Over the holidays, many of us will drink, stay up past bedtime, eat an extra slice of pie and sleep in. Fun as they are, these activities can tamper with our circadian rhythms, the feedback loops that sync our body’s functions to our external environment.
The liver, which helps regulate your body’s metabolism, gets thrown off by unhealthy patterns of sleep or by changes in diet or alcohol consumption. If you’re experiencing indigestion or your energy levels are low after too many holiday parties, your liver could be out of sync.
Circadian rhythms are important for helping the liver anticipate the body’s demands throughout the day, such as stockpiling energy after meals and releasing it when we sleep.
Our daily liver cycles are molded by an interplay between sleep, food and alcohol. Sleep affects the master clock in our brain. Like most other bodily organs, the liver is partly governed by this central rhythm.
But the liver also has its own internal clock, which can be affected by food and alcohol.
To keep your liver’s clock consistent this holiday season, avoid extreme behaviors, said Lei Yin, an assistant professor of physiology at the University of Michigan.
That means maintaining your central circadian rhythm with a regular sleep schedule. You can stay up a little later, but try to avoid doing so more than two hours past your normal bedtime. A helpful tip is to go on a walk in the mornings. Light is the most powerful way to reset our internal clock, Dr. Yin said.
It also means staying cognizant of how food and alcohol affect your liver’s timers. Try to stick to normal mealtimes. And it’s fine to drink a little, but avoid binge drinking, which is defined as more than four or five drinks in two hours.
DID YOU KNOW?
你知道嗎？
A circadian rhythm is part of what we would call the “body clock.” Technically, it is any biological process of an endogenous oscillation of about 24 hours — the term “circadian” comes from the Latin “circa,” (around/ approximately), and “diem” (day) — that can also be adjusted via environmental conditions such as light, temperature and lifestyle habits.
In the short term, sticking to these guidelines might ease your transition back to reality, once the holidays are over. In the long term, maintaining a regular schedule and drinking less can safeguard your metabolism and prevent disease.
This article is an edited version of a piece that originally appeared in the New York Times
Baoye binged on betel nuts regularly, but whenever he saw his daughters eating fudge, he would want to join them and eat some pieces himself. His daughters, who were still in elementary school, came up with an idea to help their father quit betel nuts. They made a pact with him: “Daddy, these packets of fudge are all for you. Whenever you feel the desire to eat betel nuts, you can eat the fudge instead. And when you finish them all, we will supply you with new ones.”
Baoye did not cut down his betel nut consumption because of that, but whenever he chewed them, the image of his daughters’ faces when they offered him the suggestion would temporarily come to his mind. Once in the not-so-distant past, the whole family was preparing for a trip to Korea, and Baoye was going to purchase some betel nuts from the betel nut stands as he customarily did for trips, but when he reached into his pockets for his wallet, he found a pack of fudge.
As it turned out, several days before the trip, his daughters discovered that their daddy was not very keen on quitting betel nuts at all. So they thoughtfully split the fudge into several small packets for their father and put them in his jacket pockets. “Splitting them up into small packets makes it more convenient, so there is no excuse now, is there? Next time you go out to buy betel nuts, remember to eat the fudge instead.”
At that time, Baoye still chewed betel nuts, but a thought came to him: “There will be no place to buy betel nuts in Korea anyway. I might as well just quit chewing them.” Five days of travelling in Korea went by and he did not even chew one betel nut. After he returned to Taiwan, he successfully resisted the betel nut lady’s allure as well. That was when a revelation came to him. For all those years, he had thought betel nuts were "unquittable" for him, but in reality they were not as important as he imagined.
TODAY’S WORDS
今日單字
1. binge v. 吃得很兇，狂吃
例: Bob binges on ice cream whenever he gets annoyed at work.
(每當鮑勃工作煩躁，他就會狂吃冰淇淋。)
2. temporarily adv. 短暫的，暫時的
例: You have to learn to relax, even just temporarily.
(你必須學會放輕鬆，即使只是暫時的也好。)
3. allure n. 誘惑
例: How can you resist the allure of Japanese Ramen?
(你如何能抗拒日本拉麵的誘惑？)
After publishing his experience online, Baoye’s article swiftly drew heated discussions among netizens. One netizen even shared his version of the story: “When I was a kid, I also used to pester my grandfather to quit smoking by saying I would only come to him and let him hug me if he did not smell of smoke, and in the end he managed to quit smoking.”
