Author Archive: admin

Lab grown stem cells are developed

2016年11月8日

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: What do Japanese scientists developed? What happened to the embryos that didn’t grew normally?   Japanese scientists have developed and fertilized mouse eggs in their laboratory. This is the first report of developing fully matured eggs in a laboratory setting. They said that this may help treat infertility but it will take a long time and will be difficult. This is a great success but will cause problems in the human reproduction. The results show that only a few embryos grew into normal mice and others have abnormalities. It is still not safe to be used on humans. A further study is needed to the mouse embryos…
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Beginner

More low-cost options for smartphones

2016年11月8日

  Options for mobile carriers are stretching wider range unlike never before; as both small telcos and major phone carriers have started offering cheaper mobile plans on different data transmissions. While low-cost carriers capitalize on introducing flat-rates on both limited and unlimited call lengths, Telco giants, on the other hand, are trying to accommodate consumers with affordable mobile services under different brand names. The 5gb data volume on smartphones from low-cost service providers that starts at ¥2,000 a month (excluding the consumption tax) is a winning deal as compared to the same data package from bigtime carriers that starts their pricing at ¥7,000. In fact, a research by MM Research…
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Expert

Halloween celebrations in Tokyo

2016年11月8日

  More than 250,000 partygoers paraded in their fancy getups for this year’s Halloween in the heart of Tokyo. This may not be a convention in Japan, but most Japanese people like to hold it big annually. The nation completely embraced this occasion with merriment all over the place. It also seems to be more about dolling up and less about experiencing spooks and thrills. Dressing up, eating themed food, and attending parties are on the long list of things people get to enjoy on this supposedly spooky occasion. In fact, Halloween is even bigger and more festive than Christmas in Tokyo. A greater part of the city is enriched…
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Expert

Halloween celebrations in Tokyo

2016年11月8日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you celebrate Halloween? Are you interested in folklore of other countries?   In Tokyo, Kawasaki parade is the largest and about 250,000 partygoers participates this year. Disneyland also has the big event for the Halloween. Japanese people thoroughly embrace this event with make-up and prosthetics. This may not be a culture or a tradition of the country but it has been observed yearly. For this year’s event, 2,600 people dress up to participate. It also seems to be more about dressing up and less about experiencing spooks and thrills. Dressing up, eating themed food, attending parties and events are things that people usually enjoy when the…
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Intermediate

Halloween celebrations in Tokyo

2016年11月8日

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Are you afraid of ghosts or monsters? Do you know Halloween is?   Most of the Halloween celebration this year is spent over the weekend. People join the Kawasaki parade with 2,600 people dressed up. This is not a traditional celebration in Japan but it has been followed since 20 years ago. People all over the world participate in a Halloween party every year with costumes and heavy make up. Places in Tokyo are also decorated with different halloween theme like pumpkins, ghosts and many more.   Vocabulary: Halloween – ハロウィーン [noun] the night of October 31 when children dress up with costumes and go to houses…
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Beginner

Secondhand Smoke: Higher Risk of Stroke

2016年11月8日

  A recent study in the U.S. has found that secondhand smoke is indeed linked to stroke. Dr. Michelle Lin of John Hopkins School of Medicine and her co-authors said that there is an increased risk of stroke to non-smokers who reside with smokers. They also noted that stroke survivors who are exposed to secondhand smoke are twice as likely to die than those who aren’t. In fact, 1 out of 4 Americans (58 billion people) non-smokers are exposed to secondhand smoke. Angela Malek of Medical University of South Carolina noted that adults who are exposed to secondhand smoke aren’t only at risk of stroke but also lung cancer and…
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Expert

Second-hand Smoke: Higher Risk of Stroke

2016年11月8日

  Pre-reading questions: Any idea about second-hand smoke? What are the usual illness associated with smoking that you know?   According to a US study, non-smokers that are always exposed to second-hand smoke are more prone to suffer stroke. Research showed that nearly 50 percent of non-smoker stroke patients are exposed to second-hand smoke at home. Second-hand smoke is dangerous to all but stroke patients should try more to avoid it, said Dr. Lin of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Researchers performed a blood test to know the volume of smoke people are exposed to. Certain factors considered for this test are race, sex, eduction and income level. Results showed…
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Intermediate

Early Season of Autumn Leaf in Nikko

2016年11月4日

  The township of Nikko is exploding in a vast array of yellows, orange, and red hues all over Haccho Dejima. It is a small peninsula that is close to Lake Chuzenji in Nikko located at Tochigi Prefecture. Some of the most popular attractions in Nikko include Lake Chuzenji. A wonderful natural site occupying the Nikko National Park. It procures the clearest and purest water in the country. The panoramic view of winding road of Irhohazaka is also absolutely beautiful. Surprisingly, Nikko is at the height of expression this season. It is one of the finest spot for viewing the autumn colors. Early weeks of November is the peak time…
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Expert