The Limitations of Memorization and Quiet Study Places

  If you are like many language learners, you try to memorize lists of vocabulary words and grammar rules. Perhaps you test yourself by using flash cards or answering questions from a website for language learners. Even with all of that memorization, do you think that something might be missing from your studies? Do you like to study in a coffee shop, or at a table in a busy room? Perhaps you have found a good place for language learning without knowing it. In our Education report today, we will explore the limitations of memorization. We will also discover how the best learning does not always take place in the classroom -- or even in a quiet library. Memorization outside of the classroom Barbara Oakley is a professor of engineering at Oakland University in Michigan. She teaches the most popular Massive Open Online Course in the world. It is called Learning How to Learn.   Oakley says that when language learners study outside of class, they often work on memorizing many words and terms. A common method when learning a foreign language is to make flash cards. Flash cards can be a useful tool for testing yourself and improving your memory of new words. We have discussed testing yourself in other education stories. Yet Oakley has mixed feelings about the usefulness of flash cards and vocabulary lists. She says the cards can help learners remember words. However, they may not help language learners put words together in new ways. Medical students, Oakley says, have to remember large amounts of information. But even the best memorizers at American medical schools can have trouble explaining how the heart works – even if they have memorized every part of the heart.  "Some of these same superstar memorizers can actually find themselves struggling when they are, for example, sitting down and trying to learn about how the heart functions. That's a very different kind of learning than sitting and memorizing a list of anatomical terms. You can memorize every part of a heart, but have no idea of how the chambers are interacting with one another, how the blood is flowing through and how that relates to the rest of the body. And that takes kind of a different way of looking at the materials." What can you do? If memorization is not enough to completely learn something, what can you do? One idea comes from the Cognitive and Academic Language Learning Approach, also known as CALLA. One of its successful study methods is called seek opportunities to practice. In this method, students look for new and different ways to use what they have been studying. Language learners could look for chances to practice with a local language group, on an internet chat forum, at a café, and so on. By seeking out different places to practice, the learner must express his or her thoughts in a second language. The learner will also have to put words together in new ways. Learning outside of the classroom Another common problem, Oakley says, is that students mistakenly believe that sitting in a classroom is the only way people can learn a new language. She herself studied Russian in college, but said she really only started to learn the language while working on a Russian ship as a translator. "It isn't just book learning or conventional learning through a classroom that we acquire knowledge," Oakley said. She adds that some students have study habits that do not help them learn. "Learning is not the same as studying," says a line in Mindshift, Oakley's new book.   The Learning Center at the University of North Carolina notes that many students believe that reading in a quiet room is the best way to study. "Active studying does not mean highlighting or underlining text, re-reading, or rote memorization," says a statement on the center's website. It adds, "Silence isn't golden....The silence of a library may not be the best place for you." Oakley suggests language learners study in places that have noise.  "Sometimes it can help to study in an environment where there is a little bit of occasional noise. By that, I mean the perfect example is a coffee shop... When you get that little clank – there's a bit of a cup goes against a dish... what that does is to momentarily shift you into a different neural network. And that different neural network is a bit longer range. And momentarily it helps you step back and look with a different perspective on what you are working on." Closing thoughts The point of this story is not to make you worried about your study methods. The point is to propose a few ideas to you. First, learning is more than just memorization. Memorization is one step – of many – in the learning process. Second, classrooms are not the only place you can learn. Look for other places to practice and learn. Finally, consider how you study carefully. You may not need to sit alone in a silent room to study. In fact, other places might be better for you. Many people can study well in places like a living room, surrounded by the noise of their family members. Others can read on a noisy train or bus. The learning process is not easy. However, thinking carefully about new, creative ways to learn and study can make the process much more fun for you! I'm John Russell.  And I'm Ashley Thompson.    John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   vocabulary – n. the words that make up a language flash card – n. a card that has words, numbers, or pictures on it and that is used to help students learn about a subject library – n. a place where books, other publications and recordings are kept for public use, but are not sold function – v. to work or operate chamber – n. a natural or artificial enclosed space or cavity practice – v. to perform work repeatedly so as become skilled at something translator – n. a person who changes words (written or spoken) in one language into a different language highlight – v. to bring attention to something rote – adj. the process of learning something by repeating it many times without thinking about it or fully understanding it neural – adj. of, relating to, or involving a nerve or the nervous system  

