Students Build Arm for Young Girl to Play Violin

Abdul Gouda and his fellow engineering students needed to complete an important class project for two major reasons: they needed to do so to graduate from Virginia’s George Mason University and they needed to do so to help make a young girl’s dreams come true.  Isabella Nicola is 10 years old. She wanted to learn to play the violin. But she was born with a shortened arm and without a left hand. Isabella attends Island Creek Elementary School in Fairfax County, Virginia. The school’s music teacher built Isabella a prosthetic arm. It let Isabella move the bow of the instrument with her left arm and hold the violin with her right arm. But the prosthetic arm was heavy. So the teacher asked for help from George Mason University, which he had attended. At the same time, Abdul Gouda and four other members of the school’s bio-engineering department were looking for a project to complete. Students must complete a project in their last year in the school in order to graduate. The first project idea Gouda and his four teammates had could not be done. So, they needed something new to work on.   Gouda admits he was not sure he wanted to try to create a lighter prosthetic arm. “It’s sort of a lot of pressure,” he said. “You’ve got this young girl who’s counting on you and you’re expected to deliver.” But Gouda and the other team members -- Mona Elkholy, Ella Novoselsky, Racha Salha and Yasser Alhindi -- accepted the project. They completed many models during the school year. Research on similar projects helped them in the beginning, but they made many mistakes as they worked on the arm. Isabella talked to the team as they created prosthetic arms for her. The first one weighed 13 ounces. But when she said it was too heavy, the team was able to remove some of the weight. The team worked with Elizabeth Adams, a professor of music at George Mason. She helped them understand what Isabella would need to be able to play the violin well. Recently, Isabella got the team’s final prosthetic arm. It was built using a 3-D printer. The team made the arm the color pink, as Isabella had asked. And the team surprised her with another part of the arm that lets her hold onto the front of a bicycle. She put the arm on and began playing the violin. “I feel very blessed that I have this amazing group of people,” Isabella said. Isabella had been asking to play a musical instrument for more than a year. Her mother, Andrea Cabrera, said she never told her daughter ‘no.’ “I told her we would try. There was no guarantee the school would be able to do an adaptation,” her mother said. “Through these little miracles, it kept going forward.” Isabella always believed her dream would come true. “I felt right away that I’d be able to play,” she said. “I’ve always had perseverance.”   The Associated Press news agency reported this story from Fairfax, Virginia. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Ashley Thompson 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   attend – v. to regularly go to (classes, church services, etc.) prosthetic – n. an artificial device that replaces a missing or injured part of the body count on – phrasal verb to expect (someone) to do something; to trust (someone); to rely or depend on (someone) to do something adapt – v. to change (something) so that it functions better or is better suited for a purpose miracle – n. an unusual or wonderful event that is believed to be caused by the power of God; a very amazing or unusual event, thing or achievement perseverance – n. the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult

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News Words: Fake

If something is fake, is it a good thing or a bad thing? Learn what fake means in this week's News Words.

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May 3, 2017

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

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US Inventor’s Battery Could Change the World… Again

