1 . You may have noticed there’s a layer of dried autumnal leaves building up on paths and pavements across the UK, even though we’re technically still in summer and most of the country is enjoying moderate temperatures.

Normally, trees shed their leaves every autumn as a means to survive the winter. Dropping them prevents the water in the cells of the leaves from freezing as temperatures drop and means new ones can grow in their place the following year. During this process the leaves go from greens, which allow them to process sunlight for “food” during the summer, to oranges and reds as the trees store the supply for winter. This is usually caused by reducing sunlight levels as the days get shorter.

However, the changing colours of the leaves and the early leaf fall this year indicate that trees are distessed (苦恼的) following the record-breaking temperatures of July, the almost-as-hot August days, coupled with a lack of rainfall across the summer. According to Leigh Hunt, the senior horticultural adviser at the Royal Horticultural Society, trees are “shutting up shop”. He told the BBC, “It’s giving the appearance that we’re already in autumn but the days are too long for those natural autumn processes to begin.”

The shocking change in weather means many trees may end up dying. It’s not just trees that have been afected, either. Fruits and nuts are also ripening much faster due to the bizarre (异乎寻常的) climate, which means wildlife food supply could be seriously interrupted.

So, can the trees recover? Hunt told the BBC there’s a chance that trees which have only lost a few leaves, or experienced slight yellowing should recover if there is enough rainfall. But if it dries up completely, to survive through the desperate situation, some trees might end up producing more seeds to try and reproduce.

2 . Although a few recreational snowmobilers (驾驶摩托雪橇者) destroy ecosystems as they ride through the wilderness, most snowmobilers love and respect America’s natural heritage. That’s why they brave the cold to explore what is left of wild America — including Yellowstone National Park. Unfortunately these snowmobilers are unconsciously damaging what they love. Because snowmobiles in the park not only create both air and noise pollution but also strains (使紧张) the already tight budget of the park service, recreational snowmobiles should be banned from Yellowstone National Park.

It may be hard to imagine that about 1,000 snowmobiles a day could lead to air pollution in a park half the size of Connecticut, but in fact they can. In addition to polluting the air, snowmobiles are noisy, disturbing the peace and silence that park visitors have a right to expect. One study reports that twelve snowmobiles traveling together could be heard as far as two miles away. Such noise affects the park’s wildlife.

Funds that should be used to preserve Yellowstone National Park and its wildlife have been used to deal with the snowmobile issue. Also, park rangers are spending an increasing amount of their valuable time policing snowmobilers, which takes away from park rangers’ primary responsibility—preserving this country’s treasured natural resources.

Opponents of a ban argue that a central mission of the park service is to provide access to national parks. Admittedly, winter access is important, but ordinary people can enjoy the park by means other than snowmobiles. Also, the park service’s mission is not just to provide access to the parks; no less important is its mission to preserve the parks’ pristine natural resources for future generations.

Even with a ban on snowmobiling in the park itself, the Yellowstone area would still earn the title of Snowmobiling Capital of America. All of the streets of West Yellowstone, the area’s major town, are open to snowmobilers, and many trails run out of the town. As to Yellowstone National Park, a ban on snowmobiles would allow the park service to devote more of its limited resources to one of its primary missions: the protection of natural resources. Visitors would still be able to appreciate Yellowstone’s beauty— its geysers, its wildlife, and its snow-covered vistas —throughout the park’s long winter.

3 . Super typhoon Rammasun swept over Hainan, China, destroying at least 23,000 houses and causing 2 billion dollars in damage. It was not just people who experienced the impact, though. In Hainan Bawangling National Nature Reserve, home to the world’s 30 remaining Hainan gibbons(长臂猿), landslides tore through sections of the forest. The gibbons, a species living in trees, were forced to jump across a distance of up to 50 feet to get from one area to another.     

The gibbons sometimes would break their fall only by managing to catch hold of the tip of a particular palm leaf. As months passed, Bosco Chan at the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in Hong Kong noticed that constant use caused the leaf to wear and bend downward, threatening to lead to the gibbons crashing down and breaking the extremely rare species’ habitat into different islands. “It’s really a matter of concern. Moreover, I didn’t know how long the leaf would be able to hold the gibbons,” he said. “I thought it was time for us to build something.”

