Tongue Piercings Allow Paralyzed People to Control Wheelchairs

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. paralyzed [PAR-uh-lahyzd] (adj.) –  incapable of movement, whether partly or completely

Example:  Paralyzed patients need wheelchairs to be able to move around.

2. piercing [PEER-sing] (n.) – a hole made through a part of the body, usually in order to attach a piece of jewelry through it

Example: My sister inserted an earring to her new ear piercing.

3. joystick [JOI-stik] (n.) – a device used to control the movement of an object

Example: Gamers use joysticks to control the characters in video games.

4. obtrusive [uhb-TROO-siv] (adj.) – noticeable in a bothersome and unpleasant way

Example: The asthma device from the doctor is very bulky and obtrusive.

5. intuitive [in-TOO-i-tiv] (adj.) – easy to learn and understand

Example:  I was immediately able to drive the new car because the driving system is extremely intuitive.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Researchers in Atlanta and Chicago are developing an experimental device that will allow paralyzed people to drive wheelchairs by simply moving their tongue. The researchers designed a new wheelchair navigation system that uses tongue piercings as joystick devices. The researchers believe that the new system will be greatly beneficial to people with severe disabilities. According to the researchers, they came up with this idea because tongue piercings are much less obtrusive than the commonly-used sip-and-puff system. The sip-and-puff system allows users to control their wheelchairs by breathing into a straw that is worn in front of the face. In the new system, a person’s tongue is pierced with a magnetic stud that resembles jewelry but actually works as a motion sensor. This sensor communicates with a headset that detects the tongue’s movement. Information is then transmitted to a smartphone app that is used to control the wheelchair. Furthermore, researchers believe that moving the tongue to control a wheelchair is much more intuitive. In an experiment, 11 people who tried the tongue piercing were able to quickly navigate through a complicated obstacle course. Compared to the sip-and-puff system, the tongue piercings allowed the participants to drive much faster but just as accurately. One participant even said that the tongue piercing gave him better control, allowing him to move diagonally, for instance. In the future, the researchers plan to expand the functionality of the system to enable patients to do more, such as turning on the TV or the lights with a flick of their tongues.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you think that driving a wheelchair using one’s tongue is safe? Why or why not?

·         In your opinion, would many disabled persons be willing to get tongue piercings in order to use this new technology? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         How else do you think the mobility of persons with disabilities can be improved? Discuss with your tutor.

·         In your opinion, how should people treat persons with disabilities?

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Australian Triathlete Challenges Lance Armstrong

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. triathlete [trahy-ATH-leet] (n.) – an athlete who participates in a three-part sports event

Example: A triathlete needs to be good in running, swimming, and bicycling.

2. one-on-one [WUHN-on-WUHN, -awn-] (adj.) – consisting of two people who compete against each other

Example: The one-on-one race involved only John and Eric.

3. doping [DOH­-ping] (n.) – the use of banned drugs to improve one’s athletic performance

Example: Athletes involved in doping were suspended from competitions.

4. avenue [AV-uh-nyoo, -noo] (n.) – a chance or opportunity to achieve something

Example: Doing sports is a good avenue to be physically fit.

5. set in stone [set in stohn] (idiom) – final, can no longer be changed

Example: The athlete’s resignation is not yet set in stone; he may still play next year.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A 40-year-old Australian triathlete has recently challenged Lance Armstrong in an unofficial one-on-one triathlon. Chris McCormack, known as Macca, is a multi-awarded triathlete recognized throughout the world. He has won championships in the previous years. Recently, he became the executive chairman of a sports resort in Thanyapura, Phuket, Thailand. The Australian triathlete wants to compete with Lance Armstrong because he believes that Armstrong is still a good competitor. McCormack also acknowledges the fact that Armstrong is an amazing athlete despite his doping records. In a recent interview, Armstrong claimed that he can still win the world championships. Thus, McCormack thinks that his challenge is a good avenue to prove Armstrong’s claim. McCormack proposed that the race be held in Austin, Texas, Armstrong’s hometown. He also said that the race between him and Armstrong will have no audience, since it is unofficial. Armstrong has responded positively with McCormack’s challenge. He said that he is interested with the challenge and that he is very open to discussion. All McCormack has to do is give him a call, Armstrong added. Because of doping cases, Armstrong has been prohibited from participating in any official competition. His titles were also taken away from him as part of the punishment. Last year, Armstrong attempted to join the triathlon events in Hawaii before he was banned. On another note, the unofficial race that McCormack proposed is not yet set in stone. Nonetheless, McCormack has been attending meetings to make this event possible.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         In your opinion, how would winning the race affect Lance Armstrong?

·         If you were Armstrong, would you take on the challenge by McCormack? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         How do you think athletes can improve their performance without doping?

·         How can sports authorities help fight doping?

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Sign Language Translator in Mandela’s Memorial is Fake

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. memorial [muh-MAWR-ee-uh l, -MOHR-] (n.) – a ceremony done to pay respect to or honor a person who died

Example: Many people attended the former president’s memorial.

2. fake [feyk] (n.) – a person who pretends to know something or to be somebody else

Example: The fake police was arrested.

3. dismay [dis-MEY] (n.) – the state of being disappointed

Example: The audience expressed their dismay over the bad television show.

4. make up [MEYK-uhp] (v. phrase) – to create a lie

Example: Nobody believed him after he made up the story about him being famous.

