News Words: Accountable

Learn the meaning of accountable with your hosts, Anne and Jonathan.

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Research Shows Dogs Really Do Understand Humans

This is What’s Trending Today.... Researchers at a university in Hungary say there is truth to what many dog owners always believed. Dogs do understand what humans say. The researchers made images of the brains of 13 dogs using a machine that records brain activity. The dogs were trained to lie down in the machine for seven minutes. During that time, they listened through headphones to their trainers’ voices. Dog owners may think the news is not surprising. But scientists are impressed. Brian Hare is a professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University. He called one of the findings a “shocker.” The brain imaging showed dogs processed words using the left side of their brains, just as humans do. They use the right side of their brains to understand tone and pitch. The study showed dogs understand words and how they are said. Meaningful words said in a neutral way did not have the same effect as the same words said in an encouraging way. Attila Andics was the lead researcher on the project. “Dog brains care about both what we say and how we say it,” he said. Researchers say they think dogs are tuned in to what people say because dogs have lived with people for a long time. Andics said he thinks other animals probably can understand human language like dogs do. But those animals are not very interested in what humans have to say. People reacted to the story on Facebook and Twitter. They said they always knew their pets could understand them. And they were happy to see scientific support for what they experienced every day. One reader from Virginia said she thought her dog could probably read her mind, too. Someone in California joked that he always knew his dog ignored him. And Greg Matos in Boston called the study “fascinating!” And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. What do you think of the dog study? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story impress – v. to cause (someone) to feel admiration or interest evolutionary – adj. the way things change due to a natural process over a long period of time tone – n. a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking or writing pitch – n. the highness or lowness of a sound encouraging – adj. causing a hopeful feeling tune in – v. to understand and be aware of a situation, other people's needs

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Remembering Actor Gene Wilder

This week, the United States lost a beloved actor and funnyman. Gene Wilder, the wild-haired star of unforgettable comedy films, died Monday at the age of 83. A family member said Wilder was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease three years ago. He said the actor kept the condition private so he would not disappoint fans. "He simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world,'' his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman said. Gene Wilder started his acting career on the stage. However, millions of people knew him from his work in film. His movies with director Mel Brooks were especially famous. They included "The Producers,'' "Blazing Saddles'' and "Young Frankenstein.'' 'Truly great talent of our time' In a statement Monday, Brooks wrote, "Gene Wilder, one of the truly great talents of our time, is gone. He blessed every film we did together with his special magic and he blessed my life with his friendship. He will be so missed.'' Wilder was a master at playing nervous characters trapped in impossible, but funny, situations. In 1974’s "Young Frankenstein,'' Wilder’s character sought to build a living person from the dead. Wilder played Leo Bloom in the 1968 film "The Producers,'' about a man who tries to produce a costly failure on Broadway. The play, “Springtime for Hitler,” becomes a surprising hit instead. Wilder could play cool-headed characters like the gunslinger in "Blazing Saddles.'' He also made millions of child fans with his portrayal as the main character in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.'' 'But I don't think I'm that funny' Many have posted messages on social media about the loss of Gene Wilder. "The greatest comedic mind of my childhood is now gone,'' tweeted actor Josh Gad. Comedian and actor Jim Carrey posted, "Gene Wilder was one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take a human form.'' Wilder was close friends with Richard Pryor. Their opposite personas - Wilder the worrier and the easy-going Pryor - were perfect for making comedy. They starred in four films together: "Silver Streak,'' "Stir Crazy,'' "See No Evil, Hear No Evil'' and "Another You.'' They created several memorable scenes, such as when Pryor provided Wilder with directions on how to "act black'' as they tried to avoid police in "Silver Streak.'' However, Wilder said in a 2013 interview that he was no comedian. He told interviewer Robert Osborne it was the biggest misunderstanding of him. “But I don't think I'm that funny. I think I can be in the movies.'' An early performer Wilder was born Jerome Silberman on June 11, 1933. His father was a Russian emigre. His mother was of Polish descent. When he was six, Wilder's mother suffered a heart attack that left her disabled. He soon began performing comedy at home to entertain her. He started taking acting classes at age 12. In 1961, he made his Broadway debut. That is when he took on the professional name of Gene Wilder. Wilder was married three times. His second marriage, to Saturday Night Live performer Gilda Radner, ended when she died of ovarian cancer in 1989. Wilder spent much of his time after her death speaking in support of cancer research. He also opened a support center for cancer patients. In 1991, he spoke before Congress about the need for increased testing for cancer. Wilder is survived by his wife, Karen, whom he married in 1991, and his daughter Katherine from an earlier marriage. I’m Jonathan Evans.   The Associated Press news agency reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   comedy – n. a play, movie, television program, novel, etc., that is meant to make people laugh​ disappoint – v. to make (someone) unhappy by not being as good as expected or by not doing something that was hoped for or expected​ persona – n. the way you behave, talk, etc., with other people that causes them to see you as a particular kind of person: the image or personality that a person presents to other people​ entertain – v.  to perform for (an audience): to provide amusement for (someone) by singing, acting, etc.​ debut – n. the first time an actor, musician, athlete, etc., does something in public or for the public​

