Why Chinese women are using 'plastic surgery' apps to whiten their skin 為什麼中國女性如此熱愛自拍修圖？

Vocabulary:
 selfie：自拍，自拍照
plastic surgery：整形，整形手術

Chinese women are radically altering their faces to look whiter and more 'Western' online CREDIT: QUARTZ Chinese girls were taking selfies way before the West had even heard of them – and probably even before the word 'selfie' had been invented in English. 在西方國家的人們還沒聽說“自拍”這個詞的時 候，中國女孩就已經開始玩自拍了，甚至在還不 存在“自拍”（selfie）這個單詞的時候就已經開始了。

And so, while the world embraces the selfie revolution – young Chinese women are again one step ahead, editing their pictures in a way the rest of us can only imagine. 之後，當世界開始“自拍革命”的時候——中國年輕女性又領先一步，用我們只能靠想像的方 式，開始編輯她們的自拍照。 We're not talking about adding a few flattering filters on Instagram here. The augmentation of facial features – using phone apps such as Meitu Xiu Xiu – is becoming so widespread and powerful in China that it's become fashionable to say online that they work better than plastic surgery. 這裡所說的圖片編輯不只是在Instagram上添加一些好看的濾鏡那麼簡單。調整面部特徵 ——使用手機應用程式，如美圖秀秀——在中國變得如此的普遍和有影響力，網上盛傳這比 整形手術還管用。

These hugely successful, homegrown photo editing apps specifically target two distinct psychologies of Chinese women: the unabashed posting of selfies (often a whole series of close­up pictures with different expressions) and the desire to look whiter than they really are. 這些極其成功的國產照片處理應用專門針對中國女性的兩大明顯的心理特徵：一是可以隨心 所欲地曬自拍（通常是一系列的特寫照片，只有表情不同）；二是希望自己看起來比實際更 膚白貌美。 Such apps play to Chinese women's fantasies of achieving a 'Westernised' aesthetic ­ whiter skin and bigger eyes. 這類應用也使中國女性實現了她們所追求的“西化”的審美觀——皮膚白皙、大眼睛。

Photo enhancements are nothing new, of course and Photoshop has been readily available for a long time. But simple­  photo­-editing apps, which create the same effect as Photoshop on your phone, are a relatively new invention. 當然，美化照片並不是什麼新技術，Photoshop這樣的圖片處理軟體我們已經使用了很久。 相對而言，操作簡易、功能與Photoshop相似的手機應用軟體卻是一個新發明。 In China at least, the phenomenon has become an integral part of the online culture. Most of my female friends edit their faces before posting pictures on social media – it's a must do, ingrained step. 至少在中國，這種現象已經成為網路文化的一個必不可少的組成部分。我的大多數女性朋友 在社交媒體發佈照片之前一定會先美化這些照片，這已經成為發照片的“必經之路”，成為一 個根深蒂固的習慣。

This is more than a digital 'touch up' – the likes of which are growing more popular in the Western world, too. Such apps play to Chinese women's fantasies of achieving a more refined––or more 'Westernised'––aesthetic that specifically lies in having a more streamlined facial contour, whiter skin and bigger eyes. 這已經不僅僅是數碼“潤色”，這在西方國家也逐漸盛行起來了。此類應用軟體説明中國女 性“實現”了她們對精緻容貌的追求——或者說是更“西化”的美貌——有更流線型的面部輪 廓、白皙的皮膚和大眼睛 Meitu Xiu Xiu, the leading app of its kind in the Chinese market, is phenomenally successful, According to its official website, Meitu has over 500 million users and is installed on over 900 million mobile devices worldwide. 美圖秀秀，是中國美圖類應用市場中領先的應用軟體，此款應用獲得了極大的成功。根據其 官網資料，美圖秀秀的用戶超過5億，全球超過9億用戶安裝了這款應用。

 The 'refine and whiten' button is by far the most popular function, since having white skin in itself is a standard of beauty in China. 一鍵“磨皮美白”是目前最受歡迎的功能，因為皮膚白在中國是美的標準之一。 Famous Chinese women are driving the trend. The best­known actress in China, Fan Bingbing, has publicly declared Meitu her favourite app and often posts photos of her snow ­white skin. 一些中國知名的女性也在推動這個潮流。中國最有名的明星范冰冰，就曾公開稱美圖秀秀是 她最喜歡的應用，也經常在網上發她肌膚白皙的照片。

