1 . If a pancake could dream, it might long for legs so it could jump off your breakfast plate in pursuit of a better, unchewed life. But legs aren’t necessary for something as flat as a pancake to jump around. A group of scientists have designed a pancake-shaped robot that can jump several times per second and higher than seven times its body height. The new robot named Hop, which swiftly jumps without feet, is an important contribution to the soft robotics.

Many ground robots move by rolling or walking. But it’s more efficient for robots to jump over obstacles (障碍物) than to go around them. Although jumping can offer some robots a competitive edge, engineering that ability has been a challenge for robotics researchers. Some soft robots that store energy can perform a single impressive jump very infrequently. Some lightweight soft robots that don’t store energy can jump frequently but can’t jump high or far enough to successfully cross an obstacle.

For inspiration, the researchers looked to gall midge larvae (瘿蚊幼虫) that miraculously throw themselves across distances 30 times as long as their loglike bodies. A gall midge larva bends its body and squeezes the liquid in its body to one end, making it rigid (僵硬的). The accumulation of liquid builds up pressure, and releasing the pressure sends it soaring (飙升). The robot’s body doesn’t resemble (像) that of a gall midge larva, but it jumps like one. Its body is made of two small plastic bags printed with electrodes; the front bag is filled with liquid and the back one is filled with the same volume of air. The robot uses electricity to drive the flow of liquid, which causes the body to bend and generate force with the ground, resulting in a jump. And the air bag imitates the function of an animal’s tail, helping the robot keep a stable position.

While the robot is currently restricted to Earth, it might be right at home exploring another planet. If this is true, the researchers robot might jump over dusty rocks and large holes on the moon or Mars, going where no pancake has gone before.

2 . A team from Newcastle University and Northumbria University in the UK has found that the thin, root-like threads produced by many fungi (真菌) can potentially be used as a biodegradable, wearable material that’s also able to repair itself.

In their tests, the researchers focused on the Ganoderma lucidum fungus, producing a skin from branching thin threads, which together weave into a structure called a mycelium (菌丝体). With a little more work, the fragile skins could serve as a substitute for leather, satisfying environmental and fashion tastes.

“The results suggest that mycelium materials can survive in dry and unfavourable environments, and self-repairing is possible with minimal intervention after a two-day recovery period, ” write the researchers in their published paper. However, the process used to produce these materials tends to kill off the fungal spores (孢子) that help the organism regenerate itself.

A new approach involving a mix of mycelia, proteins, and other nutrients in a liquid encouraged the growth of a skin. The results are currently too thin and delicate to be turned into a jacket. However, the researchers are confident that it’s possible that future innovations could turn it into a tougher skin, possibly by combining layers or plasticizing in glycerol. Crucially, the production process didn’t kill off the fungal spores. Tests on the material showed that it was indeed able to replace holes made in it. The material was as strong as before, though it was still possible to see where the holes had been.

“Due to their functional properties, the ability of this regenerative mycelium material to heal micro and macro defects opens interesting future prospects for unique product applications in leather-goods replacements such as furniture, automotive seals, and fashion wear,” write the researchers.

There’s a long way to go here before you’ll be wearing clothes made out of fungus. The growing and healing processes take several days to happen at the moment for example, something which could be sped up over time.

3 . Everyone “talks” with their hands at least sometimes. Some people’s hand-talking, or gesturing (手势) matches their messages well. Other people like to make gestures that can be confusing. And still others don’t use their hands much at all. No matter which group you are in, it’s important to pay attention to your hand gestures while you are communicating. And also remember hand gestures can have cultural meanings.

A few years ago, I was a speaker at a conference in Lisbon, Portugal. It was my first time in Portugal, and I became immediately fond of the special pastries (糕点) that Lisbon and Portugal are known for. One morning I went into a bakery and ordered two of the pastries. I did so by holding up two fingers, similar to the “victory” or “peace” gesture in the United States. The person behind the counter put three pastries in the box. I later learned that the gesture for two would raise thumb and index finger. Even though my thumb wasn’t showing, the person behind the counter thought I was signaling for three.

I was lucky that I didn’t get into more trouble than an extra pastry. Many hand gestures are not universal. Before speaking in a country that you are not familiar with, do some research to find out which gestures might be misunderstood, not understood at all or rude.

4 . In the old-fashioned town of Willowbrook, two friends named Emma and Liam shared an intimate bond. They were inseparable and spent every moment together, laughing, exploring, and creating unforgettable memories.

One cold winter morning, as the first snowflakes gently fell from the sky, Emma woke up with a stuffy nose and a sore throat. She tried to brave it and get ready for school, but her body felt weak and achy. Unwillingly, she called Liam to let him know she couldn’t make it to school that day.

Liam was concerned when he heard the tiredness in Emma’s voice. “Don’t worry, Em. I’ll take care of everything at school for you,” he assured her. Feeling grateful for Liam’s understanding, Emma forced a smile and replied, “Thank you, Liam. You’re the best friend anyone could ask for.”

After school, Liam hurried to Emma’s house, carrying a meal he had prepared for her. He knocked on the door, and Emma’s mother welcomed him with a warm smile. “Oh, Liam, you’re such a thoughtful friend,” she said.

“I brought some soup and tea for Emma. I hope it will make her feel better,” Liam replied, some concern in his eyes. Entering Emma’s room, Liam found her curled up under a blanket, looking pale but relieved to see him. “Hey, I brought some comfort food to cheer you up,” he said, setting the food on her bedside table.