(Liberty Times, translated by Ethan Zhan) 檳榔吃得很兇的寶爺，每當看到女兒在吃「融化糖」時總會湊過去想吃幾顆，兩個就讀小學的女兒便想出讓爸爸戒檳榔的方法。她們和他立了「約定」，「把鼻，這些融化糖全部給你。當你想吃檳榔的時候，你就可以吃融化糖代替檳榔。等你吃完，我再補新的給你。」
The Dutch are using an ingenious, low cost, totally
organic solution to the country's increasing drone
problem – they're having eagles trained to attack
the flying machine as they would their usual prey.
Drones are becoming a major problem all over the world – they block airspace and interfere
with official operations like emergency air ambulance landings. Despite regulations, drone
operators are able to get away with misuse. They're often hidden from view, making it very
difficult for authorities to detect their exact position and take action against them.
The Dutch police were looking at tech based solutions like remotely taking control of drone
operating systems, but forcing a drone to autoland could backfire as it could go completely
out of control. Thankfully, raptor training company 'Guard From Above' came up with a much
better idea – to make use of eagles' natural hunting instincts.
Guard From Above claims to be the first company in the world to use birds of prey to
intercept hostile drones. They're now assisting the Dutch police force to create a fleet of
police eagles that are trained to attack and snatch drones in midair using their strong talons.
“The eagle sees the drone as its prey,” explained Sjoerd Hoogendoorn, who works for the
company. “So he tries to take it to a safe location and guard it once he gets there.”
In Hindu mythology Garuda is known as the king of birds. He transports the God Vishnu and is eager to help humanity fight against demons. The word is usually rendered into English as "eagle," though according to one dictionary the name literally means "devourer," because Garuda was originally identified with the "all-consuming fire of the sun's rays".
A student surnamed Lin and 12 of his schoolmates set off for the mountains at the trail head near Han Si Elementary School in Yilan County’s Datong Township on Wednesday last week. In the afternoon of Friday last week, while they were on their way to Cuifeng Lake by way of Kulu Forest Trail, Lin is thought to have used his hands to make a way through the undergrowth, startling a bamboo viper hiding inside. He was then bitten by the snake on his right wrist, causing his forearm to become swollen. His schoolmates immediately tied rope around his right upper arm and telephoned for help.
After receiving the appeal for help, the National Airborne Service Corps (NASC) dispatched a helicopter to pick Lin up at Dongshan in Datong Township and contacted the Yilan fire department, which arranged to pick him up from the NASC on the athletics track of Yilan’s Luodong Sports Park and transport him to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Luodong.
Lin was the only student transported by the helicopter down the mountain, during which time he was conscious but experiencing intermittent pain. He was reluctant to give details about what caused the snake bite. After Lin arrived in the hospital, he was very concerned with his physical well-being and asked the doctor questions such as whether his arm would need to be amputated.
Lee Chi-chung, chief of emergency medicine at Saint Mary’s Hospital Luodong, said an injection should, of course, be given as soon as possible, and that, following a medical evaluation, it was decided that Lin did not need an amputation. He also said that Lin was very fortunate, for he was transported by helicopter down the mountain and received prompt treatment. As for whether the snake bite would endanger his life, he said that it depended on how much venom made its way into the body, and how long it was in there: The greater the volume and the longer it stays in the body, the more risky it becomes, but an individual’s physiology is also a relevant factor.
(Liberty Times, Translated By Ethan Zhan)
TODAY’S WORDS
今日單字
1. dispatch v. 出動; 派遣
例: The Pentagon dispatched two fighter jets to send a message to a country in Asia. (五角大廈出動兩架戰機向亞洲的一個國家傳遞訊息。)
2. reluctant adj.不願
例: He said he loved her, but he was reluctant to kiss her.
(他說他愛她，只是不願吻她。)
3. endanger v. 危及
例: Your smoking habit might endanger your children’s health.
