Stress in middle age can make your brain shrink and make your memory worse, scientists have discovered. The brain-reducing effects of stress, identified in people in their 40s free from dementia - a serious mental disorder caused by brain disease or injury, were found to be caused by cortisol(皮质醇). The high levels of the stress hormone may be an early warning “sign that someone may end up with dementia, the research suggests.
Stress also made people's thinking skills worse, which the Harvard Medical School study, published in the journal Neurology found. For the research, scientists led by Dr. Justin B. Echouffo-Tcheugui studied 2,231 people with an average of 49 and free of dementia. He said." Our research detected memory loss and brain shrinkage in middle-aged people before symptoms started to show. So it's important for people to find ways to reduce stress, such as getting enough sleep, taking part in moderate exercise, making relaxation techniques part of their daily lives or asking their doctor about their cortisol levels and taking a cortisol-reducing medication if needed. "He also added, "It's important for physicians to give professional advice to all people with high cortisol levels."
Researchers found lower scores on tests of memory and thinking in people with higher levels of cortisol than those with average levels. In addition, people with higher cortisol levels had a smaller brain volume, with those with high cortisol levels having brains that were 88.5 per cent of the total cranial(颅骨的) volume. This was compared to 88. 7 percent of the total cranial volume for people with normal levels of the hormone. No links were found between low levels of cortisol and brain size.
Cortisol helps the body respond to stress and when we are stressed, cortisol levels increase because that is our fight - or - flight(战或逃) response. It can also help reduce inflammation(发炎) and control blood sugar and blood pressure. High cortisol levels can be caused by stress, medical conditions or medications.
“Cortisol affects many different functions so it is important to fully investigate how high levels of the hormone may affect the brain," Dr Echouffo-Tcheugui said, “While other studies have examined cortisol and memory, we believe our large, community-based study is the first to explore, in middle-aged people, cortisol levels and brain volume, as well as memory and thinking skills. ”
1.What may Dr. Echouffo-Tcheugui suggest people do about stress-reducing?
A.Early to bed and early to rise. B.Strengthen the social network.
C.Eat food with more protein. D.Ride a bicycle around a lake.
2.Which statement about cortisol may the author agree to?
A.Higher cortisol levels are associated with larger brain volume.
B.The more stressed one feels, the higher his cortisol levels are.
C.Age and gender play a big role in the participants' brain volume.
D.People with high cortisol levels will suffer from low blood pressure.
3.What's the possible direction for future research according to Dr. Echouffo-Tcheugui?
A.How high cortisol levels affect human brains.
B.The link between cortisol levels and memory
C.The link between cortisol levels and brain size.
D.How cortisol affects peoples response.
4.Why does the author write this passage?
A.To suggest the efficient ways to reduce stress.
B.To prevent the features and functions of cortisol.
C.To explain how cortisol affects people s stress level.
D.To show stress can cause memory loss and brain shrinkage.
ESSEX-Sorrowful families in Vietnam are struggling to bring home the bodies of loved ones who died in a refrigerated truck while trying to illegally enter the United Kingdom on Oct 23. Many of the relatives of the 39 people who died in the freezing, airless vehicle are too poor to bring the bodies back to Vietnam.
Ten of the 39 victims were from the Can Loc district of Ha Tinh province, where Bui Huy Cuong is deputy chairman of the people's committee. He told the Guardian Newspaper that officials have visited bereaved(新近丧失亲人的) families to encourage them to receive ashes, instead of bodies, because it would be cheaper. But he said families want bodies so they can be honored in traditional funerals and are hoping the authorities will pay. "At the moment, we are not sure if the British or the Vietnamese government will take responsibility for bringing victims back to Vietnam, " he said. "Families know nothing about it. It should be clear soon which government (if any) will take responsibility …how much can British and Vietnamese governments pay, and how much will Vietnamese families need to contribute."
The brother of 26-year-old Pham Thi Tra My told the paper his family does not want ashes. Pham Manh Cuong said, “My family wishes to bring my older sister's body back home because we all agreed we want to see her for the last time. If they do not pay for the transportation fee. we have to pay the fee. We have to accept my sister's ashes in Vietnam, because we are in a very difficult position. '' Pham Thi Tra My was the victim who came to prominence when her final text home was made public in which she said, "I'm sorry, Mum. My journey abroad has not succeeded. Mum, I love you so much I'm dying because I can't breathe. ”
Nguyen Dinh Gia, the father of another victim, Nguyen Dinh Luong, from Nghe An province, said his family also wants a body. He said villagers have been visited by local authorities but do not understand their options. “They did not tell me how much the transport fee is, but told us 让's costly …so it's easier to bring back ashes instead of the body," he said. “I said we are asking for help from two governments ... We've had to wait for many days now and are falling into depression.”
The Vietnamese government has not commented on the repatriations(调回本国).Police in the UK and in Vietnam have made several arrests in connection with the incident that claimed the lives of 31 male and 8 female victims, of whom 10 were teenagers.
1.What does Bui Huy Cuong mainly want to express in Para. 2?
A.How officials care about the bereaved families.
B.Some authorities encourage families to receive ashes.
C.How money will be raised to bring the victims back to Vietnam.
D.Families want bodies so they can be honored in traditional funerals.
2.What is the possible meaning of the underlined word “prominence” in Para. 3?
A.Being likely to cause harm.
B.The state of being noticeable.
C.The quality of being pleasant or attractive.
D.Behavior acquired through frequent repetition.
