2 . You may have heard of the Tasmanian tiger — but you most certainly have never seen one. Along with many other species over the past hundred years, this creature became extinct because of humans. Now, scientists in Australia and the US are trying to bring it back to life.

Bringing species back from the dead is known as de extinction. Though it sounds like something from a science fiction movie, new technologies have made de-extinction a very real possibility. To “bring back” an extinct species, scientists take stem cells from a closely related living animal and edit the genes. Then, the cells grow into a new animal. This new animal is not an exact copy of the extinct one, but it’s very close. In theory, scientists could create entire populations of animals and set them free in the wild.

If successful, the de-extinction project in Australia could have a favorable impact on the environment. Tasmanian tigers could help bring balance to Australia’s remaining forests by hunting and killing animals that are harming the trees. Indeed, something similar happened when wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone Park in 1995, with deer and plant populations rebalanced as a result.

De-extinction is not a perfect solution, however. For one thing, it won’t change the human behaviors that cause animals to become extinct in the first place. If we continue polluting and destroying the environment, animals will continue to die out. The only way we can truly protect them is by changing our habits. Bringing extinct species back to life won’t magically make us respect nature more.

Also, the money that we spend on de-extinction would probably be better spent on other conservation projects. Or, as those against de-extinction would put it, it’s better to spend money on the living rather than the dead. The reason for this is that, compared to other efforts, de-extinction is extremely expensive. In fact, for the cost of bringing one extinct species back to life, traditional conservation efforts could save up to eight threatened ones.

The power of science is amazing, but it might be time for us to stop and decide whether de-extinction is something we really want to achieve. With the technology we currently have, the question is no longer “can we?” but “should we?”

4 . I still remember how a pet mouse was popular among my classmates in Broadbeach State School. One day, my friends and I decided to buy a pet mouse. The pet shopkeeper wouldn’t sell us one until he got our parents’ letter that could show their permission for us to get a pet. So, having the neatest handwriting, I faked one. The store owner quickly saw through my handwriting and asked me to contact my mother to confirm the situation. My trick quickly failed, and it was all messed up.

My mum got very angry and felt that the punishment should fit the crime. Knowing that my writing was poor and always in need of improvement, she made me write letters to a few randomly selected relatives. One of them was my uncle whom I’d only met a few times when I was a kindergartner. I wrote a long letter detailing my life and listing my interests.

My punishment was complete. I forgot about this until I suddenly got a reply from my uncle.   “How lovely to hear from you,” he said, and went on to tell me all about his life. He’d love to hear about what subjects at school I enjoyed. And so started a correspondence(信件往来)that went on for several years. He turned out to be the most fascinating man.

Then out of the blue, he died. My mum took the phone call and she was shocked. She deeply regretted it as they had not really spoken for years because of their busy life and workload. I went upstairs and produced a box of letters, the last one being from just a few days before he had passed away. My mum began to read them and knew that although she hadn’t been in touch, I had grown close to him by writing to him, which relieved and calmed her. In fact, I then became close to his wife, whom I also wrote to for many years.

I often think about how that one naughty childhood crime led to such an enriching correspondence that stretched on for many years. It encouraged me to write to lots of other people in fact, and it’s something I keep up with to this day. Besides, receiving a letter is such a lovely surprise. Be bold and write to someone you maybe don’t know that well. Who knows where it will lead?

5 . Through interacting with people and the outdoors, a cycling holiday can boost both your physical and mental well-being. We have researched the best routes for the perfect cycling holiday here in the UK. With locations across the UK, you’ll be sure to find your next cycling destination here.

Camel Trail

The best cycling route here in the UK is the Camel Trail in North Cornwall. Stretching 27.8 km from Padstow to Wenfordbridge, this cycling route is not only a fairly flat cycle, but is also home to some breathtaking views of the coast and family-friendly camping spots. Perfect for families, the Camel Trail follows alongside sandy beaches and villages along the way, meaning there’s more to discover.

