Topic Reading-Vol.2059-11/30/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Three cups of coffee a day 'may have health benefits'

How many cups is too much? That seems to depend on how you take your coffee, with or without sugar or milk/cream, which type of coffee it is, regular or instant, and how large the cup is.

It has been reported that coffee has some health benefits. A new review of studies says that coffee drinkers seem to have a lower risk of liver disease, some cancers, and stroke. This finding may make you feel like having another cup of coffee. But it has not been proven yet that it is coffee that reduces the risk of getting such diseases. There are other factors that must influence one’s health, such as smoking, exercise, and diet.

While smoking or sugary drinks like coke and pops have no health benefit, alcohol, coffee, and chocolate seem to provide health benefits if it is taken in moderation. Yes, moderation is the key to healthy life and longevity.

In the meantime, the more the better for businesses. You may see signs of health benefits of coffee at Starbucks outlets before too long.

Enjoy reading and think what your next after-meal drink will be.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-42081278

Topic Reading-Vol.2058-11/29/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

How Japan's music playing, water-spraying TOTO toilets took over the world

It’s just a toilet but it is something that you use several times or more every day. So, instead of just doing the thing necessary to live, how about making it more comfortable and even enjoyable experience? That’s what TOTO, a Japanese manufacturer of conventional and smart toilets, has been working on for 100 years.

When they started their business, their focus was to provide western-style clean toilets in Japan’s homes. In 1980, the company started marketing a new type of toilet that had a buttock-washing feature integrated into an electric toilet seat, called Washlet. Now, it is a standard feature for most of the toilets in Japan, in homes, shopping malls, stations, and hotels. It also has become popular in some other countries, and some foreign tourists, especially affluent Chinese, buy TOTO’s smart toilet when they visit Japan.

However, TOTO’s innovation doesn’t stop there. They’ve been trying to reduce the amount of water needed for each flush. It used to use 10 litters for a single flush, but the recent models need only three litters or so.

The company’s history of the pursuit of conventional clean toilets to modern comfortable and eco-friendly toilets is presented in TOTO museum.

Enjoy reading and think how much is worth for a toilet.

http://edition.cnn.com/style/article/toto-on-japan/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2057-11/28/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Nasa timelapse paints 'most complete picture of life' to date

Threats to the environment are no new news. Greenhouse gas emissions, plastic waste, water pollutions just to name a few. When you see photos of the smog-clogged city like Delhi, plastic particles floating in the sea, or grossly contaminated water being drained into a river, you understand how serious the problems are. Yes, seeing is believing.

Then how can climate changes be visualized? There have been numbers of images of shrinking ice sheets, melting glaciers, and expanding deserts. But is there one that shows such changes more comprehensively and extensively at a glance?

Yes. Nasa has recently released a time-lapse video that shows how ice, forests, deserts, and inhabited and developed places changed over the course of the last two decades. The images that are shown in the video look similar to the ones shown by functional MRI (fMRI).  

Enjoy watching the video to find how the earth has been breathing for 20 years.

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-42087088/nasa-timelapse-paints-most-complete-picture-of-life-to-date

Topic Reading-Vol.2056-11/27/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

17 years without a raise? Welcome to Brexit Britain

Will there be a chance for a rise of extremism in the U.K.?

Having had no real pay increase for a decade is frustrating enough for ordinary citizens, especially when expenses on modern-era necessities, such as mobile communication and education have been rising. In the meantime, the rich and successful are getting wealthier than ever before by taking advantage of their money, talent and connections wisely.

Now the country is facing a painful divorce from the major business partner, the EU, within less than two years. When the UK citizens chose the divorce by a national referendum, they expected that would be a better choice for their future. However, there seem to be growing concerns about the already-gloomy economy in and future investment to the kingdom, not to mention the penalty that they are going to owe to the union. In fact, the referendum turnout was a little over 70%, and those who voted to Leave the EU won by 52% to 48%.

