Lobster shell patterns make concrete stronger

龍蝦殼圖案讓混凝土更堅固

【摘要2021.1.30.自由】◎周虹汶

Inspired by the natural, twisting patterns of a lobster shell, Australian researchers say they have found a way, using 3D printing technology, to improve the strength of concrete for use in complex architecture.

受到龍蝦殼自然、扭曲的圖案啟發，澳洲研究人員說，他們發現了一個方法，使用3D列印技術來改進用於構造複雜的建築混凝土強度。

Reinforced with steel fibres, the concrete becomes more durable when set in a pattern that copies a lobster shell, according to a new study from Melbourne’s RMIT University.

根據墨爾本皇家理工大學一項新研究，用鋼纖增強的混凝土，製成仿龍蝦殼的圖案時，變得更耐用。

Rather than use a mould, the process involves depositing layers of concrete one on top of the other, directed from a computer program using 3D printing technology.

這個過程不用模具，而是在使用3D列印技術的電腦程式指導之下，把混凝土一層層沉積在上面。

“The lobster shell is always something that still amazes me by its very interesting shapes and architectures, and especially (as) the lobster shell is really amazingly very stiff,” lead researcher Jonathan Tran told Reuters. （Reuters）

首席研究員喬納森．特蘭告訴路透，「龍蝦殼一直以其非常有趣的形狀與架構讓我驚豔，特別是龍蝦殼真的硬到讓人訝異。」（路透）

新聞辭典

reinforce：動詞，指加固、強化、進一步證實、增援。例句：Her behaviour merely reinforced my dislike of her.（她的行為只會讓我更討厭她。）

mould：名詞，指黴菌、鑄模、人的性格或類型；動詞，指塑造、力圖改變、施加影響、緊貼身體。例句：His mother kept trying to mould him into something she wanted him to be.（他媽媽一直試圖把他塑造成她希望的樣子。）

stiff：形容詞，指硬挺的、不易彎曲或活動的、身體僵直的、拘謹的、嚴厲的、艱難的；副詞，指極其地、徹底地。例句：She was scared stiff.（她嚇壞了。）

 

增加罹患糖尿病風險達17％ 醫界籲盡快戒除的惡習

 

THE ART OF CONDUCTING - KARL BÖHM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMnUsPCd9i4

【摘要2021.1.30.中時】現有關於糖尿病的研究，已發現約170種危險因素可能導致這項疾病。為了解這些危險因素中，哪些是具有因果關係的危險因素，瑞典研究團隊在回顧逾1,000份科學文獻後發現，相較於睡眠良好的人，缺發睡眠的人因為對於胰島素控制能力變差，或較容易暴飲暴食，罹患糖尿病的風險增加17%；即使維持理想體重，缺乏睡眠的人得到糖尿病的機率還是提升7%。

根據瑞典斯德哥爾摩卡羅林斯卡研究所(Karolinska Institute)，發表於2020年9月《糖尿病》期刊上的論文，糖尿病已成為全球公共衛生問題。根據統計，全球每100名成年人中，就有9人罹患糖尿病。因糖尿病引起的併發症，更造成身體與經濟的嚴重負擔。了解糖尿病的成因，已成為防治該病的關鍵因素。

然而，現有糖尿病研究的文獻臚列170種危險因素，包括飲食、生活習慣與環境等等；受限於研究方法與途徑的限制，僅能證實這些危險因素與糖尿病存在關聯性，而無法證實具因果關係。

為找尋出與糖尿病的罹患存在著因果關係的因子，研究團隊以「孟德爾隨機化研究法」(Mendelian randomisation study)，回顧1,360份針對第二型糖尿病的科學研究。研究樣本數涵蓋來自歐洲各地不同年齡層的100萬成年人；其中，約74,000人患有糖尿病。

結果發現，約19種危險因素與15種保護因素，與糖尿病存在著因果關係；其中，睡眠不足為新發現的危險因素。其他18種危險因素包含憂鬱症、收縮壓異常、開始吸菸、終身吸菸、不正常的BMI值、體脂肪比例過高、內臟脂肪過高等等。此外，研究也發現21項建議危險因素，包含不吃早餐、酒精攝取等等。

至於15種保護因素則包括：高密度脂蛋白膽固醇(俗稱好的膽固醇，HDL)、維持理想總膽固醇、初潮年齡、睪固酮量、性荷爾蒙結合球蛋白水平、出生體重、成年身高、瘦體組織量(lean body mass,適用女性)與教育水平等。

針對睡眠不足，研究發現睡眠不良的人因為調控飢餓與食慾的激素產生變化，讓人容易暴飲暴食，從而增加糖尿病的罹患風險達17%。特別是攝取含糖食品，而這又容易增加肥胖與糖尿病的風險。即使體重正常，睡眠不足的人罹患糖尿病的可能性還是提升7%。

至於為何教育水平能影響糖尿病的染病機率；研究認為，歐洲地區的大學生通常來自較富裕的家庭，從而能獲得更健康的食物，並降低糖尿病風險。

研究團隊建議，人們應該獲得完整且優質的睡眠，戒除熬夜、睡前滑手機等惡習。甚至，預防糖尿病應多管齊下，維持理想體重、戒菸、維持心理健康、受教育與優質的長時間睡眠，都是能讓人遠離疾病的好方法。

 

Model Halima Aden quits runway citing pressure to ’ompromise’ religious beliefs

 

Model Halima Aden quits runway citing pressure to ’ompromise’ religious beliefs／

名模哈莉瑪．艾登以宗教信仰受侵害為由退出伸展台

【摘要2021.1.29.自由】◎張沛元

Muslim model Halima Aden is stepping back from fashion and quitting runway shows entirely after feeling pressured to compromise her religious beliefs, she announced Wednesday.

