Turn on a light outside at night, and it won’t be long before lots of insects start gathering around it. This behavior has led to a popular comparison for attraction, “like a moth to a flame.” However, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, it turns out that insects aren’t “attracted” to artificial lights, but rather confused by it.
The new finding is based on a theory about insect orientation (定位). Due to their small and lightweight bodies, insects experience less air resistance, allowing them to achieve higher accelerations (加速度), which in turn makes it challenging for them to sense up and down during flight. So, they typically rely on stable light sources like the moon and stars to orient themselves at night, keeping the sky at their backs to stay upright. However, the introduction of artificial lights confuses their natural sense of direction. The insects you see circling street lights, in other words, are probably lost.
To reach these conclusions, scientists used high-resolution cameras to film insects flying around artificial lights in Costa Rica. They also attached tiny sensors to insects and filmed motion-capture videos of them in flight. In this way, researchers can slow down the insects pace and study their movements in greater detail. The videos showed insects turning their backs toward sources of artificial light — even at the price of flipping over or crashing.
This can be dangerous for insects, as circling around artificial lights can put them at risk from enemies, exhaustion, and starvation, causing many to die before morning. Night artificial light is a major cause of insect population loss, which could severely impact crop pollination and food supplies for larger animals, including humans. “Insects have been flying around for 370 million years, and it’s just in the last 150 years that it’s really gone wrong for them,” says entomologist Samuel Fabian of Imperial College London. “If we don’t want to influence large amounts of insect populations, we should not have lights shining up into the sky.”
1. What have scientists found out about insects?| A．Artificial lights can disturb their sense of direction. |
| B．Their populations are in decline. |
| C．They often fly quickly during the night. |
| D．Their eyesight is well adapted to light changes. |
| A．By detecting the living environment of insects. |
| B．By monitoring the insects’ brain activity during flight. |
| C．By making videos to study insects’ movements. |
| D．By building models to analyze insects’ motion patterns. |
| A．To stress the importance of insects to food supplies. |
| B．To appeal to people to reduce light pollution. |
| C．To show the reasons for insects flying around lights. |
| D．To explain the effects of insects’ death on human life. |
| A．How Artificial Lights Impact the Ecosystem |
| B．What Leads to the Loss of Insect Populations |
| C．How Insects Orient Themselves in the Flight |
| D．Why Insects are Attracted to Lights at Night |
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【推荐1】Dolphins are social and intelligent animals. And, like the way humans maintain relationships by hugging or giving a handshake, dolphins breathe together at the same time when they come up from the water for air. This shared act is important for creating social connections. But sharing the same air and area is also spreading an infectious and deadly disease among the dolphins.
Janet Mann and other scientists are trying to understand the virus. They discovered it in the water off the American states of Virginia and Maryland. It is now spreading to other Atlantic coast dolphins.
Mann explains that the dolphin virus is in the lungs. “When dolphins breathe together at the surface, they’re sharing tiny droplets just like we do when we’re talking with each other,” she said.
During her 35 years of studying dolphins, Janet Mann has noticed that even though dolphins have close friends, they visit other dolphins and leave the groups often. Following the social lives of dolphins in the Chesapeake Bay has permitted researchers to identify over 2,000 dolphin individuals. They can remember them by their special shapes and markings on their back fins.
Two researchers, Melissa Collier and Ann-Marie Jacoby, saw two dolphins. A third dolphin joined his friends. All three dolphins came to the surface of the water and breathed together. “This is typical, male behavior. The males stay pretty coordinated (协调) with each other. The females sync (同步), but not as regularly. They syne mostly with their offspring (幼崽).” Mann says. This behavior pattern might explain why more male dolphins have died in the most recent outbreak of the virus.
Viruses are naturally occurring in the wild, but human activities in the ocean can make the virus worse by wakening environments and populations even more. Pollution from carbon and plastics, limited food sources, along with ocean warming from climate change, harm the animals. These factors weaken the dolphins’ immune systems. “So, they are extremely vulnerable (脆弱的,易受伤的) to virus outbreaks.” Mann says.
1. What are Mann and other scientists trying to do?| A．Record the dolphins’ social habits. | B．Increase the population of dolphins. |
| C．Compare the viruses among dolphins. | D．Study the spread of the virus among dolphins. |
| A．Researchers. | B．Close friends. |
| C．The social lives of dolphins | D．Over 2,000 dolphin individuals. |
| A．They absorbed more air than females. | B．They did more social activities together. |
| C．They came to the surface of the water more | D．They were more vulnerable to viruses. |
| A．Ocean warming. | B．Dolphins breathing together. |
| C．Researchers studying dolphins. | D．The growing population of dolphins. |
【推荐2】Anyone who commutes(通勤)by car knows that traffic jams are an unavoidable part of life. But humans are not alone in facing potential backups.
