Topic Reading-Vol.3398-7/31/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese ice cream debuts and quickly sells out

It’s summer in the northern hemisphere. So, ice cream is a good treat. Ice cream companies always come up with new flavors to bring attention from new and existing customers. One of the wow factors is to show something that no one has ever thought of or needed. That is what these two unlikely partners jointly did, The Kraft Heinz Company, best known for its ketchup and Macaroni & Cheese, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, which makes ice cream from natural ingredients. Though Macaroni & Cheese is a very popular easy-to-prepare American food, it has never been considered an ice cream ingredient. So, when Van Leeuwen debuted the Kraft Macaroni & Cheese ice cream, they called it "The ice cream you never knew you needed."

Who bought it? Many. Then, what’s next?

Enjoy reading the article and learn about this unlikely combination of popular foods.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/24/business/kraft-macaroni--cheese-ice-cream-trnd/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3397-7/30/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

How to stop talking in your sleep

Do you talk while sleeping? Or, do you know if you talk in your sleep? Researchers say over two-thirds of sleepers seem to talk at some point. Some people speak just a few words and others speak a complete sentence or more. The true cause of sleep talk isn’t known yet, so genetics, alcohol, and stress are to blame, just like any other unknown symptoms. The most common word of sleep talk was found to be “No.” As people don’t say no when they are happy, it is probably right to say that the sleeper is under stress or in trouble in their dream. Even though talking while asleep is annoying to the partner, it doesn’t seem to be harmful. But if you’re worried, typical remedies are recommended to have a sound sleep, such as reducing stress, caffeine, and alcohol, as well as keeping regular hours.

Enjoy reading the article to learn about sleep talking and watching the video about how to have a sound sleep.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/25/health/sleep-talking-wellness/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3396-7/29/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Why is the Great Barrier Reef in trouble? A simple guide

Located off the northeast coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, or GBR, contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs including 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish, and 4,000 types of mollusks, such as snails, clams, or squids. Stretching over 2,300km, there are some 2,500 individual reefs of varying sizes and shapes within the GBR. It was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. The GBR attracts divers and tourists from around the world while it is treasured by Australians and living creatures around the reefs. However, severer-than-expected coral bleaching was reported in 2016. Coral bleaching occurs when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients. Once it occurs, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white. Since global temperatures have already risen by about 1C since pre-industrial times, it is already too warm for corals to maintain their health and colors. And there are other human-caused environmental problems to the sensitive marine creature, too.

Read the article and learn about the Great Barrier Reef.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-57938858

Topic Reading-Vol.3395-7/28/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

North Korea warns young people against using slang from the South

Can laws prevent people from watching foreign media and learn about their cultures? Is the death penalty scary enough for people to give up speaking foreign slang? Such extreme preventive measures were announced in North Korea to stop people from learning slang from South Korea. They seem to want their people to speak just North Korea's standard language in order to stamp out foreign influence. And they urge people, especially the young, to use proper Pyongyang dialect correctly. In addition, foreign films and clothing like jeans are prohibited.

Ruling people by fear and punishment is one way to fortify the regime against social movement. It seems to work up to a certain extent, but not usually from generation to generation.

But North Korea’s leader seems to believe that is a more sustainable way to maintain his regime.

Enjoy reading the article and think about the effectiveness of prohibitions.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57881108

Topic Reading-Vol.3394-7/27/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Chimpanzees have been spotted attacking and killing gorillas in the wild for the first time

Gorillas are the largest non-human primates, reaching heights between 1.2 and 1.8 meters, weighing from 100 to 270 kg, and arm spans up to 2.6 meters. They tend to live in troops, with the leader being called a silverback. Despite the conservation efforts, they are still classified as critically endangered species by IUCN.

Chimpanzees are the closest living primate to humans. Male chimpanzees usually weigh between 40 and 70 kg and stand at 120 to 150 cm high. Chimpanzees live in communities that typically consist of around 20 to sometimes over 100 members, but spend most of their time traveling in smaller groups. The chimpanzee is listed on the IUCN Red List as an endangered species.

