【推荐1】This fall, students at the University of Massachusetts found a new menu at their canteens: the “diet for a cooler planet” menu. This meant herb-roasted lamb, raised with a carbon-friendly approach. It included sweet potatoes that had been picked from a local farm’s field. The options were plant-heavy, locally grown, and involved little or no packaging.

“We wanted to let students participate in climate action by making choices about their food” says Kathy Wicks, sustainability (可持续发展) director for UMass Dining The university is not alone in this effort. Increasingly, American consumers and institutions are thinking about how their food choices impact climate change. For many, small choices at the grocery store and restaurant can be more accessible than big-ticket options like buying a fuel-efficient car.

Small changes in eating habits may make a big difference. Studies point to the food system as a significant cause of global warming. According to Project Drawdown, a research organization that evaluates climate solutions, the way food is grown, transported, and consumed accounts for about 1/4 of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions (排放).Beef is a regular target. “If, on average, Americans cut 1/4 pound of beef per week from their diet, it’s like taking 10 million cars off the road a year,” says Sujatha Bergen, director of health campaigns for the Natural Resources Defense Council. Food waste ranks third among climate solutions. While much waste occurs before consumers are involved, Americans also throw out a lot of food they have purchased (购买) about $1, 600 worth a year per family of four.

“People are beginning to understand that their food choices have a big impact on climate,”says Megan Larnner, director of regional food at the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming in New York. But she adds that substantial change will need to come from the whole food system.

【推荐3】The FIFA World Cup Trophy is arguably one of the most iconic prizes in the sporting world. So far, two different trophies (奖杯) have been used in the history of the FIFA World Cups.

The Jules Rimet Trophy was the first trophy awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cups. Initially, the old trophy was originally named “Victory”. However, this trophy was renamed “the Jules Rimet Trophy” in 1946. This change was made to honor former FIFA president Jules Rimet, who voted to organize the first FIFA World Cup in 1930. French sculptor Abel Lafleur designed the trophy in 1930. The trophy was 14 inches in height and weighed 8.4 pounds. It was comprised of a winged representation of Nike and the Greek Goddess of Victory.

Uruguay became the first champion and kept the trophy in 1930. The trophy was eventually retired when Brazil won the World Cup final for the third time in 1970. Following their success in Mexico, Brazil was allowed to keep the trophy permanently. However, the original trophy was stolen for a second time in 1983. It was never recovered, and it was claimed that it had been melted down into gold bars. Following the retirement of the Jules Rimet Trophy, FIFA needed a new cup. Eventually, Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga’s design was selected as the new World Cup trophy.

The modern FIFA World Cup trophy describes two human figures holding the earth on top of their heads. The base of the trophy has “FIFA World Cup” engraved (刻). Furthermore, following every World Cup, the name of the winning team and the winning year is also engraved at the base. The trophy weighs 13.61 pounds. Unlike the Jules Rimet Trophy, the winning nations and future winners don’t get to hold the original trophy anymore. The new regulations state that it remains in FIFA’s possession. Instead, winners are given a gold-plated bronze replica (青铜复制品) provided by FIFA.

The new trophy can hold up to seventeen names and years and is likely to be retired following the 2038 World Cup.

【推荐2】Humans make mistakes. Even very experienced surgeons are not infallible. But what if these doctors could combine their knowledge with experience together and create a surgical standard of care, to be performed by machines?

That's the idea behind surgical robots, which may soon carry out most surgeries, from sewing up tiny wounds to performing heart procedures. Lots of these operations are actually already completed with the assistance of robots. However, a recent test suggests that robots in the operating room may soon go a step further, performing on soft tissue completely on their own, from the beginning to the end.

The Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot(STAR) has succeeded in completing surgeries on pigs. "We're the first to test out autonomous robotic surgery with soft-tissue surgery, and when compared to standard operation, it's better," says Peter Kim, a professor of surgery. "Our purpose is not to replace surgeons, but it will make the surgeons better and make the procedures safer."

A recent Mayo Clinic study discovered that most surgical errors-including operating on the wrong site or side of the body, or even leaving tools or objects inside the patient-occur every one out of 22,000 procedures. Though that's rare, robots like STAR would aim to lower the number even further.

In the surgical system called da Vinci, surgeons lay their arms inside instruments and use their hands to control the movement of robotic tools on the operating table from afar. Surgeons control the robot's every major move, and thus its results may vary based on the surgeon's training or experience.

On the other hand, STAR is entirely autonomous. Not only is it able to work on its own and perform surgeries with a more flexible "hand", but it's also able to react to the unexpected incidents. Cutting into hard tissue like bones is one thing, but operating on moving soft tissue is far more complex. STAR can respond to a changing environment, which is similar to how self-driving cars are programmed to not only drive on the high way, but also react to another driver who makes a mistake and gets in your way.