Ants also commute—between their nest and sources of food. The survival of their habitats depends on doing this efficiently.
When humans commute, there’s a point at which cars become dense(稠密) enough to slow down the flow of traffic, causing jam. Researchers wanted to know if ants on the move could also get stuck. So they regulated traffic density by constructing bridges of various widths between a colony of Argentine ants and a source of food. Then they waited and watched, trying to find out at what point they are going to have a traffic jam.
But it appears that that never happened. They always managed to avoid traffic jam. The flow of ants did increase at the beginning as ants started to fill the bridge and then levelled off at high densities. But it never slowed down or stopped, even when the bridge was nearly filled with ants.
The researchers then took a closer look at how the behaviour of individual ants impacted traffic as a whole. And they found that when ants sense overcrowding, they adjust their speeds and avoid entering high-density areas, which prevents jams. These behaviors may be promoted by pheromones, chemicals that tell other ants where a trail is. The ants also manage to avoid colliding(碰撞) with each other at high densities, which could really slow them down.
Can ants help us solve our own traffic problems? Not likely. That’s because when it comes to getting from point A to point B as fast as possible, human drivers put their own goals first. Individual ants have to be more cooperative in order to feed the colony. But the research could be useful in improving traffic flow for self-driving cars, which can be designed to be less like selfish humans—and more like ants.
1. What does the underlined word “this” in paragraph 2 refer to?| A．Surviving. | B．Commuting. | C．Finding food. | D．Avoiding jams. |
| A．Through closer observation. | B．By regulating their numbers. |
| C．By finding out the dense points. | D．By controlling the widths of their path. |
| A．They follow a special route. |
| B．They level off at high densities. |
| C．They never stop or slow down on the way. |
| D．They depend on their natural chemicals to adjust their speeds. |
| A．Traffic jams | B．Survival of an ant colony |
| C．Unavoidable? Not for ants! | D．Differences between human and ants |
【推荐3】Like humans, animals need sleep too. A big problem for animals in the wild is keeping their enemies away while they sleep. Animals take care of this problem in different ways.
Anolis lizards live in many areas including tropical rainforests. They often sleep on leaves at the end of long branches. A leaf might seem like a strange bed, but it works like an alarm. If a hungry snake wiggles a branch, the lizard wakes up and leaps to safety.
Chimpanzees take their sleep very seriously. Each day, a chimpanzee builds itself a new, comfortable bed to sleep in. Scientists believe chimpanzees carefully choose a tree that is strong, where they build a nest using branches and leaves.
Parrotfish live among coral reefs in oceans. Every night, parrotfish usually sleep close to the rock in sheltered places. Some parrotfish go one step further by quickly making a slime layer that covers their whole body. This covering acts like a sleeping bag that provides a barrier against danger.
Bottle-nosed dolphins need to sleep, but they have to be on the ocean’s surface to breathe. They also need to watch over their young. What do they do? While half of the dolphin’s brain sleeps, the other half stays awake. After a while, the sleeping half wakes up while the other half snoozes.
Sooty terns have the most amazing sleep. They nest on islands. When they arc not nesting, they live for many years in the sky and on the sea’s surface. When and where can they sleep? Scientists believe they are able to sleep while they are flying, staying out of the reach of enemies.
1. Which animals need the most preparation before sleep?| A．Anolis lizards. | B．Chimpanzees. | C．Parrotfish. | D．Sooty terns. |
| A．Quietness. | B．Time length. | C．Comfort. | D．Safety. |
| A．biography | B．tourist brochure | C．science fiction | D．popular science magazine |
【推荐1】Slow Walking and Ageing
Getting old might not be something that’s yet to cross your mind.
According to the result of those tested, slower walkers tended to show signs of “accelerated ageing”. Their lungs, teeth and immune systems were in worse shape than those who walked faster.
This might be seen as a wake-up call for people with a slower gait who might feel it’s time to work out and get fitter. But it might be too late; researchers predict the walking speed of 45-year-olds using the results of intelligence, language and motor skills tests from when they were aged three.
