Tag Archive: science & technology – expert

Spain faces octopus shortage amid climate and fishing pressures

Octopus

©(AP Photo by Annika Hammerschlag) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. scarcity /SKAIR-si-tee/ [noun] – a lack of something; a situation where there is not enough of something There was a scarcity of clean water in the village after the long drought. fluctuation /fluhk-choo-EY-shuhn/ [noun] – change in amount, level, or condition, often from high to low or low to high Experts linked the fluctuation in fish numbers to changes in water temperature. stabilize /STEY-buh-lahyz/ [verb] – to make something steady or unlikely to change suddenly The government tried to stabilize food prices after they rose quickly. hatchery /HACH-uh-ree/ [noun] – a…
Read more

OpenAI launches GPT-5 amid rising global AI competition

chatGPT

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. deceptive /dih-SEP-tiv/ [adjective] – not truthful; likely to make someone believe something that is not true The advertisement was found to be deceptive because it showed results that were impossible to achieve. reliability /ri-lahy-uh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – the quality of being dependable or able to be trusted The reliability of the new train system has improved after better maintenance. litigation /lit-i-GEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of taking legal action in a court of law The company faced litigation after customers complained about unsafe products. shareholder /SHAIR-hohl-der/ [noun] – a person who owns shares in a company Shareholders…
Read more

Breakthrough study links bacteria to decade-long sea star decline

sunflower sea stars

©(Grant Callegari/Hakai Institute via AP) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. epidemic /ep-i-DEM-ik/ [noun] – a sudden and widespread occurrence of a disease that affects many individuals at the same time Health officials are working to stop the epidemic from spreading to nearby towns. lesion /LEE-zhuhn/ [noun] – a damaged area of tissue on the body, often caused by injury or disease The doctor found a small lesion on the patient’s skin during the check-up. bacterium /bak-TEER-ee-uhm/ [noun] – a single microscopic organism that can cause disease or aid processes in living beings The bacterium was found in the water supply and…
Read more

Streaming platforms respond to rise in AI-generated music

AI

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. notify /NOH-tuh-fahy/ [verb] – to tell someone officially about something The system will notify customers if their order is delayed due to weather. subtle /SUHT-l/ [adjective] – not easy to see, hear, or notice There was a subtle difference in taste between the two kinds of chocolate. synthetic /sin-THET-ik/ [adjective] – made by people, not natural The program can detect synthetic images created by AI. recurring /ri-KUR-ing/ [adjective] – happening again and again He has a recurring dream about flying over mountains. obsolete /ob-suh-LEET/ [adjective] – no longer used or useful The company stopped using obsolete…
Read more

Fireflies illuminate U.S. northeastern skies amid environmental concerns

Fireflies

©(Allison Lee Isley/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP, File) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. mate /meyt/ [noun] – a partner, especially for reproduction Many birds sing in spring to attract mates in their natural habitat. jeopardize /JEP-er-dahyz/ [verb] – to put something in danger or at risk Poor safety practices can jeopardize the health of factory workers. obscure /uhb-SKYOOR/ [verb] – to make something difficult to see, hear, or understand Heavy fog can obscure road signs, making driving more dangerous. resurgence /ri-SUR-juhns/ [noun] – the return or increase of something after a period of little or no activity The resurgence of street…
Read more

Composting offers a sustainable solution to organic waste in landfills

composting

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. potent /POHT-nt/ [adjective] – very strong or powerful The scientist warned that the chemical was a potent substance that could harm plants quickly. resistance /ri-ZIS-tuhns/ [noun] – the ability to not be affected by something harmful or difficult Some insects have developed resistance to chemical pesticides used in farming. drought /drout/ [noun] – a long period of time with very little or no rain Farmers had difficulty growing crops due to severe droughts in the region. curbside /KURB-sahyd/ [adjective] – located or happening at the side of the street The city started a curbside recycling program…
Read more

Chinese researchers reveal mollusks living in deep ocean trench

creature

©(Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences via AP) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intense /in-TENS/ [adjective] – very strong or extreme in degree The desert is known for its intense heat during the summer months. submersible /suhb-MUR-suh-buhl/ [noun] – a small vehicle or device designed to operate underwater The scientists used a submersible to examine coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean. inaccessible /in-uhk-SES-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – difficult or impossible to reach or enter The mountain village becomes inaccessible during heavy snow. microbe /MAHY-krohb/ [noun] – a very small living thing, especially one that causes disease, that can only…
Read more

Archaeologists uncover 100,000-year-old burial site in Israel

Archeo

©(AP Photo by Ariel Schalit) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. burial /BER-ee-uhl/ [noun] – the act or ceremony of placing a dead body into the ground The ancient tribe had a special burial ground near the mountains. pose /pohz/ [noun] – a specific position of the body, especially when arranged deliberately The model sat in a relaxed pose for the painting session. ochre /OH-ker/ [noun] – a natural earth pigment containing iron, used for coloring in art and decoration Artists in ancient Rome often used ochre to paint walls and pottery. emergence /ih-MUR-juhns/ [noun] – the process of becoming visible, known,…
Read more

Storm reveals 18th-century warship on remote Scottish island

ship wreck

©(Wessex Archaeology via AP) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. frigate /FRIG-it/ [noun] – a type of fast and medium-sized warship, especially used by the navy The navy deployed a frigate to patrol the area after several pirate attacks. dendrochronology /den-droh-kruh-NOL-uh-jee/ [noun] – the scientific method of dating trees or wooden objects by analyzing their growth rings Scientists applied dendrochronology to determine the age of the temple’s roof structure. timber /TIM-ber/ [noun] – wood that has been prepared for building or construction The cabin was built using timber from the nearby forest. trailer /TREY-ler/ [noun] – a vehicle without an engine that…
Read more

New reproductive technique helps eight babies avoid genetic diseases

DNA

©(Newcastle Fertility Centre, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust via AP) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. mitochondrial /mahy-tuh-KAHN-dree-uhl/ [adjective] – relating to mitochondria (the parts of a cell that produce energy) Scientists are developing treatments for mitochondrial conditions that affect the heart. devastating /DEV-uh-stey-ting/ [adjective] – causing great damage or suffering The new vaccine protects people from devastating infectious diseases. seizure /SEE-zher/ [noun] – sudden, uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that causes changes in behavior, movement, or consciousness The child was taken to the hospital after having seizures during the night. triumph /TRAHY-uhmf/ [noun] – a great victory or achievement The…
Read more