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HOT ISSUES

미국, 중국, 일본의 핫 이슈를 알려드립니다.

  • (9/12) New, super-thin material cools buildings
    AUDIO (Slow) AUDIO (Normal)   New, super-thin material cools buildings A team of engineers has created a super-thin material that could help keep buildings cool. The team is from the University of Colorado Boulder in the USA. Engineers from the university developed the revolutionary new material, that is very thin and can cool objects even under direct sunlight. The material does not need energy to work nor does it need water to help keep things cool. The engineers say the new material could provide an answer to  air conditioners, which are expensive to run and need a lot of water. The material is unlike anything found in nature. It is a glass-polymer hybrid that is just 50 micrometers thick. That's slightly thicker than the aluminium foil we use for cooking.   The engineers explained how their new material works. They said when it is put on top of something, two things happen. The first thing is that it cools the object underneath by reflecting the sun's rays back into space. At the same time, the second thing happens - the material removes the object's own heat and sends that into the air. An engineer said: "The key advantage of this technology is that it works 24/7 with no electricity or water usage….We're excited about the opportunity to explore potential uses in the power industry, aerospace, agriculture and more." Another researcher said: "Just 10 to 20 square meters of this material on the rooftop could nicely cool down a…house in summer."   -   Chat Talk about these words from the article. team / engineers / buildings / cool / revolutionary / direct / sunlight / expensive / material / object / heat / technology / electricity / aerospace / agriculture / summer   -   Discussion What are the disadvantages of air conditioners? What meanings of the word 'cool' do you know of? How does the new material work? What are the advantages of the new material? Why do buildings get hot? How could the aerospace industry use the new material? How could the agriculture industry use the new material? What questions would you like to ask the engineers?

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  • (9/11) Using cotton buds could damage your hearing
    AUDIO (Slow) AUDIO (Normal)   Using cotton buds could damage your hearing Doctors are now telling us what grandparents have known for decades - don't stick anything smaller than your elbow into your ears. An organization of ear specialists in the USA, the American Academy of Otolaryngology, has said cleaning your ears with cotton buds (aka Q-tips) can cause long-lasting damage to your eardrums and hearing. Dr Jennifer Caudle told Yahoo Beauty that cotton buds seem harmless objects but can cause significant damage. She said: "I know people want to stick things in their ears and they think it’s the right thing to do, but [cotton buds] can cause holes in the eardrum, irritation in the canal, and can predispose you to getting infections."   The Academy has also recommended that people change their image of earwax and think of it as an essential substance to keep our ears healthy. Dr Seth Schwartz said: "There is an inclination for people to want to clean their ears because they believe earwax is an indication of uncleanliness. This misinformation leads to unsafe ear health habits." Doctors say our body produces earwax for a good reason. It does an essential job of cleaning out the ears, stopping them from drying out, and helping them to sweat naturally. It also protects the inner ears against bacteria, bugs, dirt and dust. Using cotton buds can push earwax further inside the ear and cause blockages, which can undo all the good work of earwax.   -   Chat Talk about these words from the article. objects doctors / grandparents / elbows / ears / harmless / / damage / infections / image / earwax / healthy / misinformation / essential / sweat / bacteria / blockages   -   Discussion What should we do to look after our ears? What do you think of earwax? Why do people think earwax is a sign of uncleanliness? What other misinformation do companies of health products give? Will you now change your ear-cleaning habits? What should people do for an earache? How important is our sense of hearing? What questions would you like to ask the doctors?

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  • (9/10) Cats are just as clever as dogs, says study
    AUDIO (Slow) AUDIO (Normal)   Cats are just as clever as dogs, says study For whatever reason, people assume dogs are more intelligent creatures than  cats. This notion has been called into question by scientists in Japan, who have said that cats are as smart as dogs at certain memory tests. Cat lovers, of course, have always known this. Researchers at Kyoto University conducted tests on how well 49 cats could recall or relate to an event from the past – known as an episodic memory. The Japanese team got the felines to eat from one of two bowls. Fifteen minutes later, the cats were tested on their ability to remember which bowl they had eaten from and which remained untouched. The team found the cats could recall what they ate and where, suggesting they had episodic memory.   The scientists also said that cats were as good as dogs on a whole variety of mental tests, including responding to the gestures, facial expressions and emotions of humans. Researcher Saho Takagi told reporters that she believed cats think about past events similar to the way humans do. She said: " An interesting speculation is that they may enjoy actively recalling memories of their experience, like humans." She added: "Episodic memory is viewed as being related to an introspective function of the mind. Our study may imply a type of consciousness in cats." Ms Takagi said the research is good  news for pet owners, saying: "Understanding cats more deeply helps to establish better cat-human relationships."   -   Chat Talk about these words from the article. reason / intelligent / creatures / memory tests / memory / felines / fifteen minutes / variety / gestures / facial expressions / emotions / consciousness / pet owners   -   Discussion What do you think of dogs? In what way are dogs intelligent? What things can you remember very well? How good are you at doing mental tests? What past events do you like recalling? What is the best name for a dog, and why? How are relationships with cats different to those with dogs? What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

