5 . An international team of scientists studying lifespans (寿命) of wild mammals have found that, just like humans, females tend to live significantly longer than their male counterparts.

The researchers looked at the lifespans of 101 different species, from sheep to elephants, and found that females lived an average of 18% longer than males for more than 60% of the species studies. In humans, females tend to live around 7.8% longer.

The study, led by scientists at University Lyon 1 and published in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found this was not due to the sexes aging at different rates but that females had an average lower risk of mortality (死亡率) in adulthood than males. It was unclear from the data as to why females survive longer than males, however, the authors suggest that it could be due to complex interactions between the local environmental conditions and sex-specific costs of reproduction.

Professor Tamás Székely, from the University of Bath, was one of the authors of the study. He said, “We’ve known for a long time that women generally live longer than men, but were surprised to find that the differences in lifespan between the sexes was even more pronounced in wild mammals than in humans. This could be either because females are naturally able to live longer, or that female mortality drops compared with males.”

For example, lionesses live at least 50% longer in the wild than male lions. Female lions live together in a pride, where sisters, mothers and daughters hunt together and look after each other, while adult male lions often live alone or with their brother and therefore don’t have the same support network.

Another possible explanation for the sex difference is that female survival increases when males provide some or all of the parental care. This is also true in birds. Giving birth and caring for young becomes a significant health cost for females and so this cost is reduced if both parents work together to bring up their offspring (后代).

6 . One day I was driving a group of friends to a family seminar (研讨会) in Holmes County, Ohio. The village of Berlin was about an hour from our home. The seminar is usually half a day except on Saturday. In my hurry, I left the house without cash and without food. I comforted myself with the thought that I could go without them and it would allow me to concentrate more on the rich teaching that I would receive. It was a beautiful day and the drive was pleasant through countryside. I enjoyed conversation with my friends about the things of the Lord as we drove.

When we arrived I found my place and settled in to enjoy the seminar. The morning passed swiftly and I noticed no hunger. When the noon hour came I went to the van (面包车) to spend some time alone with the Lord. On the church grounds and in the shade of the tree people began to open large picnic baskets. I knew it would be impossible to think about this feast going on in front of me.

I started the van and drove into the village of Berlin. I found the Christian bookstore and spent some time browsing among the books. One of my favorite places on earth is a good bookstore. Standing there I sensed someone behind me. I turned and was shocked to see Lois standing there. She smiled “I couldn’t stand the thought of you going hungry so I brought you some money.” My heart welled up with love for her in that moment. We ate lunch and kissed goodbye. I went back to the seminar and she made the hour-long trip back home.

The two things stand out in my mind. First, Lois would know that I was hungry so I would not have to go without food. Second, when she went to the church and saw I was gone she knew exactly where she would find me.