Dancing Improves Health of Elderly

【Unlocking Word Meanings】
　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. elderly / ˈɛl dər li / (n.) – people who are at the later stages of life

Example: Special health programs must be designed for the elderly.

2. sedentary / ˈsɛd nˌtɛr i / (adj.) – not physically active

Example: A person who leads a sedentary life is at risk for obesity.

3. lifestyle / ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl / (n.) – the way someone lives, which may refer to their habits, beliefs, economic status, etc.

Example: People who grew up in different cultures may have different lifestyles.

4. trial / ˈtraɪ əl / (n.) – a test that is used to gather data on something

Example: The participants went through several trials for the study.

5. attune to / əˈtun tu / (phrasal v.) – to adjust accordingly to be compatible with something

Example: The dances were attuned to the tastes of the children.

【Article】
　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A new study from the University of Illinois at Chicago has found that dancing improves the physical health of the elderly. The study involved 57 sedentary Latin Americans in their mid-60s. The research was conducted to find out whether a health program that features various Latin dances would be effective in promoting a healthy lifestyle among older Latinos. The participants were divided into two groups. The first group participated in a dance program called BAILAMOS. They attended dance classes twice a week, where they were taught four different Latin dances. On the other hand, the second group only attended health education classes. Both programs lasted four months. The physical activity level of the participants was measured through a questionnaire and a walking test before and after the programs. The questionnaire revealed that while both groups became more physically active after the programs, the group who attended dance classes was more active than those who only took health education classes. The first group also showed greater improvement on the walking test than the second group. They finished a 400-meter walk 38 seconds faster than their previous trial, while the second group finished only 10 seconds faster. The study’s lead author Priscilla Vásquez, M.P.H. said that programs like BAILAMOS, which are fun and attuned to one’s culture, could have significant health effects, because they engage participants physically, culturally and emotionally. One of dancing’s emotional benefits is stress reduction. In fact, some of the participants reportedly said that the dance classes helped relieve their stress. This supports a study published in Psychology Today that revealed how dancing can make the body release hormones called endorphins, which reduce stress.

【Viewpoint Discussion】
　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What other activities could be appropriate for the elderly? Discuss.

·         What precautions must the elderly take when choosing their physical activities?

Discussion B

·         Knowing the benefits of dance classes, would you sign up for one? Why or why not?

·         What is the best age for people to start being more physically active? Why?

Feeding Peanuts to Infants May Give Permanent Immunity to Peanut Allergy

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. immunity / ɪˈmyu nɪ ti / (n.) – the ability to not be affected by a disease

Example: Vaccines provide immunity against common viruses.

2. extension / ɪkˈstɛn ʃən / (n.) – something that increases the scope of something

Example: The new study is an extension of the previously released research.

3. landmark / ˈlændˌmɑrk / (n.) – something that holds a huge significance among others of its kind

Example: The landmark study was able to discover new ways of preventing allergies.

4. adverse / ædˈvɜrs / (adj.) – negative or not favorable

Example: Eating too much of something may have adverse effects to the body.

5. attend to / əˈtɛnd tʊ / (phrasal v.) – to give medical attention to

Example: The teachers quickly attended to the injured student.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A follow-up study by the Immune Tolerance Network (ITN) has provided further proof that regularly feeding peanuts to infants can lead to peanut allergy immunity. The study, dubbed as LEAP-ON, is an extension of ITN’s landmark study called “Learning Early About Peanut Allergy” (LEAP) that was published in 2015. The previous study, LEAP, observed 600 children aged 4-11 months. Over a period of five years starting in 2010, half of the children were regularly fed peanuts, while the remaining half were not. The researchers observed whether the children would develop a peanut allergy or not. Results showed that only 3% of children exposed to peanuts developed the allergy, compared to 17% of those who were not. LEAP-ON took the study further by observing 560 of the original 600 children for another year. The researchers wanted to find out if children who were fed peanuts in LEAP would still be immune to peanut allergy if they would not be given peanuts for a year. Results have shown that the children still did not develop allergies, despite not being exposed to peanuts for a year, showing that the immunity they previously developed has remained. It is worth noting that the studies involved only children who were at risk of developing peanut allergy, and not those who had already shown adverse reactions to the food. Researchers reminded parents that children must be fed peanuts only under expert supervision, because peanut allergy can cause severe reactions which may be fatal if not attended to right away. Other food that causes severe reactions includes seafood and tree nuts like walnuts and cashews. These allergies, along with peanut allergy, can last a lifetime.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Would you join a study that will expose you to something that may cause allergic reactions? Why or why not?

·         Do you think studies that have hazards for participants are worth the risk if they will produce results? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         Knowing that some allergies can be fatal, what precautions must people take to make a community safe for people who have allergies? Discuss.