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Part Two of Dr. Anthony Fauci: America’s Man on Infectious Diseases

  The nation’s top expert on infectious diseases is Dr. Anthony S. Fauci. Fauci has carried out important research in HIV/AIDS and other diseases affecting the immune system. He also is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the United States National Institutes of Health. At age 75, Fauci has served under five presidents during his tenure. His advice is sought all over the world when infectious diseases threaten to become public health crises. He says, when considering the history of public and global health, vaccines could be the most important intervention that has ever been developed for any public health issue. That was the case with the serious disease caused by the West Nile Virus. "West Nile Virus was never in the United States until 1999. It was in the West Nile area of Africa and in the Middle East and it came over to the United States, likely through a mosquito, or a bird, or a person who was infected. And we had a few cases for the first couple of years and then we had an outbreak a couple of years after it arrived and now, it’s endemic at a low level in the United States. It isn’t a major public health threat, but it is enough of an issue that we get enough cases each year and that’s the reason why we have to have good mosquito control.  We tried to make a vaccine, and would have made a vaccine, for West Nile years ago, but we couldn’t find a pharmaceutical company that was interested in partnering with us.” Today, another virus spread by mosquitoes, the Zika virus, is an issue of concern to the world.  Zika outbreaks are currently happening in many countries and territories.The mosquitoes that can spread Zika live in many parts of the world, including parts of the United States. Fauci says pregnant women should be especially careful. “What people need to understand about Zika is it’s important to protect pregnant women. It is likely that Zika was in Africa and in Southeast Asia for decades and decades before we had the first recognized outbreak. In the United States, we have close to 700 already travel-related cases. We’ve had local outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya in Florida and in Texas and we’ve been able to successfully contain it. I believe we need to do the same thing, and will do the same thing, with Zika.”         The development of a vaccine for Zika is already underway at NIAID. Dr. Fauci says a DNA vaccine for Zika could be ready for testing by September. Fauci will tell you he is a proud workaholic. That means he enjoys working a lot. He works 7 days a week. He says there are many difficult problems in his work. However, just as important as his job, is his health. He is a devoted runner. Fauci has run several marathons and many 10-kilometer races. He also makes sure that, every day, he does something related to exercise. Fauci hopes that one day it will become possible to eliminate controllable infectious diseases. “I want to see the elimination of polio. I want to see HIV no longer be an epidemic and pandemic, as we know it. I want to see an era of the end of AIDS. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to completely eliminate infectious disease, that’s unreasonable. But we can do a lot more to alleviate the suffering associated with infectious diseases.” I’m Marsha James. Marsha James wrote this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.   Try this quiz to practice your listening skills Next time on People in America, meet Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-Mcrae.​ _______________________________________________________________ Words In This Story      tenure – n. the amount of time that a person holds a job or office global – adj. involving the entire world​ outbreak –​ n. a sudden start or increase of fighting or disease endemic –​ adj. growing or existing in a certain place or region pharmaceutical –​ adj. of or relating to the production and sale of drugs and medicine devoted – adj. having strong love or loyalty for something or someone​ marathon – n. a 42 kilometer race for runners eliminate – v. to remove something or someone epidemic – n. an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people pandemic - n. an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world era  – n. a period of time that is associated with a particular quality, event, person, etc. alleviate – v. to reduce the pain or trouble of (something) : to make (something) less painful, difficult, or severe

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Next on People in America: Jennifer Webb-Mcrae

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People in America: Dr. Anthony Fauci Part Two

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In Kenya, Growing Support for New Rites of Passage