What will happen to their next election if there is no brighter prospect in the future? Will there be another case of advancement of radical populism or extremism?

Enjoy reading and learn the fall of the once-great empire, and think if the empire strikes back.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/11/23/news/economy/brexit-pay-raise-britain/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2055-11/26/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Rape and no periods in North Korea's army

How big is the North Korean army? It is estimated that there are nearly 1.2 million active service members, the fourth largest army in the world. The total population of North Korea is just over 25 million, roughly the half of that of its southern neighbor. So, approximately 47 persons in every thousand are on active duty. That’s because they have the longest compulsory military service period in the world, seven years for women and ten years for men.

Traditionally, women are not respected or treated as well as men in the peninsula. Also, it was only a few years ago when women’s compulsory service was introduced. As a result, those young women serving in the military have to bear very difficult, inconvenient, and intolerable conditions and treatment. Many of them are physically unhealthy and mentally depressed. Some of them attempt to defect by swimming across the river to China.

How long will this sort of ruling last?

Read the article and think what you would do if you were among the young in North Korea.

http://www.bbc.com/news/stories-41778470

Topic Reading-Vol.2054-11/25/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The Greek island with the key to longevity

How old is too old to enjoy life? What makes one’s life more pleasurable or miserable?

There on a small island in the Aegean Sea called Ikaria, one-third of the residents are over 90 years old. Unlike the fast-aging countries where the old are spending time mostly in the bed or nursing homes being cared by paid workers, they live ordinary lives themselves by their standards. For example, a 105-year-old widow creates woven bags and clothing by herself and sells them in her little shop, just like she did decades ago.

What is the secret to longevity? Mediterranean diet, daily routines or good challenge?

Enjoy reading and thinking which of the tips mentioned in the article is applicable to you.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20171116-the-greek-island-with-the-key-to-longevity

Topic Reading-Vol.2053-11/24/2017

Topic Reading-Vol.2053-11/24/2017 

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

India's Indira canteen: The best meal you can buy for 13 cents

Altruism or populism? The state government of Karnataka in south India is setting up nearly 200 canteens in the state capital, Bangalore, to serve 300,000 cheap but good meals daily. And they are planning to open 100 more canteens in other areas in the state.

These canteens surely help those who are desperately poor and hungry, such as beggars and daily wage workers. Sounds altruistic, doesn’t it? But they are also enjoyed by those who had been eating at other restaurants or their homes. They can save money and time by eating at these government funded and operated canteens. In other words, they are cheaper dining alternatives for anyone. Sound like populism? As said in the article, filling stomach is the best way to win people’s hearts and votes. Yes, India is the largest democratic nation in the world.

There is another side benefit. Very little or no food waste to serve these many people every day. There is one menu for each meal and all the meals are cooked in centralized kitchens and delivered to nearby canteens. A very efficient way to serve sufficient food for many people.

But what happened to the restaurants or food sellers nearby these canteens? Are they also eating at these canteens now?

Enjoy reading and think of the benefits and side effects of government-sponsored canteens.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41983359

Topic Reading-Vol.2052-11/23/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The world's largest automaker is putting big money into electric vehicles in China.

China is the world largest market for new car sales, approaching the 30-million mark for annual sales. It is also the biggest electric car market, which accounts for approximately as many electric vehicle sales as all other countries combined. And the government is determinedly pushing electrification of the vehicle market to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emission, and become the leader in the industry. They are heavily incentivizing electric or clean energy vehicles by tax reduction to buyers and penalty to car manufacturers. Also, they are stimulating domestic production rather than import by posing import duties. No wonder why major automakers are all announcing huge investments in electric vehicle and battery factories in China as well as partnering up with local players at an unprecedented pace.

Enjoy reading and thinking when you will get your first fully-electric, not electrified, vehicle.