A study has found that high glycemic index foods, like white bread, bagels and rice, increase the risk of lung cancer. The study confirms that carbohydrates are a contributing factor in increasing the risk of the lung disease. 研究發現，白麵包、百吉餅、米飯等血糖指數偏高的食物，會增加患肺癌的幾率。該研究證實，患肺部疾病的人群數量正在增加，而碳水化合物是這種趨勢的一個誘因。
According to the study, while high glycemic index (GI) foods increase the risk of lung cancer by 49%, low GI foods, like fruits and vegetables were found to lower the risk. The study's lead author Dr Stephanie Melkonian of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center said: "We observed a 49% increased risk of lung cancer among subjects with the highest daily GI compared to those with the lowest daily GI. 該研究稱，血糖指數（GI）偏高的食物會使肺癌的患病率增加49%，而蔬菜水果等低血糖指數的食物則能降低患肺癌的幾率。該研究的第一作者是德克薩斯大學安德森癌症中心的斯蒂芬妮·梅爾克尼安教授。她說：“我們對接受調研的人進行對比後發現，攝入GI食物最高的群體，其肺癌的患病率比低GI群體高出了49%。”
"Diets high in glycemic index result in higher levels of blood glucose and insulin, which promote perturbations in the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). Previous research suggests increased levels of IGFs are associated with increased lung cancer risk. However, the association between glycemic index and lung cancer risk was unclear." “日常飲食攝入大量高GI食物，會導致血液中葡萄糖和胰島素的濃度增加，從而擾亂胰島素樣生長因數（IGFs）的平衡。之前已有研究顯示，人體內IGF含量的增加，與肺癌患病率升高有關。但是，當時血糖指數與肺癌患病率之間的關係尚不明確。”
As a part of the study that has been published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, some 1,905 patients diagnosed with lung cancer were surveyed. Comparisons were made with 2,413 healthy patients. The study's senior author Dr Xifeng Wu said it is the "average quality" and not the quantity of carbohydrates that determines the risk of lung cancer. Non-smokers consuming high GI foods, like bagels, white bread, popcorn and cornflakes, were found to be more at risk compared to smokers.
Meanwhile, latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that cancer is on the rise in England, with at least 813 new cases registered every day. The ONS statistics found that breast cancer accounted for the greatest proportion of cancer registrations in England, making up 15.6% of cancer cases. Prostate cancer followed behind at 13.4% and lung cancer was in the third place making up 12.6% of cancer cases. 同時，英國統計局發佈的最新資料表明：英國的患癌人數正持續增加，每日新增病例至少813人。而且，該資料還發現，在英國所有癌症病例中，乳腺癌患者所占比重最大，高達全部患癌人口的15.6%；前列腺癌緊隨其後，所占比重為13.4%；肺癌位列第三，占比12.6%。
menstrual cycle: 月經週期 Competing in the Olympics is stressful at the best of times - but imagine doing so while having your period. 參加奧運比賽，即使在最佳狀態下也會壓力山大——可若是處在生理期呢？ Fu Yuanhui, one of China's swimming stars, became an overnight social media sensation thanks to her frank post-race interviews and exaggerated expressions.中國游泳隊小將傅園慧因賽後採訪中的耿直言論和誇張表情迅速走紅社交媒體。
Now, she's become a talking point online again - for breaking a sporting taboo by talking about her period. 這次，她又打破體壇禁忌，談論自己的生理期，再次引爆網路話題。
China missed out on a medal in the women's 4x100m medley relay on Sunday, coming fourth. 周日的女子4x100米混合泳接力賽，中國隊獲得第四名，未能登上領獎臺。
After the match, team-mates Lu Ying, Shi Jinglin and Zhu Menghui were interviewed by a reporter - but Fu was initially nowhere to be found.賽後，隊員陸瀅、史婧琳和朱夢慧接受了採訪，而傅園慧則不見蹤影。 It turns out she was crouched behind a board, doubled over in pain.後來發現，她蹲在看板後痛苦地蜷縮著。
When the journalist asked her (in Chinese) if she was OK, Fu said: "I didn't swim well enough this time," and apologised to her team-mates. 記者問她還好嗎，傅園慧說：“這次沒有遊好。”還向隊友表示歉意。
"It's because my period came yesterday, so I felt particularly tired - but this isn't a reason, I still didn't swim well enough." “我昨天來例假了，所以感覺特別累。但這也不是理由，還是自己沒遊好。”
It was a poignant moment for many Chinese viewers, who took to social media to express their support for her. 許多中國網友深受觸動，紛紛在社交媒體上表達了對她的支持。
"I really admire Fu Yuanhui, for swimming while she was on her period - women can be affected during their periods, especially with period pain... she felt guilty for coming fourth, but Fu Yuanhui we're still very proud of you," user TAO wrote on Sina Weibo. 新浪微博用戶TAO表示：“我真的很敬佩傅園慧生理期還去比賽游泳。女性會受到生理期的影響，尤其是痛經的話……中國隊拿了第四，她很內疚。但是傅園慧，我們依然為你驕傲。”
Tampons are relatively unknown in China
在中國，衛生棉條少有人知
It's also sparked a discussion about tampons - which are not widely used in China. According to one industry survey, only 2% of women in China use tampons -compared to 42% of US women. 關於衛生棉條的討論也由此引爆。衛生棉條在中國並未得到廣泛使用。一項業內調查顯示，只有2%的中國女性使用衛生棉條，而美國女性的使用比例是42%。
Many women weren't familiar with how to use them, or had not heard of them before, the survey by Cotton Inc said. 美國棉花公司的調查稱，許多女性不熟悉衛生棉條的使用方法，甚至從未聽說過。
"Someone accused Fu of lying, asking how she could have gone in the water on her period," weibo user Dvingnew wrote. "Chinese people have prejudices about tampons - as a woman over 30, I'd been ignorant, and full of fear, about tampons until now too."