As gorillas are much larger and look stronger than chimps, most of you have never thought about gorillas are attacked, and even killed by chimpanzees. But that was what researchers witnessed in a national park in Gabon, Africa. Since these two species usually interact without hostility, it was quite surprising for the witnesses. In fact, chimps are known as monkey hunters for meat. However, the researchers were unsure how did the peaceful encounter of the two primate groups develop into an assault and murder of two child gorillas. After all, while chimps are used to attack other primates, gorillas aren’t.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about this rare incident witnessed in Africa.  

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/22/africa/chimpanzee-gorilla-attacks-scn-scli-intl/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3393-7/26/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Covid-19: India excess deaths cross four million, says study

As of July 20, 31.2 million Covid cases and 414,000 deaths to date were reported in India, which represents the fatality rate of just 1.3%, approximately 1% fewer than the average of the rest of the countries. Are Indians more resistant to Covid or are India’s death numbers unreliable? For a country with a population of 1.4 billion and scarce medical resources especially in remote villages, it takes some effort to find actual numbers or make a reliable estimate. One way to estimate the number of deaths is to use excess deaths, a measure of how many more people have died than would be expected compared to the previous years. In other words, finding how many more funeral services have taken place compared to the past. But it is not so simple. India conducts a national census only once a decade. Also, the subcontinent is so diverse and dispersed. So, researchers took samples and made an estimate for the whole. They found that India’s death toll should have been around four million. The figure is much higher than the official record, but the death ratio is not so different from other countries.

If the same methodologies were applied, what are the real numbers like in Brazil and other developing countries?

Enjoy reading the article and learn about how to figure and use excess deaths.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57888460

Topic Reading-Vol.3392-7/25/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Using plastic waste to help solve sand shortages

Concrete is used everywhere as it is usually the main structural material for houses, buildings, walls, roads, bridges, and so on. Concrete consists of an aggregate (usually sand and gravel), that is bonded together by water and cement, a finely milled mineral powder. As urbanization and mobilization progress, more buildings are built and roads are constructed. Accordingly, the need for cement increases especially in fast-developing countries like China and India. Then, the consumption of sand, one of the key components of concrete, has been skyrocketing. You may think sand is available everywhere like on beaches and deserts, but they are too fine or too salty to make concrete. Indeed, sand is another scarce natural resource that needs to be conserved. One solution is to replace sand with something more abundant, like plastic waste. In fact, as much as 10% of the sand in concrete can be replaced with plastic. That’s good news but it won’t solve the fundamental problem. In order to save natural resources, more efforts are made to use less concrete by individuals, governments, and international organizations.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about sand as a natural resource.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57832425

Topic Reading-Vol.3391-7/24/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

What's the best pizza city in the USA? 'Modernist' authors have a surprise for you

“Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking” is a cookbook published in 2011. It is regarded as an encyclopedia and a guide to the science of contemporary cooking because of the sheer volume of the book and the scientific approach to cooking. The 2,438 pages book weighs 23.7 kilograms, and has been described as the "cookbook to end all cookbooks”. Also, the book was published by a former Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft, who left the company to pursue his enthusiasm. Now they have completed research on which cities offer good pizzas in the US. Just like and burgers and hotdogs, pizza is an American obsession. It is one of the most popular menu items at most of the restaurants and cafeterias in the USA. There are all kinds of pizzas there to meet the needs of eaters around the country. Some of them are Italian style that is served with a knife and fork at Italian cafes or pizzerias while cheesy American style pizzas are delivered at the door front and eaten by hand. Also, there are some local variations like Chicago’s deep-dish pizza. Now, the authors of the scientific cooking book say they’ve ranked the cities for good pizzas. How have they done that? Where can you find “good” pizzas in America?

