When we say older people shrink,we don't mean they become tiny enough to fit in your pocket!We just mean that it's common for older people to become a little shorter over time.This kind of shrinking can't be stopped, although people can slow this process.But why does shrinking happen at all?

    Because of gravity,cushions between the bones in the spine（脊骨）get compressed（压缩）,which makes a person lose a little height and become shorter.

    Another reason why some older people shrink is because of osteoporosis（骨质疏松）.Osteoporosis occurs when bone is broken down and not enough new bone material is made.Over time,bone is said to be lost.Bones become smaller and weaker and can easily break if someone with osteoporosis is injured.

    Older people—especially women,who generally have smaller and lighter bones to begin with—are more likely to develop osteoporosis.As years go by,a person with osteoporosis can get small breaks in bones that are called compression fractures.These breaks cause collapse of the spine and over time the person with osteoporosis can become hunched over（驼背）.

    Did you know that every day you shrink a little,too?You aren't as tall at the end of the day as you are at the beginning.That's because as the day goes on,water in the disks of the spine gets compressed due to gravity,making you just a tiny bit shorter.Don't worry,though.Once you get a good night's rest,your body recovers,and the next morning,you're standing tall again!

    Smoking and drinking alcohol can make this problem worse.Want to do something right now to build strong bones?I believe what I say will help you.

    It was dawn of March 21, 2018. Gary Messina was on his morning run along New York City'8East River. Suddenly something caught his eye—a large 60-year-old man balancing on the four-foot-high fence that guarded the path from the water. As Messina got closer to the scene, the man took a step forward and slipped into the dark river below.

    When Messina reached nearer, the man was struggling in the water, clearly unable to swim. Other joggers also heard the man's cry. David Blauzvern and John Green dropped their phones and keys on land and jumped in. “ People had called the police, but it was unclear when they'd get there,” says Green. “We just reacted. Messina joined them in the river. Just as the jumper was losing strength, Blauzvern take hold of him. The pair were about 30 yards from the seawall when Messina and Green caught up to them. They seized the man, with Blauzvern supporting his back and Messina and Green holding him up from either side. As the men made their way toward the concrete seawall that stretched for blocks in each direction, Blauzvern had an awful realization:there was no way out of the river.

    By now, a crowd had gathered on land. “A rescue boat is on its way, someone yelled to them. Swimming forward was getting tougher by the minute. The jumper, who was six foot two and weighed around 260 pounds, was heavy in his rescuers' arms. After ten minutes, they managed to get to the river's edge. “I've never been so out of breath, ”says Blauzvern.

    Fifteen minutes after the men had jumped into the river, the two-man rescue boat appeared. But because it couldn't risk getting too close to the seawall, the men had to swim out to it. “I was completely out of energy at this point, “says Blauzver. The men in the water pushed the jumper while the men in the boat pulled him up and, finally, to safety. The man they had saved was taken to the hospital for evaluation(评估). Details on his condition have not been released. As for the rescuers, each of them was at work by 10:30a. m. “I was a bit late,” admits Blauzvern, smiling. “But I had a good excuse.”

    The 90-minute documentary, Amazing China, which is co-produced by China Central Television and China Film Corp, opened in theaters nationwide on Friday.

    The film focuses on the major achievements the country has made since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012 under Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era（时代）.

    The documentary focuses on key Chinese infrastructure（基础设施）projects in aerospace, high-speed rail, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the world's largest single-dish telescope FAST.

    The documentary also informs viewers that seven of the world's 10 biggest sea ports are now in China. And that the country now has the longest high-speed rail network in the world.

    Speaking of the significance of the new documentary for the Chinese, La Peikang, the head of China Film Corp, says: “It's not only about showing the achievements, but presenting the status quo of China.

    “The film will help people to know our country better. The moving stories behind the Chinese miracles reflect the people's endeavors and spirit.”

A good documentary is usually a vivid portrayal（描绘）of individual stories rather than slogans, and Amazing China is no exception.

    One of the most touching moments in the film is probably footage from an interview of Nan Rendong, often called the “father of FAST”.

    Amazing China also focuses on common people.

    In the film, you see a young Tibetan woman volunteering in rural areas to help people poverty.

    The movie shows that their work is not easy, but their spirit and unwavering belief make it possible to achieve their targets. And, they are just representative of the many Chinese who work as hard.