(Check the video to learn the difference between electric and electrified cars in the video)

http://money.cnn.com/2017/11/16/investing/volkswagen-electric-vehicles-china/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2051-11/22/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Want to live longer? Get a dog

Walk a dog. This daily activity no doubt has physical benefits for the owner. That’s because the owner can’t make an excuse not to take a walk for their pet dog. There is no need to be strongly determined. Just try to make the beloved living companion happy.

Also, living with a dog improves mental health, especially those who live with no one. Minding and caring someone that live with, even a dog, seems to make daily life more engaged and valuable.

Sounds like an enjoyable and pleasurable option to live a healthy life. Though neither of these health solutions can be prescribed by a medical doctor, if an apple a day keeps the doctor away, why not a dog?

Enjoy reading and think if you want to get a dog, or another one, to live with you.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/17/health/dog-owners-heart-disease-and-death/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2050-11/21/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The firm that can 3D print human body parts

Printing a part of human body. Sounds a bit odd, doesn’t it?

3D printing is a process to create a three-dimensional object by forming layers of material under computer control. The technology has been used in manufacturing, medical, industrial, apparel and special purpose goods, such as a prototype for product development, engine and body parts, pottery and custom running shoes.

This new venture uses 3D bioprinters to grow cartilage and skin cells for pharmaceutical companies. It also markets bio-ink that can be mixed with any cell type with their 3D printers. The users of such 3D printing are academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies to mainly test on bio-printed human tissues. The company hopes that their 3D printing technologies could be used to produce organs for implantations.

Since every human being has unique physical characteristics, this custom parts printer seems to be an ideal solution, doesn’t it?

Enjoy reading and think of something that you want to be custom-built.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-41859942

Topic Reading-Vol.2049-11/20/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Why the UAE plans to grow lettuce on Mars

The United Arab Emirates, or the UAE, is a federation of seven emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, in the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf. Of the total population of nine million, Emirati citizens account for only about 15%, and the rest of the residents are expatriates. Though the emirates are financially rich with their abundant oil and gas reserves, they are trying to shift their core value from natural resources to human resources.

One of such initiatives is to launch a Mars probe, like some other states and ventures. But they want to go beyond. They’ve unveiled their ambition to make the red planet sustainably habitable by producing water and plants, such as palm trees, lettuces, and tomatoes.

Sounds very ambitious, doesn’t it? But science drives technology and engineering. Even though growing lettuce sounds too-futuristic on the soil of Mars for now, given the similarities between the red planet and Arab deserts, this scientific venture may bring about realistic and practical solutions to make use of their land, not to mention the forward-looking scientists and progressive engineers who will be moved by this bald ambition.

Enjoy reading and thinking what drove Singapore’s economy and academy.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-41984742

Topic Reading-Vol.2048-11/19/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

How Hiroshima rose from the ashes

It was at 8:15 am on Monday, August 6th in 1945 when an atomic bomb was dropped on the city from a US bomber. The first-ever used nuclear bomb immediately killed 70,000 people on the soil of Hiroshima at once. By the end of the year, over 100,000 people died of the explosion, heat wave, injury, and radiation. Nearly 70% of the buildings in the city were destroyed. The central part of the city looked so scorched and devastated that reconstruction seemed unthinkable.

But people were strong and determined to rebuild the city from the destruction right after the defeat of the war. They redesigned and rebuilt the city to turn the tragic experience into a symbol for peace.

Now, the city stands peacefully and the citizens, most of whom were born after the disaster, continue to plead that what happened in Hiroshima should never be forgotten or repeated.