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  • [9/16] 教师群体身心健康引关注 如何让寓教于乐的主体先快乐起来？
    　   今年是方晓担任英语教师的第5年。每天早上7点20分前，她准时到校，带早读、批改作业、上课答疑。没有晚自习时，她每天的在校时间约为8个小时；遇上晚自习，能达到10个小时。 　　比课时压力更消磨人的，是层出不穷的非教学事务。王汶全在河北一所初中担任班主任，他除了要完成教学任务，还需要统计上报学生信息、整理资料等。“我们是寄宿制学校，要求老师24小时随叫随到。这些内容琐碎繁杂，耗费的精力甚至超过了教学本身。” 　　“每天拿起手机，一堆杂事就来了：各种要通知到家校群的消息、学生之间的矛盾、家长的咨询……不看手机，又怕耽误事儿。”          繁重的教学任务和非教学事务、多重角色带来的情绪消耗，让不少教师存在不同程度的职业健康困扰，包括咽喉、腰椎等部位的职业相关疾病，以及不同程度的心理压力。开教工会、备课、迎接学生、参加开学典礼…… 　　讲台上，教师承担着教书育人的重任，但下了讲台，繁重的教学任务和非教学事务、多重角色带来情绪消耗，正不断影响一些教师的身心状态。 　   受访专家认为，教师身心健康问题，不仅涉及个体调节能力，更与岗位职责设置、学校管理机制紧密相关。守护教师群体的身心健康，需要学校和社会层面共同发力。   Chat（词汇互动） 担任　dān rèn 准时　zhǔn shí 早读　zǎo dú 批改作业　pī gǎi zuò yè 答疑　dá yí 课时压力　kè shí yā lì 消磨　xiāo mó 层出不穷　céng chū bù qióng 非教学事务　fēi jiào xué shì wù 班主任　bān zhǔ rèn 教学任务　jiào xué rèn wu 繁杂　fán zá 随叫随到　suí jiào suí dào 琐碎　suǒ suì 耗费精力　hào fèi jīng lì 矛盾　máo dùn 繁重　fán zhòng 情绪消耗　qíng xù xiāo hào 身心健康　shēn xīn jiàn kāng 共同发力　gòng tóng fā lì Discussion（课堂讨论）   除了教学以外，你觉得教师还需要承担哪些工作？ 你有没有遇到过“事情很多、很琐碎，但每一件都不能不做”的情况？当时是怎么解决的？ 你觉得现在的教师为什么容易产生心理压力？除了工作量大，还有哪些原因？ 如果你是一名教师，你能接受“24小时随叫随到”的工作方式吗？为什么？ 你认为学校应该如何减少教师的非教学事务？ 在你看来，教师的身心健康应该主要靠个人调节，还是需要学校和社会共同努力？为什么？ 如果让你给教师减压，你认为最有效的方法是什么？