In recent weeks, a $1,000 'selfie camera' has also been flying off the shelves, as it make users look like they've had plastic surgery. The Casio's official name is Exilim TR, but it's mostly known as ”zipai shenqi” in China, which means ”Godly tool for selfies.” 最近幾周，一款價值約1000美元的“自拍相機”也被搶購，因為這款相機拍出來的照片能讓用 戶看起來像是她們做過整形手術。這款卡西歐自拍相機的官方名稱是Exilim TR，它在中國 被稱為“自拍神器”，意思是神奇的自拍工具。 Indeed, the hot plastic surgery trend in China and Korea in recent years has been 'jawline thinning' – where women try to reduce their 'bigger faces' to resemble those of Western women. This 'shaving' involves cutting into the jaw and trimming off some of the bone. The result is a more sculpted face and a more triangular chin that resembles the supposed “pixie” look of Western faces. 事實上，近年來在中國和韓國的整形手術中，“削尖下巴”十分熱門——女性們希望自己的“大 臉”可以像西方女性那樣立體精緻。這裡所說的“削”需要切削下頜，以及削骨。其結果就是一 張更有型的尖下巴“瓜子臉”，與人們印象中的西式“小精靈”面容相似。 But if you can't afford surgery, these new apps let you 'suck in' your face with the subtle slide of a finger. 但如果你負擔不起整形手術，那麼這些新興的應用軟體只需你動動手指就可以讓自己的臉部 縮小，擁有精緻的輪廓。

 One charmer asked me why I used such “life like photos” rather than edited pictures. 有人問我為什麼更喜歡用“生活照”，而不是美化過的照片。 “Brightening my skin and making my face thinner is normally all I do on Meitu”, says my attractive friend Leah Zhang. Although she does admit to having gone much further in modifying her features ­ and having toned it down after one boyfriend told her that her pictures looked nothing like her. 我的一位漂亮的朋友張莉（音）說，“我一般用美圖秀秀'美膚瘦臉'。”然而她承認自己對照 片改動很大，自從她的一個男朋友告訴她，她的照片與她本人相去甚遠之後，她對照片的美 化就沒那麼誇張了。

 I've experienced the opposite problem. All this extreme digital photo editing is leading to unrealistic expectations as to what Chinese women actually look like in real life. 而我卻經歷過相反的問題。所有的這些美化照片導致大家對於中國女性在現實生活中的模樣 有了不切實際的期望。 A guy I met on a dating app told me he was shocked when he first saw me as I was “much better looking” than my photos suggested. “You look really dark in your photos”, he said, “and your face looks round.” 我在交友應用上遇到的一個人告訴我說，當他第一次見到我時，他感到很震驚，因為我本人 比我的照片更好看。“照片上你看起來真黑，”他說，“而且你的臉在照片上看起來是圓的。” Another charmer asked me why I used such “life like photos” rather than edited pictures. 又有另一個人問我為什麼用這樣的“生活照”而不是美化過的照片。

“Nowadays, men are so used to seeing faces of girls on social media where the skin has been whitened, features softened and jaws thinned down, so that anything unfiltered looks strangely under par,” 27 ­year­ old graphic designer Xiaolin told me. 27歲的平面設計師小林告訴我，“現在，男性都習慣於在社交媒體上看到已經'磨皮美白、臉 部特徵更柔和、尖下巴'的女生的照片。所以，任何未經處理的照片反而讓人看起來覺得奇 怪不舒服。” My 24­ year­ old friend Zhao Siyuan tells me that plenty of her male friends have been deceived in online dating with a little help from Meitu. A few were apparently so appalled by the difference in their date's face that they “just directly turned around and walked away”. 我24歲的朋友趙思源（音）告訴我，她的很多男性朋友在網上交友時被欺騙了，就因為美 圖秀秀的“一點點幫助”。有一部分在見面的那一刻，對約會對象的相貌是如此的震驚以至於 他們“轉頭就走”了。

 A couple of months ago I too gave into the pressure downloaded Meitu Xiuxiu, partly because I was curious. Now I'm addicted ­ because it's so easy to change the way you look, and because, no matter where you are from, a bit of “brightening” is never a bad thing. 幾個月前，我也下載了美圖秀秀，部分原因是因為我很好奇。現在，我竟然“上癮”了，因為 它真的可以輕易“改變”你的容貌。而且，無論你來自何方，“白一點”總不是什麼壞事。 I can just tap to erase blemishes on my face – meaning my lazy morning routine doesn't impact my online persona. My jawline, as much as I don't want to admit it, is quickly streamlined with a quick 'sucking'. It's a lot of fun. 我可以點擊抹掉我臉上的瑕疵——這意味著即使我每天早晨再懶，也不會影響我在網上的形 象。雖然我不想承認，但我的下巴輕輕一點擊就迅速“變尖”了。這是一個很有趣的過程。

 Photo-shopping your face with an app is just that – fun ­ and isn't harmful in most cases. 用一款應用美化你的照片是如此地有趣——在大部分情況下，也是無害的。 But, in China, it's increasingly redefining standards of beauty. Chinese women are moving away from their natural selves and I can't help but feel this 'fun' is rapidly turning into an even greater pressure to conform, and look a certain way. 但是，在中國，美的標準不斷被重新定義。中國女性正逐漸遠離最本真的自我，這使我不禁 覺得這種“有趣”正在迅速轉變成一種巨大的順應潮流、以及以一定的方式去看待周圍的壓 力。 The gap between reality and our online lives is widening as we sit on our phones playing plastic surgeon ­ and it can't be long before Western women join in. 我們的現實和網路生活之間的差距正在不斷擴大，因為在手機上，我們都是一位整形外科醫 生——相信不用過多久，西方女性也將加入這個行列。

First published in The China Post, written by?

