Summer Volunteer Opportunities in London

In the heart of the Baihe National Nature Reserve in Sichuan province, approximately 1,700 wild Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys live happily in their natural habitat. Protecting them day and night are committed rangers.

Leading this effort is Tang Yulin, 56, the team leader of the Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Research and Monitoring Center. His family has a long history with the reserve. His granduncle was one of the first staff members when the reserve was established in 1963, and his father also worked there. Inspired by their dedication, Tang Yulin became a third-generation forest ranger in 1990 at the age of 22.

In his early years, the reserve lacked electricity, and the rough mountain terrain (地形) made patrols difficult. Tang Yulin would wake up at 3:30 am, prepare his meals in the dark, and start his patrols at 4 am to observe the monkeys before they woke up. He spent nearly 200 days each year in the mountains, often building temporary shelters when he couldn't return the same day. Over time, he became an expert on the reserve's plants and animals, helping researchers with their work.

In recent years, the reserve's infrastructure has improved, making patrols easier. The monkeys have also become more comfortable around humans, with over 140 research monkeys relocated to lower-altitude areas near rivers, where they now thrive. Today, the reserve has the highest density of these monkeys in the country, making it a perfect place to observe them in the wild.

Inspired by Tang Yulin, his nephew Tang Xiaogang became a ranger in 2019, continuing the family's legacy as fourth-generation guardians. “Seeing the monkeys thrive here is my greatest honor,” Tang Yulin says. “A bond of trust has formed between us.” In the misty mountains, Tang Yulin and his team work tirelessly to protect the harmony between nature and humanity for future generations.

Coleus (彩叶草) is truly a standout in the plant world. Its leaves display an astonishing variety of colors, making it a game-changer in garden design, much like how the right decoration elements can transform a living space. Chris Baker, an enthusiast coleus breeder, has a long-standing bond with these plants. His journey with coleus traces back to the cuttings his grandmother was nurturing on the kitchen window, their vivid colors leaving a lasting mark on him.

Baker’s path to becoming a coleus breeder was far from straightforward. After his ambitions of a music career faded, he took on different jobs. Eventually, a job in a greenhouse led him to his true calling. The sight of seedlings emerging from self-sown seeds inspired him to study hybridization. At first, he painstakingly used magnifying glasses (放大镜) and paintbrushes for pollination, but later discovered that bees could do the job just as well, if not better.

The International Coleus Society has documented over 1, 800 named plant varieties, with an estimated 400-500 available commercially. Instead of taking the easy way out and sourcing from suppliers, Baker dedicated himself to breeding his own unique varieties. His greenhouse is home to around 50 of his self-developed coleus. Modern breeders, including Baker, focus on more than just leaf color. They’re also interested in traits like leaf size, shape, and the plant’s growth habits. Baker has successfully bred coleus that can tolerate more sunlight and have a denser growth pattern.

Coleus’s genetic diversity provides countless opportunities for gardeners to create stunning displays. Moreover, the unique colors and patterns of coleus can also be used to create eye-catching plant combinations.

For example, pairing a bright red-leaved coleus with some delicate white flowers can enhance the garden’s color contrast. Additionally, coleus plants are relatively easy to care for, making them a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

For over a century, U.S. food manufacturers have added synthetic dyes (合成染料) to their products. They do this to make mass-produced foods seem fresh, natural, or more eye-catching, like the bright blue of a “blue raspberry Slurpee” or the vivid red of “Flamin' Hot Cheetos”. However, this practice has faced ongoing controversy and government regulations. A prime example is the FDA's ban on red dye No. 3 for potential cancer risks, showing how food coloring is a complex issue with diet consequences.

The color of food has a big impact on our eating decisions. Devina Wadhera from Arizona State University says that sight is our first sense when evaluating food. Our initial judgment of food is based on its appearance, making color a key factor in our overall assessment.

Back in the late 19th century, food producers understood the importance of visual appeal in marketing. Synthetic dyes helped solve the problem of color loss during production and made foods more attractive. For example, in the mid-20th century, cake mix companies promoted colorful icing. It made cakes look better and let home bakers show their creativity, demonstrating color's role in enhancing food's marketability.

Our associations between food colors and flavors are learned. Super-red snacks are often thought of as spicy. Also, different cultures have various color associations, and generally, more vivid colors are linked to stronger flavors. Moreover, the context can change how we perceive the connection between food colors and flavors. Charles Spence from the University of Oxford notes that the same-colored liquid can be seen as different things in different settings. The colors related to food presentation also affect our eating behavior, influencing our choices and portion sizes unconsciously.

In short, food color significantly impacts our eating experiences. Recognizing this can help us make better food choices and understand the complex relationship between our senses and diet. We should be more aware of its influence and be more careful when choosing food.

How to Improve Your Study Efficiency

Improving study efficiency is a common goal for students, but it requires more than just spending long hours with books. Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your study time.

Before you start studying, it’s important to know what you want to achieve. Setting clear, specific goals helps you stay focused and motivated. For example, instead of saying, “I’ll study math, ” you could say, “I’ll complete 10 algebra problems by 5 PM. ” 【小题1】 . Setting realistic goals also helps you measure your progress and stay motivated.

A well-organized schedule can prevent last-minute cramming (临时抱佛脚) and reduce stress. Divide your study time into manageable chunks, and include short breaks to keep your mind fresh. Research shows that studying in intervals of 25-30 minutes with 5-minute breaks can significantly improve focus. 【小题2】 .

Distractions like smartphones, social media, and noisy environments can severely impact your concentration. Turn off notifications, find a quiet place to study, and consider using apps that block distracting websites during study sessions. 【小题3】 .

【小题4】 . Passive reading and highlighting are not enough. Engage with the material by summarizing key points, asking questions, and teaching the content to someone else. Active learning techniques like these help you understand and remember information better.

Regular review is essential for long-term memory. 【小题5】 . Spaced repetition, where you review information at increasing intervals, has been proven to enhance memory and learning efficiency. This method ensures that you retain information over time without feeling overwhelmed.

By following these tips, you can improve your study efficiency and achieve better results with less stress. Remember, it's not just about how much time you spend studying, but how effectively you use that time.

When Clara was in first grade, she always brought lunch to school. But one day, there was an unexpected _________. She had to get a hot lunch from the cafeteria.

When Clara got in line, she noticed that other kids were _________ their student ID numbers on a keypad. But because it’s her first time to _________ a school lunch, she couldn’t remember her number. When it’s her _________, Clara froze, feeling _________ like everyone was watching her. In _________, she began to cry uncontrollably.

The worker at the register and a few friends attempted to _________ her, but Clara couldn’t cease her crying and _________ onto the floor. That’s when another lunch worker _________. The woman gently lifted Clara to her feet and seemed to know exactly what to do.

She helped Clara remember her number and __________ get her lunch. Clara felt comforted in her presence. And then, Clara was brought to her table, given a __________, and told she would be alright.

The worker’s kindness left a(n) __________ impression on Clara. Years later, Clara still recalls that day. She realizes that even a small action can have a huge __________.

Now, Clara pays it forward by helping classmates, __________ friends, and being there for others. She hopes her actions will inspire more people to spread kindness and __________ that a simple action can be meaningful to someone.