【推荐3】With millions of people visiting China’s mountains every year, keeping them trash-free is quite difficult. That’s where Spiderman cleaners come in.

Spiderman cleaners get their name from the dangerous nature of their job. They dangle (悬荡) thousands of feet above the ground on the side of steep mountain cliffs (悬崖), supported only by ropes, as they try to collect hard-to-reach trash. To show the danger of their work and make tourists think twice before littering, some of them actually exchanged their regular uniforms for Spiderman costumes. This has made them a hit with visitors, who often stop to watch these real-life versions of their favourite superhero, rewarding them with applause and cheers when they complete their task.

Spiderman cleaners really risk their life every time they go after a piece of trash left in popular scenic spots by tourists who never stop to think about the impact their deed may have on nature or the people tasked with cleaning up after them. To them, injuries are frequent and the stress is so great that they sometimes faint (晕倒) on the job. Because of the dangerous nature of the job, few people have the courage to work as Spiderman cleaners and those who do are rewarded generously. For example, the Guimeng Scenic Spot put up an ad for a Spiderman cleaner, offering 10,000 yuan a day, but also mentioned that the work was to be performed “at your own risk”.

Spiderman cleaners all around China pick up tons of litter from the scenic mountains every year. Some of them have been doing it for over a decade and they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Luckily, after the job has been reported by the national media during the past few years, more people have begun to think twice before littering. Less and less trash has been found in recent years, which means Spiderman cleaners don't have to risk their life as often as they used to.

So the next time you feel like throwing a piece of trash in a scenic spot, spare a thought for these unsung heroes and how they risk their life to keep the world clean for everybody.

【推荐1】If you need one more reason to be thankful, here it is. More and more researchers have found that gratitude could bring a lot of benefits to our body.

“Our clinical trials indicate that the practice of gratitude can have dramatic and lasting effects on a person’s health,” said Robert Emmons, a professor at UC Davis. “It can lower blood pressure, improve immune function and help fall asleep more efficiently.”

Emmons said there was even more evidence. People who keep a gratitude journal have a reduced fat intake—as much as 25 percent lower. Stress hormones like cortisol (皮质醇) are 23 percent lower in grateful people. And having a daily gratitude practice could actually reduce the effects of aging on the brain. “Being thankful has such a big effect because of the feelings at go along with it,” Emmons said. “Gratitude works because it restores other positive emotions that have direct physical benefits, most likely through the immune system.”

Research shows that when we think about what we appreciate, the calming part of the nervous system will be triggered. That can have protective effects on the body, including decreasing cortisol and perhaps increasing oxytocin, the bonding hormone involved in relationships that make us feel good.

Experts say gratitude is something you can learn. “Some people may not be grateful by nature but it is a habit you can get accustomed to,” said Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a doctor and the author of Winter Blues. Norman says all you have to do is think about being grateful. “Some people say they don’t have anything to be grateful for,” a researcher said. “If you teach such people to find one little thing to be grateful for and focus on that, you will find that the feeling of gratitude can transform the way they see their life over time.”

【推荐2】Booking your next vacation to space with out-of-this-world views could soon be a reality. Orbital Assembly Corporation announced two new station concepts designed with space tourism accommodations. One of the stations, called Pioneer, could orbit Earth as early as 2025.

The Gateway Foundation circulated ideas for a space hotel in 2019. The goal of the stations is to run a space business park that can serve as a home away from home with room for offices and tourists. Orbital Assembly was founded by the Gateway Foundation team as a way to help make these dreams come true.

The proposed Pioneer station can accommodate 28 people. The second station, Voyager, scheduled to open in 2027, can hold up to 400 people. “The goal has always been to make it possible for large numbers of people to live, work and thrive in space,“ says Orbital Assembly’s COO Tim Alatorre.

Both stations look like a wheel and will feature artificial gravity that allows guests to move comfortably on each station. Pioneer features five modules built around the rotating “Gravity Ring” architecture design. Tourists may still feel some weightlessness but will also be able to drink out of a cup and won’t have to be tied to a bed to sleep. The gravity works similar to how a spinning bucket pushes the water out to the sides of the bucket and stays in place, Alatorre explains. Near the middle of the station, there will be no artificial gravity, but gravity gradually increases further away from the center.

While the Pioneer station will be smaller than Voyager, guests can still shower, eat and drink sitting down in areas with gravity. Each station is furnished like luxury hotels on Earth. Voyager will feature a restaurant and suites with views of Earth.

A significant barrier to space travel is the cost. However, Orbital Assembly expects tourists to seek a trek into space as space travel eventually becomes less expensive. “We envision our Pioneer and Voyager space stations as the ultimate ecotourism destinations. Once people get to space, it will change their perspective about Earth,” Alatorre says. “Space travel is still at its early stage, and we’re excited to do our part to push it forward to help improve life on Earth.”

【推荐3】Java’s Cafe is a fundamental extension of the Rochester experience, opening its arms to comfort coffee, tea, and dessert lovers alike. For the typical UR students, the Java’s on Gibbs St. has become a place of solace during stressful testing times, and on more heartwarming occasions, a social hub.

Slowly approaching its thirties, Java’s has enjoyed a good reputation in its local. In 1978, Java Joe created a coffee farm in Hawaii. With great dedication to his craft, the great master of coffee beans made his way to Rochester then. In 1992, Joe decided to start selling coffee at the Public Market and opened up a store on Gibbs St. with the help of Michael Calabrese. This location, next to the Eastman School of Music, is the first of many shops Java Joe opened. As a lover of the blues, Joe enthusiastically decorated this flagship store with artistic and musical influence.

After Gibbs location, Joe planted Java Joe’s where he was first starting out — in the Public Market. Later, Java Joe’s moved to a nearby building, and received a name change — Java’s at the Market Coffee Roasters. This building served as a place where those who visited would often catch a glimpse of Joe skillfully roasting his coffee beans in the dancing flames and cultivating his drinks with care. However, in 1997 he licensed “Java Joe’s” to Calabrese, who then renamed the Gibbs Cafe to what we know today — Java’s Café.

Joe remained in the Public Market location until he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Joe died of lung cancer at 68. The influence he had poured into his business is well-known and highly regarded. He has won many awards in his life.

The next time you head down to Gibbs St. for your morning cup, keep in mind the extraordinary story of how that cup came to be, all thanks to Java Joe.