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July 11, 2017

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

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10 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The United Nations Cultural Organization (UNESCO) meets each year to choose the latest additions to its World Heritage List. This week, the World Heritage Committee made its new choices during a meeting in Krakow, Poland. The group chooses World Heritage locations based on historical and cultural importance, as well as their natural beauty.     We’ve put together a list of 10 of the new World Heritage sites from across the world. Yazd, Iran The ancient city of Yazd, in central Iran, is one of the world’s largest cities of adobe building construction. UNESCO said Yazd is a good example of a desert city using limited resources to survive for thousands of years. The city managed to escape the kind of modernization that has destroyed many similar traditional towns.  Aphrodisias, Turkey Located in southwestern Turkey, Aphrodisias is known as the city of Aphrodite – the Greek goddess of love. It served as the capital of the ancient Roman province of Caria. The city is known for its many works of sculpture and rich sources of marble.  Asmara, Eritrea Asmara is the capital of Eritrea, in northeast Africa. UNESCO called Asmara an unusual example of “early modernist urbanism" in early 20th century Africa. Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site is an old stone wharf built for the landing of African slaves in South America beginning in 1811. UNESCO calls the site “the most important physical trace of the arrival of African slaves on the American continent.” Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura – Germany Ancient caves in southwestern Germany’s Swabian Jura date back to the Ice Age. Ancient instruments and carvings made from mammoth ivory were discovered in the caves. Also, a 40,000-year-old figure was discovered that historians say is the oldest known image of a human. English Lake District – United Kingdom The English Lake District is located in a mountainous area in northwest England. Deep valleys formed by glaciers in the Ice Age were largely shaped by agricultural activities. Nature and humans created a harmonious combination of mountains and water, UNESCO said. Taputapuatea – French Polynesia Taputapuatea, in French Polynesia, is on an island in the South Pacific. It contains a former religious center made up of stone buildings dating back 1,000 years. The island is full of green plant life and stone formations, surrounded by beautiful blue waters. Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia In the Khmer language, the name of this ancient temple site in central Cambodia means “the temple in the richness of the forest.” UNESCO describes some elements as “true masterpieces.” Los Alerces National Park, Argentina Los Alerces National Park is in the Andes Mountains in southwestern Argentina. Glacial activity over time has created spectacular landscapes and clear water lakes. UNESCO said the area includes protected parts of the Patagonian Forest left in “an almost pristine state.” Landscapes of Dauria – Mongolia and Russian Federation The Landscapes of Dauria are shared between Mongolia and Russia. The area serves as an example of an extreme dry and wet climate creating a wide variety of animals and ecosystems. This produces many different rare and threatened life forms.   I’m Bryan Lynn. And I'm Jill Robbins.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on information from UNESCO, the Associated Press and Reuters. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Which of these places have you visited? Which would like to visit? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   marble – n. kind of stone often used in buildings and statues urbanism – n. development and planning of cities wharf – n. area next to a sea or river where goods arrive from ships trace – n. the way something has developed over time carving – n. a carved object usually made of wood glacier – n. large areas of ice formed from falling snow and building up over the years harmonious – adj. peaceful or pleasant masterpiece – n. great work of art, such as a book, painting, piece of music, etc. pristine – adj. in perfect condition ecosystem – n. everything that exists in a particular environment  

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Do You Know Your Italian Meats?

