Custom tattooed fish (纹身鱼) may be big sellers at markets, but an animal expert say it is a cruel and potentially lethal practice.

    In Laitai Flower and Fish Market near the Lufthansa Center in Beijing, four of over 20 fish stores sell marine ornamental fish that are tattooed using laser (激光) guns with beautiful images in order to make them more attractive to customers. Many people just love these kinds of fish, which gives them a unique visual impression. The price of these fish ranges from 50-100 yuan. Some customers are willing to pay an additional 100 yuan to have Chinese characters tattooed on to the fish. The most popular characters are “zhaocai” (attracting fortune) and “fu” (blessing). The color of tattooed fish won't fade away, and the fish can be cared for as regular fishes:

    But Ye Zhenjiang, a professor from the Ocean University of China, said “the practice would damage a fish's mackerel scale, which is its protective layer. Although I haven't done any research on the impact of the laser on mackerel scale, it is obvious that the mackerel scale may be infected or even destroyed under the exposure of laser,” Ye said. “It's like tattooing a human being's body, and it breaks the physiological balance of the fish and damages: the skin's protective surface, It may even cause death among fishes which have thin mackerel scale.”

    A specialist in aquatic(永生的) animal study surnamed Xu, from the Beijing Fisheries Research Institute, said, “We have no specific regulations to prevent fish from being tattooed. An official surnamed Bai from the Fishery Surveillance and Administration Bureau(FSAB), said there is no study showing that the laser threatened a fish's health. He said a regulation on small animal protection, to be passed in the near future, doesn't include regular aquatic animals. He said the institution is only responsible for aquatic animals that are on the verge of extinction. He said tattooed fish are mainly from south China's Guangdong province because Beijing does not have the laser technology to tattoo a fish.

    “It's too brutal to tattoo pictures or characters on fishes, even if it makes them more beautiful,” many tropical fish buyers told METRO yesterday. “We would never buy fish like that and we prefer them with natural beauty.”

    Australia is the smallest continent in the world. It is a little smaller than China. It is on the Southern Hemisphere of the earth. Australia is big, but its population is small. The population of Australia is nearly as large as that of Shanghai.

    Enough laws have been made to fight against pollution. The cities in Australia have little air or water pollution. The sky is blue and the water is clean. You can clearly see fish in the rivers. Plants grow very well.

    Last month we visited Perth, the biggest city in Western Australia, and went to a wild flower exhibition. There we saw large numbers of wild flowers on show, most of which we had never seen before. We had a wonderful time. Perth is famous for its beautiful wild flowers. Every year in spring Perth has a wild flower exhibition. After visiting Perth, we spent a day in the countryside. We sat down and had a rest near a path at the foot of a hill. It was quiet and we enjoyed ourselves very much. When we heard bells ringing at the top of the hills, we looked up, but what we saw made us pick up all our things and run back to our car as quickly as we could. There were about three hundred sheep coming towards us along the path.

    Australia is famous for its sheep and kangaroos. After a short drive from any town, you will find yourself among the white sheep. Sheep, sheep, everywhere you can see sheep.

    Teens don't understand the big fuss (小题大做). As the first generation to grow up in a wired world they hardly know a time when computers weren't around, and they eagerly catch the chance to spend hours online, chatting with friends, so what?

    But researchers nationwide are increasingly worried that teens are becoming isolated, less skillful at person-to-per son relationships, and perhaps numb to the cheatings that are so much a part of the e-mail world. "And a teen's sense of self and values may be changed in a world where personal connections can be limitless," said Shetty Turkle.

    Another researcher, Robert Kraut, said he's worried about the "opportunity costs" of so much online time for youths. He found that teens who used computers, even just a few hours a week, showed increased signs of loneliness and social isolation. "Chatting online may be better than watching television, but it's worse than hanging out with real friends," he said.

    Today's teens, however, don't see anything strange in the fact that the computer takes up a central place in their social lives. "School is busy and full of pressure. There's almost no time to just hang out," said Parker Rice, 17 "Talking online is just to catch time."

    Teens say they feel good about what they say online or taking the lime to think about a reply. Some teens admit that asking someone for a date, or breaking up, can be easier in message form, though they don't want to do so. But they insist there's no harm.