Want to travel but don't know where to go? Fret not, you have help 休假該去哪兒？旅遊線路“盲訂”成潮流

Vocabulary:
Russian roulette: 俄羅斯輪盤
spontaneity: 自發性，自然發生

Is your partner keen on visiting Paris, while you prefer Prague? Are you looking for a warm, sun soaked holiday but can't decide where to go? Do not worry, for German carrier Lufthansa is happy to make the decision for you. 小夥伴憧憬巴黎之旅，而你卻嚮往布拉格？期待 一個溫暖、陽光普照的度假，但卻不知道去哪 兒？別擔心，德國漢莎航空公司很高興替你作出 決定。 The airline has launched a new booking feature to attract travellers who love surprises and those who are hopelessly indecisive. 漢莎航空公司推出了一項全新的預約服務，吸引那些喜歡驚喜但又有選擇恐懼症的旅客。 Travellers can choose between nine themes that range from nature, sun and sand, to romance and gourmet cuisine. 在這裡，旅客們可從自然、陽光沙灘、浪漫及美食之旅等9項主題中挑選其最中意的主題。 Each theme lists about half a dozen possible destinations that leave from either Munich or Frankfurt. 每個主題都列舉出了6個備選旅行目的地，從慕尼克或是法蘭克福等地出發。 After choosing the theme, booking dates, and adding payment information, travellers play a round of Russian roulette by clicking proceed and give the airline the decision­making power on their next holiday. 選擇完旅行主題，預約好出發日期，添加完支付資訊，旅客只需輕輕點擊，便開始了一 輪“俄羅斯輪盤賭”——將自己下次假期的決策權全權交給航空公司。

Possible destinations listed under 'Romance' include Paris, Florence, Budapest, Prague, Venice, Vienna and Zurich. “浪漫”主題中的備選旅遊目的地包括巴黎、佛羅倫斯、布達佩斯、布拉格、威尼斯、維也納 以及蘇黎世等城市。 Other themes include partying, bromance, cities, sightseeing and culture, and shopping. Lufthansa Surprise is the latest player to join the blind booking trend. 而其他的主題包括聚會之旅、兄弟之旅、城市之旅、觀光文化之旅以及購物之旅等。“漢莎 驚喜”是“盲訂”潮流中最新的競爭對手。

Some of the early players include companies like Priceline and Hotwire, which offer discounts to travelers who are willing to learn the name of their hotel, airline or car rental only after they book. 幾家早期的行業競爭公司，如酒店預訂網站普利斯林以及豪特威爾，為那些同意在預訂後才 能獲取所在酒店、航線以及租車資訊的旅客提供折扣優惠。 The concept has been gaining traction over the last few years, appealing to those who are already well ­traveled and looking for some spontaneity, as well as the adventure ­seeking millennial traveler, who may be more open to the unexpected. 過去幾年，這種“盲訂”理念得到一定的發展，吸引著那些擁有豐富旅遊經驗，期待率性而 為，以及喜歡冒險的千禧一代的遊客，因為這些遊客對於未知持有更加開放的態度。

Lufthansa's budget spin-­off Eurowings also sells mystery flights at a fixed price based on thematic trips, with fares starting at €33. 德國漢莎航空旗下的廉價航空歐洲翼航空公司同樣推出了一項基於主題旅遊的固定價格“神 秘航班”業務，起價33歐元。 Virtual travel agent Pack Up + Go will also take the stress out of travel planning by choosing a destination and creating a weekend travel itinerary in the US based on the user's budget, transportation preferences and hobbies. The destination and itinerary are kept secret until the day of departure. 美國虛擬旅行機構Pack Up + Go基於遊客的預算、交通工具的選擇以及愛好等，為他們選 擇旅遊目的地以及創立一個週末旅遊計畫，幫他們從制定旅遊計畫的繁瑣中解脫出來。然 而，目的地以及旅遊線路等資訊都將對旅客保密，直到出發那天才會揭曉答案。

14 Zodiac Signs That Would Make The Best Couples 14對兒最佳星座情侶，有你們嗎？

Vocabulary

foodie：美食家，吃貨

telepathic：心靈感應術的

on the same wavelength：觀點一致；有同感

endearing：可愛的；討人喜歡的；引起愛情的

There are certain things that help you understand someone – their favorite food, what their favorite movies are, what their childhood was like… but knowing your astrological compatibility runs much deeper than any of those things. It's actually possible to figure out who your soulmate is just by dating someone that was born in a certain month, and ultimately can help you find that one person that you've been waiting for.

有些東西可以幫你瞭解一個人——他們喜歡的食物、最愛的電影、他們的童年……但星座上的匹配度比這些都要來得深刻。跟某個特定月份出生的人約會，真的有可能讓你找到自己的靈魂伴侶，並最終找到那個你一直苦苦等候的人。那麼，哪些星座匹配度比較高呢？我們一起來看一看。

14對兒最佳星座情侶，有你們嗎？

1. Libra and Leo 天秤座&獅子座

Both of these signs like to complement each other, and are good communicators. They both love social gatherings, and also adore romance and experiencing each other as lovers. They both feel free to express themselves – the Leo demands attention, and the Libra will love to constantly flatter that ego.