3.We know about Nguyen Dinh Luong from the news report?
A.brother is Pham Manh Cuong.
B.He is from Nghe An province, Vietnam.
C.His family will fly to England to sec his body.
D.His body will soon be brought back to Vietnam.
4.What Can be the best title for the news report?
A.39 People die in the freezing, airless vehicle
B.39 People try to illegally enter the United Kingdom.
C.Relatives struggling to take 39 UK truck death victims back to Vietnam.
D.Arrests in connection with the incident that claim the lives of Vietnamese.
The scene has been set. The Columbus Marathon, 26. 2 miles, Oct. 29th. For Rich Carryer and Michelle Cefola, two 34-year-old twins from Pittsburgh, PA, this was the day when months of hard work and dedication would pay off. Just a short time ago, they were both heading down the same road as their father, who had his first bypass surgery(心脏搭桥手术) at age 38. Regular workouts and a sensible diet just weren't part of their lives. Michelle, however, started a regular fitness program, and soon Michelle began to run. The going was slow at first, but soon Michelle was averaging 30-40 miles a week. With this new lifestyle Michelle was able to lose 90 pounds in 18 months.
Rich was inspired by Michelle's success and also began a dramatic transformation. Rich started a regular exercise routine and also began adding running to his regular exercise. Once again, the running came slow and short at first, but soon Rich was also running 30-40 miles a week. During the first 10 months of Rich's new lifestyle, he was able to lose more than 70 pounds. With all the running that the two were doing, and with all the hard work they had already completed, they decided to try to satisfy a deep-down wish to run a marathon together as the perfect culmination(顶点) of months of hard work.
Michelle thought the Columbus Marathon made the most sense, and Rich noticed that his employer, Giant Eagle grocery stores, would be opening new locations in the Columbus area shortly after the marathon on October 29th. Rich thought it would be a great way to promote Giant Eagle while they were in Columbus for the event. Rich took his idea to his supervisors(主管) and his idea was embraced, as Giant Eagle agreed to sponsor the twins' effort. They started a very strict 18-week marathon training program, which pushed them to their limits. While in Columbus, the two planned on promoting Giant Eagle in any way they could.
And so, on October 29th, Rich and Michelle reached a defining moment in their lives, They showed that each and every one of us has the power to change physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They learned that determination combined with a vision and fueled by inspiration, can lead to accomplishment.
1.What do we know about the twins?
A.They set up a fitness center. B.They are crazy about sports.
C.They both received an operation. D.They struggled to lose weight.
2.Why did the twins run the marathon together?
A.To turn their dream into a reality. B.To start a training program.
C.To run more Giant Eagle stores. D.To meet their father's requirement.
3.Who offered some money to support the twins to participate in the Columbus Marathon?
A.The twins’ relatives. B.Michelle's employer.
C.The twins' friends. D.Rich's employer.
4.What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A.Practice makes perfect. B.Many hands make light work.
C.Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. D.All things are difficult before they are easy.
A 2-bedroom house for rent in Downham Way, Bromley, BRI
Description
Situated in a center, this surprisingly large 2-bedroom house is a stone's throw from Grove Park station with its array of shops, bars and restaurants. What's more, it is close to local schools-primary and secondary schools.
This property is well presented, full of character and charm, and has many attractive features. It is comprised of an entrance hall, a fully fitted modern kitchen and has central gas heating. To the first floor there is a landing, giving access to two double bedrooms and a bathroom. Outside there is a well-kept garden to the front aspect of the property. Offered unfurnished and earliest viewing advised.
The house is available from 27th Nov. 2019 and it is great for professionals and families. All photographs are provided for guidance only and viewings are allowed. If you are satisfied with the house and want to rent it, 2 weeks' deposit, which is half of a month's rent, will be required.
Summary & Exclusions：
Rent Amount: £ 1,400 per month(Rent is due on 1st of the month.)
Agent Fees: £ 150
Administration Fees: £ 50
Minimum rent term is 12 months/ Maximum number of renters is 5
Bills not included
No Parking Available
Note：
If calling, please quote reference(编号):220540
Phone bookings are available from 9 am to 9 pm, 7 days a week.
1.What can we learn about the house?
A.It has a neat back garden.
B.It is equipped with tailored furniture.
C.It is near primary and secondary schools.
D.It can be booked on the phone after 8:30 am.
2.How much is the deposit if a family of three is to rent the house?
A.£ 350. B.£ 700. C.£ 1,050. D.£ 1,400.
3.Who is qualified for renting the house?
A.A family of four wants to rent the house for two years.
B.A family of five wants to rent the house for half a year.
C.A family of six wants to rent the house for one year.
D.A family of three wants to rent the house for nine months.
为提高高三学生的锻炼意识和环保意识，你校学生会将于2020年1月1日上午9：00在宝湖公园组织一次plogging活动（跑步捡垃圾活动）。请你根据提示给高三师生写一则通知，内容包括：
1．活动目的；
2．活动内容；
3．注意事项。
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2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Notice
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The Student Union
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December 1st was World AIDS Day. Our class organized the charity run to raise money for children suffered from the disease. It was the first time that we launched such an activity. We set about early in the morning from the school gate to the Center Square and their run lasted almost one hour .Because we had planned everything well, the journey was still a tough task. But instead of complaining about or giving up , all of us tried our best and managed to reach the finishing line. More important , with the supports of many people ,we finally raised over 10,000 yuan for the sick children. Exhausting as we were, we felt very happy to have such a meaningful experience.