  American inventor John Goodenough first started working on battery technology more than 40 years ago. Goodenough actually co-invented lithium-ion batteries in 1980. This eventually led to a revolution in the electronics industry because those devices were smaller and provided more electricity than other fuel cells. Sony Corporation was the first business to commercially develop the lithium-ion technology. In 1991, Sony launched worldwide sales of lithium-ion batteries. They enabled the company to start producing small video cameras and other devices that soon became very popular. The same technology is still used today to power most personal devices. Now, John Goodenough is 94-years-old. He continues working as an engineering professor at the University of Texas in Austin. Goodenough recently announced what he believes is another major development in battery technology. He and his engineering team have produced the first-ever solid-state battery cells. He hopes this latest invention will shake up the electronics world. Researchers say the new, solid-state batteries can hold more power, charge faster, and do not get as hot as ones currently in use. They have at least three times as much energy density as today’s lithium-ion batteries, notes Goodenough. He said the main difference between the old and new technology is that the latest battery cells use parts made of glass, instead of liquid. “I was trying to improve the lithium-ion battery that you use in your cell telephone that has several problems,” Goodenough said, explaining how he made the discovery. He said a big problem with liquid parts is they can catch fire under some conditions.  John Goodenough said his latest discovery also has the possibility to solve many other problems with current batteries. These include cost, energy density, rates of charge and discharge and battery life. While his first invention helped start a wireless revolution, he hopes the latest one will help support many forms of sustainable energy. The goal is to use the new batteries to store energy produced by renewable sources, such as the sun and wind. This energy could then be used to run electric vehicles or to provide power for homes. “A rechargeable battery is the most convenient way to store electric power. It can be stored either as stationary storage for the (electrical) grid, or it can be stored in portable batteries for electric cars and for many other applications.” Goodenough is a big supporter of electric-powered cars. He first got interested in them during America’s energy crisis in the 1970s. But one of the major issues slowing their development over the years has been the lack of powerful, low-cost, long-lasting batteries.    He believes his new technology can provide major improvements for electric cars in the future. He said the current vehicles have a long way to go to meet the high demands of drivers. “They’d like to have a car that would be as convenient as your modern car, have a bigger driving range. You’d like to able to charge it very quickly – maximum 10 minutes. They would like it to be no more expensive than your present car is. At the present moment you’re just not quite able to reach that goal. And I’m hoping that what we’ve developed will allow us to reach that goal.” John Goodenough said he believes there is great potential for his new batteries to be widely used in phones and other personal devices. But to be truly successful, the technology will also have to effectively compete with energy that comes from fossil fuels. Reducing the use of oil can greatly lower energy costs and cut air pollution and climate change, he added. Goodenough has received many awards for his work, including the National Medal of Science from President Barack Obama in 2011. But he has not gotten rich from any of his discoveries. “I’ve never made any money from the inventions we had, the lawyers have always taken all the money. And I’m too old to worry about it, nor did I ever worry about it too much. As long as I had a job, that’s all I needed to keep me with a roof over my head and eating, and an opportunity to work.”   His team has asked the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for legal rights to the technology. The invention is considered intellectual property owned by the University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering. The university plans to oversee efforts to offer the technology to companies that will keep developing it.   Goodenough gives much of the credit for his success to the people around him. “I’m very happy to have nice people to work with. You don’t do anything alone, you do it with people,” he said. Most scientists would feel very lucky to get just one major breakthrough during their lifetime. Goodenough said he feels thankful that he now has a second chance. But at age 94, he said he’s not sure how many more of these he will get. “If the good Lord brings things together and I’m the right man at the right time, well who knows what can happen? You can’t predict." I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn reported this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow 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   commercially – adv. related to the buying and selling of goods solid-state – adj. of or relating to the use of the electric or magnetic properties of solid materials density - n. amount of something in a particular space or area sustainable – adj. able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed convenient – adj. easy to use grid – n. system of electrical wires and equipment to supply electricity to a large area range – n. a distance fossil fuels – n. a fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) that is formed in the earth from dead plants or animals​ intellectual property – n. something (such as an idea, invention, or process) that comes from a person's mind breakthrough – n. a sudden development, especially one involving knowledge or a process  

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Is a Flying Car in Your Future?