Enjoy reading and think about this power of reconstruction after the destruction.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20171112-how-hiroshima-rose-from-the-ashes

Topic Reading-Vol.2047-11/18/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The benefits of ‘floating’ solar power

China is on the move. While the other superpower, the U.S., is stepping away from the fight against the global warming for the sake of their domestic industry and democratic elections, China is gearing towards a cleaner energy supply. Though China produces more greenhouse gases than any other country in the world for now, they are determined to go greener. They are strictly limiting the number of license plates for conventional automobiles in major cities and giving financial incentives for electric vehicles. The government-backed power companies are investing heavily in building factories to produce batteries for electric vehicles. But what about the electricity? They are indeed burning substantial coal to generate over the half of the total electricity for now. In the meantime, they’ve been installing solar panels on the land and water faster than most of you think, and now they have two-thirds of the world’s solar panels.

Solar panels on water?

Enjoy watching the video and learn how seriously and eagerly China is working on cleaner energy solutions.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20171013-the-benefits-of-floating-solar-power

Topic Reading-Vol.2046-11/17/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Self-driving police patrol to hit Dubai

Dubai Police are already known for its exotic and unusual patrol cars, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin. They also deploy tech-force, such as self-driving robots, android officers and announced to bring in a flying motorbike.

Now, another introduction to this already tech-laden police force is a self-driving patrol vehicle.

The developer claims it as the world's first autonomous ground-aerial outdoor security robot. Though it isn’t designed to chase or arrest a suspect or criminal, it has surveillance tools to identify faces, vehicles, and objects 100 meters away and send information to police officers. Also, when someone needs to be questioned is on the run, it can launch a drone to chase the suspect.

Enjoy reading and think what you will do if this autonomous police car is looking at you with its lights flashing.

http://edition.cnn.com/style/article/dubai-police-self-driving-vehicle-o-r3/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2045-11/16/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

How to answer the salary question during a job interview

Sometimes in life, many of you have a chance or a few chances to have a job interview. It is a life-changing opportunity and process. No matter how qualified you are for the job, one wrong step could lead to disaster especially when it comes to compensation. Asking too much, you may ruin your qualification and suitability for the job. Asking too little, you may keep feeling unsatisfied with the job. Then how should you ask or answer this sensitive issue?

Enjoy reading and think how much is worth for your job or for the job you’re looking for.

Also, enjoy watching the video for a few tips for a job interview.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/11/07/pf/salary-question-job-interview/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2044-11/15/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Alibaba's Singles' Day by The Numbers: A Record $25 Billion Haul

China is leading the world, in various areas. High speed railways, solar power plants, and electric vehicles only to name a few. But their leading roles aren’t limited in hardware or infrastructure that could be invested or subsidized by the government. Their mobile payment and e-commerce are rapidly growing, and accordingly, their consumer engagement is getting more sophisticated and integrated.

Just within 24 hours on the 11^th day of the 11^th month of the year, China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba’s e-commerce businesses generated $25 billion of sales, a 40% increase from last year. Compare that amount to $6.79 billion, the total sales by all the retailers in the U.S. on Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined in 2016, you will find how significant the retail event is. Also, thanks to their de-facto standard mobile payment platform Alipay along with WeChat Pay, 90% of the purchases were made by mobile phones.

Enjoy reading and watching the video to learn what this retail-tainment is about.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/helenwang/2017/11/12/alibabas-singles-day-by-the-numbers-a-record-25-billion-haul/#ce208a1db159

Topic Reading-Vol.2043-11/14/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

'American dream' lives on in Vietnam despite the past

The Vietnam War, known in Vietnam as the Resistance War Against America, was fought for 20 years in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia until the fall of Saigon in 1975. It is considered a Cold War-era proxy war as the North Vietnamese army was supported by the Soviet Union and China while the South was supported by the United States allies such as South Korea and Australia.

What do people in Vietnam think of the U.S. 40 years after the deadliest war? Those who live in northern Vietnam may have different views from their friends in the south. Also, the survivors who experienced or witnessed the war and their growing offspring think differently. In fact, nearly one-third of the total 93 million population of Vietnam are very young, between the age of 10 and 24, who prefer looking for exciting future with a smartphone in their hand rather than looking back the past in books.