Emma’s eyes lit up, and she smiled weakly. “You didn’t have to, but thank you. This means the world to me,” she whispered. Sitting by her side, Liam kept her company, chatting softly and making her laugh despite her illness. The warmth of their friendship enveloped the room, bringing a feeling of comfort to Emma’s tired soul.

As Emma regained her strength, she realized just how lucky she was to have a friend like Liam. His unwavering presence and kindness had made her recovery easier and brighter. Their friendship grew stronger with each passing day, and from that moment on, they knew they would be there for each other through thick and thin.

5 . When you think of a map, is north on the top or the bottom? Usually, maps are designed with north on top, though when we think about it, there is no logical reason for this bias (偏见). After all, there is no up or down in space. So what is wrong with south, east or west being on the top of the map? The answer is: nothing at all. In fact, north-up maps only became the norm in the last few hundred years.

Ancient Egyptian maps had south at the top because the Nile River flows downhill from mountains in the south to the Mediterranean Sea in the north. Mecca was to the south of most early Muslim civilizations, and south-up maps were designed so that viewers would look up to see Mecca. Medieval Christian maps had east at the top, as they believed the Garden of Eden was in the east. The only early maps that had north at the top were those of early China because the emperor lived in the north.

North seems to have settled at the top of maps during the 16th century, largely thanks to a Flemish mapmaker, Mercator. Mercator was a great admirer of an early Greek mapmaker, who, for reasons now unknown, put north at the top of maps, so Mercator did, too. When Mercator’s world map became the standard map to navigate the oceans, north up became standard as well.

What is the implication of this north-view of the world? Psychologically, people tend to think of up as good and down as bad. Just think of words and phrases like “upmarket”, “upbeat” and “moving up in the world”, and how they contrast with their opposites. Because north is so consistently put at the top of maps, people now think of north as good, too.

Several attempts have been made in recent years by introducing south-up maps to the market. These maps not only give us a chance to see the world differently, but also give everyone the chance to see themselves on top.

6 . Welcome to UCLA Exchange Program! Let’s get started by checking out Student Guide for your academic journey!

Signing up for ESL (English as a Second Language)

ESL courses are designed to help international students improve academic English language skills. Enrollment (课程注册) priority is given to degree students. If space is available, you may enroll. You will then be asked to take an ESL Placement Test. The test results will help you choose the class that is appropriate for you.

Changing Your Course Enrollment List

You may change your class schedule during the first two weeks of the term by adding or dropping courses from your enrollment list. After the second week of classes, there will be a charge for each schedule change. Students often attend classes in which they are not enrolled on the first day of instruction to try adding this new course to the list, as other students may have dropped it.

Withdrawing from Courses

If you choose to drop a course, you must follow the UCLA procedures for removing it from your schedule. If you forget to officially drop that course, a “F” (Fail) grade will be registered on your record at the end of the term. If, at a later date, you wish to apply for a job or graduate school where an official copy of your UCLA record is required, it will be to your advantage to provide an impressive academic record.

Taking Exams

Some instructors choose to put previous test papers on library reserve, making them available to all students. These exams, which students commonly use for practice, can give you an idea of how instructors ask questions and what they regard as relevant material. You can also access the exams online.

7 . Do you want to find some books to read? If so, here is a list of them.

Adapted from the favorite trips of National Geographic’s travel writers, Journeys of a Lifetime crosses the globe to highlight the world’s most famous and little-known destinations. It presents lots of possibilities, from ocean voyage around Antarctica to horse riding in the Andes. Every continent and every possible form of transport is covered.

Destinations of a Lifetime takes you on a photographic tour of the world’s most impressive destinations. Hundreds of the most amazing locations—both natural and man-made—are illustrated with vivid images taken by the world-class photographers. Destinations of a Lifetime includes all the information: when to go, where to eat, where to stay, and what to do to ensure the most interesting experience.

Popular actor and award-winning travel writer Andrew McCarthy writes the foreword (序言) to this great book, offering 400 excellent destinations chosen by National Geographic’s family. It will appeal to active travelers looking for the next great trip as well as to the many readers who simply love dreaming of visiting faraway and peaceful destinations.

This collection of the 500 most unmissable sights and attractions in the world has been ranked by Lonely Planet’s global community, so big sights such as the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal battle it out for a prized place in the top 10, making this the only list you’ll ever need.

10 . Pamukkale, which means “cotton castle” in Turkish, is a natural site in Denizli in southwestern Turkey. The area is famous for a carbonate mineral left by the flowing water. Throughout thousands of years, this mineral has formed white water pools famous around the whole world for their healing properties.     1    

Bath e in the travertine (石灰华) pools

    2     These natural rock pools were created by calcium deposits (钙沉淀) coming from the area’s hot springs. To reach these pools, you’ll have to walk(barefoot to not damage the travertine) all the way from the bottom entrance of the site to the top part where these small natural baths are located.

Sit in the theater of Hierapolis

The theater is the main attraction to see if you visit the ruins of Hierapolis.     3     The theater is incredibly well-kept and has maintained much of its original detail. If you go sit on one of the top seats, you’ll have a fine view of the perfectly preserved stage.

Bathe in Pamukkale’s antique pool near the Temple of Apollo

There are a few more pools worth exploring near the Temple of Apollo.     4     It’s quite a unique hot -spring experience, with columns and marble(大理石) pieces of the temple lying in the water.

    5    

This small museum has an interesting collection of antiquities from Hierapolis and is located in a former Roman bathhouse. It showcases beautiful art, stone reliefs, and ancient sarcophagi (石棺) for which the region is famous. Visiting the museum will help bring the city of Hierapolis to life.