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Most people hate mosquitoes — but scientists are about to build a "mosquito factory" to release modified (改良的) mosquitoes.

The modified mosquitoes carry a bacterium called Wolbachia pipientis (沃尔巴克氏菌), which can be naturally found in most insect species. However, it's rarely discovered in mosquitoes. "We actually grow these mosquitoes that contain the bacterium," Scott O'Neill, an Australian scientist involved in the project, told CBC News. When the modified mosquitoes are released, they slowly spread the bacterium to the population.

Several studies have demonstrated the insects' success. For example, a controlled experiment in Indonesia showed that the modified insect helped reduce the cases of the disease dengue (登革热) by 77 percent, according to a study paper published in 2021.

The World Mosquito Program has announced that it will release modified mosquitoes in many of Brazil's urban areas over the next 10 years. The aim is to protect up to 70 million people from diseases such as dengue, an infectious disease mainly spread by mosquitoes.

Brazil has one of the highest rates of dengue infection in the world, according to the Nature website. "More than 1,000 people died of dengue in 2022 because of the spread of mosquitoes. It's going everywhere," Luciano Moreira, a scientist in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, told CBC News.

Another way to prevent mosquitoes from spreading diseases is by producing genetically modified mosquitoes (GM). In 2022 the US Environmental Protection Agency approved the release of 2.4 billion GM mosquitoes in California and Florida.

According to the agency, GM mosquitoes carry two types of genes: a self-limiting gene that prevents female offspring (后代) from surviving to adulthood; and a marker gene that allows researchers to identify GM ones in the wild. After being released, GM mosquitoes lay eggs, so the genes are passed on to offspring. In this way, the number of female mosquitoes is reduced, therefore reducing the chance of spreading disease.

The growing ice cream franchise(特许经营权) is the brainchild of Tom Landis, a restauranteur(餐馆老板), who wanted to create a safe space for people with special needs to work in the food industry, plus the flavors are great!

At the Dallas-based restaurant, employees serve large scoops of ice cream handed over with love. Tom Landis has hired people with special needs for many years. But he couldn't always provide a job for everyone who came to his fast-paced sandwich shops and pizza joints looking for work. Determined to create a business where friendliness mattered and kitchens were safe, he landed on ice cream.

In 2015, he opened the first ice cream shop; there are now seven franchises in cities including Asheville, El Paso, Indianapolis and Denver. Each shop creates 15 jobs in a safe environment for people with special needs. He said two more franchises were opening soon. "Our relentless mission is to employ all," he said while interviewed by the local media.

Employees are behind some of the best ideas at the ice cream shops, which boast(有) fun flavors like top-selling Dr Pepper Chocolate Chip, and other favorites like Cold Brew &Cookies and Strawberry Milkshake. In-store sampling events are leading to deal with some grocery stores in the coming months.

When Landis talked about the varieties of ice cream in his shops, he said, "It just works. We sell out every time." In the sunny and brightly colored shops, employees spread kindness and happiness to their customers as they dish out extra ice cream and free sprinkles.

"That's what ice cream is," said Landis with joy. His employees are heroes. "They lead me," he added.

World's Greatest Places

Want to see the world? Each year, TIME magazine makes a list of the World's Greatest Places. TIME for Kids picks its favorites. Some places are a window on the past. Others look out on the future. Together, they represent the range of beauty and culture on our planet, from wildlife and other natural wonders to incredible human-made structures. Get ready for an adventure!

I sland Living

Dominica is called the Caribbean's nature island for its waterfalls, hot springs, and volcanoes. Visitors can hike trails and kayak along the coastline. And the island is eco-friendly. There's a new resort that's fully powered by sun and wind.

Family Fun

Phuket, Thailand, is known for its beaches. But there's a new theme park called Carnival Magic, which re-creates traditional festivals. Look at the fireworks! At the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, visitors can feed the animals. Local shops offer ice cream made with coconut milk.

City Central

In 2022, Vienna was named the world's most livable city. Austria's capital has more than a thousand miles of bike paths, and green spaces cover half of its area. There's plenty to do indoors, too. The Belvedere Museum just celebrated its 300th birthday.

Rain On

This is the new visitor center at El Yunque, a rainforest in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest Service, and is famous for its biodiversity. Puerto Rico is home to more than 240 plant species and 18 native bird species. You can spot many of them in the park.

When I was nine, my greatest desire in life was to own a po go stick (蹦蹦跷). I had recently learned to walk on a pair of stilts (高跷) my dad had made for me, and I thought that if I also learnt to use the pogo stick, the circus would want to hire me. When the new year season came around, I told my mother that the only thing I wanted was a po go stick. My mother, however, told me they were too expensive and that our family simply couldn't afford one.

A couple of weeks before the new year, my mom and dad told me we needed to go to bank to pay our credit bill. While my mother and I were at the counter paying the bill, my dad said, "I' ll be right back, I need to see something in the tool department." Soon my dad came back with a long thin box. I remember wondering at that very moment if it was a po go stick in that box.

When we arrived back at home my dad put the box in the barn (车库). While my parents were busy with their chores, I sneaked in the barn and found the box. I was so excited and I knew that as soon as I opened that magical box, my bright, shiny po go stick would appear. But... No such luck! Inside the box was a silly old broom (扫把)! And so the New Year's Day was both great and disappointing. I got some nice gifts but I didn't get the one that I really wanted.

注意：续写词数应为90 词左右。

After all the gifts were opened, my dad said he needed to do something in the barn.

注意： 1.写作词数应为80左右；2.开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。

Dear Mr. Sackett, 

……

Yours,

Li Hua