3 . It is a question people have been asking for ages.    1    For centuries, people have been looking for a “fountain of youth”. The idea is that if you find a magical fountain and drink from its waters, you will not become old.

Researchers in New York did not find a fountain of youth in fact, but they may have found a way to turn back the aging process. It appears that the answer may be hidden right between your eyes, in an area called the hypothalamus(丘脑下部). It is part of your brain.     2    

A professor at New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine, found that hypothalamus influences how fast aging takes place in the body.    3    “So when hypothalamus function   is   in   decline,   this protection against the aging development is lost. It finally leads to aging.”

Using this information, the researchers began trying to activate ( 激 活 ) the hypothalamus in mice.

They did this by putting hypothalamus stem cells from younger mice into middle-aged animals. Later, the researchers examined mice and tested for changes in behavior.    4    The results showed that the treatment slowed aging in the animals.

It is said when hypothalamus stem cells, which came from young mice was put into middle-aged mice, the mice aged slowly and they also increased the length of their lives.    5    If the mice can live longer, does that mean people could have longer lives? This needs further study.

4 . Is it time to ditch sugar?

It’s no secret that sugar can cause issues if you’re indulging (放任) in a little too much of the sweet stuff. Still, most Americans are eating too much sugar. The harmful effects it can have on your physical health are well studied.     1    .

Sugar can affect your mood

You probably turn to a doughnut (甜甜圈) or soda for an extra boost during a long day. Yet sugar may not be such a positive pick-me-up after all. Recent research indicates that sugary treats have no positive effect on mood.     2    .

One study published in 2017 found that consuming a diet high in sugar can increase the chances of mood disorders. A more recent 2019 study found that regular consumption of saturated fats (饱和脂肪) and added sugars were related to higher feelings of anxiety in adults over age 60.

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It’s hard to avoid reaching for comfort foods, especially after a difficult day. But the cycle of consuming sugar to manage your emotions may only make your feelings of sadness, tiredness, or hopelessness worse. Multiple studies have found a link between diets high in sugar and depression.

    4    . These can lead to depression and may even increase the long-term risk of developing a mental health disorder in some people.

Sugar destroys your brain power

Emerging research has found that diets high in sugar can damage cognitive functioning, even in the absence of extreme weight gain or too much energy intake. A 2015 study found that consuming high levels of sugar-sweetened drinks made neurocognitive functions like decision making and memory worse.     5    . But a more recent study found that healthy volunteers in their 20s scored worse on memory tests and had poorer appetite control after just 7 days of eating a diet high in saturated fat and added sugars.

Although more studies are needed to solidify the effects on mental health of sugar consumption, it’s important to consider how diet can affect your well-being.

5 . Travel Safe

You’ve always wanted to go to Alishan. The Alishan Scenic Area has so many marvelous places to explore. Now you’re finally going to take that trip!    1    

If you choose to work with a travel agency, choose a qualified one. Note what is included in the trip and what is not. If you are not sure, ask questions. Make sure everything is clear before you agree to the trip and pay your money. When you purchase your trip, also buy travel insurance.    2    

If you are arranging your own accommodation, book a safe and legal hotel. For your own safety, choose one that meets the standards of department for tourism administration. After you arrive in the Alishan area and check into your hotel, look around. Locate the emergency exits.     3       Check your hotel room, too. Make     sure the doors and windows close and lock.

There are many delicious restaurants around Alishan. Enjoy your food, but protect yourself from food poisoning.    4     Eat well-cooked, hot food.

    5     You   don’t want to set them down someplace and forget them. On your trip, you’ll likely see   things you want to buy. Shop wisely. Compare prices and bargain if you can. Do not buy any imitation goods or illegal wildlife products.

6 . One of the greatest biologists the work has ever seen was Charles Darwin. Darwin was born to a middle-class family in Shrewsbury, England, in February, 1809. His father was the leading doctor of the town.

    1    He loved to walk through the woods looking at plants and birds. At the proper age, he was admitted into Shrewsbury School. There he studied Latin, classical literature, and ancient history. Young Charles thought that these subjects were dull and useless. He would have preferred scientific studies. As a result, he did poorly.

In 1825, at the age of sixteen, Darwin was sent to Scotland to study medicine.     2    He once wrote to his sister that his medical courses were completely stupid. By then, Darwin's father knew that his son would never become a doctor.

Darwin's father then sent him to Cambridge to become a clergyman（牧师）. During his Cambridge years, Darwin loved to collet beetles（甲虫）, but to him it was only a hobby. He didn't take it seriously.     3    That was Professor John Henslow, the head of the Botany Department.

Somehow, Darwin managed to graduate from Cambridge in 1831. Upon graduation, Professor Henslow arranged for him to go with Captain Fitzroy on a survey trip around the world. During the voyage, Darwin collected rocks, bones, and insects. He took many notes on all that he observed.     4    

The widely believed theory in those days was that God created each creature separately and individually.     5    In it, he explained his theory of evolution by natural selection. The theory was instantly and very strongly attacked. Darwin was accused of destroying religion and insulting（侮辱）the human race. Today, however, Darwin's theory is considered to be one of the major discoveries of modern science.

