1 . Pet owners love their dogs more than their cats. Although previous studies have already suggested this finding, scientists from the University of Copenhagen wanted to research more deeply into whether cultural factors affected the results. Their findings are published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

In the survey across Denmark, Austria and the United Kingdom, 844 dog owners, 872 cat owners and 401 people who owned both dogs and cats were asked questions about their pets. Overall, the participants had higher attachment scores for dogs than for cats. Owners were more likely to insure (给……投保) their dogs and paid more to dogs’ treatment. However, the results differed dramatically across countries. For example, the United Kingdom’s results were in favor of dogs, although only slightly. Australia had a very clear preference for dogs. Emotional attachment to dogs was highest in Denmark. The Danes were also less likely to buy insurance for their cats, compared with their dogs.

“While people care more about their dogs than their cats in these countries, the degree of difference varied between countries,” Professor Peter Sandoe of the University of Copenhagen, the study’s first author, said in a press release. “It doesn’t therefore seem to be a universal phenomenon (现象) that people care much less about their cats than their dogs.”

The difference between countries may be due to cultural differences and attitudes toward pets, the study suggested. This may be the result of the country’s history with rural animals and how often they interacted with people. These factors may have influenced societal attitudes toward pets in modern times.

“Our study only looks at three countries in Europe,” professor Clare Palmer of Texas A&M University, a co-author of the paper, said in the press release. “It raises interesting questions regarding what comparative studies of other countries might find,” she went on. “Perhaps there are countries where the level of care for and attachment to cats is, in fact, higher than dogs?”

3 . A 25-year-old young man from Guinea biked across Africa, reached Cairo on September 5 and received a full scholarship to Al-Azhar University, one of the world’s oldest and most respected Sunni Muslim learning centers.

Mamadou Safaiou Barry lives in the West African nation of Guinea. He wanted to study Islamic theology (伊斯兰教神学) at a top school in Cairo, Egypt. Without money to pay for transport, Barry drew a map of Africa and headed out on a used bicycle for the trip across the continent, carrying only a change of clothes, a flashlight and a small tool.

Barry rode about 100 kilometers each day. He rode through Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin and Niger. He had to stop in N’Djamena, the Chadian capital, because of the ongoing Conflict in Sudan. He said he had already been detained three times-twice in Burkina Faso and once in Togo. There, security forces held him for nine days without charge before releasing him for $56. That was all of his money for the rest of the trip, he said.

Thousands of West Africans like Barry take risky journeys across the Sahara desert each year, searching for a better life. But many never make it. Nearly 500 people died or disappeared on West African migration routes last year, data from the International Organization for Migration shows.

Barry thought the risk was worth it. “If you have a dream, stay with it and be strong.” he said, “God will help you.”

Barry’s luck changed again in Chad. There, a local philanthropist (慈善家), who had read about his trip online, offered to fly him directly to Egypt and avoid the fighting in Sudan. After four months and travelling through 7 countries, he is in Cairo now and has received a full scholarship to Al-Azhar.

Barry intends to return to Guinea when his studies are complete, to spread the faith that has taken him so far. “When I return to my country, I would like to be someone who teaches Islam and tells people how to do good things,” he said.

4 . How to protect eyes and preserve your vision

We watch out salt and fat intake to protect our hearts. We exercise and take calcium to protect our bones. But what can we do to protect our eyes?    1    

Take a break from screens. The AAO (美国眼科协会) says there’s no scientific evidence that the light from electronic screens damages eyes.    2    One reason for eye tiredness during screen use is that people tend to blink less when staring at computer screens. The National Institutes of Health recommends taking a break every 20 minutes to look at something about 20 feet away for20 seconds.

    3    . Research shows that foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, lutein(叶黄素), zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids are linked to lower risk for age-related eye diseases and maybe even dry eye. Therefore, foods like fish, strawberries, tomatoes, peanuts, pumpkin, beef and oysters are strongly recommended.

Stop those bad habits. First, give up smoking. Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs; it can harm eyes too. It causes dry eyes, makes thyroid eye disease worse and can harm the optic nerve.    4    The more you rub, the more itchy your eyes will get. And rubbing can also lead to infections.