As recently described in Scientific Reports, Bosco Chan and his colleagues turned to aerial(空中的) bridges. They hired professional tree climbers to confront and get over the steep landform to fix a simple bridge, consisting of two parallel mountaineering-grade ropes. It took the gibbons over five months to catch on, but once they learned to use the ropes, they started regularly using them to make safe, quick crossings.

Till now, aerial bridges have been used in other countries to help a diversity of animals ranging from squirrels to capuchin monkeys. But many are small, one-off projects carried out by local organizations or even individuals; with little or no scientific study of what does or does not work. In addition, a solution for one species or habitat may not be applicable to another.

A new study found that nearly half of bald eagles    1    (test) across the United States show signs of repeated lead (铅) exposure. Researchers examined the blood, bones, feathers and liver tissue (肝脏组织) of l,210 eagles between 2010 and 20l8.

Lead is a poisonous substance     2     affects the nervous system and interferes (妨碍) with the normal function of nerve cells. Even in low amounts, lead can reduce bald eagles’ ability     3     (fly), hunt and reproduce. In high amounts, lead causes     4    (breathe) difficulty and death.

Bald eagles are one of America’s most celebrated conservation success stories. The birds       5    (remove) from the U. S. Endangered Species List in 2007. But scientists say that high lead levels are still     6     concern. Lead exposure also reduces their ability to face future difficulties, such as climate change or infectious diseases.

“Lead is available to these birds more than we     7    ( previous) thought,” said VinceSlabe, a research wildlife biologist at the nonprofit group Conservation Science Global.

The blood samples from live eagles in the new study were taken from birds trapped andstudied     8    other reasons. The bone, feather and liver samples came from eagles killed by vehicles, power lines or other causes.

The researchers also found higher levels of lead exposure in fall     9    winter. During these months, eagles eat animal remains left by hunters. These remains often contain many    10    (piece) of lead ammunition (弹药).

6 . Sharing a bed with a pet at night is a common feature of nighttime routines in the United States. According to a 2021 —2022 survey, 43 percent of pet dogs in the United States and 49 percent of pet cats sleep on their owner’s bed. When it comes to the perks of sharing your bed with your favourite furry friend, however, experts are divided.

First, it’s worth noting that the majority of research on the topic of co-sleeping with pets has focused on dogs rather than cats. Mark Fierstein, an internal medicine specialist at NYULangone Health in New York City, suggests this is because cats may want to play or even purposely wake up their owner. Rabbits or hamsters are also out of the question.

A benefit of sleeping with pets is that the practice may prevent loneliness, Fierstein says. “Often, people who co-sleep with pets report an increased sense of security, companionship, and relaxation,” he notes. “For some people, the dog’s warmth, steady heartbeat, and protective nature can make sleeping with them feel safe and cozy.” This may be especially true of people who are managing trauma (创伤) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). LeslieSinn, a psychologist, says according to a survey, 60% of PTSD suffers feel calm down if they wake up to see the presence of the dog.

Some research suggests co-sleeping with pets may increase mid-night awakenings for people. “If the owner is a light sleeper, he or she may not do well with a dog or cat in the bedroom,”notes Fierstein. For example, he points out that a dog who snores (打呼噜) loudly is not an ideal sleeping mate.

Dogs may also show aggressive (好斗的) behaviour — such as biting. Allowing pets in the bedroom can also expose owners to potential allergens (过敏源), like pet hair, as well as viruses that cause disease.

What species of dolphin is the smallest? Hector’s dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, Spinner dolphin    1    Dusky dolphin? The smallest dolphins    2    (be) Hector’s dolphins. They’re usually around four to five feet in length and 100 pounds in    3    (weigh).

And they are    4    (extreme) rare. You will only find Hector’s dolphins off the coast of New Zealand. And there’s a subspecies (亚种) of them called Maui dolphins    5    population has decreased to just a few dozen    6    (leave) in the wild. The biggest threat to Maui dolphins is when they’re caught    7    accident in the fishing industry. Disease, danger to their habitat and tourism    8    (suspect) in reducing their numbers, too.

But there’s a new eye in the sky and by that we mean a drone that aims to help Maui dolphins by locating, identifying and following them. The aircraft runs on electric and gas power. It’s estimated to cost $ 150. 000 and its aim is    9    (use) artificial intelligence technology to keep    10    eye on the 63 adult Maui dolphins that are still alive.