Enjoy reading the article and learn about ranking American cities by pizza taste.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/best-pizza-city-us-modernist-authors/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3390-7/23/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Climate change: Science failed to predict flood and heat intensity

Extreme weather is seen more frequently, such as drought in the Western US, the heatwave in Canada, and floods in Germany, only to name a few in the last 30 days, all of which broke their previous records respectively. While such extreme climate events have been warned by scientists, environmental, and government bodies for some time, none of these disastrous events had been predicted as to where, when, and how to occur. As both the intensity and frequency of extremes increase, the ability to simulate and predict such events needs to be upgraded without delay. Scientists and researchers ask for super, supercomputers that could enable them to make more accurate simulations and predictions. Indeed, spending money, time, and resources to prepare for extreme events in advance will save more lives and money than dealing with them afterward. Since climate events are a global issue, such investment must be agreed and signed at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which requires signatures by all 193 member states. The problem is that such a consensus is hard to be reached and even if it is agreed, it tends to be either conservative or compromising. But it is better than nothing.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about what the science world needs to deal with to become more capable of predicting extreme climate.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57863205

Topic Reading-Vol.3389-7/22/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Amazon rainforest is emitting more carbon dioxide than it absorbs in some areas, study says

The Amazon rainforest is thought to be one of the best defenses against climate change. Its trees and plants absorb billions of tons of heat-causing carbon dioxide from the air each year and release much-needed oxygen back into the atmosphere. Also, the tree canopy that covers the land cools the air and controls the global temperature and rainfall patterns. However, according to a study conducted over nine years, some part of the rainforest is found to have been releasing more carbon than oxygen. More deforestation, logging, land burning, and heating are to blame, which are all caused by human hands and activities for economic purposes. The impacts of these not only have reduced the size of the rainforest but also have been harming the health of the rainforest. In fact, the rainforest had been mostly wet until recently. But as seen in 2019, there were disruptive wildfires that burned the size of a football field every minute. Unlike the natural wildfires in dry areas like California, these fires were caused by drought, deforestation, and humans.

It is feared that the entire Amazon rainforest might become a carbon source instead of sink in a few decades. The point of no return is nearing.

Read the article and learn about how the Amazon rainforest has been changing recently.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/15/americas/amazon-rainforest-carbon-emission-intl-hnk-scn/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3388-7/21/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

EU unveils sweeping climate change plan

The EU Commission is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030 in order to meet the Paris climate goal signed in 2016, which aims to keep global temperature rise below 2C, hopefully, 1.5C, to prevent environmental disasters. It is a quite challenging task to achieve without sacrificing economic activities and growth as well as the convenience and comfort of daily lives. For example, if jet fuel and coal are taxed heavily to stimulate the industries to use greener energy sources, consumers will have to pay for the additional costs. Also, if the incentives or goals are not substantial enough to make the industries move, not only green parties or environmentalists but also people who are conscious of the environment will not be satisfied. It is indeed their generational task, not just for their future days but for their future generations. The draft proposals the EU commission announced recently to realize a carbon-neutral society by 2050 seem to show the EU’s initiative and ambition to save the world from environmental destruction.

While industrial revolution #4 is progressing especially in the IT industry, it seems to be the time to call for the environmental revolution.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about what governing bodies should do for our future generations.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57833807

Topic Reading-Vol.3387-7/20/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Giant goldfish problem in US lake prompts warning to pet owners

Native to East Asia, the goldfish is a small member of the carp. It was first bred for color in imperial China over 1,000 years ago. Now, it is one of the most popular aquarium fish that is normally kept as a pet in indoor aquariums. Goldfish usually stay about two to five centimeters in length if they are kept in small aquariums. However, when they are in wild outdoor ponds where they have enough food and room to grow, they can grow to over 30 centimeters. That is large enough to affect the ecosystem of the water. Also, they naturally become more aggressive in reproduction in nutritious and spacious conditions. Imagine that such predominantly big fish outnumber other species in a pond or lake whose ecosystem has been relatively stable. Yes, goldfish can grow larger, increase in number, and cause serious disruption to ecosystems. In fact, there are cases in North America and Europe where gigantic goldfish were found in waters in the wild. Such disaster wouldn’t have happened if humans hadn’t released their pet goldfish into wild waters.

