【推荐1】Today almost everyone knows computers and the Internet. If I ask you “What is the most important in your life?” Maybe you will say “Computers and the Internet.”

The first computer was made in 1946. It was very big but it worked slowly. Today computers are getting smaller and smaller. But they work faster and faster. What can computers do? A writer has said, “People can’t live without computers today.”

The Internet came a little later than computers. It is about twenty-five years later than computers. But now it can be found almost everywhere. We can use it to read books, write letters, do shopping, play games or make friends.

Many students like the Internet very much. They often go into the Internet as soon as they are free. They make friends on the Internet and maybe they have never seen these friends. They don’t know their real names, ages, and even sex. They are so interested in making the “unreal friends” that they can’t put their heart into study. Many of them can’t catch up with others on many subjects because of that.

We can use computers and the Internet to learn more about the world. But at the same time, we should remember that not all the things can be done by computers and the Internet.

【推荐2】NASA’s Artemis program not only hopes to land the next man and the first woman on the lunar south pole by 2024; it also expects them to spend up to seven days in the harsh environment, collecting samples and conducting experiments. To provide future space travelers with a comfortable shelter, two Dutch architects have built a habitat capable of withstanding the Moon's harsh conditions.

The Lanark, designed by Sebastian Aristotelis and Karl-Johan Sorensen of SAGA Space Architects, is made up of a lightweight, aluminum frame that can be efficiently compressed (压缩) for transport to the Moon. Once the astronauts reach their destination, they can easily unfold the mobile home. 328 solar panels on the frame help recharge the battery, ensuring uninterrupted power, while an airtight flexible seam (接缝) protects residents from temperatures as low as-49°F (-45℃) and wind speeds of up to 55 miles an hour.

Though the physical comforts are impressive, even more so are the features dedicated to the astronauts’ psychological well-being. A weather simulator that uses solar panels and built-in speakers to create varying weather patterns, like storms, rain, and a sunny day, helps ease the loneliness and weariness of conducting repetitive tasks and looking at the same environment for extended amounts of time.

Aristotelis and Sorenson recently put their creation to test in Moriusaq, Greenland. Located in an isolated region of Northern Greenland, the area boasts hurricane-force winds, temperatures of -22°F(-30℃)，and 24 hours of darkness during the winter.

The space architects, who spent two months inside the capsule, tried to simulate (模拟) a lunar mission as much as possible. Their daily meals consisted of coffee, cold protein shakes, and hot soups, all made using powdered ingredients and water defrosted from the surrounding ice.

Aristotelis and Srensen say it exceeded their wildest expectations. “The capsule performed really well — we could sustain a comfortable indoor climate even to the very end of the expedition, which got quite a bit colder and windier than we had expected.”

【推荐3】A computer program that could help catch and ever translates from aliens in outer space has been started by a British scientist.

If aliens are discovered one day, scientists fear their language may make it possible to understand them. But John Elliott of needs Metropolitan University in Britain has come up with a program that can figure out the structure(结构)of their language. He thinks that’s the first step in understanding what they are saying.

Dr.Elliott’s program would compare an alien language to a database(数据库)of 60 different languages in the world to look for a similar structure. He believes that even an alien language will have its own structure.Language has to be structured in a certain way, or it will be harder to use,he told New Scientist magazine.

Research had shown that it is possible to know if a signal(信号)carries a language rather than a picture or music. Dr.Elliott has gone a step further by finding a way to pick out what might be words and sentences. Because languages have different word orders, Dr.Elliott has set up a library of the sentence structures of 60 human languages.

If a message is received from outer space, it could be compared against this database. Scientist would then be able to see if it’s similar to any human language, or a mix of the language.

However, Dr.Elliott also said that in order to translate what the aliens are actually saying, it may still be necessary to have a code book.

【推荐2】On December 26, 2004, an earthquake along the Indian Ocean caused a huge tsunami (海啸) that killed thousands of people in Asia and East Africa. However, wildlife officials at Sri Lanka's Yala National Park reported no mass animal deaths. Yala National Park is home to hundreds of wild animals.

Some researchers believe the animals at the park were able to sense the earthquake and moved to higher ground before the earthquake hit. Animals have good senses that help protect themselves from being hunted by their natural enemies. It is thought that their senses might also help them sense the coming disasters. Several countries have done research on the prediction (预测) of earthquakes by animals. There are two theories about how animals may be able to sense earthquakes. One theory is that animals sense the earth's shake. The other is that they can sense changes in the air. However, so far there has been no strong evidence about how animals may be able to sense earthquakes.