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  • [9/15] 双刃剑！AI破解动物语言？专家警告：可能被用于操纵和伤害动物，造成更大风险
    如今，越来越多的人将宠物视为情感寄托。不少主人希望宠物能够“开口说话”，与自己交流。随着AI技术发展和动物声音数据库不断积累，人类有望进一步理解动物的交流方式。然而，有专家担忧，这项技术也可能被用于操纵和伤害动物。   据美国彭博社9月4日报道，人类尝试与动物沟通已有数千年。意大利生物学家维托里奥·巴格利奥内从事乌鸦研究已有30年。他与研究伙伴借助机器学习模型，区分录音中不同来源的声音，分析乌鸦的叫声。他发现，鸟巢受到攻击时，乌鸦会发出一种短促的鸣叫，其他乌鸦随后会赶来护巢。因此，他认为，这种叫声可能是在召唤同伴帮忙。目前，研究团队已积累15万条录音，建成了规模位居前列的鸟类声音数据库。   与此同时，可附着在动物身上、记录声音等信息的小型电子设备也在不断发展。这些设备与AI相结合，为人类了解动物提供了新手段。这一研究领域的主要投资者之一、英国商人杰里米·科勒表示，他相信人类将在2030年前破解动物语言的密码。支持者认为，进一步了解动物的感受和需求，或许能促使人们更加重视气候问题和自然栖息地保护。   然而，彭博社指出，AI在帮助人类认识其他物种的同时，也可能成为操纵和伤害动物的工具。纽约大学学者塞萨尔·罗德里格斯-加拉维托表示，回顾历史，技术创新也曾被用于伤害动物。例如，20世纪的捕鲸者曾借助声呐技术追踪、猎杀鲸鱼。巴格利奥内也担心，他的研究成果可能被用于诱捕乌鸦。如果有人掌握了向乌鸦传递安全信号的方法，就可能借此将它们引入陷阱。     Chat（词汇互动） 情感寄托　qíng gǎn jì tuō 视为　shì wéi 开口说话　kāi kǒu shuō huà 交流　jiāo liú AI技术　AI jì shù 声音数据库　shēng yīn shù jù kù 操纵　cāo zòng 伤害　shāng hài 沟通　gōu tōng 生物学家　shēng wù xué jiā 机器学习模型　jī qì xué xí mó xíng 区分　qū fēn 录音　lù yīn 鸣叫　míng jiào 护巢　hù cháo 召唤　zhào huàn 积累　jī lěi 栖息地　qī xī dì 陷阱　xiàn jǐng   Discussion（课堂讨论） 你觉得人类有必要尝试理解动物的语言吗？为什么？ 你有没有养过宠物？你觉得宠物能够理解主人的情绪吗？ 如果未来AI真的能够让人类听懂动物的语言，你最想和哪种动物交流？你想问它什么？ 你认为AI技术帮助人类了解动物，会给动物保护带来哪些好处？ 如果人类掌握了动物的“语言”，你觉得这项技术可能会带来哪些问题？ 你认为在发展AI技术的同时，我们应该如何保护动物的权益？

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  • [9/14] 刷小视频停不下来？你的大脑被“绑架”了
           不少网友有这样的经历：睡前只想刷几分钟短视频放松，结果抬头一看已经凌晨一两点；明明还有工作没做完，手指却不受控制地滑向下一个视频……短视频到底对我们的大脑做了什么？中新健康就此采访了北京回龙观医院成瘾医学中心主任杨可冰。   为什么一刷小视频就停不下来？         短视频有几个突出特点：快速切换的视觉刺激，以及精准的算法推送，后台能够根据用户偏好推送相关内容。           “每刷到一个感兴趣的视频，大脑的奖赏回路就会被激活，释放多巴胺，产生强烈的愉悦感和期待感。”杨可冰解释，这就形成了“刺激—获得奖励—再刺激”的闭环。 　　更关键的是，短视频快速切换的推送方式，还会削弱大脑前额叶皮层的功能。前额叶是人大脑里负责“踩刹车”的部位，管的是冲动控制和行为约束。 　　“一方面我们不断在寻求刺激、增强愉悦感，另一方面大脑对冲动和行为的控制能力被削弱。一强一弱，短视频成瘾就产生了。”   “上瘾”的信号 　　日常刷小视频放松，还算不上“成瘾”。 　　杨可冰告诉记者，判断是否“上瘾”，有两个关键信号。 　　第一，快感来源单一化。刷短视频带来的快感和满足感越来越强，能从中获得非常大的快乐。 　　第二，失控。已经明知道刷短视频对工作、学习、人际交往等造成了危害，但却控制不了，每天都在刷。   Chat（词汇互动） 经历　jīng lì 睡前　shuì qián 刷短视频　shuā duǎn shì pín 放松　fàng sōng 不受控制　bú shòu kòng zhì 成瘾　chéng yǐn 突出　tū chū 视觉刺激　shì jué cì jī 算法推送　suàn fǎ tuī sòng 用户偏好　yòng hù piān hào 奖赏回路　jiǎng shǎng huí lù 多巴胺　duō bā'àn 愉悦感　yú yuè gǎn 期待感　qī dài gǎn 闭环　bì huán 前额叶皮层　qián é yè pí céng 冲动控制　chōng dòng kòng zhì 行为约束　xíng wéi yuē shù 快感　kuài gǎn 失控　shī kòng Discussion（课堂讨论） 你平时有刷短视频的习惯吗？每天大概会花多长时间？ 你有没有过“本来只想刷几分钟，结果一刷就到凌晨”的经历？当时是什么情况？ 你觉得为什么短视频这么容易让人停不下来？ 你平时喜欢看什么类型的短视频？算法会不会经常给你推送类似的内容？ 你认为短视频给我们的生活带来了哪些好处和坏处？ 如果一个人明知道刷短视频会影响工作、学习和睡眠，却还是控制不住，你觉得应该怎么办？ 你认为每天刷多长时间的短视频比较合适？为什么？  

