Men Suffer From Compulsive Shopping Too

A recent survey has found that one in 20 American adults buy things they may not even want or never need or use. In today’s world of consumerism, where we are constantly bombarded by ads, this is perhaps not surprising. What may raise an eyebrow or two is a further finding in the study that men are just as likely as women to suffer from “compulsive buying”.

Gone seem to be the days when women dragged their bored and fed-up-looking men around shopping malls. The new research from Stanford University has revealed that men are now just as avid and compulsive shoppers as their female counterparts. Researcher Dr Lorrin Koram said that the numbers of men who indulge in unnecessary shopping sprees has rocketed: "That's the biggest surprise -- men engage in this behavior almost as commonly as women," he said.

This finding runs counter to the conventional and rather stereotyped view that compulsive buying is very much a "woman's disease." Dr. Koram said trends and figures may have been unfairly skewed as male obsessive shoppers used to be more reluctant than women to recognize that they have a problem and then come forward and admit it. He pointed out that: "Generally, in psychiatry, men seek care less often than women…It's not 'manly' to seek help." And help seems to be exactly what the doctor ordered for any compulsive shopper, who is usually not made any happier by his or her relentless buying. 

Dr Koram warned: "It's always important to encourage people who have these types of disorders to seek treatment." Many find themselves laden with debt and filled with shame and suicidal tendencies as they attempt to hide their addiction.

EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY

1. Bombarded [BOOM-BAR-DED]
Meaning: (verb) to attack verbally, esp with questions.
Example Sentence: The journalists bombarded her with questions.

2. Compulsive buying [KuM-PUL-siV-BA-YING]
Meaning: (noun) An unhealthy obsession with shopping that materially interferes with the daily life of the afflicted. ; Buying things immediately even though it is not useful.
Example Sentence: If I saw something beautiful in my eye while in the mall, I do compulsive buying. 

3. Indulge [IN-DALJ]
Meaning: (verb)To engage or take part, especially freely
Example Sentence: Whenever I am stressed, I indulge to eating chocolates.

4. Shopping spree [SHA-PINGS-PREE]
meaning: (noun)A shopping spree denotes a playful attitude in a single shopping trip where lots of money is spent.

Example Sentence: If the shopping mall is on sale, I like doing shopping spree.

5. Stereotyped [IS-TEER-YU-TAYPD]
Meaning: (adjective) Based on a traditional thinking; what is commonly known
Example Sentence: Being shy is a stereotyped behavior of Japanese men.

6. Skewed [is-KYUD]
Meaning (adjective): Placed or turned to one side
Example Sentence: They accused them of skewing the rules in their favor.

7. Reluctant [RE-LooK-TANT]
Meaning (Adjective) Showing unwillingness to do something.
Example Sentence: We were reluctant of involving ourselves in the war.

EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. Are you a compulsive shopper?

2. Does going shopping make you feel happy?

3. Do you spend more than you earn?

4. Do you know anyone suffering an addiction of shopping?

5. Do you buy things you may not even want or never need or use?

Article Source

Goodbye Hair Loss

A biotechnology company in the UK says it is working on a new technology to help cure an age-old problem – hair loss. Intercytex Ltd.,a UK Regenerative Medicine product and services company launched in Nov 2010, has developed a robot that will be able to implant cells in areas of the scalp where hair loss has taken place. It seems the fight to treat baldness may at last be won. 

The company has already tested a procedure whereby hair follicles are taken from the back of the neck, multiplied a thousand-fold under clinical conditions and then re-implanted onto the head. The revolutionary technique is set to bring relief to millions of men and women around the world who are embarrassed, sometimes to the point of suicide, by their hair loss. Gone may be the days of wearing wigs or of brushing hair across the head to hide bald patches.

Intercytex has been awarded a $3.6 million grant from Britain’s government to bring the technology to fruition. Initial tests were conducted on seven men, five of whom are now growing new and healthy hair. Another 20 men are on standby to be guinea pigs. Jonathon Malvern, a balding 26-year-old, says he cannot wait to try the new wonder cure: “I started thinning on top when I was just 19,” he said. 

