The term “multitasking” originally     1    (refer) to a computer’s ability to carry out several tasks at one time. So far, multitasking     2    (become) a way of life and even a key to success for many people. In fact, some excellent mental exercises involve engaging the brain in two or more challenging activities at a time.     3    checking e-mail while talking on a phone and reading the newspaper may be second nature for some people, many times multitasking can make us less productive. And studies show that too much multitasking can lead to increased stress, anxiety and memory loss.

7 . A growing number of Chinese young generations are looking for new methods to relieve (缓解) stress, which include raising unusual “pets”, hugging (拥抱) trees, watching stress relief videos and playing other stress-relieving toys.

A new toy called “mango dog” recently is becoming popular among young people.     1    . The process of making “mango dogs” allows them to free themselves from the anxieties of work and study. This is not the first time that young people have raised unusual “pets”. For example, college students have shared online their experiences of raising stones and paper box “dogs”. These “pets” share similar characteristics—they don’t cry, make noise or get sick.

    2    . “You may think you are hugging the tree, but in fact, the tree is hugging you,” says a young man. The same feeling is shared by those who have experienced tree hugging. They say that their anxiety has been relieved.     3    . In some big cities, some people have even organized tree hugging interest groups and regularly plan tree hugging activities.

At the same time, a young media worker finds the joy in watching fun videos before sleeping. “I especially enjoy watching stress relief videos, like washing blankets and cutting soap.     4    . It helps me fall asleep more easily.”

The popularity of these stress relief methods reflects young people’s need to relieve emotional pressure. According to public data, there are more than 800 companies in China with names, businesses, products, or services with the term “stress relief”.     5    .

8 . New research from the University of Portsmouth has shown a marked increase in shipping in the North East Atlantic. Scientists now warn that more monitoring is required to help protect sea life.

Researchers at the University of Ponsmouth have discovered that rates (率) of shipping in the North East Atlantic area rose by 34 per cent in a five-year period. The research is the first detailed survey of shipping activity in the North East Atlantic. Researchers used data from over 530 million vessel (船) positions recorded by Automatic Identification System(AIS). They looked at the change in shipping between 2013 and 2017 across ten different vessel types. In total the study area covered 1.1 million km², including waters off Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,Iceland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal. Spain, and the UK.

Lead author, James Robbins said: “This change is likely to put more pressure on the marine (海洋的) environment, and may influence the protection of at-risk species. Renewed monitoring effort is needed to make sure that protective measures are enough to save species under threat in a changing environment.”

Some of the greatest shipping increases were found in areas close to the Spanish coast. The Espacio Marino de la Costa da Morte saw a rise of 413 percent in vessel activity. It is an area used to protect seabirds.

Dr. Sarah Marley, Visiting Researcher at the University of Portsmouth, said: “Shipping is the most widespread human activity in our oceans, carrying a set of threats-from unnoticeable effects like underwater noise pollution to serious results when ships hit whales.”

Professor Alex Ford. from the University’s Institute of Marine Sciences, said: “Given the well-documented effects that shipping can have on the marine environment, it is necessary that this situation continues to be monitored-particularly in areas used to protect vulnerable (脆弱的) species which may already be under pressure.”

9 . Donna Edmonds certainly knows a thing or two about getting children outside of the classroom. Having been a teacher for 23 years, she’s now in charge of Farms For City Children, a program enabling children in cities to explore the farms in the British countryside. Visiting children can take part in the farm tasks: growing and harvesting in the gardens; caring for chickens and looking after the land; and cooking up a home-grown meal in the farmhouse kitchen.

Donna’s connection with the charity led to a life-changing experience. She explained, “In November 2000, my headteacher said we’d got this trip going to a farm. I didn’t want to do that. I’m from south London and had no interest in farming.” But the week at Farms For City Children changed Donna’s entire life.

Donna said, “Quite honestly, the nature connection gap in our society is embarrassing; there are so many children who haven’t been to the countryside. I remember asking them what cows drank and they replied “milk”. Seeing them fall in love with nature was incredible to my life.”

Donna believes there is a strong need for teachers to bring city children into close contact with nature. Farms for City Children was founded in 1976, and it has now embraced a new direction — more children from different backgrounds can get into the countryside and they may one day even make a career from it.