Other researchers are skeptical (怀疑) about using animals for earthquake predictions. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) officially states, "Changes in animal behaviors cannot be used to predict earthquakes. Even though there have been many cases of unusual animal behaviors before earthquakes, a connection between a specific behavior and an earthquake has not been made. Because of their fine senses, animals can often feel the earthquake at its earliest stages before the humans. That's why people say that the animal knew the earthquake was coming. But animals can also change their behaviors for many other reasons. If an earthquake can shake millions of people, it is likely that a few of their pets will, by chance, be acting strangely before the earthquake.”

Although scientists disagree on whether animal behaviors can be used to predict earthquakes, they all agree that it is possible for animals to sense changes in the environment before humans. Researchers around the world are continuing to study the connection between animal behaviors and earthquakes. It is hoped that these studies will help to predict earthquakes.

【推荐3】In southeastern Brazil, local fishers walk into dark waters in search of mullet (鲻鱼). On their own, it would be tricky to find the silvery fish. But the humans get help from an unusual partner — wild bottle-nose dolphins.

With nets in hand, the fishers patiently wait as their cetacean (鲸类的) partners drive the fish toward the shore. A signal from the dolphins —   usually a deep dive — indicates when they should cast their nets. This fishing partnership has passed down through the generations, lasting for more than a century,

While researchers knew humans profited from this pairing, they couldn’t confirm whether it benefited the dolphins. Now, in a new study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers suggest cetaceans that hunt with humans have more chances to live than those that don’t. Human-wildlife cooperation in general is a rare phenomenon at a global scale, “says Mauricio Cantor, a biologist at Oregon State University and leader of the study. Usually humans gain the benefit, and nature pays the cost. But this interaction has been happening for over 150 years.”

Fishers were more successful when they worked with the dolphins. When dolphins were present, the fishers were 17 times more likely to catch prey (猎物) and netted nearly four times more mullet when they timed their casting with the cetaceans signals. Eighty-six percent of all 4,955 mullet caught during the study period came from their interactions at the same time — when the allies organized their actions perfectly with one another.

The study also revealed dolphins hunting with humans had a 13 percent increase in survival rate over other dolphins, These cooperative dolphins are more likely to stay near the shore, reducing their chance of being caught in illegal fishing equipment. Besides, the dolphins can take some fish directly from the fishers’ harvest.

【推荐1】Family-friendly walks

Next to Grindleford Station, eight miles north of Bakewell, lies Padley Gorge. Trails are kept as natural as possible---it's more a case of finding the gaps in the woods than following a path.

The 1.7-mile walking route around this National Trust estate skirts the upper end of Padley Gorge. People love the stepping stones, but Longshaw is mostly all about the giant fallen trees, left in place for little hands and feet to delightfully climb over.

A pile of giant rocks dominates Higger Tor, the best of several lookouts along the Ringinglow Road between Hathersage and Sheffield. Walk through the nearby fields, then let the kids climb over hundreds of strangely smooth grey stones. The views out over the Hope Valley are great and impressive, and the rock pools in Burbage Brook are perfect for rowing in.

Popular with rock climbers, this stone cliff marks the boundary of the mysterious land of the Dark Peak cliff and the grass-covered flat land of White Peak. It's a six mile circular walk from Hathersage. Alternatively, park at the Hollin Bank Car Park and climb half a mile to the top, out of breath.

A three-mile circle from Calton Lees Car Park takes in a ruined factory, the pretty village of Edensor and views of Chatsworth House. Appreciate the stretch along the River Derwent---deer often hang out there.

【推荐2】There is always something that happens in the world that everyone fears will happen to their town, city or country: natural disasters. The scariest part of it is that no one will ever see it coming. Though technology helps us prepare, but it never actually tells the people when it’s going to hit. It is always estimated but the result is never 100% accurate.

However, that is not the point of this article. Two different natural disasters in two different parts of the world have happened in the past few weeks. One was a major flood that has hit Louisiana in the United States. The other was an earthquake that hit Amatrice, Italy. However, there is a major difference in the news coverage of the two tragedies.

As for the flooding in Louisiana, it is reported that this disaster is the worst to hit the United States since Super-storm Sandy and it’ll cost at least $30 million. In only the first couple of weeks, 13 people had died. However, like me, many people did not hear about this tragic event. I did not learn about it until about three weeks after it happened.

In Italy, however, it covered all media instantly. The earthquake in Italy happened on Tuesday morning. That same day, I was on Twitter and that was all that was over the news feed. Every other post was about the earthquake. Some would have the opinion that Amatrice, Italy was one of the most beautiful towns in that country. I got in deep sorrow because there were more people killed in this quake than the flooding. So far, they have a total of 73 dead and over one hundred missing.

