Dodder is an unusual and unwanted plant that attacks other plants. Except for its flowers, the plant looks like spaghetti, a kind of noodles in the shape of long thin pieces that look like string when they are cooked. It's almost leafless, thread-like stems hang down on top of other plants that dodder needs to stay alive. Dodder does not produce its own food. Instead, it steals food from other plants. It feeds by sucking juices from the plant which is wrapped around, often making its host very weak or even killing it.

    Dodder can find other plants by their smell. When a young dodder plant starts growing, it follows the smell of plants it prefers, like tomato plants, potato plants, or other farm crops. Unlike most plants that usually grow in the direction of light or warmth, a dodder plant will grow in the direction of, for example, tomato smell—if a tomato happens to be growing nearby.

    However, a young dodder plant must find a host plant quickly. It no longer needs its root once it is attached to the host and wrapped around it. If it cannot catch a smell of a potential host within a few days, it will dry up and vanish even if there is plenty of water around. Once it finds a host, the young dodder plant will attach itself to it and start growing faster. At that point the dodder plant will drop its root.

    Dodder is thus a difficult weed to manage and a real headache for farmers. When it does get out of hand, dodder can greatly reduce a farmer's harvest or even destroy crops completely. Before sowing their produce, especially farmers in warm parts of the world often check to make sure no unwanted dodder seeds have mixed with their crop seeds. This is a good way to stop dodder plants from making their way to a crop field secretly.

    School uniforms are becoming more and more popular across the USA. That's no surprise, because they offer many benefits. If all students are dressed in the same way, they will not pay too much attention to their clothing, and some of them will not be laughed at for wearing the "wrong" clothes.

Some people are against the strict rule of school uniforms, but they do not realize that students already accept a kind of rule —- wanting to look just like their friends. The difference is that the clothing students choose for themselves creates social barriers(阻碍）; school uniforms tear those barriers down.

    Some parents are unhappy about uniforms, saying that school uniforms will affect their children's "creativity". First, as noted above , the clothes students choose to wear do not necessarily express their individuality(个性). They just copy their classmates. Second, students have the rest of the day to be as creative as they like. While they're in school, their job is to master reading, writing, and math; this should take up all the creativity they have. Mastery of those skills will be good for the students to build up their creativity in every way.

    As in other places, uniforms remind the wearers of their purpose and duties. For example, when a man or woman puts on a police uniform, he or she becomes, for a time, the symbol(象征) of law and order. The uniform means to the wearer his or her special duties and sends the same message to everyone the wearers meets. People with different jobs wear uniforms of one kind or another. For students, the school uniform reminds them that their task for the six or seven hours they are in school is to get an education.

Young people dressed in hanfu, the traditional clothing of the Han ethnic group in China,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (spot) in many locations around the world during this year's Spring Festival holiday.

An initiative {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (launch) in late January by a Chinese social media platform invited users to upload photos or {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (video) of themselves and friends wearing hanfu at landmarks around the world from January 28 to February 19.

The first two weeks of the initiative saw about 10,000 users share their photos taken from around 30 countries and regions around the world, one of {#blank#}4{#/blank#} even posted photos from Antarctica. Many young Chinese people working or studying overseas also invited their foreign friends to wear traditional Chinese costumes {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(celebrate) the Spring Festival together.

Hanfu, as well as other traditional forms of Chinese costume,{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (experience) a surge（飞涨） in popularity in recent years. Clothes {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (feature) traditional Chinese elements combined {#blank#}8{#/blank#} modern designs, which are called the new Chinese style, have developed into {#blank#}9{#/blank#} fashion. trend among the younger generations not only in China, but also worldwide.

Analysts say the rise of "China chic" {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (definite) reflects young Chinese people's confidence in their own culture. Wearing Chinese-style costumes reflects the wearer's Eastern temperament, and presents Chinese aesthetics to the world.

There is increasing evidence suggesting that ultra-processed food addiction is indeed a significant issue. These foods, which are carefully manufactured in industrial factories rather than in the familiar setting of grandma's kitchen, are filled with altered ingredients that are artfully combined to enhance fat, sugar, and salt levels. Moreover, they contain a lots of flavor and sensory enhancers, which render them irresistibly appealing. Examples of ultra-processed foods range from packaged snacks to fast food and mass-produced desserts. In fact, they account for nearly 60 percent of the calories consumed in the United States.

Studies have revealed that up to 20 percent of adults and 15 percent of kids and adolescents might exhibit signs of addiction to these foods, a phenomenon that has been recognized for decades as rat studies in the 1980s demonstrated that the brain's reward system is powerfully activated when rats consume certain foods, a reaction similar to that when they self-administer cocaine.

In recent years, as the obesity rate in America has soared to 42 percent, especially among Black and Hispanic populations, scientists have been devoting increased attention to the impact of ultra-processed food addiction. These foods not only activate the brain's reward system but also may involve the gut-microbiology. Symptoms of craving and withdrawal are clearly evident with ultra-processed foods. People will go to great lengths to obtain these foods, and when they are refused, they may experience a series of discomforts such as headaches, fatigue, and irritability(易怒的). A study in 2022 found that ultra-processed foods meet the same addiction criteria as tobacco products.

High consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to numerous health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of death. Thin people can also be addicted, perhaps burning off the extra calories through exercise or having a genetic predisposition(易患病体质) not to gain weight easily. Food companies argue against denying these foods, but experts advocate for clear nutritional labels and restrictions on marketing to children. Treating food addictions remains an open question, but there is hope that people will become more aware of the dangers, just as they did with smoking.

Hannah Ray J was introduced to river surfing after noticing a surfer in the middle of a river in I owa by chance. This arouse a passion that has since defined her life. River surfing, once an exciting activity, is now gaining public attention in the Midwest as an exciting outdoor sport. 

New Whitewater parks and surfing areas are being developed across the region, such as in Nebraska and Iowa, with plans to attract thousands of visitors, boosting local economies. Badfish SUP, a Colorado- based company, reports a significant rise in river surfboard sales since the pandemic(疫情) began. They've even named a board" Wave Farmer" in honor of those living near these new recreation spots. 

The constant waves in rivers, unlike the ocean, allow surfers to practice constantly. Technological advancements have helped transform river surfing from a rare to a mainstream activity. The growing interest is evident in the number of cars at the WOKA Whitewater park in Oklahoma, exceeding expectations. 

WOKA offers rent gear(齿轮) and live webcams(摄像头) to check wave conditions. The community support for such activities is also noticeable, with businesses related to Whitewater activities expanding into the area. Other cities are looking to reproduce these successes with plans for Whitewater parks on their rivers. 

However, challenges remain, including water quality issues, variable river flows, and safety risks associated with fast- moving water. Despite these barriers, river surfing looks set to continue its rise in popularity, offering both thrills and economic opportunities for many communities.