This is What’s Trending Today. David Brooks writes opinion pieces for the New York Times newspaper. His pieces often deal with politics, human relationships and education. They appear in the paper’s op-ed page, across from the editorials. In one recent column, Brooks wrote about what happens to young people when they leave school and are faced with life’s long-term decisions. Another article suggested it is too easy to break promises today. People will make plans two or three days before a big event, he wrote. Then when the time comes, they have no trouble sending a text message saying they changed their minds. But no recent David Brooks op-ed piece received as much attention as the one published on Tuesday. It was called “How We Are Ruining America.” Brooks was the number one trending topic on Twitter Tuesday. His article deals with education. He says wealthier people in the United States, mostly those with a college education, do everything they can to make sure their children become wealthy and well-educated. He notes: “As soon as they get money, they turn it into investments in their kids.” All that is fine, he argues. But there is a problem when wealthy and intelligent people actively work to make sure other people do not reach the same level of success. Brooks notes there are physical barriers, like good schools only being within wealthy communities. But there are also social barriers that keep some people from improving their lives. Brooks discovered one example of this kind of social barrier when meeting with a friend who did not finish college. They went to an Italian sandwich store for a meal. Brooks said his friend felt uneasy with the choice of foods. She did not know about two specially-made kinds of meat: soppressata and capicollo. Brooks said he and his friend went to a Mexican restaurant instead. Brooks said when places like the sandwich shop become popular, it keeps people with limited cultural experiences from moving into the upper-middle class. His column provoked many comments on social media. One person said he did not need a college education to know about lunch meat. Another said he has an advanced degree from a university and still had to look up the meaning of capicollo. Liza Sweeney wrote that Brooks’ friend must have thought paying $15 for a ham sandwich was absurd.  And Jessica Blankenship decided the main thing she learned from the op-ed piece was that Brooks is not a good friend. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Do you know about Italian meats? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   column – n. a newspaper or magazine story that is written by a particular writer provoke – v. to make (something) happen absurd – n. extremely foolish, or unreasonable editorial – n. a report with the opinions of the publishers of a newspaper kid – n. a child sandwich – n. two or more pieces of bread having a filling in between

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New Games Teaches Children to Write Computer Code Creatively

  A common belief is that people who write computer code must be good at math and logic. However, software engineers say that creativity is also an important quality for coding. Software developers in the American state of California, have created a game called Osmo Coding Jam. The game is designed to help children use the creative side of their minds as they learn to code. Children can play the game on tablets. In one activity, they make music by moving physical tiles with symbols. The tablet then reads the combination of tile symbols as commands to execute and create music. Tanya Dodge is the mother of two children, nine-year-old Dylan and his 11-year-old sister Meghan, who play the game. According to her, these activities give them important skills for the future. "It's an analytical skill that the kids are going to need to have as they grow up in this new era," said Dodge. More than analytical But the developers of Osmo Coding Jam believe writing code should be more than just an analytical skill. "We want to explore the creative side of coding that I think is often not as explored," said Felix Hu, an Osmo engineer. Eric Uchalik is art director and visual artist at Osmo. He said, "It (the game) kind of actually looks to LEGO® as a great example of things that kids like to build with, and so in this case instead of building a house or a castle, they're building lines of code.” LEGO®’s are toys made of building blocks that can connect together. The artistic connection Hu said, “the coolest part is that we're teaching kids how to be creative with code and that's a really important thing that kids should get comfortable with because coding is creative.” He also sees a growing number of parents who feel that software code is a second language that children need to learn to succeed in future jobs. Tanya Dodge, the mother of Dylan and Meghan, agrees. She said, "I think in every aspect of at least the careers I see going forward, you're going to have to understand at some point the concept of coding.” "A big part of the way that technology is changing and becoming more engaging is because, I think, we're adding that artistic piece to it. That it's not just code and pressing buttons but the experience of it, and you can't successfully do that in my opinion without having a connection to that artistic piece," Tanya Dodge said. Hu also explained that when children learn coding, it helps them understand how computers work. "I think very often kids grow up not understanding how computers work or just thinking that it's like some magical device, but by breaking it down to a lower level, kids can understand that devices aren't as smart as they think they are." "We don't want to create just workers, we want to create creators," Uchalik added. I’m Phil Dierking.   Elizabeth Lee reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted her report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. Would you want your children to learn how to write computer code? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   analytical - adj. of or relating to the careful study of something​ code - n. a set of laws or regulations​ era - n. a period of time that is associated with a particular quality, event, person, etc.​ magic - n. tricks that seem to be impossible and that are done by a performer to entertain people​ manipulate - v. to move or control (something) with your hands or by using a machine​

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Meet the Man Who Directs Rebel Violence in the Philippines