7 . The end of British pub culture?

British beer and pubs are famous around the world. Things are changing. However,     1    

For thousands of years, the most important two buildings in any British village have been the church and the pub. Traditionally, the church and the pub are at the heart of any village or town, since it is where the people gather to socialize and exchange news. After all, the word “pub” is actually short for “public house”. As a result, British pubs are often old and well preserved.     2    

Many British pubs have old names referring to the monarchs, such as the king’s head or the queen Victoria, but of course this doesn’t mean they are only for kings and queens.     3     On a cold night, the pub’s landlord or landlady can always find a warm place for you by the fire. There is always honest and hearty food and plenty of drink available at an affordable price.

That’s how it used to be.     4     Economic downturns, governmental “austerity measures” (财政紧缩政策), and cultural changes are causing many pubs to go out of business. People do not have spare money to spend on beer. On top of that, in 2007 smoking was banned in all public indoor spacer including spaces, including pubs, which may also have affected the numbers of customers going to pubs since then.

To save their business, pubs are trying to diversify to attract new customers. Now there are a number of different types of pubs. Besides a “traditional pub”, a “gastro pub” serves higher-quality food than usual.     5     And a “theme pub” caters to specific types of customers, such as sports or karaoke fans.

As you can see, British pubs now offer something for everyone. And with various “save the pub” campaign, there are signs that people are regathering around these new kinds of pubs while supporting the traditional ones to back its great British custom with pride.

8 . A 24-year-old female space commander(指挥员) Zhou Chengyu has been a heated topic on Weibo since Chinese state media highlighted her as one of the women involved in the successful launch of the Chang'e-5 lunar probe(月球探测器) on 23 November. Social media users have been referring to her as a "source of pride" for the country.     1     Several people jokingly reflected on their own achievements, commenting how far behind in life they were in comparison.

Starting in 2004, the Chang'e Programme consists of three stages of "orbiting", "landing" and "returning".       2     In December 2013, the goal of China's first soft landing on the lunar surface and ground exploration on the Moon was achieved by the lander and Yutu Lunar Rover of Chang'e-3. Last year, Chang'e-4 probe made the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon.

The Chang'e-5 mission is China's third successful Moon landing in seven years.    3     If successful, China would be the third country to bring lunar samples back to Earth after the United States and the Soviet Union.

Most Chinese know the story of the mythological Chang'e, the Chinese goddess of the moon. People can't hear the word "Chang'e" without picturing romantic images of a moon goddess.     4     And so pictures of Zhou Chengyu have been all over state media, with comments about how she is a "front-line soldier in the field of aerospace" and a "big sister" that young Chinese can look up to.

However, the huge amount of interest in the Guizhou Province native has not appeared to have had much of an effect on her.     5    

9 . Pirates: Romance and Reality

In the movies, pirates (海盗) have exciting and adventurous lives.     1     Which aspects of the movie pirate are real, and which are invented?

A Pirate’s Life

While movie pirates are men in search of adventure, the average pirate was usually trying to escape from a different life. Some were ex-sailors who were treated poorly on their ships.     2     They came from many different backgrounds. But on a pirate ship, equality (平等) was important. Men elected their captain and created the ship’s     rules together.

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In movies, pirates have chests full of gold and piles of money stolen from other people. However it as far more common for pirates to steal things like cloth, spices, and even medicine. They often sold these things.     4     They spent it as soon as they could on women and alcohol.

Pirate Style

Movie pirates often wear eye patches and have wooden legs. Many real pirates also looked like this. Why?     5     “ Life at sea was hard and dangerous,” says David Moore, a maritime museum employee in the U.S. Disease was also common. For these reasons, some pirates lost eyes and legs.

10 . The wrong donations end up costing charities precious dollars just to store leftovers (积压物资 ), which is why clothing may not be the best use of your donation efforts.    1    

Think of the children. Children’s needs are important during disasters. As families influenced by a disaster try to protect their children from the effects, they try to provide children with toys, snacks, juices, candies, and other comfort items, particularly in post-disaster environments.    2     Shelters will accept these donations and give them out properly.

Donate your skills to your community. If you are trained in disaster response, you can contact your local emergency services and the Red Cross to see if they need volunteers. Let them know your abilities.     3     Do not go as an individual volunteer to a disaster area expecting to find ways to help.

    4     Time and comfort are the two most important things you can give for free. Spend time listening to the victims (受灾群众) with an understanding ear. You can bring books and read to the children.

Become a volunteer now for the future. Besides donating money, volunteering is the best way to give.     5     The Red Cross and charity organizations prefer a trained group of volunteers who can jump into action. They don’t have the resources to train during the disasters.