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With a fragrance (芳香) through the bedrooms of older adults for two hours every night for six months, memories skyrocketed. Participants in this study by University of California, Irvine (UCI)neuroscientists gained a 226% increase in cognitive capacity compared to the control group. The researchers say the finding transforms the long-known tie between smell and memory into an easy, non-invasive technique for strengthening memory and potentially preventing dementia (痴呆).

The project was conducted through the UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning & Memory. It involved men and women aged 60 to 85 without memory impairment. All were given seven small containers, each containing a single and different natural oil. People in the enriched group received full-strength oils. Control group participants were given the oils in tiny amounts. Participants put a different container into their room each evening prior to going to bed, and it activated for two hours as they slept.

People in the enriched group showed a 226% increase in cognitive performance compared to the control group, as measured by a word list test commonly used to evaluate memory. Participants also reported sleeping more soundly. The researchers say the results from their study bear out what scientists learned about the connection between smell and memory.

Scientists have long known that the loss of ability to smell, can predict development of nearly 70 neurological and psychiatric diseases. These include Alzheimer's and other dementias, Parkinson's and alcoholism. Researchers have previously found that exposing people with moderate dementia to up to 40 different smells twice a day over a period of time improved their memories and language skills, eased depression and improved their sense of smell.

The team would next like to study the technique's impact on people with diagnosed cognitive loss. A product based on their study and designed for people to use at home is expected to come onto the market this fall.

When trash sculptor Stephanie Hongo meets friends for drinks or dinner, it's not unusual for one of them to hand her shopping bags full of lids, empty soap bottles, and even a Barbie leg or two. By now, she's used to neighbors, friends and even strangers giving her their recyclable rejects.

But Hongo doesn't need any more garbage. She has a large collection of her own at home. "You don't need to be a trash picker to do this," she says. "Trash is everywhere." And for Hongo, where there is trash, there is art. Since 2017, Hongo has crafted complex sea creatures, realistic-looking jungle animals and other creatures out of everything from plastic forks to plastic tubing as well as a hair dryer, a purse, a tooth brush, and even a hair straightener.

Starting with her first piece—a blue deer named Yandoo that she fashioned out of odds and ends laying around her flat, which she screwed together and spray painted in a makeshift basement art studio—she's gone on to create more than 160 trash sculptures.

"I feel very fortunate," says Hongo, who loves making a living as an artist. "I care about our environment. The upcycling aspect of it is a lovely byproduct." Though she doesn't consider herself a true eco-artist, she hopes she's inspiring others to reuse items that usually end up in landfills. But for her, she says, "The art comes first."

Before starting each project, Hongo figures out exactly what pieces of scrap (废旧的) metal, tubing and plastics she'll need to transform the pile of junk on her worktable into something fantastic, like a majestic octopus (章鱼) rocketing through the coral or a cute koala hugging a tree.

Since her funky creations sell on line at prices starting at $400, she's been fortunate enough to make trash sculpting her full-time career. "It's so much more than I ever expected," she says.

Successful wildlife conservation goes hand in hand with community education and engagement. Volunteers work with community leaders and schools to share their passion for conservation and the environment.

Rhino Conservation in Zimbabwe

The project is home to an internationally renowned Black Rhino Breeding and Release Programme which has supported Zimbabwe's rhino population since the mid 1980s. To date, 20 rhinos have been born at the conservancy, with 12 rhinos successfully released back into the wild. Volunteers play a role in securing the future of this once-again endangered animal, working alongside anti-poaching rangers (反偷猎护林员), working on rhino research projects and getting involved in the daily care of both black and white rhino.

Our Rhino Conservation Programme is a unique hands-on opportunity to get behind the scenes and experience day-to-day life on a private conservancy, and be involved with the protection and conservation of Zimbabwe's endangered black rhino.

The aim of the programme is to assist the reserve's established Black Rhino Breeding and Release Programme, collect meaningful data and information relating to rhino and wildlife conservation and animal behaviour, and engage with the local community about wildlife conservation.

Cheetah (猎豹) Conservation

In 2021, two captive-born male cheetah were introduced to the conservancy as part of an international rewilding programme. The cheetah are now free-wandering in the reserve, and volunteers play an important role in monitoring and observing their behaviour, tracking their movements and recording their hunting rate.

Volunteer Work

Volunteers contribute to a long-term conservation project and get involved with a variety of conservation activities:

·Work alongside rhinos, cheetah and elephants

·Conservancy management

·Wildlife monitoring

·Anti-poaching patrols and snare sweeps

·Educate school-children about conservation, wildlife and the environment

·Learn about what is involved in running a conservancy

I've been a leader of a youth group in my community for a number of years. Among all those organized group activities, the kids' favorite is called ARK night, with ARK standing for Acts of Random Kindness. A couple of times a year, on a Sunday night, we go out into our community to perform kind acts for others.

We split into small groups and complete assignments around town. One group typically goes downtown to where the homeless population is gathered and hands out sandwiches and cold water in the summer, and hand warmers and hot bread in the winter. Sometimes a group makes posters and goes to local police and fire stations to say thank you. We often have groups that visit nursing homes and hospitals to share a smile and conversation with the patients.

