【推荐2】The online mapping is a way to use maps available online to provide a number of functions that traditional maps have provided for years.     1     Meanwhile, there are other types of maps available as well, such as nautical maps (航海地图).

One advantage of the online mapping is the ability to custom-make a map for an individual based on particular needs.     2     Thus, the map is much more than a graph of roads; it is a custom-made printing specifically based on a desired route.

In addition, the online mapping also usually includes text directions that can help provide yet another affirmation (确认) of the route. These text directions are often displayed in conjunction with any map that is shown and is printable.     3    

Traditional maps may only be updated once a year just before they are published.     4     It can be updated in real time. A map can indeed be update d on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, but it does not necessarily mean that it will be. Even the most thorough mapping services may not be able to keep up with all the construction projects and changes on any given day.

    5    . Some maps may only show the route the driver should take, without other streets being listed. Also, there is no way for an online mapping service to inform travelers if they do wander off the route prescribed.

【推荐3】Did you know that 9 out of 10 Americans check the weather more than three times a day? Weather forecasting certainly plays a major role in our daily lives. DeepMind, a Google artificial intelligence company, has developed the Nowcasting, a new AI system that can calculate the chances of rain within the next 90 minutes!

DeepMind aims to find solutions to real-life science problems. In December 2020, for example, the company successfully used AI to predict the shapes of virtually every protein in the human body, as well as in twenty of the most studied animals This will aid scientists in developing drugs to cure diseases.

Now, DeepMind has used Al technology to create a system that can accurately predict rainfall within the hour. Engineers at DeepMind worked with researchers at the University of Exeter and the Met Office, the UK’s national weather service.

The researchers “trained” their AI model to predict the time and location of rainfall by feeding it radar data that represents the formation and movement of clouds across the country. Once “trained”, the AI system can generate (生成), its own data from the patterns. To understand this better, imagine that you pause a movie halfway. Having watched enough of the movie to follow the story, you might form your own predictions of what could happen next. Similarly, the AI can make a conclusion based on the radar patterns it has analyzed thus far.

Current forecasting techniques use weather prediction systems based on equations. Even though they are extremely powerful, these systems perform better with long-term forecasts. Since the AI system draws on real-time radar data, it has proven useful in forecasting weather in the short term. It is especially accurate in forecasting location, movement, and amount of rainfall. This was confirmed by 56 professional weather forecasters who tested the system. By predicting storms quickly and efficiently, the system could help save lives, by enabling local populations to prepare for extreme weather events.

Researchers are currently seeking to improve the AI system’s accuracy. Nowcasting presents an exciting opportunity to effectively predict weather events, especially rare or intense ones caused by our changing environment.

【推荐1】Phil Wise is a wildlife scientist from the Save the Tasmanian Devil (袋獾)Program. The scientists working with this program study Tasmanian devils, check their health, and track the devils found in the wild. Because a disease is reducing the number of devils, Oddity, a young Tasmanian devil, and 14 others were raised in a preserve and then brought to Maria Island to be set free into the wild.

Life on this island off the coast of Tasmania was a big change for Oddity and the others. These devils bad little experience with other kinds of animals and had to explore the land and find new bones.

Though they are raised in zoos all over the world, devils live wild only in Tasmania. They eat dead animals they find, which helps clean up the environment. Devils also eat animals such as wallabies, wombats, and possums, helping to keep those populations balanced.

But a disease called Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) is killing devils on mainland Tasmania, putting them in danger. DFTD spreads when a diseased animal bites a healthy animal. The goal of the scientists w ho set Oddity and the others free was to create a lot of devils which are free of DFTD on Maria Island. Oddity is a part of this “insurance population” of devils raised in zoos and wildlife preserves. This means that if the facial disease causes the Tasmanian devil to die out in the wild, devils like Oddity can be sent back into disease-free areas of Tasmania, giving devils a chance to survive.

Oddity started his new life on Maria Island. And the other animals did so well that 13 more devils were set free. The 28 original Tasmanian devils have reproduced; there are now around 80 devils. They are doing well on Maria Island. and the plan is considered a success. Wise says he is “very happy to know that animals are getting a chance to be free in the wild in an area that is free of DFTD It is the final aim of all who work to protect animals.”

【推荐3】A start-up company backed by tech giants IBM and Microsoft plans to build thousands of artificial reefs across the globe to fight climate change by restoring coral reef (珊瑚礁) ecosystems.

The Reef Company plans to have its first reefs in the water by December 2022, and is encouraging more companies to fund reefs to offset (抵消) their carbon footprint. “We’ve calculated we need to build 2,500 reefs, each measuring 4 square kilometers, over the next 10 years to absorb the extra carbon we have on the planet at the moment,” says Jeroen van de Waal, founder of The Reef Company.

Coral reefs are home to 25% of all marine life. They provide a source of income for millions of people through fishing and tourism and protect coastal communities by reducing the power of waves before they reach the shore. Yet they’re under threat from global warming and 90% of all coral reefs could be lost by 2050 if nothing is done to protect them.

As well as improving biodiversity and storing carbon, The Reef Company, which is based in Portugal, hopes to give a boost to local economies and collect real-time data for researchers.

The artificial reefs are constructed from eco-friendly concrete made from recycled industrial waste and will feature consoles (控制台) filled with sensors that can measure how salty, warm and acid the ocean is. “The reefs will provide a continuously expanding set of connected sensors to gather and analyze data, generating insights in real time,” says Andrés Ortolá, managing director of Microsoft Portugal.

To act as a sink for carbon dioxide, the artificial reefs will need to support plants such as seagrass and mangroves alongside coral. While coral reefs use carbon to grow, the process also lowers the pH in the water, which results in the release of CO₂. Benjamin Horton at the Earth Observatory of Singapore says artificial reefs will need to be well maintained to prove successful. “If the ecosystems are damaged, their carbon sink capacity will be affected, and the carbon stored will be released.”

【推荐3】"That's awesome”, said NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren, after he ate a piece of red lettuce （莴苣）that was grown in a special box. "Tastes good," agreed US astronaut Scott Kelly, who is spending one year at the research station. "kind of like arugula （芝麻菜），” Kelly added, and then used small bottles to spread olive oil and vinegar on his leaf, much as one might spread ketchup on a hot dog.

NASA says that if space explorers can grow their own food while they are away from the Earth they would be more likely to survive the deep space exploration, which can last months or even years. With no way to resupply a spacecraft making a long journey to and from Mars, the ability to grow food during the trip will be key to survive. "Having the ability for us to grow our own food is a big step in that direction.” Kelly said.

Ray Wheeler, NASA's lead scientist for advanced life support activities at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, also said fresh foods that contain antioxidants, such as tomatoes, blueberries and red lettuce, “could have a positive impact on people's moods and also could provide some protection against radiation in space.”

The red romaine lettuce was grown in a special plant-growing box called a Veggie unit, and was flown to space. The seeds are contained in rooting pillows, which come complete with soil and fertilizer. Since water cannot be poured in space, a special irrigation system delivers moisture to the plant pillows from below.

The seeds were "activated" by Kelly on July 8 and grew for 33 days. On Monday, Lindgren used tongs （夹子）to harvest the lettuce from its growing box, before attaching the leaves carefully to a tray. He cleaned them with food-safe bag and shared with other four members.

A previous crop of lettuce was grown in space last year but was not eaten by astronauts. Instead, it underwent-and passed-food safety tests back on Earth.