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  • 「9/11」　雨のなか 初秋の風物詩「おわら風の盆」始まる
    富山の初秋の風物詩、「おわら風の盆」が富山市八尾町で１日から始まり、浴衣やはっぴ姿の踊り手たちが優美な踊りを披露しました。 ３００年以上前から富山市八尾町に伝わる「おわら風の盆」は、実りの秋を前に風の害を封じて五穀豊穣を願う伝統行事で、毎年、情緒豊かな踊りを見ようと県内外から大勢の人が訪れます。 初日の１日は雨が降るあいにくの天気のなか、雨が弱まる時を見計らって踊り手が輪になって踊る「輪踊り」などが行われ、子どもや踊り手たちが哀愁を帯びた胡弓や三味線の音色に合わせて、農作業に励む姿を表現したとされる踊りを披露していました。 また、夜になって雨が上がると、行灯のあかりが灯るなか、編みがさを深くかぶった男女の踊り手が町流しの踊りを披露し、訪れた人たちが写真に収めていました。 東京から訪れた６０代の女性は「ずっと来たかったのですが初めて訪れることができました。哀調のある楽器の音色が特に心にしみ入ります」と話していました。 「おわら風の盆」は、９月３日まで行われます。

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  • 「9/10」　コメ「概算金」引き下げへ 日本酒原料の酒米も
    コメを集荷する際に生産者に仮払いすることしの「概算金」について、ＪＡ山口県が「コシヒカリ」の１等米で去年と比べておよそ４割引き下げる方針を決めたことが、関係者への取材で分かりました。 日本酒の原料となる酒米も引き下げられる方針で、生産者の経営環境や新米の販売価格への影響が注目されます。 「概算金」は、農協がコメを集荷する際に生産者に支払う仮払金にあたり、消費者に流通するコメの価格にも影響を与えます。 ことしの概算金について、県内全域を管轄するＪＡ山口県が「コシヒカリ」の１等米で６０キロあたり最大で１万６３８０円とし、去年と比べておよそ４割引き下げる方針を決めたことが、関係者への取材で分かりました。 また県内で作付面積が大きい「ひとめぼれ」や「ヒノヒカリ」などの品種も１等米で６０キロあたり１万５０００円と、去年よりおよそ４割引き下げる方針です。 背景にはコメの民間在庫が増えるなど、いわゆる「コメあまり」の状況が続いていることがあるとみられ、概算金が引き下げられれば生産者を取り巻く経営環境は厳しさを増すことになります。 概算金は、全国各地で大幅に引き下げられる動きが出ていて、今後、収穫が本格化する新米の販売価格への影響が注目されます。 一方、日本酒の原料となる酒米についても、ことしの概算金は去年を下回る見通しです。 山口県で開発された品種「西都の雫」は１等米で６０キロあたり１万６１４０円と、去年より５５２０円およそ２５％引き下げられます。 県内の日本酒づくりを支える酒米でも、生産者が受け取る仮払金が去年を大きく下回ることになります。

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  • 「9/9」　日本人初の宇宙飛行 秋山豊寛さん死去 元TBS記者 84歳
    日本人として初めて宇宙飛行を行った元TBS記者の秋山豊寛さんが先月、亡くなったことがわかりました。84歳でした。 秋山さんは、TBSのワシントン支局長などを務め、1990年、当時のソビエトの宇宙船「ソユーズ」に搭乗し、宇宙ステーション「ミール」に滞在して、日本人として初めて宇宙飛行を行いました。 その後、TBSを退社して福島県で農業を営み、2011年の東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故のあと、現在の京都芸術大学、当時の京都造形芸術大学の教授を務めました。 大学を退任後は三重県で農業を営み、5年前、NHKの取材に応じた際には、「宇宙から見る地球は本当にきれいだった。星空や宇宙の闇などの自然からメッセージを感じ、地球に戻ったあとどう生きていくべきかを考えさせられた」などと、宇宙飛行を振り返っていました。 親族によりますと、秋山さんは先月26日、亡くなったということです。 84歳でした。

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