這兩個星座彼此互補，也都善於溝通。他們都喜歡參加社交活動，喜愛浪漫，並且享受與彼此相戀的感覺。他們都喜歡表達——獅子座渴望關注，而天秤則投其所好，會一直給予對方關注。

2. Aries and Aquarius 白羊座&水瓶座

There's never a dull moment with these two! This relationship is very exciting and adventurous – they love each other, but also love their freedom. These two can be a highly creative couple, and are often rooted in mutual admiration.
這一對在一起，絕不會有一分一秒的無聊！他們的戀情充滿了各種刺激和冒險——他們愛對方，也愛自由。這對兒戀人創造力滿滿，彼此傾慕，感情根基穩固。

3. Aries and Cancer 白羊座&巨蟹座

An Aries is bold and fiercely independent – sure to have a good head on their shoulders. A Cancer will be attracted to that high energy and enjoy the challenge, as well as bringing out the best in the Aries. An Aries can actually teach a Cancer how to become independent.
白羊座大膽又獨立，通常還很聰明。巨蟹座則十分欣賞這種滿滿的元氣、享受與之相愛所帶來的挑戰，而且巨蟹還能激發出白羊內在閃光的一面。其實白羊座還可以教會TA的巨蟹戀人如何變得更獨立呢！


4. Pisces and Aries 雙魚座&白羊座

These two can be very good for each other – they're both romantics at heart who can share a deep and lasting love, which encourages each other to be their best. Pisces will be sensitive, and their trustworthiness will get them a long way in relationships. Aries is a leader with a lot of initiative, and they'll pursue the Pisces without hesitation. They'll also take on the role of protector.
這一對兒在一起可是相得益彰——他們內心都是浪漫的人，愛得深沉而長久。這份愛會激發出他們最好的自己。敏感的雙魚座值得信賴，這樣的品質會讓他們在戀愛關係中走得更遠。白羊座則扮演具有首創精神的領導者角色，他們會不遺餘力地督促雙魚前進。他們往往也會扮演守護者的角色。

5. Taurus and Cancer 金牛座&巨蟹座

These signs have a mutual understanding for each other. The Cancer is loyal and affectionate, and will show strong emotional support. Both Taurus and Cancer value home and family, stability, being nurtured and staying in more than socializing. You're both also probably foodies! Cooking and Netflix is the key to love, after all.

這兩個星座很能理解對方。巨蟹忠心耿耿、愛意綿綿，總能給予對方強烈的情感支持。金牛與巨蟹都十分看重家庭、穩定，注重與家人培養感情，喜歡呆在家裡勝過出去社交。而且你們倆很有可能是一對兒吃貨！畢竟，美食和肥皂劇才是愛情的真諦嘛。

6. Taurus and Capricorn 金牛座&摩羯座

These two have love and respect for each other, with almost telepathic understanding. The Taurus will admire their partner's work ethic, strong ambition, and hilarious nature while the Capricorn will be grateful for the other's sensible nature. Luckily, these practical signs are on the same wavelength on most things.

他們彼此相愛、互相尊重，心有靈犀。金牛座欣賞伴侶的勤奮工作、雄韜偉略、幽默天性，而摩羯座則對對方的通達事理報以感激。幸好，這對兒務實的星座伴侶在大部分事情上都能步調一致。

7. Sagittarius and Aries 射手座&白羊座

The Sagittarius is a master of adventure, and they sure like their freedom. They have a zero drama policy and always follow their hearts. An Aries is also an adventure-loving social butterfly, so these two will flit around parties together and never get bored. They are also not instigators of conflict – this relationship is full of joy and has no room for drama!

射手座是冒險大王，他們鍾愛自由，對生活溫柔以待，隨性而為。白羊也多是熱愛冒險的交際人士，所以這對戀人總是在派對上出雙入對，從不厭倦。他們也都不擅長掀起口角——兩人的關係充滿樂趣，哪還有空去吵架呢！

8. Cancer and Pisces 巨蟹座&雙魚座

Both water signs – these two have a natural spiritual connection. The Pisces will easily ensure harmony, and these signs are highly intuitive about each other. They're both deeply sentimental and tender, with a focus on nurturing and not hurting the other. And since a relationship's #1 need is nurturing…they're probably going to last!

這兩個都是水象星座——他們之間存在一種本能的精神交流。雙魚可以輕鬆地維持跟對方的和諧關係，這兩個星座對於彼此有著強大的直覺。他們都很多愁善感、很溫柔，善於培養感情，不想傷害對方。而一段親密關係中，首要的就是經營、培養……所以這兩個星座最有可能天長地久哦！

9. Leo and Sagittarius 獅子座&射手座

Both of these signs are optimistic and generous – as well as liking to party! Both are a little impulsive, but who doesn't want a little adventure in their relationship? Leo's can be a little stubborn, and their Sagittarius will help them find solutions they might not see. The Sagitarrius will absolutely love how confident the Leo is, and appreciate their lack of jealousy.