穆斯林名模哈莉瑪．艾登週三宣布，在自認被迫於個人宗教信仰上做出妥協後，她將徹底退出伸展台走秀。

Aden, the first model to wear a hijab and burkini in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, posted a series of Instagram Stories describing the difficulties she has faced in the "toxic mess called fashion."

艾登是首位戴頭巾與穿女穆斯林泳裝登上《運動畫刊》泳裝專輯的名模，她在一系列的Instagram限時動態貼文中，描述她在「被稱為時尚的有毒混亂」中所面臨的困境。

In the posts, she recounted skipping prayers, wearing clothes she wasn’t comfortable in and styling her hijab in ways she felt betrayed her values.

她在這些貼文中細數自己曾略過禱告、穿上她覺得不自在的衣服，以及頭巾造型讓她覺得背叛個人價值。

Aden also pledged to never take part in runway shows or travel for fashion months again, adding that "that’s where all the bad energy came from."

艾登還誓言再也不參與伸展台走秀或為時尚月出訪，並補充說，「那是一切有害能量的源頭」。

【新聞辭典】

cite：動詞，舉例，引證；引用，引述。

compromise：動詞，妥協，折衷，讓步；放棄；背離，違背，降低；損害，傷害，危及。例句：The patient’s immune system was compromised by the virus.（病人的免疫系統受到病毒的侵害。）

step back：慣用語，退一步，退出，脫離原有圈子（看問題）。例句：The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shocked the world when they announced they were stepping back as senior royals.（英國薩塞克斯公爵伉儷宣布將卸下王室資深成員身分，震撼全球。）

 

Love in the time of the pandemic? ’No thanks’ say Brazil’s divorcing couples

 

在疫情中相愛？巴西離婚夫妻說「不用了謝謝」

【摘要2021.1.28.自由】◎孫宇青

Brazil recorded a record number of divorces during the second half of 2020, the national college of notaries said, as married couples grew sick of one another after long periods of time cooped up at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

巴西全國人公證協會指出，該國離婚對數在2020年下半年創下紀錄，因為在新型冠狀病毒疫情之下，長時間困於家中的夫妻已厭倦彼此。

Latin America’s biggest country, home to the world’s second deadliest outbreak after the United States, recorded 43,859 divorces in the final six months of last year, up 15% compared with the same period in 2019, and the highest total since record-keeping began in 2007.

這個拉丁美洲最大國家的疫情病故人數，在世界上僅次於美國；其去年最後6個月有4萬3859對夫妻離婚，比前年同期上升15％，也是2007年有紀錄以來最高數字。

The college said the total number of divorces for the full year of 2020 was lower than in 2019, but only because notaries were closed during March and April last year amid the first wave of the pandemic.

協會表示，2020全年的離婚總對數比前年低，但這僅是因為協會在去年3至4月第一波疫情爆發時關閉。

However, a tool it rolled out to allow couples to register divorces online drove up numbers, as partners found it easier to officially separate. （Reuters）

然而，協會為了讓夫妻登記離婚而推出的線上工具，助長了離婚對數，因為夫妻發現這麼一來更容易正式分道揚鑣。（路透）

新聞辭典

record：形容詞，創紀錄的。例句：Deflation has reached record levels.（通貨緊縮已創歷史紀錄。）

notary：名詞，公證人。例句：The agreement failed to be verified by a notary.（這項協議未能通過公證人驗證。）

coop up：動詞片語，關在籠中／囚禁起來。例句：He has been cooped up in the storehouse for a week.（他已被關在庫房一週。）

 

Fly south or roost? Canadian ’snowbirds’ weigh Florida mid-pandemic

 

往南飛還是棲息？加拿大「雪鳥」在疫情中考慮是否到佛州過冬

【摘要2021.1.27.自由】◎管淑平

Birds of a feather normally flock together, but the pandemic has divided Canada’s "snowbird" warm weather migrants into two camps：those staying home this winter and those heading to Florida no matter the cost.

通常來說，物以類聚，但是這場疫情已經使加拿大每年遷徙到氣候溫暖區的「雪鳥族」分成兩陣營：待在家鄉過冬，以及不計代價前往佛州者。

Nearly a million Canadians make the annual pilgrimage, fleeing to the southern United States to pass what would otherwise be gray and snowy months with their toes tucked in the sand and ocean breeze in their hair.