·         If you can give reminders to researchers doing risky studies, what would you say?

Government Seeks Control over Zimbabwe Diamond Industry

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. monopolize / məˈnɒp əˌlaɪz / (v.) – to own or control something exclusively

Example: Jane’s family monopolizes the sugar industry in their town.

2. allegation / ˌæl ɪˈgeɪ ʃən / (n.) – a negative claim that usually has little or no proof

Example: Many politicians face allegations of corruption every year.

3. adhere to (something) / ædˈhɪər tu / (v.) – to follow or obey, especially a set of rules

Example: Business owners must make sure that they always adhere to their contracts to avoid problems.

4. stake / steɪk / (n.) – one’s share or portion in a business

Example: A foreign company will own a stake in the new mall.

5. breach / britʃ / (n.) – the act of violating something by not following certain rules

Example: Working for two rival companies at the same time is considered a breach of contract.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The government of Zimbabwe seeks to monopolize the country’s diamond industry, following allegations of robbery against foreign mining companies. President Robert Mugabe said in an interview with state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation that foreign companies mining diamonds in Zimbabwe’s reserves are robbing the country of its wealth, claiming that the government has received only $2 billion out of the $15 billion estimated revenues from the industry. He did not specify the period of time for the said revenue. A week before President Mugabe’s statement, the government ordered all private mining companies to stop operations in the Marange diamond reserve because of expired licenses. The licenses of the companies will not be renewed if they refuse to adhere to a merger being proposed by the government. The Zimbabwe government wants private companies to unite under a state-run company called the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Corporation (ZCDC). According to the Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidakwa, under the merger, the companies would have access to all diamond reserves in the country. However, private companies would be given only a 50% stake in ZCDC, which would further be divided among them based on company assets. The proposition has been opposed by some of the mining companies operating in Marange. Director Ramzi Malik of the Diamond Mining Corporation has expressed apprehensions that private companies might have to cover the costs of developing new diamond mines despite having a very small share in the new company. Meanwhile, as a response to their eviction from the Marange reserve, some companies have filed lawsuits against the government of Zimbabwe for alleged breach of contract.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         If you owned a mining company, would you put it under the control of the ZCDC? Why or why not?

·         What can Zimbabwe do to prevent foreign investors from taking too much of their natural resources?

Discussion B

·         Why do some countries give foreign companies access to their resources?

·         What are the pros and cons of letting foreign companies access a country’s natural resources?

Study Says Instagramming Food Makes It More Delicious

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. appetizing / ˈæp ɪˌtaɪ zɪŋ / (adj.) – having an appealing smell or appearance that encourages people to eat

Example: The soup has an appetizing aroma.

2. dig in / dɪg ɪn / (v. phrase) – to start eating

Example: The tired and hungry kids dug in without washing their hands.

3. indulgent / ɪnˈdʌl dʒənt / (adj.) – delightful or causing pleasure

Example: Most people enjoy indulgent desserts like a moist chocolate cake.

4. savor / ˈseɪ vər / (v.) – to enjoy something (e.g. food, moment, experience) for as long as possible

Example: The friends ate their cakes slowly to savor it.

5. ritual / ˈrɪtʃ u əl / (n.) – a series of acts performed the same way every time

Example: The family has a ritual of giving thanks for their food before eating.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A study has found that taking pictures of food and posting them on social networking sites like Instagram could actually make them more appetizing. The study, published in the Journal of Consumer Marketing, has found that people who take the time to snap photos of their food before taking a bite were likely to find their meals more enjoyable than those who dig in right away. The study was conducted on 120 participants by researchers from the University of San Diego and Saint Joseph’s University in the United States. The participants were given either   a red velvet cake that represented indulgent food or a bowl of salad, which was the healthier option. The researchers told half of the participants to take pictures of their food and the other half to eat it immediately. The participants then gave taste evaluations of the food they ate. The results showed that those who took photographs of the red velvet cake evaluated it as tastier than those who didn’t. The researchers said that this is because taking photos delays the consumption of food, therefore allowing people to savor the food more before it is eaten. Meanwhile, researchers found no difference in the taste evaluations of the bowl of salad whether participants took pictures or not. According to the researchers, the study’s findings may help marketing managers develop strategies to encourage food photography, which can make consumers enjoy their food more. A previous study published by Sage Publications in 2013 had similar findings. The previous study found that rituals that delay eating, like singing the birthday song or giving thanks before meals, can increase enjoyment of food.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Why do you think people like posting food photos on Instagram?

·         What do you think are the disadvantages of posting photos on social media?

Discussion B

·         What factors affect people’s enjoyment of food? Enumerate.

·         Do you think food is a source of pleasure or simply a physical need?