他們都是既樂觀又慷慨——還同樣熱愛派對！兩人都有點衝動，但，誰不想讓感情中多一點冒險精神呢？獅子有時會有點固執，射手就會幫忙找出他們自己想不到的解決方法。射手也會死心塌地的愛著獅子的自信，感激他們的少妒。

10. Virgo and Capricorn 處女座&摩羯座

The Virgo is thoughtful and quiet – vulnerable, but they try to hide it. They're hard to read but it's like unlocking a code – once you're in, you're in forever. The Capricorn will pull the Virgo from their shell – they're not scared of that mysterious and guarded nature. Once that Virgo opens up, the Capricorn will be magnetized towards them even more.

處女座的人思慮周全、性格安靜——也有脆弱的一面，不過他們會試圖掩飾這一點。他們讓人很難能讀懂，不過，這個過程就像破譯代碼——你一旦解開了，就會暢行無阻。摩羯則會把處女座從安穩的小殼里拉出來——他們不懼處女座那神秘莫測、層層警戒的性格。一旦處女座"放開了"，摩羯伴侶會更加被他們吸引。

11. Leo and Gemini 獅子座&雙子座

This vivacious duo both love adventure! The Leo put a value on loyalty and being a strong partner, while the Gemini is kindhearted and focuses on making the other feel loved. They appreciate the Leo's hard-headed personality and find it endearing.

這對兒活力十足的CP都喜歡冒險！獅子座的人看重忠誠度，是堅強的伴侶，而雙子則心地善良，希望對方感受到被愛。雙子很欣賞獅子座的冷靜個性，覺得這種特質非常迷人。

12. Aquarius and Gemini 水瓶座&雙子座

These two air signs will hum together in life, through the ups and downs. Geminis just adore ideas, and the creative Aquarius is chock full of them! Both of these signs enjoy their independence, so they understand each other's needs, and no one will be clingy. Gemini keeps it fresh and Aquarius keeps it steady.

這兩個風象星座會在生活的起起伏伏中琴瑟和鳴。雙子就是崇拜有思想的人，而創意十足的水瓶座恰恰頭腦中滿是點子！這兩種星座都享受獨立，因而他們瞭解對方的需求，都不會太黏人。雙子座給愛情保鮮，水瓶座則給愛情"維穩"。

13. Scorpio and Leo 天蠍座&獅子座

This can be a kind of intense relationship – the Scorpio can be challenging and jealous, with a sharp tongue. But the Leo will feed off that passion, and love the other's lust. They're both very loyal, but also very determined, so if they can work through forgiveness, the fireworks in this relationship will be more explosive than a Nicholas Sparks film.

這段關係可能會有些緊張哦——天蠍偶爾會咄咄逼人、嫉妒心強，說話也可能不太客氣。不過，獅子座會從這種熱情裡吸取力量，也會喜歡對方的愛欲。他們都非常忠誠，心意也都十分堅定，所以，如果他們能彼此多一點寬容，這種戀情擦出的火花可能會比尼古拉斯·斯帕克斯（美國"純愛小說之父"）的電影更加絢麗多彩呢。

14. Gemini and Libra 雙子座&天秤座

These two air signs have an intellectual relationship as well as a sexually voracious one. The relationship will be fresh and fast moving with these energetic and social signs. They both appreciate beauty (for Libra, in art, and for Gemini, in ideas). The Libra, who prizes harmony above all us, won't entertain the Gemini's love of arguing, creating tranquility.

這兩個風象星座的戀情既閃耀著智慧的火花，又迸發著情欲的魅惑。他們都充滿活力、喜歡社交，他們之間的感情也會充滿新鮮感、迅速升溫。他們都欣賞美——天秤欣賞藝術之美，雙子欣賞思想之美。天秤座覺得和諧高於一切，正好對沖了雙子喜歡爭論的個性，使感情和諧。

Marry an intelligent woman to defeat dementia 娶個聰明老婆防癡呆

Vocabulary

identical twins: 同卵雙胞胎

stave off: 避開，延緩

If a man wants to live a long life he should marry an intelligent woman, according to scientists. 科學家稱，男人要想長壽，就得娶個聰明的老婆。

Dementia experts said that having an intelligent partner can act as 'buffer' to the disease.

癡呆症專家說，聰明的伴侶就如“緩衝器”，可以延緩疾病發生。

By studying the health of identical twins, they concluded that a person's environment can seriously affect their chance of developing dementia.

通過對同卵雙胞胎健康狀況的研究，他們得出結論認為，一個人所處的環境可以極大地影響患老年癡呆的幾率。

娶個聰明老婆防癡呆

People who had physical signs of the disease showing up on their brain scans but developed no symptoms were generally 'highly intelligent' and 'in high-powered jobs' with 'a lot of money in the bank,' the scientists claimed.