每年有將近100萬名加拿大人飛奔到美國南方，享受漫步沙灘、和煦海風吹過髮梢，度過在家鄉會是滿是灰白雪世界的幾個月。

The coronavirus has led a majority to forgo the trip this year － but for those flouting Canada’s repeated calls to stay put, the price tag on winter at the beach has skyrocketed.

新型冠狀病毒導致今年大多數人放棄這趟旅程，但是對那些不顧加拿大一再呼籲不要旅行的人來說，到南方沙灘過冬的代價飛漲。

Each plane ticket costs Can$500 and hauling the vehicle 55 miles across the border sets customers back $1,000. （AFP）

每張機票要500加幣，把車子運送55英里越過邊境，則要花上1000加幣。（法新社）

新聞辭典

birds of a feather：片語，有類似特質或興趣的人。birds of a feather flock together，物以類聚。例句：They will get along, they are birds of a feather.（他們會處得來，他們是一類人。）

stay put：片語，留在原地、不要動。例句：We are told to stay put and wait for a rescue team.（我們被告知留在原地等救援隊。）

set someone back：片語，花（某人）一大筆錢。例句：Buying those shoes must have set you back. （買那些鞋子一定花了你很多錢。）

 

Lost Passwords Lock Millionaires Out of Their Bitcoin Fortunes

 

Lost Passwords Lock Millionaires Out of Their Bitcoin Fortunes

丟失密碼讓百萬富翁無法取得他的比特幣財富

【摘要2021.1.26.自由】◎黃靖媗

Stefan Thomas, a programmer living in San Francisco, has two guesses left to figure out a password that is worth about $220 million.

居於舊金山的程式設計師斯特凡．湯瑪斯只剩下兩次猜測的機會，能找出價值約2.2億美元的密碼。

The password will let him unlock a small hard drive which contains the private keys to a digital wallet that holds 7,002 Bitcoin.

這組密碼能讓他解鎖1枚含有幾把數位錢包私密鑰匙的小硬碟，錢包內裝了7002枚比特幣。

The problem is that Mr. Thomas years ago lost the paper where he wrote down the password for his hard drive, which gives users 10 guesses before it seizes up and encrypts its contents forever. He has since tried eight of his most commonly used password formulations — to no avail.

問題是，湯瑪斯幾年前弄丟了1張他曾寫下硬碟密碼的紙，而硬碟在永久停用並加密內容之前，給使用者10次猜密碼的機會。他已經嘗試了8組他最常用的密碼組合，但都沒有成功。

Of the existing 18.5 million Bitcoin, around 20 percent appear to be in lost or otherwise stranded wallets, according to the cryptocurrency data firm Chainalysis.

加密貨幣數據公司Chainalysis指出，目前有1850萬枚比特幣，約佔20%，處於被遺失或打不開的狀態。

新聞辭典

seize up：片語，故障、不能動。例句：The air condition suddenly seized up this morning.（冷氣在今天早上突然故障了。）

encrypt：動詞，加密。例句：The SD card has been encrypted, so my computer cannot read it.（這張記憶卡已經被加密，所以我的電腦無法讀取它。）

to no avail：片語，無濟於事、完全沒用。例句：They have protested for 3 months but to no avail.（他們已經抗議了3個月，但還是完全沒用。）

 

World’s oldest known cave painting found in Indonesia

 

World’s oldest known cave painting found in Indonesia

印尼發現全球最古老洞穴壁畫

【摘要2021.1.25.自由】◎陳成良

Archaeologists have discovered the world’s oldest known cave painting：a life-sized picture of a wild pig that was made at least 45,500 years ago in Indonesia.

考古學家發現世界上已知最古老的洞穴壁畫：一幅實物大小的野豬壁畫 ，創作於距今至少4萬5500年前的印尼。

The finding described in the journal Science Advances on Wednesday provides the earliest evidence of human settlement of the region.

《科學先端》期刊中敘述的發現，為人類曾在當地居住提供最久遠的證據。

Co-author Maxime Aubert of Australia’s Griffith University told AFP it was found on the island of Sulawesi in 2017 by doctoral student Basran Burhan, as part of surveys the team was carrying out with Indonesian authorities.

研究共同作者、澳洲格里菲斯大學考古學教授奧伯特告訴法新社，該研究團隊與印尼當局合作，團隊成員、該校博士生布爾漢2017年在印尼蘇拉威西島發現壁畫。

The Leang Tedongnge cave is located in a remote valley enclosed by sheer limestone cliffs, about an hour’s walk from the nearest road.

（壁畫所在的）「Leang Tedongnge」洞穴地處偏遠的山谷，被石灰岩懸崖包圍，走到距離最近的道路約需1小時的步行路程。

Measuring 136 by 54 centimeters the Sulawesi warty pig was painted using dark red ochre pigment and has a short crest of upright hair, as well as a pair of horn-like facial warts characteristic of adult males of the species.（AFP）

壁畫中的蘇拉威西疣豬身長136公分、寬54公分， 以暗紅赭石顏料繪製，背上有一列豎起的短鬃毛，面部還有一對角狀疣，是成年公豬的特徵。