And there may also be cultural factors at play too - some Chinese women have been told to avoid using tampons because it could stop them from being virgins, despite health experts pointing out that the two things are unrelated. 這可能也有文化因素的作用——一些中國女性被告知不要使用衛生棉條，因為那會破壞處女膜。而健康專家指出，兩者並沒有什麼關係。
One poster defending tampons wrote: "Who told you virgins can't use tampons? Come on, it's the 21st Century." 支援使用棉條一方的帖子寫道：“誰跟你說處女不可以用棉條的？拜託，這都21世紀了。”
According to reports, China's first domestic tampon brand may be launched soon - which may encourage more women to swim while on their periods. 據報導，中國首家本土衛生棉條品牌很快就要成立，這或許能鼓勵更多女性在生理期游泳。 So can menstrual cycles affect sporting performance? 那麼，生理期會影響運動表現嗎？The subject of competing while menstruating is "definitely a taboo", Georgie Bruinvels, a sports scientist, tells the BBC. 運動學專家喬吉•布魯威爾斯告訴BBC，生理期參與比賽這個話題是“絕對的禁忌”。
"A lot of [elite] sport coaches are men, and that makes it harder for women, who don't want to say 'I'm on my menstrual cycle'. “許多（傑出的）體育教練都是男性。因此，對於不願說自己來例假的女性，其處境變得更為艱難。”
"We need incidents like this to raise the issue" and encourage more research, she says.
她表示，“我們需要類似的事件來引發這一話題”並且鼓勵更多的研究。
Ms Bruinvels surveyed over 1,800 sportswomen as part of her work as a researcher at the Female Athlete Health Group - a collaborative project between St Mary's University and University College London. 布魯威爾斯作為女性運動員健康研究組的成員，對1800名女運動員進行了調查。該研究組是聖瑪麗大學和倫敦大學學院的合作項目。
"More than half the sportswomen I surveyed said they felt their menstrual cycle affected their performance." “調查中，超過一半的女運動員認為生理期影響了她們的表現。”
While there is not enough research into the impact of periods on sport, Ms Bruinvels says, one potential factor she was researching was iron deficiency. 但布魯威爾斯稱，生理期對體育運動的影響尚未得到充分研究，她在探索的一個可能因素是鐵的缺乏。
"Menstruation is the leading cause of iron deficiency in the developed world, but many women are not aware they have it. “在發達國家，生理期是缺鐵的主要原因，但許多女性並不清楚這一點。”
"There could be an impact on the amount of time you can exercise, and the maximum amount of oxygen" an athlete can use, and she recommends that sportswomen who feel they've been affected get their iron levels tested. “運動時間長短，還有運動員可消耗的最大氧氣量都可能受到缺鐵的影響”。她建議認為自己受了影響的女運動員去檢查一下身體的鐵含量。
Exercising for as little as two-and-a-half hours a week can undo damage done by sitting down all day, a study has found. 研究發現，每週僅需2.5小時的鍛煉，就可抵消終日久坐帶來的危害。The study by the University of Leicester found that even moderate activity can be enough for a health boost.這項由英國萊斯特大學主持的研究發現，適度鍛煉足以保持身體健康。
Sedentary behavior – any waking behavior with low energy expenditure while in a sitting or reclining posture – has been linked to ill health.久坐行為指清醒狀態下任何坐著或靠著的低能量消耗行為，這種行為與不佳的健康狀況直接掛鉤。But medics are concerned as many British adults now spend between half and nearly three quarters of waking hours sitting.
