【推荐2】A company called Compass Pools has some good news for height and swimming enthusiasts.Recently, the company announced their novel design-a first of its kind 360-degree pool which is set to be placed on a skyscraper in London.The Infinity London will be the first and only building in the world to include this cutting-edge pool design. The pool will be laid on top of a 55-story skyscraper and will allow people to float over 200 meters above the London skyline with unobstructed（无障碍）views of the city.

The entrance to the pool is hidden.People began to raise questions about how anyone would get inside the pool. Compass Pools explains: "Swimmers will access the pool through a rotating spiral（螺旋）staircase based on the door of a submarine, rising from the pool floor when someone wants to get in or out."

But that is not the only unique technology of the pool.The designers found a way to make sure the wind doesn't blow the water down to the streets.They included a built-in anemometer（风力计）to monitor the wind speed. It is linked to a computer-controlled building management system which will also take care of the temperature of the water.

Alex Kemsley promises that this unique pool will surpass expectations."Swimming in the SkyPool at The Shard，it's quite a strange feeling to have helicopters flying past at your level but this pool takes it a step further," he says."Putting your goggles（防水镜）on and with a 360-degree view of London from 220m up, it really will be something else-but it's definitely not one for the acrophobic（恐高）!"

While the exact date of the construction is not clear yet, if things go well, it may begin in 2020.The location has yet to be confirmed too.

【推荐1】It used to be mostly the military that used small, unpiloted aircraft, called "drones". The little planes were very costly. But as they have dropped in price more people have begun to use them. Rescue workers and farmers are among the new users.

The fast rate of the development of computer technology, image sensing devices, satellite navigation and smartphones has led to lower-priced drones. Researchers and developers have learned how to build smaller and less-costly drones, Moviemakers are using drones to film from the sky. Historians use them when they explore ancient buildings. Rescue workers use them to look for people. And now farmers are using them to watch over their crops.

Romain Faroux is a French businessman who starts companies. His father was a farmer. He believed drones could help farmers. He helped create a company that developed a small drone that could be controlled by people on the ground. They called it "Agridrone". It uses a special "optical sensor" to examine crops. The technology used is similar to that used by smartphones-except it has wings. A computer program directs the drone to fly over the crops. The sensor on the drone records four different-colored "bands" of sunlight that are reflected off the crops.

Jean-Baptiste Bruggeman is a farmer. He says the drone flies over his crops at different times of the season. He says this provides a lot of information about his crops. The drone pictures show him the exact amount of fertilizer the crops need. It also shows exactly where the fertilizer is needed.

Romain Faroux says farmers use information collected by the Agridrone to place fertilizer only in areas where it was needed. This saves money and reduces pollution. Before they used the drones, farmers would put the same amount of fertilizer everywhere. Drones also save time because farmers can examine up to three hectare in about a minute.

【推荐1】Sharing a bed with a pet at night is a common feature of nighttime routines in the United States. According to a 2021—2022 survey, 43 percent of pet dogs in the United States and 49 percent of pet cats sleep on their owner’s bed. When it comes to the perks of sharing your bed with your favourite furry friend, however, experts are divided.

First, it’s worth noting that the majority of research on the topic of co-sleeping with pets has focused on dogs rather than cats. Mark Fierstein, an internal medicine specialist at NYUL angone Health in New York City, suggests this is because cats may want to play or even purposely wake up their owner. Rabbits or hamsters are also out of the question.

A benefit of sleeping with pets is that the practice may prevent loneliness, Fierstein says. “Often, people who co-sleep with pets report an increased sense of security, companionship, and relaxation,” he notes. “For some people, the dog’s warmth, steady heartbeat, and protective nature can make sleeping with them feel safe and cozy.” This may be especially true of people who are managing trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Leslie Sinn, a psychologist, says according to a survey,60% of PTSD suffers feel calm down if they wake up to see the presence of the dog.

Some research suggests co-sleeping with pets may increase mid-night awakenings for people. “If the owner is a light sleeper, he or she may not do well with a dog or cat in the bedroom,” notes Fierstein. For example, he points out that a dog who snores loudly is not an ideal sleeping mate.

Dogs may also show aggressive behaviour—such as biting. Allowing pets in the bedroom can also expose owners to potential allergens, like pet hair, as well as viruses that cause disease.

【推荐3】Kristen Sorensen was 55 when she became paralyzed from the neck down. Diagnosed in October 2018 with a rare disorder that affects the body's nervous system, she never expected to walk again.

But earlier that year, the Brooks Treatment Center in Florida became the first center to use a unique technology developed in Japan --- the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL). HAL, essentially a wearable machine, helps those with spinal cord (脊髓的)injuries and muscular diseases regain their movements and strengthen their nerves and muscles. Known as exoskeletons, they're a type of lightweight suit, with joints powered by small electric motors, that serve as mechanical muscle. Patients use their brain waves to control them.

When Sorensen heard about the brain wave-controlled exoskeleton, she knew she had to place an order and give it a try. A trained nurse helped her fit HAL over her waist and trousers, connecting her to sensors that help pick up faint bio-electric signals on the surface of the skin, which communicate a patient's intention to move. Once HAL receives these signals, it helps support the person's movements.

