2 . A new study led by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health finds air pollution may negatively impact standardized test scores. Using data from the North Carolina Education Research Data Center, the researchers tracked 2.8 million public school students in North Carolina from 2001 to 2018 and measured their exposure to PM2.5 found in polluted air. While previous research has shown negative effects on academic performance, it has relied on relatively small or less representative samples. “The biggest strength of this study is that we tracked every student in North Carolina in those years, for the whole time period that they were in the public schools,” said Emma Zang, coauthor of the study.

The study also finds that test scores of ethnic minorities and girls are disproportionately (不成比例地) impacted by PM2.5 levels. “Females and ethnic minorities face sexism and racism,” said Zang. “There are a lot of policies that are not friendly towards them. So, when they’re exposed to the same level of air pollution, they don’t have the resources to lessen the negative influences.” More privileged populations, however, might have more resources that allow them to live in a better environment, such as in houses with air purifiers.

“The level of PM2.5 pollution in the US is relatively low, but students living in areas below the current air quality standard of annual PM2.5 concentration are still negatively impacted by air pollution when it comes to their test scores,” said Zang. “We should aim to strengthen the annual PM2.5 standard to better protect our children.”

Air pollution is known to contribute to disease and death, and it also negatively affects students’ academic performance even at low levels of pollution. The subsequent studies, the researchers said, would involve looking at whether the findings hold true in different areas, and also the reasons behind the ethnic and sexual differences.

5 . Beth Bonness talked into the mirror as her hairstylist cut her hair. Bonness was telling a funny story about a trip to Rome. Suddenly, the stylist started moving her hands around in the mirror. “Beth. Beth. Beth. Can you hear me? ” she said. Bonness asked her what was wrong. In her mind, the words were coming out of her mouth. But she could see in the mirror that her lips weren’t moving. She started seeing bursts of light in the sides of her vision (视野). Then suddenly, the sensations disappeared.

Tests indicated Bonness had a transient ischemic attack (短暂性脑缺血发作) (TlA). About a third of people who have a TIA go on to have a more serious stroke (中风) within a year.

Bonness said she was told it was a one-off incident, so she didn’t worry about future problems. Plus, only old people have strokes, she told herself. She was 49, healthy and fit. Even the doctors implied that she was too young to worry. But the same week, while having a meal with her family, she couldn’t speak clearly again.

Bonness went on disability for a few weeks, and returned to work full-time half a year later. In the beginning, she felt less confident about speaking. Later she threw herself into living as healthy as possible. In 2011, her doctor said she’d fully recovered. She stopped all stroke-related medication.

In 2014, Bonness retired. She ended up saving a historic craftsman-style home in her neighborhood by changing it into a small residential development. The process had so many twists and turns (意外的曲折变化) that Bonness began writing a book about her story.

Last year, she started sharing her writing. She also started a writing group for survivors of stroke and brain injury in the hope that they too might find the same insight (领悟) and comfort. “Maybe it’s about doing more talking and sharing,” she said. “Every experience you have, all that travels with you.”

6 . From displays of budding local creative minds to famous artists, airports are stepping up their game to share more of what their city is known for within the terminal. Visit our site and the most surprising, engaging, and inspiring art museums within an airport are just a click away.

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport

Ancient Greece travels to you when you arrive at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Before security, travelers can explore 172 pieces of archaeological artifacts from the Neolithic and Early Helladie to the Post-Byzantine period. Some of the pieces were actually uncovered during the construction of the airport. Even those not traveling through the airport can explore the displays thanks to an online 3D gallery.

Doha Hamad Airport

Social media enthusiasts have surely seen people posing for photos with the famous yellow “Lamp Bear” inside Doha Hamad Airport. You’ll also find 10 other giant statues and displays within the terminal. These include “A Message of Peace to the World,” a striking sculpture honoring the work of a local nonprofit organization, Reach out to Asia, that supports education in underprivileged Asian countries. The carefully-selected art on display is a cooperation between the airport and Qatar Museums.

Seoul Incheon Airport

Beyond traditional pieces of art, Seoul Incheon Airport takes things a step further by offering interactive experiences and classes for travelers. Within the airport is a branch of the National Museum of Korea exhibiting many pieces from its collection. There are rotating (轮流的) exhibits that allow frequent travelers to see a different selection of local artifacts and art pieces on different visits. There are traditional music concerts, ancient relic exhibitions and contemporary art displays.

Singapore Changi Airport

You may have seen the famous Jewel at Changi Airport in Singapore with its garden-enveloped waterfall. It is part of a larger shopping complex that encourages visitors, including those that are not traveling. Besides, there is other museum - quality art to explore like magnificent sculptures suspended from the ceiling, paintings lining the walls and even a rotating propeller (螺旋桨) that looks like a blossoming flower.