  Communities in southern Kenya are slowly changing practices connected to the traditional ideas of passage from girl to woman. Alternative rites of passage, or ARPs, are growing in popularity in place of female genital mutilation, or FGM. FGM, also known as circumcision, is the cutting and removal of parts of sex organs. In Kenya, FGM is illegal, but some communities continue to practice it. VOA recently went to an alternative rites ceremony. It took place in the town of Oloitoktok, in Kajiado County. About 400 Maasai girls took part to mark their passage into womanhood. The ceremony used to involve FGM. But here, the girls are receiving a special blessing from older members of their community. Sabina Lakara is one of the girls. "I'm happy because I have undergone ARP and I haven't undergone FGM because it causes a lot of diseases and a girl may die. And also I'm wonderful because we have told our parents the bad effects of FGM and now they have left it." Laserian Katau worked as a female circumciser for more than 20 years. She says she circumcised about 200 girls. But she is now a strong supporter of ARP. She teaches the girls two days of classes about life as a woman.   She said, “Some of the elders have not embraced alternative rites of passage and you know they are the decision makers, so that’s a major challenge. But in our village, we have embraced it because of information and education.” ARPs began in Kenya seven years ago. But FGM is still done to an estimated 100,000 girls in Kenya each year. Nice Nailantei is a fellow in U.S. President Barack Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative. She is also an ARP international ambassador for the Nairobi-based nonprofit Amref Health Africa. She avoided an FGM operation when she was eight years old. “We should invest in education because all these harmful traditional practices -- female genital mutilation, early marriages, teenage pregnancies -- if we are not educating our girls, if we are not investing in education, they will never end. But once we realize that there’s an importance of educating our girls the same as educating our boys, that is when as a community we will be able to move forward.” The girls are given documents at the end of the ceremony. The papers serve as notice of their transition from girls to young women. I’m Caty Weaver. Correspondent Lenny Ruvaga reported this story from Oloitoktok, Kenya. It was adapted for Learning English by Christopher Jones-Cruise. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story alternative – n.  not usual or traditional rite – n. an act that is part of a usually religious ceremony circumcision – n. the act of to cut off the clitoris or outer sexual organs of woman or girl elder – n. a person who has authority because of age and experience embrace – v. to accept (something or someone) readily or gladly  

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American Millennials are Cautious About Spending

  Many young Americans have a large amount of debt even before they begin working. Millennials -- people between 18 and 35 -- are worried about paying their student loans, so many of them are not using credit cards. Some experts believe this trend may have a long-term effect on the economy. Stefanie O’Connell graduated from New York University with a degree in drama and a large amount of debt. There were not many jobs for someone with her education. So she became cautious about how she spent her money. That behavior caused her to begin a new career as a financial expert. She writes a blog about wealth management. It has helped her to learn that many millennials share her situation. “They’re very wary of spending beyond their means. They’re wary of tools like credit cards. They’re wary of taking any kind of risk -- even if it is a smart risk, like investing.” O’Connell’s experience with her blog readers is supported by information gathered by the U.S.  central bank. It found that the percentage of Americans under 35 who hold credit card debt has fallen to its lowest level since 1989. Credit cards are an important part of the American financial system. Without one, it is difficult to buy many goods and services. These can include buying a cell phone or renting an apartment.   Credit expert Adam Levin says young people need these financial instruments. “It’s critically important  for a young person to build credit, to build strong credit. That doesn’t mean you over-credit yourself. It just means that you are wise about your credit; you are a responsible payer, that you don’t get yourself in over your head.” Smartphone apps like Level Money can help young people build credit. The apps give advice and help people make better spending decisions without going deeper into debt. I’m Ashley Thompson. VOA Correspondent Faiza Elmasry reported this story from Washington. It was adapted for Learning English by Christopher Jones-Cruise. Mario Ritter was the editor.   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   credit cards –n. plastic cards that let people spend money on credit with the understanding that they will pay it back drama –n. the art of acting in a play or other performance blog –n. a web log, a website in which people write their opinions, experiences or activities wary –adj. not having or showing complete trust in someone or something beyond (one’s) means –idiom. to be more expensive than a person can afford financial instruments –n. financial products people use for investment, any kind of tradeable asset critically –adv. very, extremely over (one’s) head –idiom. to be beyond someone’s ability to understand or act 

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Research Breakthrough for Biodegradable Tires?

  Researchers say they have created a new synthetic rubber that could be used to make biodegradable tires. A team at Texas A&M University’s campus in the Gulf nation of Qatar is testing the synthetic rubber.             One of the researchers, Robert Tuba, said the goal is to find a way to make fully recyclable tires. Rubber tires thrown into landfills decompose very slowly. They are a fire risk and can release chemicals into the soil. If they collect water, they can also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.    The research team discovered a by-product of the oil refining process called cyclopentene. This was combined with a polymer to make a substance very similar to natural rubber. The new synthetic rubber is being tested to see if it can be mixed with metal and other materials now used in making tires. The goal is to produce a new kind of synthetic that is just as strong as the rubber now used, but is biodegradable. The team said they found other benefits of the synthetic rubber. For one thing, they were able to recover 100 percent of the original materials when the rubber decomposed. The researchers say they already have a partner in the rubber industry. If future tests go well, Robert Tuba said his team would be ready to “bring the material to market.” This would eventually make biodegradable rubber tires widely available. I’m Bryan Lynn. Kevin Enochs reported this story for VOA News. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English. Pete Heinlein was the editor. We want to hear from you. What other products do you think could be replaced by synthetic versions? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   synthetic – adj. something not made from natural substances biodegradable – adj. able to break down without harming the environment recyclable – adj. able to be reused after processing decompose – v. to gradually decay until destroyed breeding – n. the process animals use to produce babies by-product – n. something that happens as a result of something else polymer – n. a chemical mix that is made of small molecules that are arranged in a simple repeating structure to form a larger molecule  