One time, the small group I was leading left Post-it notes with positive messages on the windshields(挡风玻璃) of all of the vehicles in the visitors' parking lot at the hospital. The hope was that someone who was sad or worn out after visiting a patient would be cheered up by our note.

We had spent the first part of the evening in my home, with the kids writing positive messages on their Positive notes, things like "Tomorrow is another day." "Keep smiling." "Things will get better." and "Have a nice day." One girl had curvy, beautiful handwriting and she decorated the corners of her notes with pretty multi-colored hearts.

After the kids left their notes on all those cars, one girl said to me, "We didn't see one single person. How will we know that our notes made a difference?"

"We'll just have to trust that they did," I said. Normally, the kids could see the reactions of the people they were helping, and I could tell they were disappointed at the lack of interaction with people during this assignment. I wondered about it, too. Would the notes cheer anyone up, or would they be thrown away like the advertisements that are sometimes left on car windshields?

注意：1.续写词数应为150左右；2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

One day, I no tied a post by a friend of mine on Facebook.

……

It was one of our Post-it notes!

注意：1.写作词数应为80左右；2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Notice

……

Student Union 

Meat, milk, cheese—just some of the things provided by goats. But now we can also add fire safety to this list. Wildfires(make) possible by hot, dry weather conditions as well as a supply of dead vegetation that serves as fuel. We may have limited control over the first factor,we can control the second. Reducing the fuel load lowers the probability of wildfires occurring, as well as the amount of damage(cause). This is where we can turn to goats to provide a (solve) .Goats have a very digestive system. Much vegetation that are toxic(有毒的) to other animals can be eaten by goats. It's not just fully-grown plantsgoats are able to deal with: any seeds that pass through ago at will not grow. Human clearance teams worry about (send) to hard-to-reach vegetation patches(土地)goats don't. They are(skill) mountain climbers and when standing on their legs, can reach up to two meters to eat shrubs and grass that humans would struggle(reach). Because of this, using goats can reduce both workplace accidents and the amount of money spentfire protection measures. Goatherd shave been found to clear some patches of land forthird of the price of human vegetation control teams.

My phone was an extension of myself. I couldn't go anywhere1 it. I scrolled through my friends'2 into late night and turned my phone on before my eyes were fully open. I enjoyed having it until that day when I realized that what had started as a useful tool had turned into a(n)3 . So, I made a4 decision to turnoff that smartphone and5 my old dumb phone out of hiding.

When I was watching TV shows or movies and there was a boring part, I6 picking up the phone and checking out "what everyone else was doing." Now I had to pay attention or find a way to7 myself with my thoughts instead. When I visited New York City, I had to write out8 and ask people where an intersection(十字路口) was 9 pulling out my phone.

I have welcomed silence into my life with open arms and am enjoying the increased10 from not constantly having to fight with the11 to check my phone while Pm trying to get something done. I am allowing my thoughts to speak to me instead of my phone.am connecting with others in a12 way that isn't all about me. Instead of always posting about what's going on in my13 perfect life, I am connecting with my friends one-on-one, talking about the reality of our lives and being there for them from a place of14 .

As much as having a smartphone was15 , not having one is freeing on a much bigger level.

How to Change Limiting Beliefs

Have you ever felt trapped by thoughts like "I'm not good enough" or "I can't achieve that"?.But it is possible to change your limiting beliefs and start living a happier and healthier life.

⒈Know your limiting beliefs

We're often not even conscious of our limiting beliefs.Make a habit of carrying a notebook and pen around with you for the next week. Notice when your mood changes for the worse or when you're feeling particularly down.

⒉Collect the evidence

Once you've discovered what your limiting beliefs are, start collecting evidence that disproves the limiting beliefs. If you think about this properly, you'll find that there is a lot of evidence out there.On the contrary, you will realize there is very little evidence to support those beliefs.

⒊

Repetitive thoughts form our beliefs and so it's essential to start making your internal dialogue positive, rather than negative. Over time this will become automatic, and you will start to form healthier beliefs about yourself.

⒋ Take action

Taking action is the single most important tool when it comes to making any sort of change in your life. Knowledge, without action, is worthless. Taking action to change your life is a choice..It takes effort and determination.

A. There's no quick fix

B. There is no substitute for taking action

C. Trade your limiting belief for an empowering statement

D. You've just been unconsciously ignoring it your whole life

E. For each limiting belief you have, turn it into a positive affirmation

F. These are known as limiting beliefs, stunting (阻碍) our potential

G. Because we believe them to be a reality, we don't recognize them for what they are

Officials of Detroit, Michigan, have equipped apiece of road with new technology designed to charge electric vehicles (EVs) on the path. The roadway is meant to serve as a demonstration project for the technology, which could be expanded to larger road systems. 

The system uses a series of copper wires placed underneath the road. These wires have the ability to send electricity through a magnetic field to charge an EV's battery. Charging can happen while the car is driving or sitting above the equipment. Elect re on says the electric road system is safe for people and animals walking over it and does not harm drivers.