  Philippine government troops have been fighting Muslim rebels in the country’s south for two months.  The troops are searching for a man wanted for his leadership of a terrorist group for the past 20 years. He is wanted in both the Philippines and the United States. Troops believe Isnilon Totoni Hapilon may be hiding in the heavily damaged city of Marawi. Troops attacked the city in late May because they feared his historically violent group -- Abu Sayyaf -- was joining with another rebel group. Hapilon thought to be in Marawi area Hapilon’s death or capture would end the influence of a man who has helped lead Abu Sayyaf since 1997. The group is known for kidnapping foreigners and executing some of them. Some observers believe he has recently tried to extend his influence to other Muslim anti-government rebels to earn respect from the Islamic State group. The Counter Extremism Project says Abu Sayyaf operates from the Sulu Sea islands in the mostly Muslim southern Philippines. U.S. wants Hapilon The United States brought charges against Hapilon after Abu Sayyaf kidnapped 20 people in 2001 and cut off the head of an American. The U.S. government will pay up to $5 million for information that helps in the capture or jailing of the 51-year-old man. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says Hapilon might be able to travel to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. The FBI says he successfully completed an engineering study program at the University of the Philippines. But Philippine media report that the university has no record of him. In June, the media reported that President Rodrigo Duterte said the country would pay about $344,000 for the “neutralization” of Hapilon. Following Hapilon’s movements Eduardo Araral teaches at the National University of Singapore, but grew up on the Philippine island of Mindanao. He says Hapilon is “a legend for his exploits in kidnapping high-profile tourists and as a result he’s got lots of money, and money has bought him a lot of guns and followers.” The Counter Extremism Project say Hapilon has moved to the Philippine province of Lanao del Sur to create an Islamic State caliphate. Three years ago, Hapilon said he would support the Islamic State. Last year the group declared he was its “emir” in Southeast Asia. Establish ties with other Muslim groups By May, Hapilon had reached Marawi, a mostly Muslim city and home to 200,000 people. He had planned to establish ties to a four-year-old militant organization called the Maute Group. Government officials say that is why they sent troops to the city. An armed forces spokesman reported last Friday that 353 “terrorists” and 87 government troops have died in the fighting. Ramon Casiple is the head of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform in the Philippines. He says Hapilon wants to work with the Maute Group to extend the influence of Abu Sayyaf and win praise from the Islamic State (ISIS). “Marawi is actually the first coordinated operation that they have and it’s more propaganda than anything else,” Casiple said. “At this point in time, they’re trying to convince ISIS they can really represent all of Southeast Asia. Because of his Abu Sayyaf background, he already has contacts with the Al-Qaida network in Southeast Asia.” Thousands have died Eduardo Araral notes that if Hapilon is captured or killed, Abu Sayyaf would go through a time of “splintering.” Experts say 19 other Muslim rebel groups also operate around the Sulu Sea and Mindanao, where terror-related violence has caused the deaths of about 120,000 people since the 1960s. Ethnic Moro followers of Islam who reached Mindanao centuries ago resent the country’s Christian majority. The Muslims believe they do not have the same rights as Philippine Christians. The southern part of the country has been poor for years. Anger about this has produced some of the rebel groups. I’m Jonathan Evans.   Ralph Jennings in Taipei reported this story for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the 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   neutralize – v. to stop (someone or something) from being effective or harmful legend – n. a famous or important person who is known for doing something extremely well exploit – v. to get value or use from (something); o use (someone or something) in a way that helps you unfairly high-profile – adj. attracting a lot of attention caliphate – n. the area ruled by a caliph; the rule or reign of a caliph or chief Muslim ruler. background – n. the experiences, knowledge, education, etc., in a person’s past splinter – v. to divide or split a group of people into smaller groups resent – v. to be angry or upset about (someone or something that you think is unfair)  

