help reduce inbreeding (近亲交配) and genetic decline. “Unless the species is in danger, interbreeding between the two subspecies should be avoided as much as possible. Otherwise, the reproduction of the offspring (后代) may be reduced, which would be very bad for the Sichuan subspecies population,” said Fang, who also noted the importance of restoring pandas habitats.