Can people change their skin color without suffering like pop king Michael Jackson? Perhaps yes. Scientists have found the gene that determines skin color.

    The gene comes in two versions, one of which is found in 99 percent of Europeans. The other is found in 93 to 100 percent of Africans, researchers at Pennsylvania State University report in the latest issue of Science.

    Scientists have changed the color of a dark-striped zebra-fish（斑马鱼） to uniform gold by inserting a version of the pigment (色素) gene into a young fish. As with humans, zebra-fish skin color is determined by pigment cells, which contain melanin (黑色素). The number, size and darkness of melanin per pigment cell determine skin color.

    It appears that, like the golden zebra-fish, light-skinned Europeans also have a mutation (变异) in the gene for melanin production. This results in less pigmented skin.

    However, Keith Cheng, leader of the research team, points out that the mutation is different in human and zebra-fish genes.

    Humans acquired dark skin in Africa about 1.5 million years ago to protect bodies from ultra-violet rays of the sun (太阳光紫外线), which can cause skin cancer.

    But when modern humans leave Africa to live in northern latitudes, they need more sunlight on their skin to produce vitamin D. So the related gene changes, according to Cheng.

    Asians have the same version of the gene as Africans, so they probably acquired their light skin through the action of some other gene that affects skin color, said Cheng.

    The new discovery could lead to medical treatments for skin cancer. It also could lead to research into ways to change skin color without damaging it like chemical treatment did on Michael Jackson.

    Letters as a way of communication have long given way to phone calls and WeChat messages.

    But a TV show, Letters Alive, is helping bring this old way to keep in touch back into the present.

    Letters Alive took its idea from a UK program with a similar name, Letters Live, which was first shown in 2013. Both shows feature famous actors and actresses, but there is no gossip , no eye-catching visual effects or any regular showbiz (演艺圈) activities. Instead, it's just one person walking up to a microphone and reading a letter.

    But these are not just any letters. They are selected from a wide time span and a diverse range of subjects. There is, for example, a passionate letter that famous painter Huang Yongyu wrote to playwright Cao Yu 30 years ago to criticize his lack of creativity. There is also a heartfelt note from Spring and Autumn Period written by two ordinary young soldiers to their elder brother to report their lives in the war zone.

    Every letter is like a small piece of history. By hearing them being read, it's as if we are being sent back in time to experience a moment that we would otherwise never have had the chance to.

    “Letters Live makes us pause and imagine the lives behind the letters,” UK actor Benedict Cumberbatch, one of the readers on the UK show, told The Guardian. “It allows people from all ages and all walks of life to experience a moment of time in someone else's life for a brief moment.”

    Compared to published texts, letters also come with a personal touch.

    One example from Letters Live was a note of thanks from the mother of a dying child to JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books. It read: “Mrs Rowling, Cancer threatened to take everything from my daughter, and your books turned out to be the castle we so desperately needed to hide in.”

    According to Guan Zhengwen, the director of Letters Alive, it is this kind of humanity behind every letter that strikes a chord (引发共鸣) with the audience. It is also what made the show a big hit in China ever since its first episode aired on Dec 5.

    “It's a thing of the past that entertainment shows establish themselves only with pretty faces,” Guan told Sohu News. “Showbiz is starting to switch to a focus on wisdom and intelligence.

    Kenya-Giraffe Conservation

    Preserve and protect Kenya's Wildlife

    After some difficult years, Kenya is back in fashion and welcoming travellers with open arms, with one main aim—help save and protect their unique wildlife. It isn't just the elephant under threat, but it's the smaller species that are also suffering, for example, Rothschild Giraffes. Now there are only 670 left in the wild and they need your help to survive.

    How can you help?

    Head out to the Soysambu Conservancy, which is home to more than 450 bird species and over 50 different mammals, including lions, zebra and more than 100 critically endangered Rothschild's Giraffes.

Get stuck into general reserve conservation but primarily focus on the research and protection of their resident Rothschild Giraffes, which is the reserve's main priority.

    Your Daily Tasks

    Work will be a combination of observational research and hands on work—five days a week.

    Minimum number of weeks is 2. This project is perfect for anyone with a passion for nature, wildlife, and the great outdoors.

    No previous conservation experience required.

    Where will you live?

    You will stay in the houses right in the middle of the reserve with other volunteers.

