【推荐2】In the West, some people believe that personality can be predicted(预测) according to the time of the year the person was born. From China comes the belief that the year of birth influences one’s personality. In the past century, a new belief has arisen: the idea that personality is related to one’s ABO blood type. People with blood type A, for example, are considered more likely to be serious, hard-working, and quiet, while people with blood type O are likely to be popular and outgoing, yet often unable to finish what they start. Though this belief continues to be strong, some people question whether it is true.

The blood-type personality theory(理论) started in Japan in 1927 when Furukawa Takehi noticed personality similarities and differences among his workers. This idea soon went out of fashion, but was brought back by a Japanese television host named Toshitaka Nomi in the 1970s. The belief is still strong in Japan and is increasingly popular in neighboring countries. Some young Koreans have taken to the theory. A recent study showed 76 percent of Koreans aged between13 and 64 believing in the blood-type personality connection. Though most Asians might believe in the blood-type theory, for many it seems harmless and not something to be taken too seriously.

Is the belief true? The scientists in Asia largely dismiss the belief as a modern-day superstition(迷信). Most studies have failed to find any strong connection between blood and personality. Generally, scientists warn against making predictions or important decisions based on this questionable theory.

【推荐3】Researchers have confirmed that there are several effective methods for cleaning the N95 masks worn by health professional so that they can be used more than once,the National Institutes of Health announced Wednesday.

A research already showed that the masks,designed for one-time use,can be reused in a crisis.And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March authorized reuse because of shortages driven by the Covid-19 pandemic.

None of these rules or methods are intended for the cloth masks recommended or in some locations required for use by everyone in public.

Earlier research had not,of course,involved the new coronavirus.The new research determined which cleaning procedures were most effective.

N.I.H.publicized the study because it could be helpful to health care professionals in the crisis.Dr.Munster and his colleagues tested four methods of killing the virus:UV light,dry heat, vaporized hydrogen peroxide(YHP)(汽化过氧化氢）and ethyl(乙醇）alcohol.Of those methods,they did not recommend ethyl alcohol because although it killed the virus,it degraded the mask material.

Vaporized hydrogen peroxide,a method often available in large hospitals,was effective, and left the masks still functioning for at least three rounds of cleaning,as did UV light.

Dry heat,at 70C,was effective,but the masks withstood only two rounds of cleaning.Dr. Munster said that"vaporized hydrogen peroxide would be the method of choice if that's available."However,he said,a nursing home might not have that,while for dry heat,what's needed is basically an oven.

Another recent study from Canadian researchers confirmed the value of cleaning.It included masks of different brands and found that the material of the mask was still effective after 10 rounds of vaporized hydrogen peroxide cleaning.

The findings are intended to be useful for health care workers wearing N95 masks.With personal protective equipment in short supply at many overwhelmed hospitals,some front-line workers have complained that masks were rationed.

The public has been advised not to use or try to buy N95 masks because they would be preventing health care workers from having lifesaving equipment.

【推荐2】Spring will soon be upon us and a new term is here. All over the world spring is the season of new life: flowers bloom，baby animals are born, and the weather becomes warmer. During this time of year, people usually walk around with a spring in their steps and a feeling of fresh beginnings. However, for a fresh beginning it takes more than the bright colors and fresh air of spring. We need to look at ourselves, set new goals, and decide how to improve ourselves.

In England, people usually do this on the first day of the year. We look at the past year and think about what we’d like to change or improve in our lives, and we call this a New Year’s resolution (决心). These can be anything from improving one’s health through exercise or giving up bad habits, to studying harder for better grades or trying to find a good work or life balance.

Luckily, we don’t have to wait for the beginning of a new year to try and become better people. We can do this whenever we like. The milestone of a new term is just a good place to start.

Sometimes it’s difficult to take the first step in achieving newly set goals, but an old saying is “to begin is to be half-way there. ” I agree with this because taking on a new task or changing habits can seem daunting at first, but once we begin, they get easier.

The trick with deciding on a resolution for a new term is not to set unrealistic goals. If we do this, it’s easy to lose heart, because the final goal seems so far away. Try to make many small goals that you want to reach on the way to your final goal. This way, you can see your progress easily.