Another natural disaster caused by humans.

Enjoy reading the article and seeing the photos to learn about the impact of inconsiderate human acts.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57816922

Topic Reading-Vol.3386-7/19/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Paternity leave: The hidden barriers keeping men at work

In developed economies, many parents are entitled to parental leave by law, which allows either of the parent to take paid, unpaid, or partially paid leave. But in most cases, only the parent who gave the birth usually takes the leave. Even though gender gaps at work have declined substantially in the last few decades, gender stereotypes seem to exist in many organizations and societies. In fact, fathers who take parental leave are still a small minority. And even those who dared to take the leave did it only a few days, not enough to build a bond with the newborn (s). Indeed, women are thought to be better at caring for babies or children while men are thought to be unfit. Also, there seems to be an unspoken but firm belief at workplaces that men should not take full paternity leave. So, many men take the leave only as long as it is regarded as reasonable or acceptable in their respective workplaces.

How can such gender stereotypes be removed? Should parental roles set individually, culturally, or legally?

Enjoy reading the article and think about the parent roles in your culture.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210712-paternity-leave-the-hidden-barriers-keeping-men-at-work

Topic Reading-Vol.3385-7/18/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Sharks evolved over millions of years as an apex predator, yet are no match for humans

Every living thing plays a role in the food chain and Earth's ecosystems. Sharks are on the top in the marine food chain only after orcas and whales. Though they scare humans, they are more scared by humans. Indeed, humans are direct predators of sharks. Except for their shape and jaws, we know so little about this unique marine creature. For example, it is estimated that some shark species live 20 to 40 years while others like Greenland sharks live over 100 years. Also, while most shark species are coldblooded, some are found to be warm-blooded, which can regulate their own body temperatures and swim faster. What makes it difficult for researchers to learn about sharks is that they mostly roan in the deep sea, hundred meters below the ocean surface. Unfortunately, like other large animals like elephants, whales, and gorillas, their population is declining rapidly. In fact, over three-quarters of the species are now threatened with extinction. Since sharks have been in the oceans for hundreds of millions of years, they had managed to survive until humans conquered the oceans.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about sharks.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/11/us/5-shark-week-facts-scn/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3384-7/17/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

It's 'inescapable': Pacific Islanders have tried to flee the climate crisis, only to face new threats

The Marshall Islands is an island country near the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, lying about halfway between Australia and Hawaii. As you know, Pacific islands have been under serious threat of global warming; rising sea levels, powerful storms, and severe droughts. Since they could do so much to cope with such devastating climate change, as many as 30,000 inhabitants of the Marshall Islands and other Micronesian islands left their islands and migrated to the west coast of the US, such as Washington, Oregon, and California in a hope to escape from natural disasters. However, they are now facing different climate disasters caused by global warming, heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. In fact, many places on the west coast recorded high temperatures already in early July. And the severe droughts have already caused serious water shortages in many populated areas. Sadly, those climate refugees from Micronesian islands don’t seem to have become free from global warming disasters, yet.

Just a reminder. The US tested 67 nuclear bombs on the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958, leaving the islands more radioactive than Chernobyl or Fukushima. Marshall Islanders have suffered too much from human-caused disasters for the last three-quarters of a century.

Read the article and learn about how those pacific islanders have been suffering from human-caused disasters.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/08/us/pacific-islands-climate-change-refugees/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3383-7/16/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Giant pandas no longer endangered but still vulnerable, says China

The giant panda is characterized by its bold black-and-white coat and rotund body. Most of the giant pandas live in mountain ranges in Sichuan, China. They used to live in the lowland areas but moved to higher land because of farming, deforestation, and other development by humans. Since almost all of their nutrition comes from bamboo, preserving bamboo forests is the first step to conserve the adorable animal. Also, since they are sexually inactive, giant pandas have a very low fertility rate. That’s part of the reason China has been making tremendous effort to breed and grow their national treasure to save this once-endangered species even after the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, removed it from its endangered species list in 2016. Now, there are 1,800 of them in the wild, and China finally reclassified them as vulnerable from endangered. Good news.