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Lesson 31: Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Summary Anna wants to go to see a baseball game. The question is: what is the fastest way for her to get there? Her friends Jonathan and Ashley give her advice. Speaking In this video, learn to say the new words for this lesson. You can also learn about ​comparative adjectives like "faster," and superlative adjectives like "fastest." Pronunciation Use this video to learn about pronouncing "than" in sentences with comparative adjectives. Conversation   Anna: Hi, there, sports fans! Baseball is America’s sport. Today, I am going to Nationals Park. It is home to Washington, D.C.’s baseball team -- the Washington Nationals! Anna: Hi, Jonathan! Jonathan: Hi, Anna! Where are you going? Anna: I am taking a bus to a Nationals baseball game! Jonathan: Don’t take the bus. A taxi is faster than a bus. Anna: Oh, good idea. You know I love baseball. Jonathan: That’s great. Have fun. Anna: In fact, I wanted to be a baseball player. Jonathan: Is this one of your memories? I’m really busy. Anna: This won’t take long. I can see it now... I am at home plate. I wait for the pitch. The ball comes. I swing. It’s a hit! I run to first base, second base, third base, then home plate. It’s a home run! The crowd cheers! Woo hoo! Jonathan: You really love baseball. Have fun at the game, Anna. Anna: Thanks, Jonathan.Taxi! Ashley: Hi, Anna. Where are you going? Anna: Hi, Ashley. I am going to see a Nationals baseball game! Ashley: What time is the game? Anna: 7 o’clock. Ashley: Do you have a ticket? Anna: No, not yet. Ashley: Anna, you should go a lot earlier than 7 o’clock. Anna: That is why I’m taking a taxi. Taxi! Ashley: Anna, Anna, that’s not a good idea. A bicycle is faster than a taxi. Anna: Oh, Ashley. Ashley, Ashley, Ashley. A car is faster than your bicycle. Ashley: In D.C. traffic sometimes a bicycle is faster than a car. And right now, there is a lot of traffic. Anna: Good point. But I don’t have a bicycle. Ashley: Okay, Anna, you can use my bicycle. Anna: Thanks! I really want to learn how to ride one. Ashley: What do you mean, learn how to ride a bike? Oh, Anna! Anna, Anna! Ashley: You know, Anna, the Metro is faster than a taxi and a bicycle. You ought to take the Metro. It’s that way. Anna: Good idea. Ashley: OK. Anna: See you later! Ashley: Bye, Anna! Anna: Bye! Anna: The Metro was a lot faster than a bus, taxi or bike. And now I’m at Nationals Park! Look at all these fans! So many people like to watch baseball. There’s the ticket window. What? The tickets are sold out? Nooooooo!Nooooooo! But I really want to watch a baseball game. Does anyone have an extra ticket? Fan: Next time, you should buy your ticket online. Anna: Thanks. Thanks a lot. It is good advice. Being early is better than being late. Until next time … Writing Do you like to watch sports? Where do you watch them? Write to tell us about a game you saw. Try to use some of the words from this lesson, like ticket, crowd, fans, and cheer.  Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice using comparative and superlative adjectives with a friend. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Visualize. Visualize means creating an image in your mind. When learning a new language, we can visualize to help us understand what we are learning. In this week's video, Anna visualizes playing a baseball game. You can also say she imagines playing the game. Jonathan listens and makes an image in his own mind. He understands that Anna loves baseball. He says, "You really love baseball. Have fun at the game, Anna." Do you ever visualize when listening to or reading English? Write to us about it in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan  for more details on teaching this strategy. Quiz Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz. ​______________________________________________________________ New Words base - n. any one of the four places a runner must touch in order to score in baseball baseball - n. a game played on a large field by two teams of nine players who try to score runs by hitting a small ball with a long rounded stick and then running to each of the four places a runner must touch in order to score without being put out better - adj. more attractive, appealing, effective or useful bicycle/bike - n. a 2-wheeled vehicle that a person rides by pushing on foot pedals cheer(s) - v. to shout with joy, approval, or enthusiasm crowd - n. a large group of people who are together in one place earlier -adv. before the usual or expected time extra - adj. more than is usual or necessary fan(s) - n. a person who likes and admires someone, such as a famous person, or something, such as a sport or a sports team, in a very enthusiastic way faster - adv. with great speed hit - v. to cause a ball to move by hitting it forcefully with a bat in baseball; hit - n. when a baseball player is able to successfully swing the bat and connect it with the ball home plate - n. the base that a runner must touch in order to score in baseball home run - n. a hit that allows the batter to go around all the bases and score a run in baseball Nationals Park - n. a baseball park located in Washington, D.C. that is the home ballpark for the Washington Nationals baseball team online - n. done over the Internet pitch - v. to throw a ball to the player who is trying to hit the ball in baseball swing - v. to move your arms while holding the long rounded stick that is used to hit the ball in baseball with a quick, curving motion team - n. a group of people who compete in a sport or game against another group than - conj. used to introduce the second or last of two or more things or people that are being compared — used with the comparative form of an adjective or adverb ticket - n. a piece of paper that allows you to see a show, participate in an event, travel on a vehicle window - n. an opening in a wall or door that usually contains a sheet of glass ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials   Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice using comparative adjectives and learn more about baseball. For Teachers ​ See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus:   Comparatives: faster, earlier Topics:  Making comparisons; Asking for & giving advice Learning Strategy: Visualize Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Using comparative and superlative adjectives; Pronouncing reduced "than" in comparative sentences ______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