    China is the world's second-largest economy. But the country still faces “the contradiction between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life”, as stated in the CPC's 19th National Congress in November. However, as this cinematic production proves, the documentary is a good way for country to boost self-confidence and to aspire for a brighter future.

    Wrist watches are regarded as a tool to tell the time. At first, watches were created as women's decorative bracelets (手镯). At the same time, men used pocket watches. The first men's wrist watch was available in 1904. A pilot called Alberto Santos-Dumont personally asked a watchmaker to create a wrist watch to use on flights. Soon after that, men's wrist watches were available on the market. Since then, watches have been considered fashionable accessories for men, and watchmakers have started to make men's fashion watches.

    At present, watches are not indispensable to tell the time for most people have cell phones which have watch functions. But a new market has been created for wrist watches, which are not only used to tell the time, but also as important fashion statement pieces.

    Generally speaking, watches for formal occasions are beautifully made and more like pieces of jewelry than watches. Men's watches for informal and semi-formal events include simple, slim designs and large-and-thick-sized styles. Nowadays, men usually don't follow any specific style of dress for watches, and the luxury brands of the expensive and strongly made sports watches have made them believe that they look more stylish because of their high prices. Some of the fashion watches have a diamond and some others are completely decorated with precious stones such as diamonds.

    Men's watches also have many advanced functions. For example, the dual-time watches for travelers make them know the time in most other countries as well as the time in their home if they are abroad.

In a word, a men's watch is one of the few accessories for men's cupboard. Men can choose their most suitable watches to go with their personal taste.

    Whenever we see a button (按钮), we are eager to press it because we know something will happen. This is true in most cases, for example on a doorbell and on the “on/off” button on the TV. But some buttons are actually fake, like the “close” button on a lift.

    Many people are in the habit of pressing the “close” button because they don't have the patience to wait for the lift doors to shut. But lifts'" close" buttons are a complete scam, at least in the US—the doors will not close any faster no matter how hard you press.

    It started in the 1990s when the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in the US, making sure that all lifts stayed open long enough so that people with disabilities could enter. Only US firefighters and repairmen can use the buttons to speed up the door-closing process if they have a code or special keys.

    But to normal lift riders, the buttons aren't completely useless. According to psychologists, fake buttons can actually make you feel better by offering you a sense of control.

    “Perceived (能够感知的) control is very important. It reduces stress and increases well-being," Ellen J. Langer, a psychology professor, said, “Having a lack of control is associated with depression.”

    Experts have revealed that a lot of buttons that don't do anything exist in our lives for this same purpose. For example  many offices in the US have fake thermostats (温度调节器) because people tend to feel better when they think they can control the temperature in their workspace.

    But psychologists found it interesting that even when people are aware of these little "white lies", they still continue to push fake buttons because as long as the doors eventually close, it is considered to be worth the effort.

    "That habit is here to stay," John Kounios, a psychology professor, said, ''Even though I have real doubts about the traffic light buttons, I always press them. After all, I've got nothing else to do while waiting. So why not press the button in the hope that this one will work?”

Public libraries are an excellent resource for research, literacy(读写能力)education, and reading-centered events. Most towns have one or share library services with other towns through a mobile library, and the use of a public library is free to people who are willing to apply for a library card.

There are several primary sources of library funding(资金)， starting with national funds which are distributed to states or provinces. These regions send the funds on to public libraries. Local governments also play an important role in providing funding for libraries, and most librarians apply for grants(拨款). Finally, private donations help to maintain libraries—most libraries have an association of Friends of the Library which organizes fund-raising sales and pays annual dues to help maintain the library.

Grants and private donations can also be used to provide a large amount of funding for public libraries, and some large libraries maintain a separate staff to increase the amount of funding that they can obtain through these sources. Grants include technology grants which allow libraries to install and upgrade computer systems, grants which focus on a particular topic such as science, fiction, children's books, or local history, and education grants which support locally-based community efforts such as after-school reading programs. Many private donors are pleased to support their local public libraries by donating funds or including some library in their wills, and libraries reward their donors with treats like after-hours visits or privileged access to special collections.

By combining multiple resources, creative librarians can keep their libraries useful, informative, and fun for browsers. When it comes to supporting public libraries, every little bit counts: if you cannot afford to donate to a local library, think about volunteering time to help shelve, lead after-school programs, or organize fund raisers. Being active with your public library is a very important way to contribute to your local community.