- Fossils of extra-large millipedes have been discovered in the north of England for the first time by scientists
- COVID is here to stay: countries must decide how to adapt
- Replacing full-fat dairy with olive oil may reduce your risk of disease and death, study finds
- Exercise may protect your brain even if you have signs of dementia, study finds
- Meet the man hoping to create Africa's first Michelin-starred restaurant
- Belgian theatre group joins forces with UNESCO to help Iraqi youngsters make a movie in Mosu
Fossils of extra-large millipedes have been discovered in the north of England for the first time by scientists
科學家首次在英格蘭北部發現超巨大千足蟲化石
Sciences
The arthropods, known for having two pairs of jointed legs on their body, were found on Northumberland beach around 64 km from Newcastle. The study describes the remains “as big as cars”, estimating that they must date back to the Carboniferous Period - 326 million years ago. The giant fossil, called Arthropleura, is the largest-known invertebrate animal of all time, even bigger than the ancient sea scorpions that previously held the record. According to scientists at the University of Cambridge, the segment found is about 75 centimetres long. The original creature is supposed to have measured around 2.7 meters long and weighed around 50 kilograms. The results were reported in the Journal of the Geological Society. The fossil will go on public display at Cambridge's Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences in early 2022. (From: https://www.euronews.com/)
在距離新堡約64公里的諾杉柏蘭海邊發現了一種以身上有兩對雙關節顎足聞名的節肢動物化石，研究描述這些遺骸「像汽車一樣大」，估計它們的歷史可追溯到3.26億年前的石炭紀。這種名為Arthropleura的巨型化石為已知史上最大的無脊椎動物，甚至比先前紀錄保持的古代海蠍還大。劍橋大學的科學家稱此次發現的部分長約75公分，推估原生物體長約2.7公尺、重約50公斤，研究結果發表在《地質學會雜誌》。化石將於2022年初在劍橋的賽奇威克地球科學博物館公開展出。
COVID is here to stay: countries must decide how to adapt
COVID疫情持續：各國必須決定如何與病毒共存
Sciences
With infection rates soaring around the globe and many countries still unable to access adequate vaccine supplies, more SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern will continue to emerge. And, as Omicron has illustrated, the ability to predict what course those variants will take becomes more difficult as the complexities of viral evolution and pre-existing immunity complicate the models that have previously been used to anticipate the course of the pandemic. Now modellers need to factor in the effects of vaccines, previous infections, waning immunity over time, booster shots and viral variants — and, as the year progresses, they will also have to consider the impact of emerging antiviral treatments. But what is clear is that the hope that vaccines and prior infection could generate herd immunity to COVID-19 — an unlikely possibility from the start — has all but disappeared. It is widely thought that SARS-CoV-2 will become endemic rather than extinct, with vaccines providing protection from severe disease and death, but not eradicating the virus. (From: https://www.nature.com/)
隨著全球感染率飆升，許多國家仍無法獲得足夠疫苗，更令人擔憂的SARS-CoV-2變種陸續出現。如同Omicron所示，病毒演化錯綜複雜、加上已建立的免疫機制已使病毒變種進程更難以預測。現在疫情模擬預測員需要將疫苗的影響、先前感染例、隨時間下降的免疫力、補強接種和病毒隨時間變種等列入變因外，也需考量新興抗病毒療程的影響。但顯然地，對疫苗與先前染疫者的免疫力能產生群體免疫的期待落空了。疫苗可以防範重症與死亡，但無法根絕病毒，普遍認為SARS-CoV-2會成為區域性流行病，卻無法根絕。
Replacing full-fat dairy with olive oil may reduce your risk of disease and death, study finds
研究發現，用橄欖油代替全脂乳製品可以降低罹病和死亡的風險
Health