    You're sitting on the sofa, and there's your dog, right at your feet. You stand up? He stands up. But then you head to the bathroom, and guess who comes with? Why, your dog, of course. But why? Why does your dog follow you like a shadow, no matter where you go?

    Ever get the feeling you're being followed? As for why your companion follows you everywhere you go, read on!

    "When dogs follow their owners, there can be several scientific explanations, depending on the dog and the individual situation," according to Mary Burch, Ph.D., an animal behaviorist(行为学家).

    These explanations include:

    Positive reinforcement(正面强化): When your dog follows you, good things happen. Think dog food, a hot bath and taking a walk around the neighborhood. Your dog's no dummy. And one of his many talents is learning from experience, that is "reinforcement."

    Natural instinct(本能) to be part of a pack: In fact, a study out of Princeton University that was published in the journal, Science Advances, shows that your dog's drive (驱动力)to follow you around (as well as watch you attentively and seek physical contact (身体接触) from you) lies in his genes(基因).

    Feel good chemicals(化学物质): Your presence causes your dog's brain to release "feel good" chemicals, Dr. Primm explains, citing this study. Considering how much we as humans enjoy those feel-good chemicals, it's no surprise your dog likes them too—and will follow you around to get some!

    Sense of responsibility : As you move about your home, your dog might feel that you are patrolling your territory (巡视领地) and take on the duty to assist you.

    The Chicago Fine Chocolate Show took place in November. Pastry chefs (面包师) from around the country handed out samples of their very best work. Chef Scott Green, a chocolate sculptor, impressed the attendees at the show. Not only did he bring his work for all to see，but he also made chocolate sculptures right then and there.

    Green talked to TFK about his job as a chocolate sculptor. He explained that he thinks of himself as an artist who just happens to work with chocolate rather than wood or stone. “I have been around chocolate so long that it isn't chocolate anymore,” he said. To learn more about the job of a chocolate sculptor, read on.

    TFK: What was the hardest thing that you have ever carved, and what was it made of?

    GREEN: In 2017, I did the U.S. Pastry Championship, and I had to carve it castle out of white chocolate for the competition. I didn't have a lot of experience, and white chocolate is hard to carve. That was the hardest thing I have ever carved.

    TFK: How long does it take to make an average sculpture?

    GREEN: For me, it takes a couple of days. Most of that time is getting all the pieces ready. The easiest part is gluing it all together. Chocolate is used for glue. It holds together very well.

    TFK: How much chocolate do you use per sculpture?

    GREEN: It depends on the sculpture. For a show piece, I maybe use 20 to 60 pounds of chocolate. You have to be really strong to lift it. I always ask for help.

    TFK: Is it easier to work with sugar or chocolate?

    GREEN: They are very different. Generally speaking, it is easier to work with chocolate. Chocolate likes being poured into molds (模具), and it sets at room temperature. Sugar is much more fragile. It is very hot when you work with it and not as easy.

    Shukri Noor, 12, arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, one year ago. The sixth grader and her family are refugees (难民) from Kenya. "Since I didn't speak English, it was hard to communicate with others," Shukri said. "I had no friends."

    "Anchorage receives about 130 refugees every year. Most are from Somalia. The rest come from Iraq, Sudan, Cuba, Central America, and other places. Like Shukri, many of the kids feel alone. They're dealing with a lot of adjustments (适应)," Katie Bisson says. She manages to support for newcomer students in the Anchorage School District (ASD).

    At the Newcomers' Center, the ASD offers a special program for students who are new to the US. The kids spend part of each day at the center and part of the day at their neighborhood school. At the center, the students study English and other subjects.

    The main goal is to help newcomers reach the point where they attend their neighborhood schools all day. "Until then," Bisson says, "they have the support of being with kids like them, who are facing the same challenges (挑战)."

    Anchorage has a population of 300, 000.Among the ASD's 48, 000 students, 98 languages are spoken. According to Bisson, the ASD's newcomers program helps students understand a new culture so they can "start off on the right foot".

    The Newcomers' Center gives attention to middle school and high school students. For younger kids, the ASD offers a six-week summer program, which Shukri attended. "It helped me learn the language," she says. "I played sports with kids after class, and I played math games with my classmates. I feel very comfortable now."