Enjoy reading and think what influences the youth the most.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/dream-lives-vietnam-171110121736556.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2042-11/13/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Germany's top court tells lawmakers to recognize 'third gender'

One step forward. In Germany, parents have had the choice to leave the gender identification box blank on a birth certificate since 2013. Though it is a progressive move compared to other countries in Europe and the world, this option still doesn’t identify the person’s gender. Now, their top court ruled that not recognizing third gender identity is unconstitutional and ordered lawmakers to legalize intersex status by the end of 2018.

Once the law is passed, any service provider that requires gender identity will need to abide by the law accordingly, such as schools, airlines, military, government offices and financial services. Though it looks as simple as to add another box on the application form, the impact on offices and businesses seems to be substantial, not to mention the voices and moves to recognize third gender status across the country and beyond.

Enjoy reading and think if couples planning to have a baby may postpone their plan until after the law becomes effective.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/08/europe/germany-court-intersex-children/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2041-11/12/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

This Florida school is selling bulletproof panels for students' backpacks

A bulletproof panel for a school child? It’s not in Syria or Afghanistan but in the USA. It may be protective but not preventive for sure. Parents of school children may be interested in getting one for their kids after seeing mass shootings in school, church, and an outdoor concert. Now a private school in Florida has moved one step ahead. They started selling bulletproof panels that fit in students' backpacks as another level of protection for their pre-K through K-12 students. Students are taught by their teachers how to use their backpacks as a shield to protect themselves as the last line of defense. Sounds like a drill against nuclear attack in the cold war era.

The price tag is $120. It may not be a problem for affluent parents but it is for those in need of financial help for living.

You may wonder if one size fits all or it can be used for adults.

Read the text and think if you want one when you go in a school or church premise in the US.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/07/health/bulletproof-panels-backpacks-trnd/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2040-11/11/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

How 'Asian Tiger cubs' are driving online shopping

Today is the 11^th day of the 11^th month. It is now known as “Single’s Day,” the biggest online shopping day on earth. The creator of this online shopping bonanza, Alibaba's Tmall and Taobao in China together generated over US$17.8 billion in a day last year. Most of the online purchases and payments were completed by smartphones. Yes, mobile payment is taking place for notes and cards in the wallet in China. Most of the retailers in China now accept Alipay or WeChat Pay by scanning QR code even at a mom-and-pop street shop. In fact, “Cash or card” or “Visa or Master” question is taken place by “Alipay or WeChat Pay.”

But that’s just a current trend. What about the future? In one of the elementary schools in Singapore, students were provided with a payment wristband to complete any transactions in the school premise. For example, they can buy snack or stationary without cash, and their parents will be notified what was purchased via online. When these kids are grown up, what their shopping habits will be like? Bad news for thieves. That’s for sure.

Enjoy reading and thinking of the time when there is no money or wallet but just an AI device that identifies you without a password.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-41885057

Topic Reading-Vol.2039-11/10/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

How Japan's youth see the kamikaze pilots of WW2

What is Kamikaze? Kamikaze, means divine or spirit wind, were a part of the Japanese Special Attack Units that were intended to conduct suicide attacks against Allied naval vessels during the last year of the Pacific theater of World War II. In other words, Kamikaze aircraft were pilot-guided missiles. Over 3,800 Kamikaze pilots sacrificed their lives in exchange for more than 7,000 allied navy personnel.

It was said that those Kamikaze pilots volunteered and were willing to dedicate their lives for the Emperor and their mother country. Was that the common spirit of Japanese youth in those days? As there are only a few remaining Kamikaze pilots alive now, such delicate questions are rarely answered directly.

Also, what about today’s youth in Japan? Are they so loyal to the Emperor or patriotic to their country?