Using olive oil instead of margarine, butter or other saturated fats may protect you from dying from cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, dementia, and other conditions, according to a study released on January 11, 2022. Olive oil, or "laderá" in Greek, is a key staple in the award-winning Mediterranean diet, which studies have shown can reduce the risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, dementia, memory loss, depression, and breast cancer. The diet, which is more of an eating style than a restricted diet, has also been linked to stronger bones, a healthier heart, and longer life. (From: https://edition.cnn.com/)
根據1月10日發布的一項研究，使用橄欖油代替人造黃油、奶油或其他飽和脂肪可以保護您免於死於癌症、心血管和呼吸系統疾病、癡呆和其他疾病。橄欖油，或希臘語中的“laderá”，是屢獲殊榮的地中海飲食的關鍵主食，研究顯示，橄欖油可以降低患糖尿病、高膽固醇、癡呆、記憶力減退、抑鬱症和乳癌的風險。相較於限制飲食，這種飲食更像是一種飲食風格，影響到更強壯的骨骼、更健康的心臟和更長的壽命。
Exercise may protect your brain even if you have signs of dementia, study finds
研究發現，即使你有癡呆症的跡象，運動也可以保護你的大腦
Health
Breaking a sweat has been shown to improve nearly every organ in the body, fight nearly every disease doctors diagnose, and improve nearly every health condition that you might live with on a daily basis. A new study finds exercise boosts levels of a protein known to strengthen communication between brain cells via synapses, which may be a key factor in keeping dementia at bay. "The more physical activity, the higher the synaptic protein levels in brain tissue. This suggests that every movement counts when it comes to brain health. "It's important to find an exercise you enjoy so it can be sustainable in your routine.” This article lists the CNN fitness contributor Dana Santas’s top tips on adding more exercise into your life. (Article with video; from: https://edition.cnn.com/)
研究證明，流汗可以改善身體大多數的器官、對抗醫生診斷出的幾乎所有疾病，並改善您每天可能遇到的幾乎所有健康狀況。一項新的研究發現，運動可以提高一種蛋白質的水平，這種蛋白質可以通過突觸加強腦細胞之間的交流，這可能是防止癡呆症的關鍵因素。身體活動越多，腦組織中的突觸蛋白水平就越高。這意味著每一個動作對大腦健康都很重要。找到你喜歡的運動很重要，這樣它才能在你的日常生活中持續下去，同時這篇文章列出了 CNN 健康專欄撰稿人 Dana Santas 在生活中增加更多運動的重要技巧。
Meet the man hoping to create Africa's first Michelin-starred restaurant
認識致力於創建非洲第一家米其林星級餐廳的廚師
Culture
Not a single Michelin-starred restaurant specializing in African cuisine can be found on that continent. But this may soon change thanks to the craft of chefs like Daniel Malonga. A rising star in the culinary world, Malonga is hoping to draw more attention to the diversity of food on offer across Africa. From his travels in 38 African countries, the 30-year-old chef brings back techniques, such as smoking and fermentation, but also traditional spices and condiments. The chef, who has taken his travels further afield, through Germany and France, draws on these experiences to create his 'Afro-fusion' cuisine. (Article with video; from: https://www.euronews.com/)
目前在非洲還找不到一家專門提供非式料理的米其林星級餐廳，但這可能很快就會改變，一切都要歸功於Daniel Malonga 等廚師們的手藝。作為烹飪界的一顆冉冉升起的新星，Malonga 希望引起人們對非洲各地食物多樣性的關注。這位30歲的廚師遊歷了非洲38國後，除了帶回煙熏和發酵等技術，也帶回傳統的香料和調味品。他更到了德國和法國旅行，習得不同的技術後，利用這些經驗創造了他的“非洲融合”美食。
Belgian theatre group joins forces with UNESCO to help Iraqi youngsters make a movie in Mosu
比利時劇團與聯合國教科文組織聯手協助伊拉克青年在摩蘇爾拍攝電影
Culture
In a collaboration between the Mosul fine arts academy, a Belgian theatre company, and UN cultural agency UNESCO, 19 students are getting a chance to make their first short films. Over a four-month course, students get a taste of everything from writing and shooting to acting and editing, according to Milo Rau, artistic director of Belgian NTGent theatre company who is behind the initiative. (Article with video; from: https://www.euronews.com/)
在比利時戲劇公司摩蘇爾美術學院和聯合國文化機構聯合國教科文組織的合作下，19名伊拉克學生有機會製作他們的第一部短片。 比利時 NTGent 劇院公司的藝術總監米洛·勞 (Milo Rau) 表示，在為期四個月的課程中，學生們可以體驗從寫作、拍攝、表演到剪輯的所有過程。