7 . Inside the low lighting of Gather East Rock, the smell of coffee beans swirls (打旋) through the air. Art adorns (装点) the blue walls, but one painting stands out among the others. The painting’s name is “Mother Divine”, by the artist Sarahi Zacatelco. The mother in question is a green woman, with colorful plants adorning her head and water dripping (滴下) down her neck. In every brushstroke, Zacatelco pays homage to the man who taught her how to paint: her grandfather Agustin.

Born in 1982, Zacatelco learned how to create art from her grandfather in Oaxaca. At the time, her grandfather lived with her while her mother worked. Together, the two spent hours going out to the central plaza in Juchitán, where she let her senses take over. “You can see the food, you can smell it, you can see the lady selling flowers, and you can see everything,” she recalled excitedly. When she was six years old, her grandfather gave her a piece of paper and watercolors and showed her how to put the colors on it. She hasn’t stopped making art since.

Zacatelco’s grandparents made chess pieces out of rocks and wood to sell. They also made Talavera pottery (陶器) pieces, which Zacatelco described as “a Baroque tradition” that one might see in old colonial (殖民地的) homes. She no longer has any of her grandparent’s Talavera —“the tradition was lost due to being poorly paid and a lot of effort going into each piece.”

In the 1990s, Zacatelco’s mother decided to move her family to give them a better life. She moved her children to Mexico City, then to the Bronx, and then to the Brownsville neighborhood in Eastern Brooklyn. The family moved to Fair Haven, where Zacatelco still lives, in 2001. She called it the perfect place to raise two boys and two girls. Her family did not keep any of her grandfather’s old art before he died. But his artistic spirit did not die with him. Zacatelco carries on his legacy today with her art.

8 . What would you do if you were troubled by unfair hate comments online? Responding to hate comments in such situations, getting “cancelled” and the influencer industry are among the topics discussed by Secondary 4 students at Compassvale Secondary School, Singapore.

The lesson on cyber wellness is part of the new Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum that was rolled out to younger secondary students in 2021. It was extended to older secondary students in the following years.

“During the CCE lessons, we look at contemporary issues under different authentic scenarios (真实情况). When faced with this kind of scenario, students get to hear what their peers feel or believe in. And then they will learn from each other how to manage situations through collective discussions,” said Madam Wan Fazithahariani, a senior teacher at the school. “Teachers just facilitate discussion and bring up some interesting points or management skills that they can use. Hopefully, when they’re out there, they will be able to manage on their own.”

In a lesson, the students discussed negative comments received by an influencer. When asked how they would respond or whether they would choose to respond if they were an influencer, the class decided after some discussion that they would leave a positive comment in reply to a negative one. They then discussed their decision, how they felt about the comments, and how they would respond when their positive comment caused even more backlashes (抵制).

“It was shocking to them that even though they chose a positive comment, the backlash could be quite strong. We asked them, ‘How does that make you feel? Do you regret choosing to make a positive comment?’” said Madam Wan. “And we were pleased to note even though they received negative comments, they still decided to make a positive impact. Because they knew if they chose a negative comment, they would perpetuate (使持续) negativity among the cyber community.”

“Contrary to five years ago, students are now facing great pressure online,” Madam Wan said, adding that it was “imperative (迫切的)” to introduce these new situations because students must be able to address numerous challenges that previous generations of students did not encounter.

10 . Family-Friendly Activities

Canyoning (峡谷漂流) New Zealand

Location: Queenstown

When: Sunday, October 1,2023-Tuesday, April 30,2024

Price: $499 (2 adults & 2 kids)

What: Get your family out and about in beautiful nature with Canyoning New Zealand! This half-day product delivers so much adventure and excitement all rolled into one guided canyoning adventure.

Queenstown Ice Arena

Location: Queenstown Gardens

When: Friday, September 1,2023-Sunday, March 31,2024

Price: $65(2 adults & 2 kids, or 1 adult & 3 kids)

What: Cool down this summer with an afternoon at the Queenstown Ice Arena. Book a family ice skating pass for only S65. This deal includes skates and helmets (头盔).

Family Ziplining Deal

Location:45 Camp Street, Queenstown

When: Sunday, October 1,2023-Wednesday, January 31,2024

Price: Family of 4 (2 adults & 2 kids)-$499(RRP $536) or Family of 5 (2 adults & 3 kids)-$599 (RRPS645)

What: Join a grand and fun adventure through the forest canopy (树荫) high above Queenstown, featuring impressive views across the remarkable mountain range and Lake Whakatipu.

Super School Holidays

Location: Sky Tower, Auckland

When: October 1-16,2023

Price: $365 (2 adults & 1 kid)

What: To celebrate the release of the cinema, DC League of Super Pets, Sky Tower is calling on all superheroes for a super school holiday adventure. It takes you on a super adventure around the Sky Tower.