Enjoy reading and thinking how education plays significant roles to children.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39351262

Topic Reading-Vol.2038-11/9/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Long-term spaceflight 'squeezes' the brain, study says

Travelling seems to cause a lot of stress and pressure to the brain. Jet lag is a typical example as shown in yesterday’s Vol.2017. If air travel causes such troubles to your brain and body, what about space travel?

Researchers say that there are considerable effects on the human body after a long space mission, particularly in the brain. They scanned astronauts’ brains before and after their space missions that lasted for a varied length of time and found that there are spaceflight duration effects on their brains, which make the space between brain regions appear smaller. In short, their brains seem to have been squeezed during the flight.

Though further studies are needed, human bodies appear to react very differently in zero or micro-gravity from the earth’s surface.

Enjoy reading the text and watching the video and think if you can cope with such physical challenges during your dream travel in space or to Mars.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/01/health/brain-space-astronaut-mri-scan-study/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2037-11/8/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Four ways to train your brain to cope with heavy travel

Do you often travel long distance by airplane? If yes, you may already know how to deal with jet lag. Basically, it’s simple. Do the things you are supposed to do and avoid doing things you shouldn’t, such as;

Dos: go to bed early and sleep well, eat healthy meals, do exercise, drink water, take a nap when …

Don’ts: coffee, alcohol drinks, junk food, irregular meals, sleeping pills, …

Also, did you know that your body clock could be screwed up even in your hometown? As you know, if you expose yourself to the sunlight in a different time zone, your body clock tries to adjust to the new environment. Surprisingly, the blue light from your smartphone could also confuse your body clock. For example, sending or reading messages on your smartphone in the bed could easily disrupt your sound sleep.

You know what affects the body clock. Now you may want to know why certain things are helpful or disruptive to your brain and internal mechanism.

Enjoy reading this text and think what you may want to try to stay in regular shape from today

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20171102-why-you-need-a-neuroscientist-to-get-over-prolonged-jet-lag

Topic Reading-Vol.2036-11/7/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Women won't have equality for 100 years - World Economic Forum

How equal women are to men? In most countries, women are not particularly segregated from men in theory and by law. But in practice, there still seems to be a considerable gap between them.

According to the data from the World Economic Forum (WEF), the gap widened in 2017 from the previous year, especially in jobs and politics, whereas in narrowed in education and health.

Overall, the Nordic countries, such as Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden have much less gender gap compared to others in the world. Many middle eastern and African countries showed the widest gap except Rwanda, which was ranked number four in the world in terms of gender equality.

What makes difference to close the gap? Is that the law, tradition, religion or discrimination?

Enjoy reading and think if and how equally women are treated in your country and society.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-41844875

Topic Reading-Vol.2035-11/6/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Pope Francis admits he sometimes falls asleep while praying
Have you ever fallen asleep when you were listening to someone speaking, such as a school teacher or lecturer, your boss or parents, or a priest? And what about during a peaceful or enjoyable time, such as reading, thinking or praying?
People often fall asleep when they are bored or tired. Some people nod when they are sitting still in quiet, even the Pope.
Pope Francis is so honest to admit that he sometimes falls asleep while praying. It is not confession because he thinks it’s ok to fall asleep during prayer because it makes him feel like a child lying in God’s arms. Is it ok then to nod while a priest is giving a sermon? 
No one would dare to nod while a dictator is making a speech, though.
Enjoy reading and think what your reaction would be if someone you’re talking to starts nodding.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41829338

Topic Reading-Vol.2034-11/5/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Inside the lab rewriting the origins of humanity

How old is our species? This is the question anthropologists have been trying to find the answer to.

Homo sapiens, our distant ancestors, had been believed to have emerged around 200,000 years ago in eastern Africa until new fossils were found in Morocco, the opposite side of the continent lately. It’s quite a significant discovery because of the time and location. They are over 5,000 km apart. Though there wasn’t any dry dessert between them then, it is not a distance even Homo sapience could travel back and forth easily. Also, it was found that the newly discovered fossils are 300,000 years old, 100,000 years older than the previous estimate. Were Homo sapience had spread all around Africa by then?