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Explorers Find 200-Year-Old Sunken Ship in Lake Ontario

  Explorers have found a ship that is over 200 years old at the bottom Lake Ontario. This is the second-oldest, confirmed shipwreck in the Great Lakes area between the U.S. and Canada, the explorers said. The team of three underwater explorers that found the ship is from the western part of the U.S. state of New York. The wreck was in the deep waters of Lake Ontario near the town of Oswego in central New York. Team member Jim Kennard said that pictures taken using an unmanned vehicle identified the ship as the Washington. The Washington sank in 1803. The Washington was built on Lake Erie in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania in 1798. The ship was used to transport people and goods between, New York, Pennsylvania and the Canadian province of Ontario. Canadian merchants then bought the ship, took it out of the water, and transported it by land to Lake Ontario in 1802. The 16 meter-long ship was loaded with goods from India when it left Kingston, Ontario on November 6, 1803. It was sailing to Niagara, Ontario when it was caught in a fierce storm and sank. At least three crew members and two merchants died when the ship sank. Kennard said that records showed some of the goods and pieces of the ship were found the next day on a shore near Oswego. The Washington is the oldest commercial ship wreck found in the Great Lakes, he added. It was also the only ship known to have sailed on both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. "This one is very special," Kennard said. "We don’t get too many like this." Kennard and team members Roger Pawlowski and Roland ‘Chip’ Stevens have found several shipwrecks in Lake Ontario and other waterways. Carrie Sowden is an official at the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo, Ohio. The museum helps pay for Kennard and his team to explore the area. Sowden said ships with only one mast, called sloops, were replaced by ships with two or three masts, called schooners, in the early 1800s. Schooners were much easier to sail. There are no known drawings of the Washington, she added. This means the discovery will help historian of the seas learn more about the ships that sailed on the Great Lakes between the American Revolution and the War of 1812. "Every shipwreck offers something different that adds to our knowledge base," Sowden said. The oldest ship found in the Great Lakes is a British warship called the HMS Ontario. The HMS Ontario sank in Lake Ontario in 1780. Kennard and another explorer found it in 2008. I’m Pete Musto. Chris Carola reported on this story for the AP news service. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Have explorers found any interesting discoveries in your country recently? What is the oldest thing explorers have discovered in your country? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   shipwreck – n. a ruined or destroyed ship merchant(s) – n. someone who buys and sells goods especially in large amounts commercial – adj. related to or used in the buying and selling of goods and services mast – n. a long pole that supports the sails of a boat or ship

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Volvo Truck Breaks Two World Speed Records

The Swedish-based manufacturer Volvo says one of its trucks has broken two world speed records. The truck reached a top speed of 276 kilometers an hour during recent tests. The Chinese-owned carmaker carried out the tests on an airplane runway in Sweden. The truck, called “Iron Knight,” broke speed records for distances of 500 and 1,000 meters, according to Volvo. The driver was former European Truck Racing Champion Boije Ovebrink. The company said the truck covered 500 meters in 13.7 seconds. It traveled one kilometer in 21.29 seconds. The records are still unofficial while they are reviewed by the international motor sport association FIA. The old record for one kilometer was set in 2012 by Volvo’s Mean Green truck. After starting, the 4,500-kilogram Iron Knight can reach 100 kilometers per hour in just 4.6 seconds.​ The vehicle’s diesel engine is based on Volvo’s normal design for tractor-trailer trucks. But it was modified to increase the usual power and performance.   The truck was also designed to reduce wind resistance to increase speed and reduce fuel use. Nigel Atterbury is a senior designer for Volvo Trucks. “The Iron Knight is basically a truck where we said to our designers, ‘Think out of the box.' And that's exactly what they did.” Volvo said the main goal in building the speedy truck was to show off the company’s two-part clutch system. The truck’s transmission was made to give the driver smoother control when changing gears. This helps the truck perform better under extreme conditions, such as carrying a heavy load up a steep hill. I’m Bryan Lynn. Geroge Putic reported this story for VOA News. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   runway –n. a long road used by airplanes to start out or land horsepower – n. unit of measurement for engine power diesel – n. type of engine that uses diesel fuel modify – v. make changes to improve something clutch – n. piece of equipment in a vehicle that allows the driver to change gears transmission – n. part of a vehicle that transfers power from the engine to the wheels gears – n. used by a car’s transmission to control different speeds of the engine  

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