He also said that having a receding hairline has affected his confidence: “I always worry about looking older than I really am and of not finding a partner in life.” He said he had tried several hair replacement treatments but complained they were a waste of time and money: “It’s not just the cost,” he explained, “it’s also the trauma of the surgery being unsuccessful. Having a full head of hair is my dream”.

EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY

1.Biotechnology [BA-YO-TEK-NO-LO-GEE]
Meaning: (noun) Biotechnology is the use of biological processes, 

organisms, or systems to manufacture products intended to improve 

the quality of human life.

Example Sentence: Implanting stem cells is one of biotechnology ways to bring back old human cells.

2. Cure [KYUR]

Meaning: (noun) a recovery or relief from a disease
Example Sentence: Doctors can easily cure some human diseases because of modern technology.

3. Baldness

Meaning: (noun) A condition of a person who doesn't have enough hair especially at the head. We call the person with this condition bald.
Example Sentence: Our family has a history of baldness so I might be bald when I grow old.

4. Follicle [Fo-lee-kEL]

Meaning: (noun) A small, protective sac, gland, or cluster of cells in the body.

5. Fruition [Froo-shun]

Meaning: (noun) Realization of something desired or worked for; an accomplishment or success to something.
Example Sentence: Smartphones are just some fruition of the modern technology.



EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS
1. What is the article all about?
2. Do you think men worry too much about baldness?
3. Do you think baldness is attractive in men and women?
4. Does baldness make people look older or younger? Why?
5. Would you wear a wig if you are experiencing baldness?






Article Source

Apple Richer Than the U.S. Government

Strange but true – the technology giant Apple now officially has more money than the U.S. government, and significantly less debt. America’s Treasury Department shows that the country has an operating cash balance of $73.7 billion while Apple’s most recent financial reports show a healthier bank balance of $76.4 billion. This incredible state of affairs has resulted in CNN to joke that the U.S. government should start selling iPads to help serve the American people. Or perhaps Apple CEO Steve Jobs should have been the president of the USA? 

Another financial difference between the world’s largest economy and the hugely successful Apple is its debt ratio. The U.S. government currently spends $200 billion a month more than it receives. Conversely, Apple takes in far more than it spends.

The U.S. government is in a severe financial crisis, which is having an impact on the world’s financial markets. It is desperately trying to avoid defaulting on its debt. President Barack Obama has tried for weeks to get the opposition Republican Party to agree to raise the country’s debt ceiling. He says America must do this and borrow more money to be able to pay its way at home and around the world. 

The country is in grave danger of running out of money. This would mean public workers getting no salaries and the country would struggle to meet its international financial commitments. Such a situation could see the dollar crash, leading to a possible second global financial crisis in five years. Obama told the Republicans, “to step up and show the leadership that the American people expect”.


EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY

1. Debt [DET]
Meaning:(noun)  An obligation or liability to pay or render something to someone else.
Example Sentence: I must pay my debt at the end of this month.

2.Conversely [KUN-VERS-LI]
Meaning: (adverb) in a contrary or opposite way; on the other hand
Example Sentence: To be rich is good. Conversely, sometimes if a person became rich, he/she became greedy.


3. Severe [SEE-VEER]
Meaning: (adjective) Extremely difficult to perform or endure; Causing great discomfort, damage, or distress
Example Sentence: The doctor told us to accept that reality the he will die soon. His cancer is severe.


EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. What do you think of what you read?
2. Do you agree with CNN that the U.S. government should start selling things to raise cash?
3. Would the CEO of Apple make a good U.S. president?
4. Why is Apple so “hugely successful”?
5. Is it possible to live life without going into debt?



Article Source

A Device That Can Stop People from Talking

Two Japanese inventors have unveiled a gadget that can stop someone from talking. The device they call the Speech Jammer literally jams people’s speech. It prevents a speaker from getting the words out of his or her mouth. Kazutaka Kurihara and Koji Tsukada from Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology developed the prototype "gun" that is pointed at someone from a distance and stops them talking. It does not physically harm the person it hits. 