One of the lead researchers mention, "Science is a sort of perpetual reworking of knowledge."

Enjoy reading and learning when and where our ancestors originated from.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/25/africa/inside-africa-morocco-homo-sapiens-fossils/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2033-11/4/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The place spacecraft go to die

How many satellites in space? There are over two thousand satellites currently in orbit around the earth.

Who sent them? Russia did more than thirteen hundred and the U.S. did about the half of them.

Will they be in space forever? Nope. Most of the satellites in orbit will eventually come down to earth.

What will happen then? Smaller ones will burn up, so there is no threat to anyone or anything on the ground. But pieces of the larger ones may return to earth, whether in the sea or on the ground. That sounds scary as more satellites are being launched in the meanwhile old ones are approaching their retirement.

Where are they falling on? Most of the falling satellites are controlled to drop in the oceanic pole of inaccessibility.

Enjoy reading and learn how and where those satellites end their missions.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41683839

Topic Reading-Vol.2032-11/3/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Yasuhiro Yamashita: 'Judo gives us hope in this fragile world'

Judo is a modern martial art developed in Japan in 1882 and is now practiced all over the world after it evolved into a combat and Olympic sport in 1964. Among the legendary Judo fighters, Japan’s Yasuhiro Yamashita still holds a record of 203 consecutive wins, including five gold medals in international competitions, which he established before he retired from competitions in 1985. He was only 28 years old then.

Though Judo is a sport now, it requires the player to beat the opponent to win a match. But there is much more to do to master what Judo is about. For example, if the opponent is injured, you may not attack the injury only to take advantage of it.

Judo is loved by many in the world. One of the Judo loving celebrates is Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, who was awarded 8^th dan, the highest degree, and in 2012, became the first Russian to become one of the few judo fighters in the world who have achieved such status.

Yamashita believes that people learn the core values of respect by practicing Judo, which connects people beyond cultures, countries or religions. On tatami, there is no border but Judo.

Enjoy reading and learn what roles Judo could play outside tatami.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/24/sport/legends-of-judo-yasuhiro-yamashita-ajjf-japan-teddy-riner/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2031-11/2/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

These ocean drones are trawling for climate change data

Drones cruise the ocean? You may think the drone is a thing that flies in the air. But there are sea version drones trawling day and night for scientific research. They don’t fly but trawl seas for gathering data, such as carbon dioxide, acidity, currents and water temperature to combat climate change as well as fish count data. They can also detect unauthorized undersea ships that are attempting to smuggle illegal objects like drugs. These solar-powered unmanned boats travel slowly but nearly permanently. Thus, the cost to gather such data fell drastically compared to human-operated ships, not to mention the consistency and accuracy of operation.

Enjoy reading and thinking any other version of drones that could take or help human’s jobs.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/27/technology/saildrone-autonomous-boats-drones/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2030-11/1/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

US sailors rescued after five months adrift in Pacific

How did two humans and two dogs survive in a small sailing boat in the open sea for five months? What did they drink and eat?

Though it was unfortunate that the engine of their boat was damaged and broken when it was hit by a storm, the sailorwomen had been well prepared to survive in such a helpless situation. They had a water purifier to make sea water drinkable. That really was a lifesaving device, wasn’t it? They also stocked enough dried food, such as oatmeal and pasta to live for a year or longer. Were they expecting worse situation than this?

Yet they had life-keeping water and food, there were life-threatening incidents during the voyage. Two shark attacks. Fortunately, the boat was too large for the sharks to capsize or break apart. Phew! They didn’t seem to have been suffered major diseases or physical problems when they were rescued by a US navy vessel, including the dogs.

Learning from their experience; Be prepared. You never know what could happen during your voyage. Don’t lose your hope.

Enjoy reading and thinking how prepared you are for your next journey or event.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41772323