So, what’s the point of knowing that a slower walking pace might mean a smaller brain? Well, researchers say measuring walking speed at a younger age, and understanding what this might mean, could be a way of testing treatments to slow human ageing.
| A．Everyone wishes to keep young |
| B．There are various ways to exercise |
| C．We all know that regular exercise is good for us |
| D．But ageing is unavoidably going to get the better of us one day |
| E．This might help us make lifestyle changes while we’re still young and healthy |
| F．In other words, some signs even in early life will show who will live younger and healthier |
| G．To add insult to injury, the result also indicates the faces of slower walkers usually look older and they have smaller brains |
【推荐2】It’s a tiny worm that scientists have been using for years to study aging, and they just made a new discovery. Researchers found that variations in a specific gene affected the lifespan of the worm, suggesting that the same genes could have similar effects on humans. The study is part of an ongoing effort to find genes that affect lifespan and are a potential target for anti-aging drugs.
The worm, called C. elegans, is a popular model organism for studying aging because it’s easy to see how long they live. Unlike humans, the worm’s lifespan is measured in days, not years, which makes it easier to study the aging process. Previous studies have already shown that changes in diet, exercise, and drugs can affect the worm’s lifespan, but this is the first time a specific gene has been identified that affects lifespan.
The specific gene, called DAF-16, is known to be involved in a variety of biological processes, including stress response and metabolism (新陈代谢). When researchers changed the gene, they found that it increased the lifespan of the worm by up to 60%. The discovery could have implications for human aging, as the same gene exists in humans.
Researchers caution that there’s still a long way to go before this discovery can be translated into anti-aging drugs. For one, the worm’s lifespan is so short that it’s difficult to know how the gene would affect humans over a longer period of time. Additionally, the study only looked at one gene while there are likely many other genes that affect lifespan. Still, the discovery is an important step in understanding the aging process and developing potential anti-aging treatments.
Overall, the study highlights the potential of model organisms, like the lowly nematode (线虫), in advancing our understanding of aging and developing new treatments. As the global population continues to age, research into the aging process will become increasingly important.
1. What actually is the key factor affecting lifespan that has been newly discovered?| A．C. elegans. | B．Changes in diet. |
| C．DAF-16. | D．Stress response. |
| A．Humans’ lifespan is too changeable to predict. |
| B．There is a huge gap between humans’ and worms’ lifestyle. |
| C．The genes in humans are different from those in the worm. |
| D．Other genes affecting lifespan need to be taken into consideration. |
| A．Uninterested. | B．Doubtful. |
| C．Positive. | D．Worried. |
| A．Great progress in the study of lifespan. |
| B．The discovery of a worm affecting lifespan. |
| C．The significance of organism in studying aging. |
| D．The importance of research into the aging process. |
【推荐3】Laughing is good for us.
Lower blood pressure
Laughing involves taking quick deep breaths and then exhalations at intervals, which stimulates blood flow. A study shows that blood pressure that increases and then decreases becomes lower than it is before the laugh.
If you are feeling aching, turn on your favorite comedy. A good laugh from the heart offers relief to those who suffer from pain. With humor therapy, laughter yoga, plus your own favorite comedy to watch, laughing may be the most fun form of medicine!
Provide a workout
When you laugh, especially from the belly (腹部), you are using many muscles. Along with laughter comes increased breathing which, in turn, sends blood that has been enriched with oxygen to the brain and throughout the body. This natural form of exercise even burns calories.
Laughing uplifts you
The act of laughing is something to increase those feel-good hormones called endorphins. These endorphins make people feel uplifted.
Strengthen your immune system
Aside from eating a healthy diet and taking vitamins, a good dose of laughter is important.
| A．Natural pain killer. |
| B．So laugh aloud every second. |
| C．Laughing helps make friends. |
| D．Add laughter to your exercise routine. |
| E．Here are five healthful benefits that may inspire you to laugh every day. |
| F．When you have a good laugh, you will have fun and feel good. |
| G．Research shows that laughter therapy positively affects the immune system. |
【推荐1】A ROBOT companion for older people aims to promote activity and deal with loneliness by urging them to take part in digital and physical activities.
The ElliQ robot, made by Israel-based start-up Intuition Robotics, will be published at the Design Museum in London this week. ElliQ is a small desktop device that consists of a domed (拱形的) “body” and a separate detachable (可拆卸的) screen.
Created in collaboration with Swiss designer Yves Behar, the robot is able to encourage a degree of social engagement. Similar to home assistants like the Amazon Echo, people can simply talk to it, and there are visual clues that could be particularly helpful for those with hearing difficulties.
A key purpose of ElliQ is to act as an easy platform to access existing services such as social media, and messaging programs. For example, the device could alert the users that their grandchild has posted a new photo on Facebook, show it to them on the screen.
ElliQ can recommend activities voluntarily. It might ask if you’re interested in watching a video, for instance, or suggest a walk. It can also act as reminder to take medication.