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Google Doodle Honors Swedish Potato Scientist Eva Ekeblad

  This is What’s Trending Today. Many people around the world have been learning about Eva Ekeblad, a Swedish food scientist. She was born on July 10, 1724. Monday would have been her 293rd birthday. Ekeblad is the subject of the latest “doodle” to appear on the search engine Google’s home page. Google doodles are drawings that celebrate a person or event. They appear as part of Google’s official logo. On Monday, Ekeblad was the most-searched person or topic on Google. Her doodle included a cutting board used for cooking. A potato and potato flour were on the board. The peeled skins of a potato spelled out the word “Google.” So, why potatoes? It turns out that, more than 200 years ago, Ekeblad began working to make potatoes a more important part of the human diet. For a long time, potatoes were not thought to be good for humans to eat. Ekeblad heard that potatoes were being used to make alcohol in Germany. She then started growing and experimenting with potatoes herself. And in 1746, she discovered that potatoes could be turned into something similar to flour. This required boiling, mashing and drying the potatoes.   As a result of Ekeblad’s work, people began using potatoes to make things like bread and even alcohol. Today, many well-known vodkas are still made with potatoes. Ekeblad’s research on potatoes helped reduce famine in Sweden. Using potatoes instead of cereal grains to make alcohol meant more grains were available to make bread and other food. When she was just 24 years old, Ekeblad submitted her work to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. She became its first female member. It would be 200 years before another woman would be accepted into the society. Many Twitter users learned about Ekeblad for the first time on Monday. They praised her work.     Google users in North America, parts of South America, Australia, Indonesia, India, Russia and parts of Europe saw the Eva Ekeblad doodle. Sometimes, though, Google makes doodles that only appear in a few countries. For example, doodles in recent weeks celebrated Argentina National Day; the 660th anniversary of the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic; the Japanese summer festival called Tanabata; and British airplane pilot Amy Johnson. To look at the entire archive of Google doodles, go to http://ift.tt/2v5dZsr. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. What do you think about Eva Ekeblad’s discovery? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.   ____________________________________________________________   Words in This Story mash – v. to make (something, such as a type of food) into a soft mass by beating it or crushing it vodka – n. a strong, clear alcoholic drink that is originally from Russia doodle – n. to draw something without thinking about what you are doing logo – n. a symbol that is used to identify a company and that appears on its products famine – n. a situation in which many people do not have enough food to eat

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Olive Oil May Protect Our Brain