Tissington Trail

The Tissington Trail takes you from Ashbourne in the Derbyshire Dales, all the way up to Parsley Hay. Taking you through the south of the beautiful Peak District, the Tissington Trail follows an old railway line which still has the former station platforms. Filled with lots of history and nature, and only a 25-minute drive to Alton Towers for a bit of added fun, this holiday is jam-packed with plenty to do for the whole family.

Derby Canal Path and Cloud Trail

The Derby Canal Path and Cloud Trail stretches 21.4 km from Derby to the market town of Loughborough. Taking you along the picturesque countryside, and waterside sections, this cycling route has it all. Local attractions on the route include Melboume Hall and Gardens, and Melboume Animal Farm.

Marriott’s Way

The Marriott’s Way is another long distance cycle and footpath that starts in Norwich and finishes in Reepham. Perfect for cycling through Norfolk’s picturesque woodlands, the Marriott’s Way also passes through picturesque small towns and villages including Attlebridge, Whitwell, and Theme Thorpe. The Marriott’s Way cycling trail has the steepest ascent out of the four best cycling holidays, so may be the best for those who are keen riders.

If you choose to venture out on a cycling holiday this year, you’ll feel the benefit of spending time with family and friends while exploring some of the UK’s most scenic and enjoyable cycling routes. Take your pick from our best cycling holidays in the UK for your next staycation, whether you’re a novice rider or looking for a challenge.

7 . As information technology has improved, the medical industry’s ability to treat patients has increased significantly. Over the past decade, doctors and healthcare professionals have seen the rise of telemedicine. In the most basic terms, telemedicine refers to the capability of patients to consult with doctors using remote conferencing technology—that is, without the need for an in-person visit.

In conventional medicine, patients and doctors rarely discuss the details of a patient’s problem or specific treatments over the telephone. These discussions were almost always kept within the privacy of a hospital or a doctor’s office. The cost of healthcare in some countries is astronomically expensive. Millions of people worldwide cannot receive proper healthcare services because of the cost of the treatment. However, with high-speed internet video conferencing and online file-sharing technology, access to healthcare has become much more convenient and affordable because healthcare is provided from the patient’s home, and transportation and transfer expenses are eliminated (消除). An article written by the American Journal of Managed Care indicates that on average virtual appointments cost between $ 40 to $ 50, while in- person visits cost a whopping (巨大的) $ 179 on average. This makes telemedicine a more cost-effective option.

In addition to the positive economic benefits, for elderly patients, or those with mobility issues, telemedicine is a game changer. Health care is also no longer limited by the open hours at the local doctor’s office. With the globally connected internet, patients can contact a doctor anytime. They could as easily seek second opinions from doctors in other parts of the country or on the other side of the world, for that matter. What’s more, telemedicine reduces the risks of transmitting infectious diseases, In the past, people with symptoms such as flu, measles, etc., visited hospitals. As those diseases are contagious, other visitors and workers are at risk of being exposed to those diseases. This is where telemedicine can step in to prevent contagious diseases from spreading. Even better, telemedicine lowers the number of patients in hospitals, which frees up staff and resources for patients in urgent need.

For a glimpse of the future of telemedicine, consider the internet hospitals that have emerged in recent years, which offer medical consultations to users of online platforms. With the help of internet hospitals, users can schedule an appointment and have a high-quality video conference with a qualified and professional physician. Moreover, doctors can even prescribe and have medication online and have them shipped to the patients using express. Less than two decades ago, such convenient access to health care would have seemed unimaginable. However, it does have limitations, such as collecting fresh samples for medical tests and X-rays. While telemedicine can’t change the current health care overnight, it will be a part of the modern medical system.

8 . NASA’s spacecraft Dart hit an asteroid (小行星) 11.3 million kilometers away at a speed, changing the asteroid’s orbit and lowered its cycle period by I5 minutes, the space organization announced on Monday.