Having a robot constantly offer suggestions could obviously get annoying, so the device uses machine learning to tailor these suggestions to individual preferences. If a suggestion is met with a positive response once, ElliQ might try it again. If not, it might change for a different tack.
1. Which of the following statements is NOT true?| A．A robot companion for older people will strongly advise them to participate in digital and physical activities to be healthy. |
| B．The ElliQ robot is published at the Design Museum in London. |
| C．The screen of the ElliQ robot can be removed if necessary. |
| D．The ElliQ robot is created by Swiss designer Yves Behar and Israel-based start-up Intuition Robotics. |
| A．declare | B．announce |
| C．remind | D．say |
| A．when the user’s friend updates his moments (朋友圈), it can show it to the user on the screen. |
| B．it can recommend some activities even the user doesn’t ask. |
| C．it will constantly give suggestions regardless of the user’s individual preference. |
| D．it can help those with hearing difficulties by offering visual clues. |
| A．News & Technology | B．People |
| C．Health | D．International Affairs |
【推荐2】Overhead bridges are found in many parts of Beijing, especially in places where traffic is very heavy and crossing the road is dangerous.
The purpose of these bridges is to enable pedestrians (行人) to cross roads safely. Overhead bridges are used to very much the same way as zebra crossings. They are more efficient (效率高的) although less convenient because people have to climb up a long flight of steps. This is inconvenient especially to older people. When pedestrians use an overhead bridge, they do not hold up traffic. However, when they cross a busy road using a zebra crossing, traffic is held up. This is why the government has built many overhead bridges to help pedestrians and to keep traffic moving at the same time.
The government of Beijing has spent a large amount of money on building these bridges. For their own safety, pedestrians should be encouraged to use them instead of risking their lives by dashing across the road. Old people, however, may find it a little difficult climbing up and down the steps, but it is still much safer than walking across the road with all the danger of moving traffic.
Overhead bridges sever a very useful purpose. Pedestrians, both old and young, should make it a habit to use them. This will prevent unnecessary accidents and loss of life.
1. What is the advantage of overhead bridges mentioned in this passage?| A．Taller trucks can pass under them. |
| B．Pedestrians can climb up and have a view of the city. |
| C．They are safer for pedestrians and can keep traffic moving at the same time. |
| D．They are easier and more convenient for the pedestrians. |
| A．Because they prevent traffic from being held up. |
| B．Because they provide an easy way for the drivers to cross the road. |
| C．Because they save money for the government. |
| D．Because they save time for the pedestrians. |
| A．Overhead bridges are found in every part of Beijing. |
| B．Overhead bridges are only found in the centre of Beijing. |
| C．Overhead bridges are found in many parts of big cities in China. |
| D．Overhead bridges are found in places where traffic is heavy. |
| A．a safe place across a road for pedestrians to walk across the road |
| B．a wild animal from Africa that looks like a horse with broad dark brown and white stripes on its body |
| C．a safe place across a road for zebras to walk across the road |
| D．a safe place across a road fro children to play a game |
Several safari camps operate as the base for this adventure, providing unique rides twice a day to explore deep into the delta. The camps have excellent horses, professional guides and lots of support workers.Theyhave a reputation for providing a great riding experience.
The morning ride, when the guides take you to beautiful, shallow lakes full of water lilies, tends to be more active. It is unlike any other riding experience. With rainbows forming in the splashing water around you and the sound of huge drops of water bouncing off your body and face. It is truly exciting. You are very likely to come across large wild animals, too. On horseback it is possible to get quite close to elephants, giraffes and many other animals. The sense of excitement and tension levels rise suddenly though, as does your heart rate, as you move closer to them.
In the evening, rides are usually at a more relaxed and unhurried pace. With golden light streaming across the grassy delta and the animals coming out to eat and drink sedate though they are, rides at this time of day are still very impressive. As the sun's rays pass through the dust kicked up by the horses, the romance of Africa comes to life.
Back at the camp you can kick off your boots and enjoy excellent food and wine. Looking back on your day, you will find it hard to deny that a horseback Safari is as close as you will ever come to answering the call of the wild.
1. What does the underlined word "They" refer to?
| A．Flooded waters. | B．Wildlife journey. |
| C．Safari camps. | D．Unique rides. |
| A．Seeing and feeling the real African life. |
| B．Enjoying good food and wine at the camp. |
| C．Hunting large animals just as our ancestors did. |
| D．Being part of the scene and getting close to animals. |
| A．Wild and romantic. | B．Slow and peaceful. |
| C．Hurry and thirsty. | D．Active and excited. |
| A．Following space order | B．Following time order |
| C．Making classifications | D．Giving examples |