【推荐3】You’re finishing up your history homework when your cell phone rings. You’ve got 30 minutes to reach headquarters(总部), get your equipment packed and receive your task. There’s a lost hiker in the mountains near the edge of town. Your task: find the missing person; provide emergency medical treatment, if necessary; and be prepared to operate 48 hours on your own with only the supplies you carry.

Sounds like some kind of film’s plot (情节)? Not if you’re a member of the Arapahoe teen rescue patrol (搜救队) in the suburbs of Denver. About 25 teen guys and girls are active members of this search, rescue and emergency organization, and they know firsthand that you don’t have to be an adult to save lives.

These 9th-through-12th graders are the real deal when it comes to emergency services. In fact, they’re the only teen-commanded patrol in the nation. Sure they have adult advisers to turn to if necessary, but in the field it’s a teen patrol officer calling the shots — sometimes even giving direction to adults.

Members are trained in rock-high-angle，swift-water and avalanche (雪崩) rescue, winter and alpine (高山) operation, wilderness life support and emergency care, among other skills. They also regularly(有规律) ride along with the local fire and police departments, providing support such as security(安全) details and evidence searching.

When asked what makes a good patrol member, founder and president Stan Bush named good physical conditioning and an interest in helping people. “We put in lots and lots of hours helping people in trouble,” he says. “So if a person is not really interested in doing that kind of thing, he won’t last as a member.”

【推荐1】Are you sometimes a little tired and sleepy in the early afternoon? Many people feel this way after lunch. They may think that eating lunch is the cause of the sleepiness. Or, in summer, they may think it is the heat. However, the real reason lies inside their bodies. At that time — about eight hours after you wake up — your body temperature goes down. This is what makes you slow down and feel sleepy. Scientists have tested sleep habits in experiments where there was no night or day. The people in these experiments almost always followed a similar sleeping pattern. They slept for one long period and then for one short period about eight hours later.

In many parts of the world, people take naps (小憩) in the middle of the day. This is especially true in warmer climates, where the heat makes work difficult in the early afternoon. Researchers are now saying that naps are good for everyone in any climate. A daily nap gives one a more rested body and mind and therefore is good for health in general. In countries where naps are traditional, people often suffer less from problems such as heart disease. Many working people, unfortunately, have no time to take naps. Though doctors may advise taking naps, employers do not allow it! If you do have the chance, however, here are a few tips about making the most of your nap. Remember that the best time to take a nap is about eight hours after you get up. A short sleep too late in the day may only make you feel more tired and sleepy afterward. This can also happen if you sleep for too long. If you do not have enough time, try a short nap — even ten minutes of sleep can be helpful.

【推荐2】I was born with vision (视力) problem, and over the years, my eyesight gradually worsened. Once I was in the first year of my PHD, I was almost 100% blind.

Though I am blind, my great passion is climbing regardless of many challenges.

I started climbing when I was young. My dad took me up my first rock route when I was two. He taught me everything he knew and I led my first route outside when I was 11. At that time I had about 20% vision, unable to pick out the routes from the ground.

I met my wife Molly at a climbing club. We didn’t climb together very much because we normally led those who hadn’t done as much as we had. We were just friends at first, but eventually romance (浪漫) arose.

In fact, I proposed (求婚) to her in 2017 on a climbing trip to Greenland. It was my most difficult trip, camping in temperatures below -200C. I didn’t have diamond ring at that time.

In the end I went down on one knee with a special ring made by myself. She said yes, but then I fell down and somehow dropped the ring. So it’s still there!

It’s quite possible that I wouldn’t be a good climber if I weren’t blind—if I didn’t have these challenges. It wouldn’t focus me. That determination is built through my disability.

【推荐3】After the heavy rain passes，a man at a company that lies on the riverbank arrives for work. At the water’s edge，he notices a baby beaver(海狸) balls up on the ground. Realizing that the animal needs help，the man picks him up and drives to a nearby animal hospital. From here the beaver is sent to the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society(CWRS)，where he will begin his recovery.

Vets check the beaver—now named Birch—for wounds or broken bones. Luckily they find no injuries. “But he’s a real little animal—only three and a half pounds，” says Andrea Hunt，a worker at the rehab center. According to his weight，they think that Birch is about eight weeks old. “Baby beavers stay with their families for one to two years，” Hunt says.“He’s not ready to care for himself. If he hadn’t been saved，he almost certainly wouldn’t have survived.”

To keep Birch from getting lonely，Hunt pairs him with another baby beaver named Aspen. At first they’re fed a milky cereal. A few weeks later，Birch and Aspen begin a diet(饮食) of solid food that includes leafy kale and collard greens. Wood is also on the menu. For exercise，each beaver receives its own pool to swim in.

About a year later，Birch weighs 27 pounds. “Not only is he healthy，but he’s also learned good survival skills，” Hunt says.“It’s time to let him go.” Early one morning the beaver is driven into a Canadian forest to be set free. Birch is carried in a cage(笼子) to the bank of a lake. When the door opens，he carefully steps out，then jumps into the water and swims away.“We’ll miss Birch，” Hunt says. “But nothing feels better than putting an animal back where it should be.”