Some said the move shows the world might now be able to prevent asteroids — the kind that made the dinosaurs extinct — from hitting the Earth. The asteroid that was controlled belonged to a double-asteroid system. It had a 160-meter diameter while the other asteroid’s diameter is over 500 meters. The bigger asteroid can be compared to the one that ended the dinosaur era 67 million years ago. A hit from an asteroid that size can cause unimaginable destruction.

However, it is too early to assert that the world has gained the ability to prevent asteroids from hitting us. The asteroid that was controlled was only 160 meters in size. Its cycle period was changed, without changing its orbit significantly. It is still not clear if the orbit of a much larger asteroid headed toward the Earth can be changed successfully.

In brief, NASA’s success in changing the course of a harmful asteroid is definitely praiseworthy, but much more needs to be done before we can say the world’s security from some unpredictable asteroid is guaranteed.

It should be noted that changing the orbit of an asteroid involves more than just sending an object into space and commanding it to hit the asteroid. While it is hard enough to hit an asteroid, it is even more difficult to lock onto one in the first place. It means having the ability to observe approaching asteroids, measuring their respective speeds, and deciding which ones might pose a danger to the Earth.

Therefore, there’s more to Dart hitting the asteroid than meets the eye. And these are key areas where global scientists need to work harder in the future.

9 . The first essay I wrote for my history of English class was perfect, at least from my perspective. I had worked on it constantly and couldn’t wait to get my grade back. I handed it in with pride.

Two weeks later, I received my grade: a D. The pages were covered in red writing, pointing out errors. There must have been a mistake.

University started later for me than most. The opportunity wasn’t available when I was younger—too many kids in our family and too little money. But I never stopped wondering what university would have been like. I was in my 40s when I sent in my application and as a part-time student, I will be in my 60s before I’m finished. That’s my goal.

What’s it like to be the old guy in a class full of 20-year-olds? It’s strange. They pretty much ignored me, and I ignored them. They also ignored each other. However, after we had more group work together, people started to communicate. Although I was an English major, some of my favorite classes were unrelated electives. Courses in art history and Greek and Roman history were fascinating. I was eager to do well.

I arranged a meeting to discuss my essay grade and arrived 10 minutes early to meet the teacher’s assistant I was ready to argue for the brilliance of my paper. However, she quickly explained to me that the paper failed to make a strong argument. The mark remained.

I kept studying and kept leaning, I learned to love two dozen writers I had never heard of before and explored types of literature I had never examined. Eventually, I learned how to write an essay in proper academic prose.

University is different when you are a senior, part-time student. If you are there to establish a career or because your parents forced you to go, there are other pressures. For me, it’s just learning. Whether I’m learning remotely or in person, it makes the world a bigger, richer place.

10 . One of the best ways to improve our communities is through volunteer work. According to a report from United Nations Volunteers, it is estimated that 140 million people volunteer in every nation and in a variety of settings. Forbes reports that research has shown that volunteering can greatly benefit volunteers. These benefits include an increased sense of productivity, the development of new skills, resume-building experience, improved physical health, and the emotional rewards that come with others appreciating you and your efforts. Here are some types for you to join in local communities.

Sports volunteering

You don’t need to be good at the sport in which you wish to volunteer. Some of the most important characteristics include enthusiasm and interest. Your sports organisation should put you through any qualifications that you need to carry out your role. Most people volunteer on average two or three hours a week, but there are also opportunities to volunteer more or less often.

Support the Red Cross

Red Cross is an organization that helps with disaster relief, blood donations, and more. Being a Red Cross volunteer provides experience in the medical field and allows you to help those in need. The Red Cross responds to disasters nationwide and helps communities recover. It may be difficult to see damaged communities, but you could have a part in assisting them to recover. In addition, you may meet new friends along the way.

Organize a Summer Reading Program

Summer reading programs are one way to keep children’s reading skills active and their mind fresh during the whole summer vacation. Organizing a summer reading program is an excellent way to get kids to read a book, broaden their vocabulary, and learn something new. You can share your favorite books, offer prizes to children who meet their goals, and turn the program into a friendly competition, all while teaching children the importance of reading.