However, they are still so vulnerable that they can become extinct anytime because of their diet and low fertility. China’s commitment and work are essential to conserving this carefree animal.

Enjoy reading the article about the status of the giant panda.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57773472

Topic Reading-Vol.3382-7/15/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

These futuristic pods could help cities solve their traffic problems

The ground surface of major cities is almost filled and always congested. In most cities, there is no room to build new train lines or add more bus routes. Digging underground tunnels for a subway is quite expensive, time-consuming, and environmentally burdensome. One solution is cable cars. It takes just poles and cables and can be built almost anywhere. However, all the cars in the cable line drive at the same, slow speed. Also, because it is structurally difficult to stop at stations along the way, cable cars aren’t so suitable for mass transportation. Another idea is building a monorail, like the one in Chengdu, China which was introduced in yesterday’s Vol.3382-7/15/2021, “Glass-bottomed panda train, ” It could work to link between two points but it is like a one-fits-all system, which doesn’t allow different groups of passengers to travel to different locations at a different speed. Now, there is a kind of hybrid concept that combines a cable car and monorail, but much more flexible. An electrically powered high-speed transportation pods, which are suspended from a steel track. Each pod can be custom-designed for a long-luxurious ride, a quick and short ride, or even cargo. With today’s AI and autonomous driving technologies, this pods system could help build a clean and green city transportation system over a busy city and even between cities.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about this high-tech pod that could be running in UAE in a few years.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/08/tech/usky-pod-sharjah-uae-spc-intl/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3381-7/14/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Glass-bottomed panda train debuts in China

Glass-bottomed or see-through structure is on the rise around the world, such as a bridge in Zhangjiajie (China), swimming pool in London, and elevator in New York.

Chengdu, the capital of China’s Sichuan province, is famous for spicy food and the giant panda. The city has just opened the second international airport after Beijing and Shanghai. It is also scheduled to be connected to Tibet with a bullet train line before 2035. Chengdu is on the move to welcome more tourists from domestic and abroad. Now, they’ve just opened a unique sky train line of 11.5 kilometers in length. It has a glass bottom which allows the riders to see all sides but the top. It is also the first new energy tourism air-rail, using lithium battery power to move the suspended rail train. The train is painted black and white, just like the beloved animal. You may chew bamboo sticks like a giant panda on the train.

Enjoy reading the article and see the photos of this new tourist attraction in Chengdu, China.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/glass-bottom-panda-train-chengdu-china-intl-hnk/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3380-7/13/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Thousands thought they were getting the Covid vaccine. They were injected with salt water instead

When people are in desperate need of help, some people try to take advantage of it. India’s coronavirus cases surged between April and early June this year when hundreds of thousands of new cases were reported daily. Naturally, people wanted to get vaccinated as soon as they could. That was when some doctors and even a hospital cheated people by a fake vaccination, which was just saline water. They charged cash to the recipients and issued fake certificates. What a cheap and immoral scam! Even a child can predict that such obvious fake vaccination would be caught soon. Doctors who were involved in the scam now have to pay a substantial price for what they did, which may include their hard-earned doctor’s license.