    The weekends will be free time, so you can explore further up the Rift Valley, Lake El-menteita itself and beyond.

Interested in this; ready to enquire?

    Find out more by filling out the form below and clicking send. The Leap Overseas should then be in touch shortly to help with your enquiry.

    Summer Camps

    Make your summer magical with a one-of-a-kind summer camp experience!

Half-day, week-long camps are held from 9 am-12 pm or 1 pm-4pm.

    Daily snacks will be provided and even become part of the hands-on fun!

Session 1—Ocean Commotion（暴动）

    Set sail for fun and adventure on the deep blue sea! Campers explore uncharted land at The Magic House and discover something fishy as they come into the exciting world of sea creatures.

    June 6-10

    June 13-17

    June 20-24

Session 2—Super kids Explore Earth

    Campers become superheroes to the earth as they learn about the environment and discover how to use their super powers to protect it! During this action-packed week, campers will explore the earth from the sky to the sea and participate in fun, earth-friendly activities such as turning trash into treasure.

    June 27-July 1

    July 11-15

    July 18-22

Session 3—Once Upon A Time

    At this unique fairy tale-themed camp, campers have a magical, make-believe adventure through the pages of some of their favorite storybooks. Campers experience gaint-sized fun as they use their imaginations to travel to places found only in fairy tales.

    July 25-29

    August 1-5

    August 8-12(am sessions only)

    All campers must be registered in advance.

    Eating out is such a pleasure ― the food, the wine, the joy of having it all brought to you by someone else—that it's a pity to ruin the experience by sharing it with other people.

    Well, I do like visiting restaurants with friends. But dining out alone has its own very special attractions. For a start you can give all your attention to the food. There's nothing worse than having to invent and deliver an opinion on school league tables or Sanchez's move to Manchester United, plus listen to everyone else's opinions, when all you really want to do is enjoy each mouthful along the way.

    A second great thing about eating out alone is the chance to combine food with one of life's other true pleasures: reading. You have to plan this carefully: Indian or Chinese restaurants are best ― you need food you can eat with just one hand, leaving the other free to hold your reading material.

    But perhaps the biggest attraction of a table for one is the chance it gives to people-watching. Restaurants and the different reasons for visiting them ― first date, business meeting, night out with friends ― produce human behaviour of surprising richness and variety. Will the man selling his business idea get any joy out of his possible investor (投资者)? Will the married couple think of anything to say to each other before their main courses arrive?

    This "human zoo" part of eating out alone is one of the reasons I'd hate to be famous: everyone would be watching you, so you wouldn't be able to watch them. The snooker player Steve Davis says this was one of the strangest consequences (后果) of becoming well-known: he got very worried about his eating in public, almost to the level of doubting whether he was "doing it right."

    So next time you're considering your eating out choices, remember the advice of the businessman Nubar Gulbenkian: "The best number for a dinner party is two ― myself and a super head waiter."

Lao Gan Ma Black Bean Chilli Sauce

    79 customer reviews

    In Stock

    Sold by PowerforApple and Fulfilled by Amazon. Gift wrap available.

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    About the Product:

    Net Weight: 9. 88 oz（280g）

    Ingredients: Soybean, Chilli, Canola Oil, Salt, Sugar, Monosodium Glutamate, Sulfur Dixide, Sodium Sulfate.

    BEWARE!! This hot sauce has peanuts in it. Watch out for that if you have or you know people with allergies (过敏).

    This chilli sauce certainly adds a lot of flavor to dishes. It goes literally with everything, ramen, dumplings, noodles, rice dishes, and tons of other stuff.

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    Estimated Delivery Date: May 25 – June 1 when you choose Standard at chechout.

    Color: Black（with tracker）

    This product is for Xiaomi Mi4/M3, Miui Iphone 4s/5/5c/5s/6/6Plus, Samsung and Other Smart Phone with Android System 4.4 above.

    This item will be shipped from China within 1-2 working days after full payment is received. Usually it will take 7-15 working days to reach the USA, and will take longer time to Countries outside US.

    We only ship items to the confirmed addresses given on Amazon. Please make sure the address is correct.

    If you have any problem of the product, please contact us within 7 days after receiving the parcel.

    Unwanted product returns will be subject to a 15% restocking fee and it must be in the unused condition only.

    Due to the low profit, return shipping fee will be paid by the buyer.

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