然而，令醫療工作者擔心的是，如今許多英國成年人二分之一到四分之三的清醒時間都是坐著的。
Dr Thomas Yates, who worked on the study, said: "It is possible for an individual, over the course of a day, to have high levels of physical activity and still accumulate large amounts of sedentary time." 湯瑪斯·耶茨博士參與了此次研究，他表示：“個體可以在一天中既進行高強度的運動又保持長時間的久坐。”The study published in BMC Public Health used data from the 2008 Health Survey to paint a representative sample of English adults. 這份發表在《英國醫學會公共衛生》期刊上的研究報告引用了《2008年健康調查》中的資料，列舉了英國成年人的代表類型。
They were grouped as "Busy Bees" – physically active with low sedentary levels; "Sedentary Exercisers" – physically active with high sedentary levels; "Light Movers" – physically inactive, had low sedentary; and "Couch Potatoes" – physically inactive, high sedentary. 研究物件被歸為四個類型，他們分別是：“忙碌蜜蜂”——運動充足且久坐時間短；“久坐鍛煉者”——運動充足但久坐時間長；“輕量行者”——缺乏運動但久坐時間短；以及“沙發土豆”——缺乏運動且久坐時間長。
Dr Yates said: “Overall, adults who engaged in at least 150 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, including 'Sedentary Exercisers', had more favorable health profiles compared to 'Couch Potatoes'.耶茨博士表示：“總的來說，包括'久坐鍛煉者'在內的成年人每週至少進行150分鐘中高等強度的運動，就能擁有比'沙發土豆'更加理想的健康狀況。”
“By suggesting that being physically active may offset some of the deleterious consequences of routinely engaging in high levels of sedentary behavior, this study further emphasizes the importance of physical activity in the promotion and maintenance of health. “運動可以抵消日常久坐帶來的消極影響，通過揭示這一點，此次研究進一步強調了運動對保持和促進身體健康的重要性。”
PhD student Kishan Bakrania added: "This research is significant because it demonstrates yet again why physical activity and exercise is so important.基尚·巴克讓尼亞是一名在讀博士生，他補充道：“這項研究意義重大，因為它再次證明了運動鍛煉的重要性。”
"It shows that people who spend large amounts of time not moving either through work, leisure or lifestyle can counteract some of the negative effects of sedentary behaviour by regularly exercising." “它表明人們即便在工作或閒暇時不經常活動，仍能通過定期鍛煉抵消久坐帶來的消極影響。”
Can a tree help prevent crime? It just might. Two
new studies, led by US Forest Service
researchers, took a closer look at urban green
space in Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Youngstown, Ohio. In each of these cities, adding
green space to crime ridden areas helped
reduce crime rates, the researchers found.
種樹可以預防犯罪嗎？有可能哦。美國林務局研
究員做的兩項最新研究仔細調查了費城、巴爾的摩和俄亥俄州揚斯敦的市區綠化情況。研究
人員發現，在這三個城市中，在治安糟糕的區域增加綠化面積可以有效減少犯罪率。
In 2000, Philadelphia launched a program to plant vegetation along roadways to help soak up
rainwater. Researchers looked at 52 of these vegetation plots and compared them with
control plots that didn't receive the greenery upgrade. After tracking 14 types of crime in
nearby areas, researchers found that narcotics possession in those areas decreased by 18
to 27 percent, even as the rate for the rest of the city rose by 65 percent.
2000年，費城啟動了一個項目，在道路兩旁種植綠化帶吸收雨水。研究者們觀察了52處綠
化點，與沒有進行綠化改造的對照區進行對比。在追蹤了附近14種犯罪手段之後，研究者
發現，這些區域的毒品持有量下降到27%，下降了18個百分點，儘管這一數位在城市的其
它地區還上漲了65個百分點。
Michelle Kondo, a social scientist and lead researcher with the forest service, speculated the
increased presence of city trucks and vans in the landscaped areas — for planting and
maintenance — was enough to deter illicit activity.
林務局首席研究員、社會學家蜜雪兒•近藤推測，在這些區域負責綠化和養護的市政車輛增
加，有效阻止了違法活動。
A similar effect was noted in Youngstown, Ohio — a depressed Midwestern town known for
its high rates of crime and unemployment. From 2010 to 2014, city officials embarked on a
project to reclaim some of the city's empty lots and derelict buildings by converting them into
green space. In 2011, they added another initiative that gave local communities funding to
plant green space in vacant lots in whatever method they chose — lawns, community
gardens, playgrounds and more.