Read the article and learn about how some educated people do such an inconceivably insensible act like fake vaccination.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/05/india/india-fake-covid-vaccine-scam-intl-hnk/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3379-7/12/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

At least 150 people fatally shot in more than 400 shootings over the Fourth of July weekend

The fourth of July is a big holiday for Americans. Fireworks, parades, barbeques, and parties took place all over the country to celebrate the nation’s 245^th birthday. But fireworks weren’t the only one that sounded aloud during the holiday weekend. Firearms made a big bang, too. Sadly, a mass shooting is not unusual anywhere in the USA, in New York, Denver, and even in a small town in Midwest. This year during the 72-hour period between 6:00 pm Friday and 6:00 am Monday, Americans saw over 400 shootings across the country that left at least 150 deaths. For example, four children aged six, 14, and 16 were shot by a 15-year-old boy in Norfolk, Virginia. Also, two boys were killed and three others were wounded at a park in Cincinnati, Ohio, all of whom were teenagers.

Though enough gun violence is being reported, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms. If a firearm is owned and carried, it could be fired at anyone at any time. It is impossible to stop gun violence only by prohibiting gun owners from shooting at people. Human rights seem to include gun ownership in the USA.

Read the article and learn about America’s violent fourth of July.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/05/us/us-shootings-july-fourth-weekend/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3378-7/11/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Four-day week 'an overwhelming success' in Iceland

How long do you work a week? Eight times five, ten times four, or less? In most industrialized countries, a 40-hour workweek has been quite normal at least in the last few decades. But is it too long, too short, or just about right? In some countries like Germany and the Netherlands, the average work-hour or workweek is shorter but their productivities remain higher than most other countries. So, how long is the best or better? Iceland tried a four-day workweek among their public workers between 2015 and 2019 and found that the productivity was not deteriorated by shorter workhours while workers’ well-being improved. They felt less stress and enjoyed a better work-life balance. The 20^th century was the time when the workweek changed from six days to five days. Will we witness another workday reduction in this century? Robots, AI, mobile devices, cloud, work-from-home, and gig-workers. As technologies and workstyle improve productivity, it may not be so surprising to see shorter work hours around the world.

Enjoy reading the article and think about how long or which work style suits you the best to improve your productivity and wellbeing.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57724779

Topic Reading-Vol.3377-7/10/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Solving India's deadly conflict between humans and elephants

While people in India eat food with their hands (Vol.3376-7/9/2021), elephants eat by wrapping its trunk around leaves and grasses. Asian elephants are an endangered species. There are about 30,000 of them live in India whose population is nearly 1.4 billion. Though India has over 100 national parks and 30 elephants’ reserves, many of them live outside these protected areas where humans also inhabit. As more elephants roam around off-protected areas, more conflicts with humans occur. In fact, about 500 people are killed by elephants each year in India. Also, the gigantic animal eats about 150kg of grass, leaves, and bark each day but sugarcane, rice, and bananas are even more enticing to them. Naturally, they try to eat farm crops when they find them, which causes conflicts with farmers. Even though elephants are sacred animals to Hindus and protected in India, such casualties and damages are intolerable. They need to find ways to live with the beloved animal somehow.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about the conflicts with elephants.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/20/asia/human-elephant-conflict-india-krithi-karanth-c2e-spc-intl-hnk/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3376-7/9/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

India: The art of eating with your hands 

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. So, when you eat Chinese food, you should use chopsticks, not with a knife and fork. When you eat Japanese miso soup, you should sip it without a spoon. When you eat pizza in Italy, you should use a knife and fork. So, it is quite natural to eat with your right hand when you are in India. It shows respect and appreciation to the food itself and the person who prepared it. Also, licking your fingers is also part of an important etiquette. It expresses the appreciation of the food, too. But how can you eat curry or scoop up gravies without a spoon? You’ll need to mash up the rice with fingers and mix it with other foods on the plate or banana leaf and roll it into a ball, then it becomes like a rice ball. Easy to say, difficult to do.

Enjoy watching the video to learn why you shouldn’t hesitate to eat with your hands in India.