  Two weeks ago, we reported about developments with electric planes and flying cars. That technology could bring change to commercial and personal travel. Last week, two companies, Kitty Hawk and Uber, announced their plans to bring flying cars to reality very soon. Sooner than you think, flying cars may appear in the skies. Imagine never having to worry about traffic, stoplights, or road construction. A flying car could get somewhere much faster than one traveling by road. On the other hand, imagine having to avoid drones and other flying cars. Also, what if your battery dies when you are in the air? And, how will you know where to land? Kitty Hawk Kitty Hawk is a start-up tech company supported by Google co-founder, Larry Page. Kitty Hawk president, Sebastian Thrun, helped start Google's self-driving car project. Thrun announced Kitty Hawk's flying car plans last Monday in a tweet. The car is electric-powered and moved by eight rotor blades. Kitty Hawk wants people to be able to buy its flying car by the end of 2017.   ​According to the Kitty Hawk website, the car will be able to travel at speeds up to 40 kilometers an hour. It says under US aviation law such a machine "does not require registration or a pilot’s license and may be flown in uncongested areas for recreational purposes." As of now, the car can only be flown over fresh water. Kitty Hawk is making a list of people interested in buying the flying car. They must pay a deposit of $100. Those who get their names on the list early will receive $2000 off the final cost of the car. However, Kitty Hawk has not yet announced the price. Kitty Hawk expects its first flying cars will go on sale by the end of this year. Uber Flying Taxis At a conference last week, Uber announced plans for flying taxis to begin carrying passengers. The company expects to launch flying fleets in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas, US and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates by 2020. Unlike the Kitty Hawk company, Uber does not plan to build its flying cars. Instead, it will use the resources of partner companies. Like the Kitty Hawk car, Uber flying taxis will use electric power. Uber says its flying taxis could travel up to 241 kilometers an hour. The company said that could reduce the travel time between San Francisco and San Jose, California from 2 hours on the road to 15 minutes in the air.               Riders could use the Uber app to book a flying taxi to take them to their destinations. The company has not yet said how costly air taxi travel would be compared to road taxi travel. Poll Would you like to ride in a flying car? Vote in the poll: I’m Caty Weaver.   Carolyn Nicander Mohr wrote this report for VOA Learning English. Catherine Kelly Weaver was the editor. Do you think flying cars are a good idea? Would you like to buy a Kitty Hawk flying car? Would you ride in an Uber flying taxi? Share your thoughts in the Comments Section below or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   commercial - adj. concerned with earning money construction - n. the act or process of building something (such as a house or road) drone - n. a type of small aircraft that flies without a pilot start-up - n. a new business rotor blade - n. a part of a machine that turns around a central point​ aviation ​- n. the business or practice of flying airplanes, helicopters, etc.  uncongested - adj. not full or crowded with something (such as vehicles or people) recreational ​- adj. done for enjoyment deposit - n. money that you give someone when you agree to buy something (such as a house or car) fleet - n. a group of ships or vehicles that move or work together or that are controlled or owned by one company destination - n. a place to which a person is going or something is being sent

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Jihadists Using Matchmaking Sites to Find Partners

  The matchmaking site IslamicMarriage.com helps Muslims around the world find partners through the Internet. It is also becoming a recruiting tool for Islamic State terrorists. New Zealander Mark Taylor appears to be a usual single man. He has a dating profile on IslamicMarriage.com. It says he works as a teacher and has a “good sense of humor.” It also says he lives in Raqqa, Syria -- a center of the  Islamic State group. U.S. officials listed Taylor as an international terrorist earlier this year. He is one of several fighters in Syria and jihadist supporters in Europe and the U.S. with dating profiles on the site. On IslamicMarriage.com, Taylor calls himself Abujohndaniel. He says he arrived in Raqqa 10 months ago. The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is a policy research organization based in Washington, D.C. The group says it first noticed jihadist activity on IslamicMarriage.com last May. Anat Agron is a researcher there. She believes that efforts by social media sites to block IS militants -- along with increased attention from Western intelligence agencies -- forced some jihadists to turn to dating sites. “Previously Twitter and Facebook were more popular options for marrying off jihadists,” Agron told VOA. “I think that many realized these options were increasingly unsafe, and some folks probably got thrown in jail. IslamicMarriage.com is owned by the World Singles group. Other World Singles sites include ArabWorld, IranianPersonals and EligibleGreeks. Observers say that the jihadists’ use of the dating site may suggest it is becoming harder for IS members to find people to marry. The number of mainly young Western and North African women traveling to Syria to marry fighters appears to have gone down, they say. It is not clear how many Western women have traveled to the area to become jihadi brides. Britain’s Institute of Strategic Dialogue estimates the number at about 500.   VOA's Jamie Dettmer reported this story from London. It was adapted for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.  ________________________________________________________________   Words in This Story   matchmaking - n. the act of trying to bring two people together so that they will marry each other recruit  - v. ​to find suitable people and get them to join a company, an organization, the armed forces, etc.​ jihadi - n. a person involved in a jihad; an Islamic militant. profile  - n. ​(on a social media website or application) a user's summary of their personal details ​ date  - v. ​to do an activity with someone you have or might have a romantic relationship with : to go on a date or several dates with (someone)​ option  - n. ​the opportunity or ability to choose something or to choose between two or more things​  

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UN: Protectionism Threatens Asia's Economic Growth