Repair the air. Indoor heating and air conditioning can dry out the air and the eyes. Outdoor cold and wind can be drying, too, while pollution and allergens can cause discomfort. “In addition to using some eyedrops, it is important to purify the air and make it less dry.” says Dr. Akpek.

Finally, don’t forget to see an eye specialist for a checkup.    5    

5 . A trans-Canada train trip is an adventure that will stay with you for a very long time. Here are some must-see places to visit along the way:

Vancouver

There’s a reason why Vancouver never fails to impress. It is really stunning, with plenty of green open spaces, mountains and ocean views. Plus, this west coast city also has a diverse live music and art scene, world-class museums and plenty of locally owned coffeehouses and creative restaurants.

Jasper

Jasper National Park is twice the size of Banff National Park, yet draws only around half the visitors, which means you’ll encounter fewer crowds on the stunning hiking paths through valleys, mountain passes and grasslands. Keep an eye out for elk, bighorn sheep and other wild local residents.

Québec City

Considered the crown jewel of French Canada, Quebec City is one of North America’s oldest and most remarkable settlements. The Old Town is like a living museum of narrow cobblestone streets, 17^th and 18th century houses and churches. There’s more than a glimmer of old Europe in its classic pubs, sidewalk cafes and tidy square.

Montreal

Montreal is where all the fun happens. The city lives for the arts, with more than 90 festivals throughout the year and an impressive collection of museums, galleries and performance spaces. Add in architecture that will make you think you’re in Europe and one of the most diverse food scenes in North America, and you will have a recipe for a good time.

9 . Tiny New neighbors

One day in 2022, 72-year-old Don Powell was pulling________from his outdoor mailbox as usual when he noticed something________: A tiny doll couple were sitting on a love seat inside the mailbox. There was also a sticky note reading “Mary and Shelley decided to live here.”

Don_______ thought somebody must have left the wooden dolls inside his mailbox_______ and would get them back soon. The mailbox looks nice, which________26 inches long, 15inches wide and 10 inches high, with windows on the top and sides to let the_______ in. “It’s no wonder the dolls want to move into it,” Don said humorously.

But a few days later, the small couple did not________. Instead, they acquired a table and a pillow. More than that, over the next several months. additional items mysteriously_______ : a bed, a painting and a wood-burning stove. And at Christmas time, a small decorated________was left with tiny presents.

Now, Mary and Shelley are still living in the________, bringing a little community humor to the neighbors who have followed Don’s________on Orchard Lake Village’s Nextdoor page. “Some people thought I had________the dolls myself, but all I did was provide a mailbox. Somebody else decided to make it a________for Mary and Shelley,” Don wrote on Nextdoor.

Don says he now doesn’t want to know who is________for the mailbox mystery and he’s just hoping it will_______ .

10 . A study has found that a fifth of teenagers consume energy drinks under the impression that they are good for health.

The new research questioned almost 4,000 high school students about the energy drinks and found that boys were much more likely to drink them.

Australia requires companies to label their drinks as “not suitable for children”, yet the findings published in a journal showed many teens still believed the drinks were beneficial.

The energy drink market is expected to grow to a $72 billion by 2024 and reach $108.4 billion by 2031.

Separate market analysis showed teens who drink energy drinks were more likely to show anti-social behaviour, including smoking, alcohol consumption and other things. Energy drink consumption was also found connected with headaches, stomachaches and especially insomnia, which is common among teens and makes them extremely sleepy and unable to concentrate on their study.

One 16-year-old girl said she did not make a habit of drinking the energy drinks, but sometimes bought one after school.

“I know they’re not great for you, but sometimes I get to the end of a school day and I am just very tired,” she said, “You get up at around 7 a.m., sit through a whole school day and then go home, only to study through to 11 p.m.—if you don’t have extra-curricular activities. It’s not something I recommend, but they taste good and sometimes I feel like I’d benefit from caffeine.”

Due to the fact that teenagers incorrectly believed energy drinks were beneficial for their health, the researchers suggested it was necessary to educate students on the health risks.