Monthly Archive: November 2016
HIV Test on a USB Stick
Pre-reading questions: What do you think about AIDS? Do you know more diseases linked to HIV? Scientists developed a new way to test HIV using a USB stick. It was discovered by scientists from Imperial College London and the US firm DNA Electronics. The test was 95 percent accurate over 991 blood samples. Average time of reading the result was 20.8 minutes. This method could work by using a drop of blood on a mobile phone chip attached to the USB stick. It would create signals that can be read by computers and handheld devices. The result would show the amount of virus present on the patient. The…
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HIV Test on a USB Stick
Pre-reading questions: Do you always get sick? Have you heard of HIV? Scientists found a new way to test HIV by using a USB stick. It was developed by scientists from Imperial College London and the US firm DNA Electronics. It uses a drop of blood on a USB stick to detect the virus. It will give signals to computers or mobile devices. It can give fast and good results. This is the same with monitoring blood sugar levels on diabetic patients. Vocabulary: HIV – HIV[noun] a virus that causes AIDS USB – USB[noun] a device that stores data virus – ウイルス[noun] something that causes disease mobile…
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Ali Baba breaks sales record on Singles’ Day
The leading e-commerce Chinese company Ali Baba has transformed Singles’ Day into the world’s biggest shopping bonanza–a significant breakthrough since the annual event’s debut last 2009. Ali Baba’s reported sales for November 11th totaled to 121 billion yuan ($18 billion), an ample difference of 32 percent from the preceding year’s sales of $14.3 billion. The Chinese company detailed 82 percent of purchases were made on smartphones. But some were skeptical about the accuracy of these figures amid claims of excessive sales data provided by online retailers. Alleged online merchants trading imitation products is just another hitch the industry is facing. Notwithstanding these reports, analysts said the online shopping will…
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Ali Baba breaks sales record on Singles’ Day
Pre-reading questions: Do you use the Internet every day? Have you tried shopping online? What started as a day to celebrate singlehood was turned into a shopping bonanza. The Chinese e-commerce company reported this year’s sales had reached 121 billion yuan ($18billion) on November 11, an upsurge of 32 percent compared against last year’s $14.3 billon. Reports said the highest number of purchases was made on mobile phones reaching 82 percent. On the contrary, some have doubted the accuracy of Ali Baba’s sales data amid claims of excessive sales figures released by online retailers. Another setback the industry is facing is the existence of alleged online merchants selling…
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Ali Baba breaks sales record on Singles’ Day
Pre-reading questions: Do you always use your computer? Where do you shop? The Chinese online company called Ali Baba has sold several products on Singles Day. They have earned 121 billion yuan ($18 billion) that day. It is 12 percent higher than what they earned last year. They said 82 percent of the customers have bought a new smartphone, but some people wonder if it’s true. Also, others say some online sellers sell fake products. Still, analysts think online shopping is a good business because even the people in rural areas have smartphones so they can shop online now. Vocabulary: Singles’ Day – シングルズ・デイ[noun] November 11, a…
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Earthquake strikes New Zealand
A powerful tremor continued to rock New Zealand. The US geological analysis says 21 tremor had struck New Zealand by 3 PM on Monday, after the 1st major tremor at midnight. It says 4 of them registered magnitudes of 6 or higher. About 40 minutes after the tremor, tsunami waves were espied along the marginal town of Kaikoura, reaching up to 1.5 meters. The extent of the destruction includes 2 people that were killed. Some small towns are secluded and damaged buildings are sowed across the area. The town, a tourist destination, is about 60 kilometers from the epicenter. The government says they will dispatch the navy vessel and…
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Earthquake strikes New Zealand
Pre-reading questions: Do you live in an area that’s experiencing many earthquakes? Has your house been damaged by an earthquake? How can you prepare for a possible earthquake? A quake hits the South Island of the country early on Monday. It has a magnitude of 7.8. Tsunami waves were spotted along the marginal town of Kaikoura about 40 minutes after the quake. Authorities say at least 2 people perished, and several others injured. Authorities also added that some buildings collapsed and large cracks can be seen in roads. Landslides have also made some sections impassable. Telephone lines have been cut off. About 600 inhabitants and hundreds of tourists are incapable…
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