Topic Reading-Vol.4610-12/7/2024

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Burning old TVs to survive: The toxic trade in electrical waste

Electronic waste, or e-waste is discarded electric products like computers, mobile phones, home appliances, and medical equipment. Over 60 million tons of e-waste was generated in 2022, only 15% of which is estimated to have been recycled because of its complex composition, including toxic chemicals, metals, and plastics. The rest of the waste was stored in homes and warehouses, dumped, and illegally exported to developing countries in Southeast Asia and Africa. When trafficked e-waste is burnt or dumped, the plastic and metals that are contained in the e-waste become hazardous to human health and the environment. However, since e-waste streams contain valuable and finite resources that can be reused, poor people, especially women and children, try to extract valuable metals like copper and gold from e-waste in highly toxic and polluted dump sites. Customs authorities are trying to stop illegal e-waste shipments but traffickers make false customs declarations, conceal e-waste by blending it with other waste, or even dump it into the sea. 

Read the article and learn what e-waste does to humans, animals, and the environment.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gvq1rd0geo

Topic Reading-Vol.4609-12/6/2024

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Smuggler arrested with 300 tarantulas strapped to his body

The tarantula is a large, hairy spider species whose size is about the same as a teacup. There are hundreds of tarantula species found in most of the world’s tropical, subtropical, and arid regions. They are accomplished, nocturnal predators. They usually eat insects but they also target frogs, toads, and even mice. Though tarantulas have few natural enemies, they are being captured by humans as they become popular in the exotic pet trade. Now, tarantulas are threatened species. Last month, a man who tried to smuggle over 300 tarantulas was arrested at an international airport in Lima, Peru. He strapped hundreds of illegally extracted insects packaged inside ziplock bags to his abdomen. Though arachnids like spiders won’t even recognize humans because of their poor eyesight, more humans are interested in keeping them as pets. And as they become more valuable, illegal trafficking increases. 

Read the article and learn about the guy who strapped over 300 tarantulas around his body for trafficking.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/20/americas/smuggler-tarantulas-peru-intl-scli/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4608-12/5/2024

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

They’ve sailed across Southeast Asia for centuries. Now, these sea nomads are being forced to live on land

Semporna is a coastal town located near the top of the Coral Triangle in Malaysia, a 5.7 million square kilometer area of extraordinary marine biodiversity. There, Bajau Laut, indigenous seafaring people have lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle on the ocean for centuries. Their lifestyles have been so accustomed to the sea that they’re biologically adapted to it, allowing them to hold their breath longer in the water. However, the over-exploitation of fish stocks in the region,  rising sea surface temperatures, and ocean acidity have led to a loss of fish habitats and made the sea people’s lives unsustainable. Now more Bajau Laut are abandoning their traditional lifestyles and habitats and started living on the land. The problem is that many of those indigenous people are not registered properly with Malaysian administrations, so they have no access to public education, healthcare, utilities, or waste management. How will these people in coastal communities, who are highly vulnerable to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and plastic pollution, survive in the region?

Read the article and learn about the challenges and difficulties that these sea people are facing.

https://edition.cnn.com/climate/malaysia-bajau-indigenous-sea-nomads-land-c2e-spc/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4607-12/4/2024

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Tuvalu: The disappearing island nation recreating itself in the metaverse

Sitting about 5,000 km northeast of Australia, Tuvalu is a small island country in Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. Most of the country’s population of 11,900, the second-fewest in the world, live on its three reef islands. Unfortunately, the total land area of 26 square kilometers has gradually been decreasing due to the rising sea level, and most of the land area, including the dwellings and critical infrastructures, is expected to sit below the level of the current high tide by the middle of the century. Australia agreed to accept 280 Tuvaluans each year as part of the relocation program. Also, the Tuvalu government is creating a virtual copy of the islands, people, and cultural heritage in the metaverse so that they will still be able to remain even after the islands disappear into the ocean. To prepare for the nation’s status and sovereignty without geological territory, Tuvalu is seeking to create passports, hold elections, and keep the administration running all digitally in the webspace. Tuvalu may exhibit what can be done for a disappearing state before the exodus. 

Read the article and learn what a disappearing Pacific island is doing to keep its legacy going.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241121-tuvalu-the-pacific-islands-creating-a-digital-nation-in-the-metaverse-due-to-climate-change

Topic Reading-Vol.4606-12/3/2024

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

These vascular risks are strongly associated with severe stroke, researchers say

Stroke is the third leading cause of death around the world and kills millions of people each year. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel, which carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain, is locked by a clot, bursts, or ruptures. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs and brain cells die, which don’t usually regenerate. Then the person might become physically and cognitively impaired depending on the damage of the brain cells. According to a new study of over 13,000 patients who suffered a stroke, high blood pressure, smoking, and irregular heart rhythm are linked with a higher risk of severe compared to mild-moderate stroke. A healthy diet, regular exercise, enough sleep, and an active lifestyle all lower the risk of getting a stroke. Smoking, salty food, and high blood pressure are high-risk factors for a stroke. Stroke treatment is very time-sensitive. If you ever experience or notice difficulty smiling, speaking, or raising both arms, you’d better make an emergency call to get treatment. Hesitation won’t solve the problem but makes the brain more damaged.

Read the article and learn about stroke.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/20/health/stroke-prevention-hypertension-smoking-wellness/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4605-12/2/2024

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Cambridge Dictionary’s word of the year 2024 is all about thinking positive

The word of the year refers to the most important word or expression in the public sphere during the year. Various organizations announce their Word of the Year, including Collins English Dictionary, Dictionary.com, Merriam-Webster, Oxford University Press, and Cambridge Dictionary. Cambridge has been published one every year since 2015, including “austerity” in 2015, “populism” in 2017, and “quarantine” in 2020. This year, the university press chose “manifest” as the world of the year. According to the dictionary, the verb “manifest” means to show something clearly through signs or actions. For example, workers manifest their complaints in a strike, or, the illness manifested itself in severe pain. Its synonyms are demonstrate, reveal, or show. Manifest also refers to the practice of clarifying the goal in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen. Some people who succeeded in realizing their dreams attest to the effect of manifesting. The new president-elect might have had one since he lost his election in 2020.

Read the article and learn what “manifest” means to some people.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/20/uk/cambridge-word-of-year-2024-scli-intl-gbr/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4604-12/1/2024

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

AI cameras catch drivers on phone or without belts

In most countries, drivers and passengers are required to fasten seatbelts while on the road, and most people do at least in developed countries to protect themselves. Also, the use of hand-held phones while driving is banned in many countries, including Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and many states in the USA. Unlike talking with a fellow passenger who can regulate conversation based on the perceived level of danger, talking on the phone draws much more driver’s attention from the road. Furthermore, reading and texting messages is far more dangerous as it requires most of the driver’s visual and cognitive attention. Still, some drivers often use handheld phones to talk or text messages while driving on busy streets or highways. However, they could now be caught by AI cameras like speeding. Recently in Greater Manchester, England, a new AI camera system has captured over 812 drivers who were using their phones and nearly 2,400 drivers who weren’t wearing seat belts properly. AI may soon help motorists drive more safely for themselves and others on the road.

Read the article and learn another use of artificial intelligence.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8dpvxexz8o