在俄亥俄州的揚斯敦也發現了類似的情況。這是一座經濟蕭條的中西部城市，以高犯罪率和
失業率聞名。從2010年到2014年，政府開啟了一項回收城市空地和無主建築的計畫，把這
些區域改造成綠地。2011年，他們又啟動了一項綠地基金計畫，鼓勵當地民眾以各種形式
綠化空地——無論是草坪、社區花園、運動場還是其它。
When Kondo and her team compared crime around these vegetation plots with undeveloped
plots in nearby areas, they found the areas around new green spaces had lower crime rates
than elsewhere in the city. Interestingly, the crime reduction was different depending upon the
type of green space that was developed. For example, lots that were planted with grass and
maintained by contractors saw a reduction in property crimes such as theft and burglary,
whereas community maintained plots saw a sharp reduction in violent crime. This suggests
that different types of green space could be developed to deter certain types of crime.
近藤和她的團隊對比了這些綠化區域和附近未綠化區域的犯罪情況，發現新綠化區域的犯罪
率比城市其它地區的犯罪率低。有趣的是，開發的綠地類型不同，所減少的犯罪類型也不
同。比如，種植了草坪並由承包商維護的綠地，周圍盜竊和入室行竊之類的財產犯罪就減少
了，而由社區維護的綠地附近，暴力犯罪大幅下降。這就表明可以通過開發不同類型的綠地
來阻止特定類型的犯罪活動。
Kondo's study collaborates another forest service study conducted by researcher Morgan
Grove on the link between lawn care and crime in downtown Baltimore. Grove's study looked
at the level of lawn maintenance in 1,000 residential yards throughout Baltimore County. His
team looked at everything from tree cover to litter to the presence of garden hoses. Not
surprisingly, Grove found that well maintained lawns were linked to lower crime rates than
lawns that were given less care.
與近藤的研究相合作的林務局另外一項研究中，研究員摩根•格魯夫研究了巴爾的摩市中心
犯罪率與草坪維護情況之間的關聯。他調查了整個巴爾的摩郡1000戶人家院子的草坪維護
情況。他的團隊查看了所有細節，包括林木植被、垃圾和花園的澆水管。果然，格魯夫發
現，維護良好的草坪周圍的犯罪率比維護欠佳的草坪周圍的犯罪率要低。
It's tempting to use income as the connection. After all, if you have the time and money to
water your lawn, you probably live in a neighborhood that sees less crime. But Grove argued
that the greenery itself helped to deter crime, by announcing to would be criminals that there
are "eyes on the street" that care for their neighborhood and would be more likely to report a
crime.
當然你很容易把這個與收入聯繫起來。畢竟，如果你有時間和金錢為草坪澆水，那麼你很有
可能住在較為安全的社區。但是格魯夫認為，是綠化本身減少了犯罪，綠地是一種宣示，警
告潛在的罪犯“街上有眼睛”照看著社區，並且發生了犯罪會更有可能上報。
The takeaway from these two studies is that urban green space may help to deter crime and
could be a useful tool in city wide crime prevention policies. We already know greenery is
beautiful to look at and can help improve mood and health while reducing pollution. Now we
can add crime fighting to the list of vegetation's many benefits.
這兩項研究的重要發現是，城市綠地有助於阻止犯罪，可以作為整個城市預防犯罪政策的有
力工具。我們已經知道，綠色植物既養眼，又有助於改善情緒、提升健康狀況、減少污染。
現在我們又可以給植物的種種好處再加上一條“打擊犯罪”。
Need a better reason to plant a tree?
這難道還不是種樹的最好理由嗎？
Tseng Yi-hsuan, a student at National Hsin Hua Industrial Vocational High School who has mild learning disabilities, recently traveled to the US to participate in the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, winning one gold and one bronze medal in swimming events.
Tseng’s mother says her daughter initially dabbled in swimming to improve her fragile physique, hoping to exercise her body and grow up healthy, but she surprisingly developed a hidden talent. When she started learning, Tseng was held back by her innate learning disability and was therefore a late starter. However, through diligence and hard hard work, after mastering the basics Tseng made rapid strides, even surprising her coach.
When she was younger, Tseng was often laughed at for being “stupid” and “silly,” which caused her to feel extremely hurt. However, Tseng’s mother encouraged her daughter, saying “Everyone has their own strengths. Whatever you do, don’t feel discouraged.” During swimming class at school, Tseng’s outstanding performance left those sneering students speechless and she gradually became accepted.
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。
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。
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