  From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. The health value of a Mediterranean diet is widely known. Fruits, vegetables and fish are main foods in this diet. Extra-virgin olive oil is also a major part of the Mediterranean diet. And new research shows that it may protect the brain from losing its ability to work properly. Researchers at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania say extra-virgin olive oil "protects memory and learning ability." Extra-virgin olive oil, also called EVOO, can reduce the formation of poisons in the brain that are signs of Alzheimer's disease. But how does it do it? Researchers say olive oil reduces inflammation in the brain. It also activates a cleaning process. This process is called autophagy. Autophagy is when cells break down waste and poisons found between cells and remove them from the body. There are two substances in the brain most closely linked to memory loss in Alzheimer's patients: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary, or tau tangles. What are amyloid plaques and tau tangles? For definitions of both amyloid plaque and tau tangle, we go to experts at New Jersey’s Rutgers University and the U.S.-based Alzheimer's Organization. Amyloid is a protein normally found throughout the body. However, the experts say when amyloid grows abnormally it creates a sticky build-up called plaque outside the nerve cells, or neurons. This abnormal amyloid plaque slowly kills the cells. Tau proteins are common in the central nervous system. Tangles form inside dying neurons. Tangles are twisted fibers of tau protein. Experts from both organizations explain that, normally, every neuron contains long fibers made of protein. These proteins hold the neuron in its proper shape. They also help to transport nutrients within the neuron. However, in brains with Alzheimer's disease, these fibers begin to tangle. This causes the neuron to lose its shape. The neuron also becomes unable to transport nutrients. Over time, it dies. The recent Temple University study Domenico Praticò is the lead researcher of the Temple University study. He says, "brain cells from mice fed diets enriched with extra-virgin olive oil had higher levels of autophagy" and lower levels of the poisons -- the amyloid plaques and tau tangles. For their study, the researchers looked at mice that had three traits of Alzheimer's: memory loss, amyloid plaques, and tau tangles. They put the mice into two groups. Researchers gave one group a diet with extra-virgin olive oil. They gave the other group a diet without EVOO. The olive oil was given to the mice when they were only six months old. This was before any symptoms of Alzheimer's had set in. At age 9 months and 12 months, the mice in the olive oil group performed considerably better on tasks that tested the mice's memory and learning ability. And, the scientists reported differences in the brain tissues of the two groups. The brains of the olive oil group showed a great increase in nerve-cell autophagy. This cell-cleaning process is responsible for the lower levels of the poisons we talked about earlier -- the amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Praticò says that "one thing that stood out immediately was" the strength of the synapses. A synapse is the connection between neurons. It is how they communicate. The synapses in the mice on the EVOO diet were stronger than those in the other group. What's next for these researchers? The researchers say their next step is to see what happens to mice who are given olive oil at 12 months. At that time, they will have already begun to show signs of dementia. Praticò says that patients usually have dementia when they visit a doctor to investigate signs of the disease. He says the researchers "want to know whether olive oil added at a later time in the diet can stop or reverse the disease." The researchers published their findings online in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. And that’s the Health & Lifestyle report. I’m Anna Matteo. _____________________________________________________________ Now, test your understanding by taking this short quiz. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   inflammation – n. a condition in which a part of your body becomes red, swollen, and painful autophagy – n. digestion of cellular constituents by enzymes of the same cell symptom – n. a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease is present enriched – v. to improve the quality of (something) : to make (something) better trait – n. a quality that makes one person or thing different from another fiber – n. a long, thin piece of material that forms a type of tissue in your body tangle – n. a twisted knot of hair, thread, etc. stood out – phrasal verb : to be easily seen or noticed dementia – n. medical : a mental illness that causes someone to be unable to think clearly or to understand what is real and what is not real

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India, Japan, US Launch Naval Exercises