I understand that technically the earthquake in Italy was worse than the floods in Louisiana. However, I believe that if a natural disaster happens, they all should be equally covered and taken equally seriously. We are one world united and should be there for all of the people who are in need of help. We may not be able to accurately predict disasters but, we can surely lend a hand out for the needy.

【推荐1】My friend Jason and I wanted to do something to help other people who are less fortunate and help us grow at the same time. After we decided that we would volunteer in Nepal, I did some research on the Internet and I found Volunteer Nepal and felt strongly that it was the right choice for us.

While making our plans, Jason and I realized that others might like the opportunity to be a part of our experience. So before leaving for Nepal, we asked the people we know whether they would be interested in donating(捐赠)cash or goods to Nepal Orphans(孤儿)Home.

One friend, whose family owns a chain called Drake Supermarket, told others about it. His effort paid off. We received donations that filled 29 boxes with sporting goods, toys, coloring books, pencils, children's books, and more. The boxes were later taken to Drake's warehouse where I prepared them for shipment. Drake agreed to ship them to Nepal for free.

The boxes had arrived at the Volunteer House when we arrived there. The next day, Jason and I unpacked the boxes. The children from the orphanages lined up and were each able to choose a gift. This process took about an hour, but the looks on their faces and the happiness that we saw in their eyes made it one of the best days of our life.

We visited the orphanages there in the following days. Being with the children at the orphanages was both sad and wonderful. I'm sure that anyone who has volunteered will understand what I mean by that. My experience as a volunteer was very rewarding(有益的).It has changed me as a person and the way I viewed life in the past.

【推荐2】Until now, much of the effort in search for life on the other planets has been on finding liquid water, because most of the extremely important chemical reactions that happen in plants and animals can only take place in the presence of water. And water is very common. In fact, the elements (元素) that make water (hydrogen and oxygen) are the first and third richest chemicals in the universe. This means that we can find water almost everywhere we look, from the surface of planets in our Solar System to the depths of space.

But for life as we know it to exist, it needs a planet where water exists in a liquid state, or its cells (细胞) would freeze or boil away. Earth is the only known planet that stays in a perfect position from our Sun to support water in a liquid state. Astronomers call this perfect distance from a star the “habitable (宜居的)” or “Goldilocks zone”.

Scientists last year discovered that there is liquid water on the Mars, which made a lot of people very excited since finding a world within a star’s habitable zone where liquid water can exist would be a great start to finding life.

Water is also found on the Mercury, and there are vast water oceans on some of Jupiter’s and Saturn’s moons. But we still haven’t found life on the Mars, or any other planet in our Solar System.

Therefore, finding liquid water isn’t enough. We still need to be able to detect other conditions that support life forms (scientists call them “biosignatures”). For example, we have to look into a planet’s atmosphere and see what gasses are in it. If we find a planet with lots of oxygen, we have one more evidence to support the idea that there may be life there. Unfortunately, at the moment, it is not possible for us to detect the biosignatures on Earth-like planets beyond Mars. We have not perfected the technology to do it yet.

【推荐3】A Harvard study of their graduates over thirty years found that there were only a small percentage (3%) of them who actually wrote down their goals — and these were the most successful! You can be certain that every one of those students had repeatedly heard the value of goal setting. Yet only 3% actually wrote down their goals consistently. Imagine what you can do if you both write down your goals and, then, focus on them consistently, until they are accomplished!

What is it that causes the "New Year’s Resolution Syndrome"? People make resolutions, work hard at them for a few weeks, maybe even a few months, and then forget them. Next year, they make the same New Year’s resolutions. That is the syndrome. So why do so many people do it?

They may be making goals that are too global, and too unrealistic. The elephant analogy (比喻) is still the best one I know of to illustrate good goal setting. "How do you eat an elephant? One spoonful at a time." So it is with goals. Make spoon size goals and accomplish them easily. Once you’ve mastered this, get a bigger spoon!

You may have too many people in your life who consciously or subconsciously are unwilling or unable to support you to reach your goals. Surround yourself with people who want you to have what you want for yourself. Support each other and you’ll all achieve your highest goals. We must be careful not to confuse busyness with progress. Be selective about how you use your time and what you focus on. Success often comes when you know what to leave out, rather than what to include in your life.

Goal setting is like the pig and chicken who were out for a walk in town early one morning. The chicken became really excited when she saw that said "Ham& Eggs, $2.99". She said to the pig "Look, we’ve got double billing again." The pig grunted and said," "That’s all right for you to say. For you, it’s all in a day’s work. For me, it’s total commitment." Goal setting is all in a day’s work. Goal achievement is total commitment.