The technology is based on medical devices used to help people with speech problems such as stuttering. It uses a system called Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) that plays someone’s voice back to them at a split-second delay.

Messrs. Tsukada and Kurihara said they wanted to create something that would stop people talking too much in discussions. They wrote: “We have to establish and obey rules for proper turn-taking. However, some people tend to lengthen their turns or deliberately disrupt other people when it is their turn rather than achieve more fruitful discussions.” 

They added: “We utilized DAF to develop a device that can remotely jam physically unimpaired people's speech whether they want it or not.” Other uses of their device include maintaining silence in public libraries and aiding peace-making. “There are still many cases in which the negative aspects of speech become a barrier to the peaceful resolution of conflicts,” they said.



EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY
1. unveiled [AN-VEYLD]
Meaning: (verb) Show or announce publicly for the first time; 

to let everybody knows about something

Example Sentence: She unveiled the truth that she never

 graduated from Tokyo University.

2.stuttering

Meaning: (verb) Talk with continued involuntary repetition of 


sounds, esp. initial consonants.

***This is also considered a speech disease.

Example Sentence: It is very difficult to pronounce some English words. I stutter sometimes.


3. Messrs./Messieurs [MES-ZI-YURS]

Meaning: (noun) Messieurs (plural of Mister); It is often used 

with the names of two or more men in the name of a 

business.

Example Sentence: Messrs. Taka and Hiroki are one of the best CEO in Japan.



EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. What is this article all about?
2. Do you like to talk or to listen to someone's talking? Why?
3. Are you interested with gadgets?
4. Are there sometimes that you want to stop someone from talking? In what situation?





Article Source

Free Wi-Fi Top Of Hotel Guests Wish List

For centuries hotels have been thinking of different and novel ways to attract guests. "A free this or a complimentary that" can be the difference between someone thinking their hotel stay was mediocre or superlative. A new survey reveals that the twenty-first century guest needs free Wi-Fi Internet access to make his or her stay complete. 

According to Hotels.com, hotel guests much preferred to be connected in their rooms than have the little luxuries such as Italian espresso coffee makers, video game consoles or a gym to work out in. Of 415 people who responded to the website's survey, more than 38% said free Wi-Fi was a must when deciding where to book a room. Just under a third of respondents said they wanted it to be a standard amenity at hotels. Many people are tired of paying the often exorbitant charges to get online.

Taylor L. Cole, director of public relations and social media for Hotels.com, said the results of the survey were as he expected: "Given the explosion of mobile use in the past few years, it is no surprise that travelers are requiring free and fast Wi-Fi," he said. He added that: "Many guests never travel without their tablets, smartphones and laptops. It's as intuitive as packing a toothbrush. 

Guests use these items in their rooms to plan activities for the next day." Internet these days is seen as an automatic freebie in many parts of the world. Charging for it is like asking guests to pay for water. Countries with a strong focus on attracting business clientele and higher end travellers are leading the way in providing free Wi-Fi. The United Arab Emirates is one destination where it is unlikely that Wi-Fi will be added to your hotel bill. Other countries are quickly following suit.


EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY

1. novel [no-vel]
Meaning:(adj.) new and original
Example Sentence: She has suggested a novel way to solve the problem.

2. mediocre [me-dyoo-ker]
Meaning:(adj.) someone or something with a moderate to low quality, value, or ability
Example Sentence: The carpenter did a mediocre job.

3.superlative [su-per-la-tiv]
Meaning: (adj) excellent; having a very high quality
Example Sentence: I need to be superlative in everything i will do to be promoted as the CEO.

4. console [kon-sol]
Meaning: (noun) an electronic device or system that connects to a display and is used primarily to play video games.
Example Sentence:

5. amenity [a-mee-ni-ti]
Meaning: something that makes us feel comfortable. In a hotel, amenity can refer to those devices like TV, WI-FI, DVD, JACUZZI, etc.
Example Sentence:The hotel has every amenity you could enjoy.

6. exorbitant [ig-zor-bi-tant]
Meaning:(adj) too much; excessive; exceeding the customary or appropriate limits in intensity, quality,  amount, or size
Example Sentence: I was charged exorbitant rates for calling my friend in Japan.



EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. Do you need Wi-Fi? Why?
2. What are the benefits of Wi-Fi?
3. What other things should be free in hotels?
4. Do you always travel with a laptop or other Internet enabled device?
5. Are there any dangers of using Wi-Fi?





Article Source

Organic Food No More Nutritious

Scientists have revealed that organic and non-organic food contain pretty much the same amounts and kinds of vitamins and other nutrients. This might be surprising news for those of us who choose to buy organic believing it to be healthier. Researchers from America's Stanford University concluded that there might not be any extra health benefits to buying organic, thus people might be better off saving their money and buying non-organic produce. 

Lead researcher Dr Crystal Smith-Spangle said there was no difference in the vitamin content in fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products in organically- and conventionally-produced food. She said the only difference was slightly more phosphorus in the organic products.

Dr Smith-Spangle's review of over 200 different reports on organic food suggests people should perhaps revise their shopping choices, based on the levels of pesticides. Smith Spangler said both organic and conventional foods rarely exceeded the allowable limits for pesticides in the USA. She said the evidence wasn't too clear on whether the difference in pesticides would have an effect on health. 

She concluded by saying consumers should know there is overwhelming evidence that eating fruit and vegetables is good for your health, so people should eat more fresh produce, whether it is organic or conventional. Organic foods accounted for $31 billion in sales in the USA last year, up from $3.6 billion in 1997.

EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY

1. organic [or-gA-niK]
Meaning (adjective) Mainly made from plants and/or animals.
Example Sentence: Organic food is considered naturally made.

2. inorganinc [iN-or-gA-niK]
Meaning (adjective) Artificially made
Example Sentence: Due to climate change, farmers are now considering planting inorganic vegetables.

3. pesticide [pes-ti-sayd]
Meaning (noun) a chemical preparation for destroying plant, fungal, or animal pests.
Example Sentence: Farmers are using pesticides to kill those insects that can destroy their plants.




EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. What is the article all about?
2. What do you know about organic food? Do you think you should eat more organic food?
3. What do you know about inorganic food? Do you think you should eat more inorganic food?
4. Do you consider the nutrients that you can get from your food?
5. Do you ever think about what pesticides or other chemicals are in your food?




 Article Source: Breaking News English

Americans Waste 40% Of Their Food

Americans are wasteful when it comes to food, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). It has released a report called "Wasted: How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill". The study highlights how much of the food produced in the USA ends up in the trash. 

It says the 40 per cent of uneaten food equates to around $165 billion a year. This figure has increased by 50 per cent since the 1970s, suggesting Americans are becoming more wasteful. The NRDC highlighted the effect on the environment, saying US food production "eats up 10% of the total US energy budget…and swallows 80% of all freshwater consumed in the United States".

The NRDC points out how a change in behaviour could help America's health. It says: "Reducing food losses by just 15% would be enough food to feed more than 25 million Americans every year at a time when one in six Americans lack a secure supply of food to their tables." The Council offered three tips.

 It suggested the U.S. government should "set national goals for waste reduction," that businesses needed to "streamline their own operations, reduce food losses and save money," and that "consumers can waste less food by shopping wisely…knowing when food goes bad…cooking only the amount of food they need, and eating their leftovers." It said the average family could save up to $2,275 a year.



EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY

1. highlight [HAY-LaYTS]
Meaning (verb) to give importance; to emphasize
Example Sentence: The president highlighted about the issue of crime in his speech.

2. swallow [SWA-LOW]
Meaning (verb) To swallow is to cause something to pass down your throat, to accept or believe something, to consume something or cause it to disappear, or to put down an emotion.
Example Sentence: Don't talk too much while swallowing your food.

3.  streamline [iS-tReeM-LaYn]
Meaning (verb) To improve the appearance or efficiency of; modernize; (noun) water or quick movement.
Example Sentence: We will be happy to show you how these new system could considerably streamline your customer relations procedures.


EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. What do you think about what you read?
2. How much food do you waste?
3. How could the government help its people reduce food waste?
4. What do you do with your leftovers?
5. What can you do in your life to reduce wasted food?

Looking At Cute Photos Aids Concentration

Researchers have found that looking at cute things while you work can boost your powers of concentration and increase productivity. A team of cognitive psychologists at Japan's Hiroshima University discovered that skimming through cute photos of things like kittens and puppies helps people focus better on their work. 

The team based its research on the Japanese concept of "kawaii," which Wikipedia describes as, "the quality of cuteness…a prominent aspect of Japanese popular culture, entertainment, clothing, food, toys, personal appearance, behavior, and mannerisms….literally, 'lovability', 'cuteness' or 'adorableness.'" The scientists believe cute things produce positive feelings and affect performance.

The researchers tested 132 participants doing two tasks. One was to use tweezers to remove items from small holes without touching the sides; the other was to find numbers in a grid. Each participant repeated the task after looking at a set of photos of either puppies and kittens, adult dogs and cats, or "neutral" images of food. 

Those who looked at the cute pics improved their performance in the second task by as much as 44 per cent. The scientists say cute things, "capture attention, bring a smile to the viewer's face, and induce motivation and behavior for...caregiving". They added that cute objects could be used to "induce careful behavioral tendencies in specific situations, such as driving and office work".


EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY

1. boost [bost]
Meaning (verb) to increase or to improve something;
Example Sentence: Preparing before my interview can boost my confidence.

2. cognitive [kog-ni-tiv]
Meaning (adjective) All about understanding and reasoning; logical thinking processes 
Example Sentence: After the accident, the doctors assessed Karl's cognitive processes.



3. Skimming [is-kim-ming]

Meaning (verb) To skim is to read over something quickly or to glance over something.
Example Sentence: We advice you to do skimming through these reports in case anything stands out.

4. Mannerism [ma-nee-ri-zim]
Meaning (noun) A mannerism is a habit, gesture or other speech or dress characteristic that someone does often.
Example Sentence: Holding his ears while talking to someone is her mannerism.


EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. What is the article all about?
2. Is it important to give an importance about the quality of "cuteness"? Why or why not?
3. What makes you happy?
4. Do you think looking at cute things helps your concentration?
5. What do you think of pictures of kittens and puppies?

Global Warming: A Dangerous Thing On Earth

The size of fish in the oceans is shrinking. A new report from the University of British Columbia in Canada states fish may shrink by as much as a quarter in the coming decades because of global warming. The research team conducted extensive tests on the effect of rising ocean temperatures on the size and number of over 600 species of fish around the world. 


They concluded that most fish are likely to shrink in size by 14-24 per cent by the year 2050. The biggest changes will be seen in tropical regions. The scientists said there is less oxygen in warmer water so fish cannot grow at the rate they should. They added that many fish will migrate to cooler waters outside the tropics.


Lead researcher Professor William Cheung said: "We were surprised to see such a large decrease in fish size. Marine fish are generally known to respond to climate change through changing distribution and seasonality. But the unexpectedly big effect that climate change could have on body size suggests that we may be missing a big piece of the puzzle of understanding climate change effects in the ocean." 

He added that human activities such as overfishing and pollution will worsen the problem: "Our work shows a very concerning future for the oceans and so it is very important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop better fish management policies to adapt to these changes," he said.


EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY

1. shrinking [Sheern-king]
Meaning (verb)-to become smaller; to lessen in amount or value
Example Sentence: Japanese' population is shrinking because of the greater number of older people.


2.seasonality [see-so-na-li-ti]
Meaning (noun)- Any predictable change or pattern in a time series that recurs or repeats over a one-year period can be said to be seasonal.
Example Sentence: Spring is a kind of seasonality changes.

3. over-fishing 
Meaning (noun)- getting too much fish in the sea.
Example Sentence: Fishermen who do over-fishing catch even those smaller fish in the ocean.


EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. What is the article all about?
2. What do you think about climate change?
3. What other human activities are affecting climate change?
4. How would the world change if fish got smaller in size and number?
5. What might the situation be like in the year 2100?


Article Source: Breaking News English