mission, minority, explore, orbit, define, seek one’s fortune, astronaut, finance, carry on |
Although scientists try to make sure nothing goes wrong, accidents can still happen. All the
I went to Dali, Yunnan Province, which is a district of diverse
A. allowing B. detectable C. hazard D. irresponsible E. linked F. optimism G. punishing H. routes I. sowed J. unavoidable K. widespread |
Time for a clean-up
You are probably aware of the term “forever chemicals”, if not entirely clear on the specifics. What they are is a class of around 16, 000 artificial compounds called PFAS that break down very slowly, if at all in the environment and our bodies. They are extremely useful, but also a potential
A growing body of research has
How did we let it come to this? To some extent, society is reaping what it
A. conclusive B. indiscriminate C. awe D. favourable E. uninhabitable F. address G. advocating H. agenda I. attain J. conventional K. odds |
The world has warmed more than one degree Celsius since the Industrial Revolution. The Paris climate agreement hoped to restrict warming to two degrees. The
In the decade that ran from 1979 to 1989, we had an excellent opportunity to solve the climate crisis. The world’s major powers came within several signatures of
Nearly everything we understand now about global warming was understood in 1979. Human beings have altered Earth’s atmosphere through the
But they failed, even though the world’s leading oceanographer Henry Stommel and the Harvard planetary physicist Richard Goody, whose mere presence could inspire
A. alternative B. astonishing C. computerized D. contribution E. developing F. rate G. modified H. perfect I. reject J. relevance K. sufficient |
Using animals to test drugs intended for humans is controversial, with critics arguing there are other ways to ensure new medicines are safe and effective. But the scientists who carry out the research say animal studies remain necessary. Statistics indicate that in the UK around three million mice are being used for research and tens of millions worldwide.
Despite the difference in appearances, the genetic similarities with humans are
Animal Defenders International (ADI) is one of the groups that campaigns for an end to the use of animals in research. “We would argue that it is extremely outdated, and not very good science for humans,” says Fleur Dawes of ADI. Ms. Dawes believes the suffering that the animals go through does not legalize their
However, Dr. Wells from Mary Lyon Centre (MLC) says they are constantly trying to
If we
Fleur Dawes agrees one alternative is not enough. But she says, “By combining the different alternatives, you can actually get a much better picture that is of much better
dominant maximum expansion release policy resolve trend undergo decline investment |
The fast shift toward clean energy technologies means global greenhouse gas emissions may fall in 2024. Recent analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA), based on the public
A growing number of major economies have already passed their period of
A peak in global emissions is cause for optimism — but it is far from
In an age of rapidly growing urbanization, rooftop farming has emerged as a sustainable response
Rooftop farming, also
As urban populations continue to grow, rooftop farming fosters community engagement
A. perfectly B. right C. reach D. mountainous E. current F. convince G. spotted H. reverse I. primarily J. serve K. worth |
“When a snow leopard follows its prey (猎物) among the mountain walls, it moves... softly, slowly,” explains Indian biologist Raghunandan, who has studied animals for years. “If it knocks a stone loose, it will
Best known for its
Snow leopards have been officially protected since 1975, but enforcing this law has proven difficult. Many continue to be killed for their fur and body parts, which are
As a result of these pressures, the
A. conserve B. wrinkly C. stationary D. exceptional E. oddities F. nursing G. timely H. sounding I. generalize J. comprise K. rules |
The Curious World of Bats
Not all bats are unbelievably adorable, like the one below. Many of them have
Scientists are typically reluctant to
Being able to fly is just one of their
For how much energy they need, it’s also surprising that many bat species, including most of those in the US, rely on insects alone for food. They have to eat ridiculous quantities of them. A mom that is
Oddly, although bats can fly, they can’t easily take off from a(n)
While bats remain highly understudied relative to birds and other mammals, scientists are
A. chaos B. consume C. plentiful D. discharge E. evolutionarily F. extent G. freeze H. mechanism I. novel J. subsequently K. unstable |
Science in Images
Oyster mushrooms feature in cuisines around the world, but they should be off the menu for hungry worms -- which these delicious mushrooms will kill and eat. Now researchers finally know how they do it.
A study published in Science Advances details how oyster mushrooms use a particular poisonous substance to freeze and get rid of mushroom-eating roundworms called nematodes (线虫). The mushrooms, which grow on nutrient-poor dead wood, then
“Nematodes happen to be the most
The study team of geneticists, biochemists and biologists had previously found that oyster mushrooms release an unidentified poisonous substance that will somehow
For their new work, the researchers grew and analyzed samples of the mushroom’s tissue, finding no noticeable poison even when they broke it up. They reasoned that whatever was killing the worms must be a kind of
Before this study, “we underestimated the
A. conservation B. relocate C. momentarily D. program E. critical F. initiative G. ensure H. permanently I. additional J. reserve K. unexpected |
A team of scientists led by Alejandro Arteaga, grantee of The Explorers Club Discovery Expeditions and researcher at Khamai Foundation, discovered three new cryptozoic (living underground) snakes dwelling under graveyards (墓地) and churches in remote towns in the Andes region of Ecuador.
It was an exploration that led to the most
First published in the journal, Zookeys, Arteaga and his team named the small brown color-patterned snakes in honor of institutions or people supporting the exploration and
The Discovery Ground Snake (Atractus discovery) was found underground in a small graveyard. Two
Atractus discovery was named to honor The Explorers Club Discovery Expedition Grants
Atractus zgap was named in honor of the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP), a(n)
Atractus michaelsabini was named in honor of Michael Sabin, grandson of American philanthropist and conservationist Andrew Sabin. Through conservation organization Re:wild, the Sabin family has supported field research of threatened reptiles and has protected thousands of acres of
“The discovery of these new snakes is only the first step towards a much larger conservation project,” says Arteaga. “We have already started the process of establishing a nature