A United Nations report is warning that economic growth in Asian countries “faces significant risk” from rising levels of trade protectionism.   It says experts are especially worried about United States’ trade policies with important trading partners such as China. The U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) report mainly says good things about Asian economies. Such countries are now responsible for about 30 percent of all trade worldwide. The report noted that the percentage could rise to 50 percent by 2050 if the economies continue expanding. Asia’s export-led growth has helped millions of people escape poverty over the past 70 years. Many of the exported products are sold in the United States and Europe. But the U.N. report notes that in recent years, Asian economies have begun to depend on domestic demand because of the “prolonged weakness in external demand and global trade.” The U.N. economists are predicting that Asian economies will grow at a rate of close to 5 percent in 2017. They expect China’s economy to expand 6.5 percent this year, with India’s growing by 7.1 percent. The report described economic conditions in China as ‘stable.’ And Russia’s economy is expected to grow because of higher oil prices. But the report says trade protectionism could affect employment and economic growth. It described trade protectionism as “the most significant risk to the broadly positive economic outlook.” It noted recent changes in U.S. policies on trade, monetary exchange rates and immigration. And it said negotiations on Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union have increased concerns in many countries. The report said those worried could have a bad effect on Asia, including China’s goods exports and India’s services exports.” During the U.S. election campaign last year, Donald Trump was very critical of China’s trade and monetary policies. But after his election as president, Trump became less critical because he wanted support from China to stop North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons. Shamshad Akhtar is the executive secretary of UNESCAP. She says the debate over protectionism and “distrust of globalization” need to be discussed. The UNESCAP report said growing global trade has helped many areas over the years. But opposition to globalization is growing in the United States, Europe and other areas. People there are critical of free trade policies, and companies moving jobs to overseas markets. The writers of the report warned of reduced economic growth in major developing countries if trade protectionism and global insecurity increase. They predicted a lowering of the growth rates by up to 1.2 percentage points. The report noted that the Asia Pacific region remains “the engine of global growth.” But it said pay inequality is increasing and good jobs are difficult to find. It noted environmental damage was a major concern in some countries following years of economic expansion. It said the growth came at a huge cost to the environment. I’m Mario Ritter.   Ron Corben reported this story from Bangkok for VOA News. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow 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   domestic – adj. of or related to a country, especially one’s own country external – adj. of or connected with the outside part of something global – adj. of or related to the whole world stable – adj. firmly established; not changing outlook – n. the way that an individual or a group of people think about something globalization – n. the development of an increasingly international economy

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Movie Fans Excited for 'The Dark Tower' and 'The Defenders'

This is What’s Trending Today. People who enjoy comic books and science fiction have an exciting summer ahead. The trailer videos for the film “The Dark Tower” and the show “The Defenders” were both released on Wednesday. Many people have been watching and talking about the videos online. “The Dark Tower” stars Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. The story is based on eight books by American horror and fantasy writer Stephen King. Elba plays the hero, known as “The Gunslinger.” McConaughey plays the villain – or bad guy -- known as “The Man in Black.” King released the first book in the series in 1982. The most recent one came out in 2012. The movie comes out in theaters in August. Some fans of “The Dark Tower” complained about the new movie trailer. They wrote on social media that it gave away too much of the story. The website The Verge wrote that “The Dark Tower” does not exactly follow the books. It actually begins around the time when King’s book series ends. King has said the series was inspired by the fantasy of “The Lord of the Rings” series and movies about the Old West, like “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly,” which came out in 1966 and starred Clint Eastwood. “The Defenders” is a new Netflix series. It comes out on August 18. Fans are excited to see their comic book heroes Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Daredevil and Iron Fist work together to solve a mystery in New York City. Sigourney Weaver plays Alexandra, the series’ villain. Fans of “The Defenders” found something to complain about, too. They said that August 18 seems like too long of a wait. You do not have to wait that long for the start of America’s summer movie season, however. It begins this weekend, with the release of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” The film is the sequel to the movie that introduced people to “Star-Lord,” “Gamora,” and “Groot.” The first “Guardian of the Galaxy” came out in 2014. It sold about $800 million in tickets worldwide. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   trailer – n. a selected group of scenes that are shown to advertise a movie sequel – n. a book, movie, etc., that continues a story begun in another book, movie, etc. galaxy – n. any one of the very large groups of stars that make up the universe villain – n. a character in a story, movie, etc., who does bad things complain – v. to say or write that you are unhappy, sick, uncomfortable, etc., or that you do not like something fantasy – n. something that is produced by the imagination : an idea about doing something that is far removed from normal reality ugly – adj. very bad or unpleasant

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America's Presidents - Zachary Taylor

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The Blue Hotel by Stephen Crane, Part Two

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Met Gala 2017

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art opened its doors for the Met Gala this week. It is a yearly event to raise money for the museum's Costume Institute. The Met Gala is the most important event of the year for the fashion industry.

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