Researchers from the University of Michigan have found that astronauts' brains change shape during spaceflight. It is the first study {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (look) into how the brain changes in space. Researchers looked at high-tech MRI(磁共振成像)pictures of the brains of 26 astronauts who spent time in space. Twelve of the {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (astronaut) spent two weeks on the Space Shuttle, and 14 spent six months on the International Space Station. All of them {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (experience) increases and decreases in the size of {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (differ) parts of the brain. The longer an astronaut spent in space ,the {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (big) the size differences were.

    The research produced some {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (interest) findings. One was that on gravity means fluids do not drop in the body, {#blank#}7{#/blank#} there is a shift in the brain's position inside the skull. The brain becomes either smaller or bigger. The findings could help doctors to treat problems that affect the brain's function. They could treat people with problems {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (cause)by long-term bed rest. They could also help those who have a build-up of fluid in the brain, which can lead {#blank#}9{#/blank#} brain damage. We will understand more about {#blank#}10{#/blank#} neurons(神经元)in the brain connect. The findings will also help future trips to Mars.

                         Gift from a stranger

    My local supermarket is always busy. The first parking space I found was convenient, but I'd noticed a woman in a blue car circling for a while.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} I was in a good mood, I let her have it. On the edge of the car park I backed into the next available spot—it was a tight fit.

    Pretty soon I'd made my way through the supermarket and was back in the fresh air. Feeling good, I{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(empty) my purse change into the hands of a homeless man and helped a struggling woman reverse park（倒车）.

    Just as I approached my car, 1 saw the woman I'd let have my car space earlier. She was giving me {#blank#}3{#/blank#} odd look—half puzzled, half intent (热切的). I smiled and wished her a pleasant day. As I squeezed back into my car, I spotted the same lady {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (look) in at me. "Hello," she said, hesitantly. "This {#blank#}5{#/blank#}_ sound crazy but I was on my way to drop some of my mother's things off at the charity bins.” You are just so much {#blank#}6{#/blank#} her.” You helped those people, I noticed, and you seemed so happy.” She looked at me meaningfully and passed a box in through the window. “I think she would like you to have it.”{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (shock), I took it from her automatically. She smiled and walked away.

    After a pause, I opened the box. Inside was a beautiful gold necklace with a large grey pearl. It was {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (nice) gift I'd ever received, and it was from a complete stranger. The necklace was around my neck, a warm reminder of human kindness.

    If you feel stressed by responsibilities at work, you should take a step back and identify (识别)those of {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(great) and less importance. Then, handle the most important tasks first so you'll feel a real sense of {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(achieve). Leaving the less important things until tomorrow {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(be) often acceptable.

    Most of us are more focused {#blank#}4{#/blank#} our tasks in the morning than we are later in the day. So, get an early start and try to be as productive {#blank#}5{#/blank#} possible before lunch. This will give you the confidence you need to get you through the afternoon and go home feeling accomplished.

    Recent {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(study) show that we are far more productive at work if we take short breaks {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(regular). Give your body and brain a rest by stepping outside for {#blank#}8{#/blank#} while, exercising, or dong something you enjoy.

    If you find something you love doing outside of the office, you'll be less likely {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(bring) your work home. It could be anything-gardening, cooking, music, sports—but whatever it is, {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(make) sure it's a relief from daily stress rather than another thing to worry about.

    Dogs are {#blank#}1{#/blank#} very popular pet. Most of them just live with their families. But some dogs have very special jobs {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (do). A group of dogs {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (know) as "Therapy Dogs". These dogs are family pets with special training, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} allows them to go into public buildings and comfort people {#blank#}5{#/blank#} need. The dogs are trained to be calm and quiet. Loud noises and unfamiliar places don't frighten them. They enjoy spending time with people.

    Some therapy dogs go into places, such as hospitals and nursing homes. When the dogs visit the patients, the patients are cheered up. They have fun {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (pet) the dogs and look forward to their visits. The dogs help to brighten their day. Therapy dogs can improve people's health as well. Studies show that when people pet animals, their blood {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (press) and heart rates go down. They are calmer and {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (they) mood improves.

    Other therapy dogs work in schools and libraries. They serve as warm and caring {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (friend) to children, but they also do {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (much). In one town in California, therapy dogs have become children's reading buddies. The dogs make a great audience. The children look forward to reading to the dogs, and the dogs love the attention.

    There are four ways {#blank#}1{#/blank#}which British and American English differ from each other. The first and most obvious way is in the vocabulary. There are a few {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(differ) in grammar, too. The British say Have you got…? {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Americans prefer Do you have…? The British use prepositions {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Americans sometimes omit them. The other two areas in which the two varieties are different are spelling and {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(pronounce). However, with communications {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(develop) {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(steady) for over a century, some experts believe that the two varieties {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(move) closer together due to satellite TV and the Internet. English {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(speak) with different accents; in the future, there are going to be many "Englishes". In spite of this, users of English will have no difficulty {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(understand) each other.

Keep Your Eyes Open for Weight Loss Ads

    "In only six days I lost seven pounds of weight."

    "Two full inches in the first three days!"

    These are the kinds of statements {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (use) in magazine, newspaper, radio and television ads, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (promise) new shapes and new looks to those who buy the medicine or the device. The promoters of products say they {#blank#}3{#/blank#} shape the legs, slim the face and smooth wrinkles. Often such products are nothing more than money-making things for their promoters. The results they produce are questionable, and some are dangerous to health.

    To understand how these products can be legally promoted to the public, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} is necessary to understand something of the laws covering their regulation. If the product is a drug, FDA(Food and Drug Administration) can require proof that it is safe and effective before it {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(put) on the market. But if the product is a device, FDA has no authority {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (require) premarketing proof of safety or effectiveness. {#blank#}7{#/blank#} a product already on the market is a danger to health, FDA can request the producer or distributor to remove it from the market voluntarily, or it can take legal action, including seizure(查封) of the product.

    One notable case a few years ago {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(involve) an electrical device called the Relaxacisor, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} had been sold for reducing the waistline. The Relaxacisor produced electrical shocks to the body through contact pads. FDA took legal action against the distributor to stop the sale of the device on the grounds {#blank#}10{#/blank#} it was dangerous to health and life.