After some training and efforts, Sorensen was able to walk at her daughter's wedding a few months later in December. It's a thought that Sorensen shares. "When I used HAL, there were people who came from all over the country to use the equipment," she says. "I would like this kind of technology to be more readily available and more accessible especially to those who learn slowly."

But it's not just those with disabilities or injuries who stand to benefit. By 2050, there will be more than 2 billion people over age 60, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and exoskeletons could offer a solution to the world's aging population.

In the future, as human bodies wear down with age, an exoskeleton - powered by active minds - could help people stay on their feet. With such huge potential applications available, the global medical exoskeleton market will be worth an estimated $2.8 billion by 2023, according to a research company.

【推荐1】In summer holiday, the kids are out of school, so it is a good time to plan for a family travel. However, it's not easy to prepare for a family travel. Here are four travel apps(应用程序) to make your trip more relaxing.

Yuggler

Search nearby for family-friendly activities, from free events to worthwhile attractions. Use Yuggler to plan for what to do each day, based on the weather or the type of entertainment your kids want or need, and look through reviews written by parents who've been there. So instead of paying $20 per person for entrance to the big museum, you can locate just-as-fun spots with zero admission, saving a family of $80.

Sit or Squat

Held by Charmin, this app uses your phone's built-in location finder to find out the closest public restrooms. Perhaps more importantly, Sit or Squat provides the restrooms' cleanliness scores, which are made by the users who have been there. It is quite convenient.

My Disney Experience

The official Walt Disney World app' s interactive map(互动地图), which uses your tool' s GPS, helps you find restaurants, restrooms, and attractions nearby. You can also access real-time wait times for popular rides and character appearances, meaning you're making the most of your time.

Wi-Fi Finder

Find free Internet near your current location in a minute. Wi-Fi Finder works offline too. Before you head out, download the offline database(数据库) to your phone, so you won't waste data while searching for a hotspot, which is key during an international trip. You'll save as much as $15 off the hotel Wi-Fi cost.

【推荐2】Shoppers in the United States have many different retail stores (零售店) to choose from. You can shop at large department stores, furniture stores, jewelry stores, electronic equipment stores and many others. Another type of retail store—the catalog store, has become popular in the U.S.

Catalog stores offer much of the same goods as traditional retail stores. However, in these stores, shoppers select the items they wish to buy from large catalogs that are filled with photos and descriptions of all the different goods. The variety of products listed in the catalogs includes everything from baby clothing to video equipment and watches. The prices of these items are very low. In fact, the same items often cost more in other retail stores. And that’s the reason many people prefer to shop in catalog stores.

When shoppers go to a catalog store, they see many brand-name products on display. If they are interested in purchasing an item, they need to follow this simple procedure.

●First, they go to a counter to find the store’s catalog.

●They look in the catalog to find the exact item they wish to buy.

●Then, they fill out an order form with the name of the item, the item number from the catalog, the price, and their name and address.

●After completing the form, the customer gives it to a salesperson, who checks to see if the item is in stock.

If the item is available, the stockroom sends it on a conveyor belt (输送带) to the pick-up   counter. When the item arrives at the pick-up counter, the customer’s name is called, and the customer pays for the item.

The whole procedure usually takes ten to twenty minutes. If the item isn’t available, the salesperson can usually check the store’s computer and find out when it will be in stock again.

Catalog stores usually don’t offer all the services that regular retail stores do. They usually don’t have many salespeople, so customers can’t expect to receive much assistance or attention from store employees. Customers need to know about the features and the quality of the items they wish to buy before they shop, since there isn’t much opportunity to ask questions or examine the product in the store. However, catalog stores offer quality items at lower prices, and consumers seem to appreciate this.

【推荐3】If you are earning money and doing some of your own shopping, you may want to enroll in (注册) some well-known rewards programs at your favourite stores. Here are some of the most popular rewards programs.

The Student Price Card (SPC)

This is a card that all teens, aged 13 and up, should have in their wallet. It costs $10, but you will easily earn this back in savings from a wide variety of retailers (零售商) including 10% off at American Eagle, Urban Outfitters, Little Burgundy, Marble Slab and many more.

SCENE

This is perhaps one of the most popular rewards programs for teens, aged 14 and older. It’s a pity that the SCENE program was dropped by Sport Check last fall. However, other participating retailers are mostly restaurants such as Harvey's and Swiss Chalet. Once you collect 1.000 points, you will receive a free movie.

Starbucks

For starters, the Starbucks Rewards program gives you a free drink on your birthday. It also offers you the convenience of paying with your phone, instead of cash, at the register (收银机). You earn 2 stars for every $1 spent and after you collect 300 stars, you’ll be upgraded to Gold Status where you can cash in 125 stars for free food and drink. You must be 15 or older to participate in the program.

Air Miles

This program recently dropped the minimum age requirement from 18 to 16, which is a win for teens, although some would like it even younger. Air Miles is now a very popular rewards program, and has many participating retailers. You can choose to save up for a free flight or use the cash option at stores such as Starbucks, Cineplex and Kernels Popcom.