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p09m7wy7/india-the-art-of-eating-with-your-hands

Topic Reading-Vol.3375-7/8/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Clues to how birds migrate using Earth's magnetic field

You may wonder how birds fly a long distance without visual references to the ground or water. In fact, some birds migrate thousands of kilometers over the sea, where they can only see nothing but water. It is known that birds, sea turtles, fish, and insects sense the Earth's magnetic field to find their way. But it had not been found how and which part of their body navigate their way. Recently, scientists discovered that birds have some chemicals in the eye that senses magnetism. They observed chemical reactions in birds’ retinas that seem to give the bird information about the direction of the magnetic field, just like a compass that tells your which direction is north or south. More researches are needed to find what works exactly how, but which part should be researched has been found to solve the mystery. Now we know that the functions of the eyes aren’t limited to see things visually.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about this landmark discovery to find how birds navigate themselves to reach their destination.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57582451

Topic Reading-Vol.3374-7/7/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Singapore wants to stop counting Covid cases. Its roadmap could be a model for other countries

After nearly 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic, strict restrictions were imposed, loosened, and again tightened as Delta variant infections surge. Each day, the number of cases and deaths are reported, and governments, health officials, and citizens feel more worried or relieved daily. But isn’t that about the time to find a way to get our lives back to normal or live under the new norms? As more people are being vaccinated, it might be possible to shift to more bearable and sustainable ways to deal and live with Covid-19, just like influenza or chickenpox. Singapore is known for its early implementation of strict restrictions called the zero transmission model, such as quarantine measures, mask requirement, and social distancing enforcement, which no one, including the health officials, wants to continue forever. Now, they came up with a roadmap to bring life back to normal. With higher vaccination coverage among all age groups, quicker testing methods than PCR, and more disciplined social responsibility by every citizen, they think Covid-19 can be managed just like other contagious diseases.

Singapore is known for its swift action to cope with the Covid-19 including tracking app and devices and strict quarantines. Now the city-state is seeking swift ways to recover from the highly contagious but becoming more manageable disease.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about new ways to live with Covid-19.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/singapore-covid-plan-intl-hnk/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3373-7/6/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Tibet's first bullet train line enters service

Tibet is an autonomous region within China and is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people. It is the highest region on Earth with an average elevation of over 4,000 m, including Mount Everest. With a population of over 300,000, Lhasa is the capital city whose elevation reaches over 3,600 meters. There is already the world’s highest train route from Xining, Qinghai, which opened in 2006.

Last month, China started operating a new high-speed train service that covers 400 kilometers from Nyingchi, Tibet. It is part of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, a 1,740-kilometer line that will eventually link Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. The specially built trains are equipped with automated oxygen supply systems to keep the oxygen level, double-layer glass windows to cut the high UV, and dual engines, electric and internal combustion, to travel this high-altitude region.

It is thought to be part of China’s grand plan to integrate distinct regions and cultures. In fact, they have already developed a nearly 40,000-kilometer highspeed railway network and will add another 30,000 kilometers by 2035. Indeed, China’s high-speed railway systems seem to connect peoples, places, and cultures.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about China’s latest high-speed and high-elevation train system.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/lhasa-nyingchi-high-speed-railway-china-tibet/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3372-7/5/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

With the more contagious Delta variant, some officials are issuing new mask guidance

The Delta variant, a strain of Covid-19, was first detected in India late last year. It is believed to be more transmissible and dangerous than others and is breaking out in some parts of the world, especially in India, the UK, and the US. Even though nearly half of the US population has been vaccinated, the figure is far from the 70% minimum guideline to prevent the virus from spreading. In some states, vaccination rates are still below 35%. Some people seem either afraid of the risk of vaccination or ignorant of the danger of coronavirus.

According to the health experts, the known and potential benefits of Covid vaccination is far larger than the risks, including pregnant women, who are more vulnerable to complications caused by Covid-19. But even if you are vaccinated, you could get infected and spread the virus. That’s why some regions of the US, and some other countries, have reinstated mask and social distance guidance. The good news is that, unlike the flu, once you’re vaccinated with some type of Covid vaccine, like Pfizer’s or Modena’s, the vaccine seems to keep an immune response up for years.