科學家稱，有的人的腦部掃描顯示他們在生理上已經有癡呆症的跡象了，卻沒有表現出任何症狀，這種人通常都“非常聰明”、“身居要職”、有“很多銀行存款”。

During a talk called Dementia: How Can We Protect Ourselves?, Professor Lawrence Whalley, emeritus professor of mental health in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences at the University of Aberdeen, said: 'The thing a boy is never told he needs to do if he wants to live a longer life – but what he should do – is marry an intelligent woman. There is no better buffer than intelligence.'

在一個叫做“癡呆症：我們該怎樣保護自己？”的談話節目中，英國亞伯丁大學醫學與生命科學學院精神健康方面的榮譽教授勞倫斯•沃利說：“想要長壽的話，男孩需要知道也該做的一件事，就是娶個聰明的老婆。只可惜沒人告訴過他。沒有什麼延緩衰老的東西比高智商更有效。”

A series of studies have found that intellectual stimulation that keeps the brain active can help to stave off the symptoms of dementia.

一系列研究結果顯示，智力的激發不僅可以保持大腦活力，還有助於延緩癡呆症發作。

Previous research has focused on the benefits of activities like doing crosswords, reading and visiting museums, but Professor Whalley's comments suggest that having a partner who provides interesting and challenging conversation could also help prevent Alzheimer's.

之前的研究主要集中在一些活動的益處上，比如填字遊戲、閱讀、逛博物館，但沃利教授的話啟示我們，擁有一個可以進行有趣且富有挑戰性對話的伴侶，也有利於預防老年癡呆。

However the death of a family member when you are only a child can increase your chance of developing the disease 80 years on, the audience at the Oxford Literary Festival heard.

不過，聽眾們在牛津文化節上還聽說，在孩提時代遭遇親人死亡也會增加80歲時患癡呆症的幾率。

Professor Whalley explained: 'Studies have shown that the death of a mother before the age of five is a very important risk factor for dementia in later life.

沃利教授解釋稱：“研究表明，五歲之前母親去世，老年患癡呆的風險更大。”

'But positive parenting as a child, a longer time in education and a good childhood environment all have a huge buffering effect against dementia 70 or 80 years later.

“但童年時期得到良好的撫育，上學時間較長，和一個良好的成長環境，都可以起到巨大的緩衝作用，降低七八十年以後患癡呆症的幾率。

'Environmental factors in your childhood, such as your father's job status, have an effect, as does your mother's diet during pregnancy. Your childhood IQ, your job income, your educational attainments all have an effect in later life.'

“童年的環境因素，比如你父親的職業地位，以及你母親在懷孕時期的飲食，都會影響你今後的健康狀況。你童年時的智商、工作後的收入和接受教育的水準都對日後的生活有影響。”

He added: 'If you look at the kind of people who should have dementia but don't show symptoms, they are highly intelligent people in high-powered jobs. They also have a lot of money in the bank.'

他還補充道：“如果你觀察一下那些本應有癡呆症但沒有表現出症狀的人，就會發現他們都是身居要職的聰明人。他們在銀行也有很多存款。”

He went on to point out that it becomes difficult to change your 'trajectory' past the age of 40, but that learning new skills, such as a language, can 'give you a five-year buffer against dementia'. Changing your job between the age of 25 and 35 is also an effective way to 'change your trajectory', he claimed.

他繼續指出，40歲以後就很難改變你的“軌道”了，但學習語言等新技能可以“給你五年的癡呆症緩衝期”。他還說，在25歲到35歲之間換工作也是“改變軌道”的一個有效方法。

Fellow speaker Professor Margaret Rayman, of the University of Surrey, highlighted the importance of diet and recommended over-50s take vitamin B12 supplements.

另一位主講人、薩里大學的教授瑪格麗特•雷曼，強調了飲食的重要性，建議50歲以上的人服用維生素B12補充劑。

Professor Rayman said people can have only 10g of chocolate and 100ml of red or white wine each day before it begins to have an 'adverse effect' on cognitive function.

雷曼教授還說，人們每天應該只吃10克巧克力、喝100毫升紅葡萄酒或白葡萄酒，這樣才能防止對認知功能產生“不利影響”。

Meanwhile, one serving of blueberries or two servings of strawberries a week will have a 'positive effect' on fighting cognitive decline, while eating vegetables that have been frozen while fresh can be better for your brain than those that have been languishing in the fridge.

與此同時，每週吃一次藍莓或兩次草莓，會對避免認知功能下降產生“積極作用”，而且對大腦健康來說，那些在新鮮時就被冷凍起來的蔬菜比那些在冰箱裡枯萎的要好一些。

There are around 800,000 people in the UK with dementia. The number has been increasing because people are living longer. It is estimated that by 2021, the number of people with dementia in the UK will have increased to around a million.

英國目前大約有80萬癡呆症患者。這一數字還在增長，因為人們的壽命越來越長。據估計，到2021年，英國的癡呆症患者將達到一百萬左右。

Yoga for Feet

The foot-washing ritual 曉明女中洗腳禮

After the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, leaving behind him a paradigm of service. On Thursday last week, Stella Matutina Girls’ High School in Taichung also performed the rite of foot washing, during which Principal Chu Nan-tzu and a dozen teachers washed some students’ feet.