  India, Japan and the United States have sent some of their largest warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean for naval exercises. The yearly exercises have expanded in the past two years. They are a sign of deepening military cooperation among the three countries. In recent years, U.S. and other officials have expressed concerns over Chinese activities not just in South China Sea, but also in the Indian Ocean. The naval operation is the clearest sign of India’s growing security ties with the United States. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed those ties during their talks in Washington last month.   Exercise expands The week-long exercises, called the Malabar exercises, began Monday on the high seas. They involve more than 15 warships, including the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz. Also taking part are the Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, and Japan’s largest warship, the JS Izumo. The main purpose of the operation is training in anti-submarine warfare. A U.S. embassy statement said “The exercise has grown in scope and complexity to address the variety of threats to maritime security in the Indo-Asia Pacific.” In recent months, the Indian Navy has reported an unusual increase in the number of Chinese naval ships in the Indian Ocean. Military observers say at least seven Chinese submarines have entered the Indian Ocean since the end of 2013. Observers believe the activity could be a show of force by the Chinese military.  Chinese financing and assistance for building ports in Pakistan and Sri Lanka has added to Indian concerns about the Chinese naval sightings. Chinese concerns China remains suspicious of the Malabar exercises, notably after they were expanded to include Japan since 2015. The Chinese military believes the exercises are an effort to contain its influence. Earlier this year, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said that his country had no objection to normal cooperation between countries. But he added “We hope that this kind of relationship and cooperation will not be directed against a third country and that it will be conducive to the regional peace and security." The official said the three countries are developing “a coordinated approach … just to be around in the Indian Ocean to just watch how the Chinese navy would be unfolding itself in the coming years.” During the Indian leader’s U.S. visit last month, Trump noted that the security partnership between their countries was “incredibly important.” Both sides promised to expand maritime security cooperation. India has also come increasingly close to Japan over the past two years. During a visit to Tokyo in May, Indian Defense Minister Arun Jaitley said that his country is looking to strengthen military cooperation with Japan. But the Indian government rejected a request by Australia to join the naval exercises. As the exercises began, a tense dispute between India and China showed no signs of easing in the Himalaya Mountains.  Soldiers from the two countries have been on guard for several weeks. Last month, Indian soldiers blocked a Chinese road-building project in a disputed area between China and Bhutan, a close ally of India. China has repeatedly called on India to withdraw its troops, but so far both sides have refused to back down.  I’m Jonathan Evans.   Anjana Pasricha reported this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted her report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   scope – n. level of treatment or influence; the area or amount covered maritime – adj. of or relating to the sea conducive – adj. making easy or possible to something to exist approach – n. a way of dealing with something unfolding – v. developing or spreading slowly   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.  

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Nobel Prize Winner Too Sick to Travel, China Says

Officials of a hospital in China say that Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo is too sick to travel to another country to receive treatment for cancer. Liu was recently moved to the First Hospital of China Medical University in Shenyang for medical treatment. He was diagnosed with very serious liver cancer in May.  Hospital officials say Liu’s blood pressure is falling and his stomach is swollen. They say he is suffering from other problems, as well. Two foreign doctors -- one from the United States and the other from Germany -- met with Liu last week. They said on Sunday he could be moved safely to another country for treatment. They said Liu wanted to go to either Germany or the United States. But, they said the move should happen soon. Since news of Liu’s illness was reported, he has been released on medical parole. Rights groups say Liu’s wife, Liu Xia, and his family members are permitted to be with him, but are not permitted to speak to news media. Police keep the two under close watch. One rights group based in Hong Kong says the two were being pressured to sign a statement saying they support the decision of Chinese doctors that it is “unsafe to move Liu.” On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry asked other countries to, in its words, “respect its sovereignty.” The ministry added that discussing Liu’s treatment overseas represented “interference in its internal affairs.” Video of Liu Xiaobo, family, doctors appears on YouTube Video of Liu and his wife speaking in the hospital has recently appeared on YouTube. Video of the two foreign doctors who met with Liu -- Dr. Joseph M. Herman of the University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center and Dr. Markus Buechler of the University of Heidelberg – have also recently appeared on YouTube. Dr. Buechler protested the posting of the video, saying that security officials seemed to be controlling the process, “not medical experts.” The German embassy also protested the video. He said the presence of the videos hurts trust in how officials are dealing with the case. Officials have strengthened security around the hospital in the city of Shenyang. A reporter from the Voice of America and an assistant said they were questioned and followed by men who claimed to be hospital security guards. They did not have identification, however. The VOA reporter was trying to shoot video outside of the hospital in Shenyang. The reporter also said the men then tried to move him and his assistant away from the area by force. Liu Xiaobo received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 for his support of non-violent efforts for human rights. He helped write a petition known as “Charter 08” calling for political reform in China. In 2009, however, he was sentence to 11 years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power.” He had been in prison since that time until his recent diagnosis with liver cancer. He was then moved to a hospital for treatment. I’m Mario Ritter.   Ye Bing and Bill Ide reported this story for VOA News with contributions from Joyce Huang and Hai Yan. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Do you think Liu Xiaobo should be permitted to travel to a foreign country for treatment? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   swollen,  past participle of swell – v. to become larger than normal parole –n. permission for a prisoner to leave prison before the end of a sentence for good behavior sovereignty –n. a country’s power to govern itself internal – adj. inside affairs –n. work or activities done to carry on person, private or public business petition –n. a document signed by people that shows they want a person, organization or government to do something

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