No quick solution or relief, yet. Get vaccinated, wear a mask, and keep social distance.

Read the article and learn about the continuing battle with coronavirus.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/29/health/us-coronavirus-tuesday/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3371-7/4/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Coming soon: Smart tires that could help you drive better
Tires are the only part of most vehicles that have direct, real-time contact with the ground. So, it could tell what the road condition is like and how the tires are rolling to the vehicle. This real-time information would allow the human or autonomous driver to make the necessary adjustments to drive more smoothly and safely. Tires with such sensors and information technologies are called smart tires. So far, only luxurious sports cars or special purpose vehicles are equipped with such smart tires to maximum performance or efficiency. But as IoT technologies become more affordable and universal, more commodity vehicles will come with such smart tires. This may become more necessary especially for self-driving cars because the human driver will pay less or no attention to driving.
If tires could speak, we would understand what’s happening to the car better and act before it’s too late.
Enjoy reading the article and learn about smart tires.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/03/21/cars/smart-tires-computer-sensors/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3370-7/3/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

How market research reveals what you really think

Market researchers used to ask shoppers or buyers questions if or how they like/dislike certain products or services along with their personal profiles. Then, experts analyzed the data and comments to find out what the responses mean to the products to services. The question is if those responses are trustworthy or useful to design or improve their products or services. Also questionable is the validity and accuracy of human analysis. Now, technologies can reveal what people are really interested in without even asking any questions. Every time people log on to the Internet, they leave footprints. The data collected from many people are then stored in the cloud and analyzed with the help of AI. Another newly developed method is to conduct a survey vie video on people’s smartphones. The system analyzes the way people spoke their responses along with facial expressions. Then the data is streamed into the cloud and analyzed by AI. Voice and facial recognition will clarify not only what the respondents say but also their underlying emotions, which aren’t said in the responses.

No matter what you do, it seems essential to have IT and data analysis proficiency nowadays.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about new ways of market research.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57399780

Topic Reading-Vol.3369-7/2/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Meet 'dragon man,' the latest addition to the human family tree

New discoveries aren’t limited in space, under Siberia’s permafrost, or in the deep seabed. A well-preserved skullcap of hundreds of thousands of years old was discovered at the bottom of a well in Harbin, China, a northeastern city famous for the ice festival. It features a wider face, deeper eyes, and bigger teeth than modern humans and is nicknamed “dragon man” as it was found in the province where the Black Dragon River runs. There had been other ancient hominins like Neanderthals before our direct ancestor Homo sapiens dominated the planet. This dragon man is one of them but seems more closely related to us than Neanderthals.

Do we have any qualities that the dragon man possessed to endure the severe winter in Harbin?

Enjoy reading the article and learn about this new discovery and the human family tree.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/25/asia/dragon-man-china-early-human-scn/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3368-7/1/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

On sale: $125,000 balloon trips to the edge of space

Space tourism is coming to reality, and you are going to have choices as to how to get to space. Space X by Elon Musk, Blue Origin by Jeff Bezos, and Virgin Galactic by Richard Branson, all offer a short-time stay in space in a rocket. Passengers will feel a strong G-force to and from space, which will probably be regarded as part of the excitement of the tour. On the contrary to these quick, exciting, and trembling tours, there is now a slow and easy-going space tour that is scheduled to be launched in 2024. It’s a space version of a hot air balloon that carries up to eight passengers and a pilot in a pressurized capsule. In the cabin, the passengers will be able to enjoy 360-degree views with drinks and Internet access for six hours, including a two-hour gentle ascent to 100,000 feet, two hours above the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere, and the last two hours for a smooth descent to the ocean. No space suits or masks required. The price tag? USD125,000. Considering the view, experience, and luxury, the ticket price may not be so outrageous to some people.

By the way, will space tourists need to go through customs and immigration?

Enjoy reading the article and learn about this casual balloon trip to space.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/spaceship-neptune-balloon-flights-scn/index.html