The technology was created by Electreon, a developer of wireless charging solutions for EVs. Stefan Tongur, Electreon's vice president of business development, told The Associated Press EVs require special equipment to receive the wireless signal. "The technology is smart," Tongur said, and "knows who you are..."

The electrified road stretches about one half-kilometer. It will be used to test and improve the technology in preparation for wider releases. Tongur said the project aims to "demonstrate how wireless charging unlocks widespread EV adoption, addressing limited range, grid(电网) limitations, and battery size and costs." He looks forward to a future in which, in his words, "EVs are the norm, not the exception."

Michigan's Department of Transportation (DOT) signed a five-year agreement with Electreon to develop the roadway charging system. Offcial shave said they plan to build another electrified stretch of road in another part of the city. Michigan transportation officials say the wireless-charging roadway project has helped position the state and city of Detroit as national leaders in EV technology. "In Michigan, we want to stay ahead of the curve," Michigan DOT Director Bradley C. Wieferich told the AP.

Does work ever leave you feeling stuck in a boring way of life with limited opportunities to be creative? To thrive(成长), you might want to increase your brain's flexibility. But is this even possible, and if so, how?

Most jobs require the ability to problem-solve and cope with challenges, at least to a certain extent. Imagine a teacher who has a new and very nervous student in their class. If that teacher is a flexible thinker, they will be able to adapt their classroom management, even if they haven't seen this situation before. According to Leonard Mlodinow, author of Elastic, flexible thinkers rely on idea generation and imagination—they are willing to experiment and take risks. "Elastic(灵活的) thinking is what you need when the circumstances change, and you are dealing with something new. It's not about following rules." Therefore, instead of following the typical procedure for handing a new student, the teacher might come up with a tailored response, based on prediction and previous experience.

So, how can you become a more flexible thinker? According to Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, it's all about exercising the brain. One way of doing this, she says, is through exposure to a variety of experiences which make it easier to adjust to new situations. A lot of companies now consider flexible thinking in the workplace, especially when it comes to design. Workspaces may have couches where workers can lie down and relax, giving them the space to come up with and process new ideas. Mlodinow says it's very important to take time today dream, listen to ideas and concepts you disagree with and spend time doing activities outside of your comfort zone. This will help you understand multiple opinions and therefore blossom in many different aspects of your career.

In a word, if you want to make a change, you can become a flexible thinker too, with a little practice.

Splendid straw-made miniatures(缩微模型) of classic ancient buildings decorate Xu Jian's home. They range from the Yellow Crane Tower to Forbidden City's turrets. They are all full of details and delicately crafted, tied and arranged by Xu's hands from countless sorghum straws(高粱杆).

The craft involves carving grooves(沟槽) into the sorghum straws, before multiple straws are locked together through those identically sized grooves, Xu says, adding that the sorghum straw art requires a great deal of patience, especially for works depicting ancient architecture.

Under the influence of his father Xu Yanfeng, Xu Jian got his hands on sorghum straws in childhood. He still vividly remember show his father would follow a film featuring scenes of Tiananmen Square and then note down all the details before creating a delicate miniature of it for over three years. The work was then sent to Japan for exhibition and collected by a local museum. Ever since, many of his father's works made their way to exhibitions at home and abroad.

Xu Jian became committed to the art after he reached 19, getting into the depth of the related techniques. "My father urged me to keep in mind traditional Chinese architectural skills and the history of traditional building protections, and to apply them to my own sorghum straw artworks," he says. Through hands-on guidance from his father, Xu Jian's skills became increasingly proficient. While inheriting the craftsmanship from his father, Xu Jian has produced his own creative works.

To date, Xu Jian's works have been exhibited in over 40 provincial and national-level exhibitions, earning numerous gold awards. To promote the art, Xu Jian joined hands with the School of Civil Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, in 2013, and founded a sorghum straw carving and tying base where the art has been integrated with architectural courses to enhance students' thinking and practical skills.

The European Towns and Cities That Are Magical at Christmas

Hallstatt, Austria

The town of Hallstatt and its beautiful landscape enjoy UNESCO protection. The old townhouses, tiny lanes and snow make this the ultimate destination forgetting into the festive mood. Hallstatt's Christmas market is the stuff of legend. Picture a brightly lit tree and stalls selling decorations and handicrafts and you're halfway to imagining just how special this spot is.

Valkenburg, Netherlands

Valkenburg has much of the usual European Christmas charms to attract visitors. However, what makes it special is the fact that they can all be found underground. The town's Christmas Caves have become internationally renowned, with a wide range of stills selling festive gifts and decorations. The larger Municipality Cave is home to one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe.

Wroclaw, Poland

Wroclaw is regarded as one of Poland's most beautiful cities, but it takes things to another level at Christmas. The city's Christmas market is home to over 250 stalls and a superb fair. The architecture here captures the Christmas feeling too, with Gothic structures meaning everyone can tap into the special feeling that only comes round at this time of year.

Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg is full of festive surprises for those willing to risk traveling north and brave the Scandinavian chill. And chief among them is the Liseberg Christmas Market. Set in an amusement park celebrating its100th anniversary in 2023, visitors can enjoy rides here and taste delicacies(佳肴) from across the country, including pickled herring, reindeer and spiced wine.