Engineers Make Origami-Inspired Surgical Tools

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. incision / ɪnˈsɪʒ ən / (n.) – a cut made using a sharp tool

Example: The doctors sealed the incision on his stomach after the operation.

2. counterpart / ˈkaʊn tərˌpɑrt / (n.) – a person or thing that has the same function as someone or something

Example: A beeper is one of the oldest counterparts of modern phones.

3. invasive / ɪnˈveɪ sɪv / (adj.) – in the medical field, it refers to procedures that involve cutting through the body and inserting something, like a tool

Example: A heart operation is a highly invasive surgery.

4. fusion / ˈfyu ʒən / (n.) – the combination of two things into one

Example: The doctor uses a fusion of old and new healing techniques.

5. virtually / ˈvɜr tʃu ə li / (adv.) – mostly or almost absolutely

Example: Some of the youth know virtually nothing about old art.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Mechanical engineers from the Brigham Young University in Utah are designing surgical instruments inspired by origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. The goal of the project is to reduce the size of surgical tools so that they could fit into very small incisions. These incisions could heal without the need for stitches, therefore allowing faster recovery. The engineers reduced the size of the tools by making them capable of being shrunk and expanded, just as origami can be folded and unfolded. The engineers also used simpler structures for the tools, since the natural flexibility of the designs would eliminate the need for other parts. For example, based on the structure of origami “chompers,” the team was able to design forceps that are only 3 mm small. These smaller forceps no longer use joints and hinges found in its older counterparts. The surgical tools would be controlled robotically. Some of the team’s creations have already been licensed for the use of Intuitive Surgical, one of the innovators in using robotics to make surgeries less invasive. Aside from the surgical tools, the fusion of origami and modern technology can also be found in other innovations. Robotics expert Jamie Paik is developing “robogami,” a robot made of light and paper-thin materials that can transform by folding itself and perform movements like crawling or jumping. According to its maker, it has the potential to form virtually anything from tables to airplanes, depending on how it is programmed.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Would you be willing to undergo a surgery that uses the origami-inspired tools? Why or why not?

·         If you had a robogami, how would you use it?

Discussion B

·         Aside from those mentioned above, in what other fields do you think origami can be applied?

·         How else can modern technology use an old tradition or art form? Give your own idea.

Moon Jellyfish Found to Have Ability to Age Backwards

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. remarkable / rɪˈmɑr kə bəl / (adj.) – worthy of attention

Example: Ants have remarkable strength despite their size.

2. maturity / məˈtʃʊər ɪ ti / (n.) – the state of having a body and mind that has reached full development

Example: It takes several weeks before the young bird reaches full maturity.

3. specimen / ˈspɛs ə mən / (n.) – a sample of something, especially those used in the biological or medical sense (e.g. animals or their body parts, plants)

Example: The biologist took several leaves as specimens for a complete study of the new plant.

4. degrading / dɪˈgreɪ dɪŋ / (adj.) – breaking down into smaller pieces, or is rotting

Example: The awful smell came from the degrading meat left unrefrigerated.

5. juvenile / ˈdʒu və ˌnaɪl / (adj.) – not fully mature yet

Example: Juvenile jellyfish look different from mature ones.

【Article】

ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Moon jellyfish, also known as common jellyfish, have been discovered to have the remarkable ability to age backwards. Marine biology graduate student Jinru He [JIN-roo huh] of the Xiamen University of China discovered this astonishing phenomenon when he took a baby moon jellyfish home in 2011 and raised it to maturity. The moon jellyfish died after 18 months in He’s keep. However, He did not throw the specimen because he treasures his samples, and moon jellyfish are rare in Chinese coasts. He transferred the dead specimen to a different water tank and observed it. Three months later, something that He did not expect happened—a polyp, which is a younger form of jellyfish, emerged from the degrading body of the specimen. He compared the emerging polyp to a caterpillar that grew out of a scrap of a butterfly wing. He’s observation has never been seen before; it was the first time that somebody has seen a polyp emerge from an adult jellyfish’s body. What was even more astonishing was that the polyp seemingly aged backwards when it transformed into an even younger form. Later, the moon jellyfish polyp grew into several adult jellyfish, like He’s first specimen. Typically, a young jellyfish or larva grows into a polyp when it settles to the ocean floor and attaches itself to the surface so that it resembles a plant. Jellyfish stay in this form for some time. When a polyp is mature enough, it releases multiple juvenile swimming jellyfish. Aside from the moon jellyfish, other species of jellyfish are also known for astonishing abilities, such as the ability to regenerate lost limbs or rearrange their legs.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Would you like to have the ability to age backwards? Why or why not?

·         What do you think would happen if humans could age backwards? Discuss.

Discussion B

·         How do you think studies about animals that regenerate can help people? Give examples.

·         If you could have an extraordinary ability, what would it be?