5. disgraceful [dis-GREYS-fuh l] (adj.) – shameful or very embarrassing

Example: Pretending to be someone you’re not is a disgraceful act.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

South Africa's deaf federation has confirmed that the sign language translator during Nelson Mandela’s memorial was a fake. Millions of television viewers around the world watched the memorial of the former South African leader in early December. Even some world leaders personally attended the memorial, such as the US President Barrack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron. The federation’s national director said that the translator’s hand movements had no meaning at all. The translator, identified as Thamsanqa Jantjie, did neither South African nor American sign languages, according to three experts. A member of the parliament, who is deaf and understands sign language, also said that she got nothing with the signs made by the translator. The translator’s facial expression did not even change despite the changing statements delivered by the speakers. The hand movements of the man also did not match the hand movements of the official interpreter on the television screen. Because the memorial was televised worldwide, many people recognized the fake movements of the translator. Many have thus expressed their dismay and disappointment. Braam Jordaan, a board member of the World Deaf Federation and a deaf, felt upset and overly embarrassed with how the translator made up the hand movements. Jordaan was very humiliated as this incident will always be associated with Mandela’s memorial and the deaf community as well. This very disgraceful mistake should have never even happened, added Jordaan. While this incident is already considered a major humiliation, the South African government has not yet given an official statement.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you think the fake translator should be punished or not? Why is that so?

·         Who do you think should be blamed for what happened in the memorial? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

·          How do you feel when you see people communicating in sign language?

·          Should sign language be taught even to people who can hear? Please explain your answer.

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Phobias May Be Inherited, Study Reveals

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. pass on [pas, pahs on] (v. phrase) – to transmit or transfer something

Example: Parents pass on their genes to their children.

2. scent [sent] (n.) – the smell or odor of something

Example: I can smell the sweet scent of the flower.

3. offspring [AWF-spring, OF-] (n.) – a person’s or an animal’s young (baby)

Example: Mammals breastfeed their offspring.

4. notable [NOH-tuh-buh l] (adj.) – remarkable or worthy of praise

Example: Researchers were awarded for their notable work.

5. irrational [ih-RASH-uh-nl] (adj.) – without a reasonable basis

Example: He does not know why he has an irrational fear of spiders.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A new research has revealed how a phobia is developed, suggesting that it can be passed on from one generation to another. Researchers from the Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta conducted this research, published in the journal of Nature Neuroscience [noo r-oh-SAHY-uh ns, nyoo r-]. The research involved mice trained to fear the scent of cherry blossoms through constant electric shocks. After establishing the fear, the mice were allowed to breed. Phobia is a disorder in which a person feels extreme fear over something. According to the research, phobias can be inherited from an ancestor who had experienced the same fear or trauma before. Results of the study revealed that the offspring of the trained mice turned out to be fearful towards the smell of cherry blossoms. Similarly, the next generation showed the same fear despite not having smelled the flower before. Another notable result is that the brains of both generations showed changes in the part used in smelling. The mice’s DNAs also showed chemical changes, suggesting that experiences are transferred from the brain to the genes. This transfer may explain how phobia is passed on from the parent to the offspring. Convinced by the results, the researchers suggest that this study can help explain why people tend to feel intense irrational fear towards something. But since the research involved mice, further studies are still needed to know if the same results would apply to humans.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Are you convinced that fear can be inherited? Why or why not?

·         In your opinion, what can be the other causes of phobia or fear? Please explain briefly.

Discussion B

·         How do you think fear can affect a person’s life? Please explain your answer.

·         How can family and friends help a person conquer his or her fears?

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Hard Drive Worth £5M in Bitcoins Lost in a Landfill

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. regret [ri-GRET] (v.) – to feel bad or be sorry for something

Example: Dan regrets that he bought expensive but useless things.

2. spill [spil] (v.) – to make something fall or spread

Example: The keyboard is not working anymore because he spilled water on it.

3. retrieve [ri-TREEV] (v.) – to get something back

Example: The programmer retrieved the files by clicking the “restore” button.

4. mud [muhd] (n.) – soft and wet soil or dirt

Example: The computer room of our school was filled with mud because of the typhoon.

5. access [AK-ses] (v.) – to enter or open

Example: Computer hackers can fully access even the most secured websites.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

An Australian IT worker regrets throwing away a computer hard drive that could make him an instant millionaire. James Howells of New South Wales garnered 7,500 units worth of virtual currency called Bitcoins. Bitcoins were designed by a Japanese programmer in 2009 to be used for buying products online. A Bitcoin’s rate is dependent on people’s demand for it. From the rate of £1.50, its rate reached £664 or around one thousand US dollars today. Howells accidentally spilled lemonade on his laptop, seriously damaging it. He disassembled the computer in 2010 and kept the hard drive where the digital cash is stored. In the middle of 2012, he decided to throw it away thinking that it has no importance anymore. He admitted how bad his idea was when he learned that the current value of his Bitcoins could make him earn approximately £5 million. When the workers from a dumpsite in Newport, South Wales, told him that it could be buried under four feet of mud and garbage, it became almost impossible to retrieve the hard drive. Despite the value of the hard drive device, Howells is not worried about someone finding it. However, he hopes that the lucky person who will get it will share a decent amount to him. On another note, the hard drive will need a digital key to access the digital wallet stored in it, and only Howells has the code.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you think someone will get Howells’ hard drive? Why or why not?

·         If you were Howells, will you start generating Bitcoins again with its current value? Please explain.

Discussion B

·         How did the Internet change business transactions?

·         With the internet, is it more efficient to conduct business today? Please explain your answer.

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