Chu said that the feet are the lowliest part of the body and the one that most easily gets dirty. Both washing other people’s feet and letting others wash yours take considerable courage. Just as it may be difficult for a person to bow down and kneel to wash someone else’s feet, the person receiving the service may also be worried about his own smell, the ugliness of his feet, itches, athlete’s foot and so on. It is a challenge for both the service provider and the receiver. Hence people can learn through the foot-washing service that providing a service is a humble job that requires extraordinary benevolence and love. A person who provides service with love will not think about his identity or his own needs and rights, but only the needs of others.

During the foot-washing ritual, most students felt embarrassed to have their feet washed by their teachers. The teachers washed the students’ feet attentively with clean water and then dried them. Some teachers considerately asked the students whether the water temperature was comfortable for them or encouraged them to study diligently.

Chen Chun-chin, president of the students’ union, received the foot-washing service from Chu and then provided the same service to her classmates. Chen said that, in comparison, washing other people’s feet was easier than letting others wash hers. Washing others’ feet was pure giving, whereas letting others wash hers had a lot to do with receiving. Initially, she felt very awkward about letting the principal wash her feet, since, after all, the principal is an elder as well as head of the school. However, when she saw the principal kneeling down before her, washing her feet and rubbing them, she felt embarrassed yet also enchanted. She really felt from the bottom of her heart that she wanted to emulate her teachers’ act of bowing down and serving with humility.

(Liberty Times, translated by Ethan Zhan)

耶穌在最後晚餐後為門徒洗腳，留下服務的典範，台中曉明女中上週四也辦「洗腳禮」，由校長朱南子等十餘名師長親自替學生洗腳。

朱南子說，腳是最卑微、最易弄髒的部位，不論為人洗腳或被洗腳，都需要有很大的勇氣。彎下腰、俯下身，為人洗腳，固然不易，被洗腳的人也會擔心自己腳臭、腳醜、腳癢、有香港腳等。對雙方來說，都非常不容易。因此，希望藉著洗腳禮，體會到服務是謙虛的，是需要極大的善意與愛。在愛中的服務，不會考慮自己的身份、自己的需要、自己的權利，只想到對方的需要。

洗腳禮進行時，多數學生面對師長幫洗腳都顯得靦腆。老師們則細心地幫學生用清水洗滌腳部，再仔細擦乾，有的老師還貼心地詢問學生水溫等舒適度，或是不忘勉勵學生好好加油。

自治會長陳淳蓁接受校長朱南子洗腳後幫同學洗腳。她說，兩者相較，幫人洗腳遠比接受別人洗腳容易。幫助別人只是純粹的付出，但被別人洗腳則承受較多。原本她對於是否接受校長洗腳一事十分糾結，畢竟校長是長輩又是一校之長，然而看到校長蹲在自己眼前，幫自己洗腳又擦腳的過程，感覺既不好意思卻又很奇妙，真的有從心底冒出要學習師長彎下腰、謙卑服務的想法。

〔自由時報記者蘇孟娟／台中報導〕

Hate mornings? Blame your DNA: Study discover the genes that make us 'night owls' or 'larks' 研究：愛早起的人更苗條 夜貓子更聰明

研究：愛早起的人更苗條 夜貓子更聰明

 Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, happy and slim, according to new research.

 新研究顯示，早睡早起有助於身體健康，保持心 情愉悅，還有瘦身功效。

 A study that analysed the DNA of sel ­professed 'nights owls' and 'morning larks' found that people who like to rise early tend to be thinner than those who go to bed later.

 通過分析“夜貓子”和“早起鳥”的DNA，研究發現：早起的人會比晚睡的人更瘦。

They are also less prone to depression and less likely to suffer from insomnia.

 早起的人罹患抑鬱症和失眠症的幾率也更小。
 Almost 90,000 people were asked if they were naturally a morning or a night person and had their DNA analysed.

 此項研究讓近9萬人選擇自己是“夜貓子”還是“早起鳥”，並分析了他們的DNA。



 This revealed 15 genes that were linked to a person being a 'lark' or an 'owl'.

 研究結果表明，人類體內有15個基因與“早起還是晚睡”有關。

 A preference for mornings rose with age, with more than twice as many of over­60s describing themselves as morning types than under­30s.

年齡越大，人起的就越早。認為自己是早起類型的人中，60歲以上的比30歲以下多出一 倍。

Women were more likely to enjoy mornings than men, the journal Nature Communications reports.

《自然通訊》期刊中有文章表明，女性比男性更愛早起。

 The researchers, from the California ­based genetic testing company 23andMe aren't sure why a person's body clock might be so strongly linked to health.

 此項研究的研究人員來自總部位於加利福尼亞州的個人基因檢測公司23andMe，他們也無法確知生物鐘與健康之間為何如此密切相關。

 But it might to be as simple as too many late nights taking their toll on evening types.

 但這背後的原因也許很簡單，經常熬夜讓那些夜貓子的身體付出了代價。

 For instance, the study suggested that a gene that is involved in body weight also affects whether someone is at their best in the morning or at night.

 舉例來說，該研究表明，與體重有關的一個基因會影響人們的最佳狀態是在早上還是夜晚。

Researcher David Hinds said: 'We like to think of our preferences and behaviour as core to who we are and it's interesting to see how our biology influences these things, like whether you are a morning person or a night owl.

 研究人員大衛·海因茲說：“我們喜歡把我們的偏好和行為當作'我們是誰'這個問題的核心。研 究生理特質如何影響人早起或晚睡等行為偏好其實挺有趣的。”

 'With large genetic databases available for study, we can uncover the genetics behind a variety of conditions and diseases and hopefully reach a better understanding of how we differ from one another.'

大衛還說：“現如今，可供研究的基因庫資料龐大，我們可以發現各種病症背後的遺傳學原 理，有望對個體特殊性有更深的理解。”

 But night owls needn't despair because a previous study found them to be brainier than those who leap out of bed when it is still dark.

 但“夜貓子”們也不必沮喪。之前的一項研究表明，晚睡的人比那些天還沒亮就起床的人更聰 明。

 To be precise, the brainiest go to bed at 29 minutes past midnight ­ while least clever turn off the bedroom light at 11.41pm, the British study found.

 確切地說，根據一項英國研究，最聰明的人在零點29分時睡覺，而智商最低的那些人在晚 上11點41分關燈上床。

 It is thought the division into larks and owls has its roots deep in evolution, with early risers in the Stone Age taking the initiative in food gathering, while late bidders stood guard late into the night.

人們認為，“夜貓子”和“早起鳥”這種分類可以從人類進化上找到深層原因。在石器時代，早 起的人帶頭採集食物，晚睡的人則在夜晚守夜。 Vocabulary take a toll on: 給……造成重大傷亡（或損失）

Cold and flu are not the same: If in doubt, seek prompt treatment 感冒流感大不同 勿延誤就醫

The weather has been very changeable lately. Ever since the Lunar New Year, a lot of people have been suffering from symptoms such as fever, sore throat, aching all over, vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, most people cannot tell the difference between the common cold and influenza, causing them to delay seeking treatment when they catch the flu and leading to complications.

Huang Shan-sung, a physician at the ear, nose and throat department of Da Chien General Hospital in Miaoli City, explains that the common cold is mostly characterized by upper respiratory tract symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose, and people can recover fully in three to five days. However, the flu symptoms caused by the influenza virus are more severe, including fever, aching all over, blocked and runny nose, dry cough, poor appetite and so on.

Huang says influenza is very infectious and easy to catch if one does not take adequate preventive measures. A minority of patients may have severe complications such as viral or bacterial pneumonia, middle ear infections, encephalitis, pericarditis and other serious secondary infections. Elderly people, babies, young children, people suffering from chronic ailments such as heart, lung or kidney conditions and metabolic diseases and those with impaired immune functions should be especially careful.

Apart from getting flu vaccinations, Huang suggests avoiding going into crowded public places as much as possible, wearing a surgical mask when necessary, improved personal hygiene, frequent hand washing and making sure that air can circulate indoors. People should also make sure to get regular exercise and eat plenty of vitamin-rich fruit so as to strengthen their resistance to infection, he says.

(Liberty Times, translated by Julian Clegg)

最近天氣變化大，從春節期間開始，不少人出現發燒、喉嚨痛、全身痠痛及上吐下瀉等狀況，加上多數人分不清楚一般感冒及流行性感冒的不同，造成患上流感時延誤就醫，引發併發症。

苗栗市大千綜合醫院耳鼻喉科醫師黃山崧解釋，一般感冒多為打噴嚏、流鼻水等上呼吸道症狀，約三到五天就能痊癒，但流感病毒造成的感冒狀況較為嚴重，包括發燒、全身痠痛、鼻塞、流鼻水、乾咳、食慾不振等症狀。

黃山崧說，流感傳染性很強，未做好防範措施很容易感染，少數患者可能出現嚴重併發症，例如病毒性或細菌性肺炎、中耳炎、腦炎、心包膜炎及其他嚴重的繼發性感染等。老年人、嬰幼兒、患有心、肺、腎臟及代謝性疾病等慢性病患者及免疫功能不全者，要特別留意。

除了接種流感疫苗，黃山崧建議，應盡量避免進出人群多的公共場所，必要時戴口罩，加強個人衛生、勤洗手，保持室內空氣流通，同時維持規律的運動，多吃含豐富維生素的水果，增加身體抵抗力。

（自由時報記者彭健禮）

TODAY’S WORDS
今日單字

1. changeable adj. 變化大；起伏不定 

例: Ronald’s mood is very changeable; I wish he could chill out a little.

(羅納德的脾氣起伏不定，我希望他能放輕鬆點。)

2. ache v. 痠痛 

例: My arm muscles are aching after hand-washing three blankets yesterday.

(昨天手洗了三條毛毯後，我的手臂肌肉就一直痠痛。)

3. cannot tell the difference phr.分不清楚 

例: I cannot tell the difference between a butterfly and a moth. (我分不清楚蝴蝶與蛾的區別。)