2009/03/31

Woman killed by flying bottle in pub fracas酒館爭吵,飛來的酒瓶殺死女子

◎ 自由時報轉載

A 19-year-old man who killed a woman when he threw a bottle into a crowded pub from which he had been barred, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to manslaughter.

一名19歲男子因為被阻擋進入一間擁擠的酒館,朝酒館內丟擲酒瓶,使一名女子喪命。他週二認了殺人罪。

Emma O’Kane, a 27-year-old mother of three, died after a shard of glass flew into her neck when the bottle shattered inside, Manchester Crown Court heard. She bled to death as the cut severed her jugular vein and an artery.

曼徹斯特刑事法院審案時得知,艾瑪.歐坎是一名27歲母親,育有3個小孩,當酒瓶在酒館內破碎時,一塊玻璃碎片飛插到她的頸部。由於傷口切斷她的頸靜脈與動脈,她流血過多致死。

The court heard that the death of O’Kane, who worked as a part-time barmaid at the Queen Anne Hotel in Heywood, was an "incredible mishap".

法院得知,在海伍德市安妮女王飯店擔任酒吧兼職女侍的歐坎之死,是一個「令人難以置信的災禍」。

Neil McNulty, from Heywood, was told he faced an "inevitable" custodial sentence after admitting causing the death last December.

來自海伍德市的尼爾.麥克納提,在承認造成去年12月這件命案後,被告知面臨「無可避免的監禁刑罰」。

O’Kane, who was not working at the time, was celebrating the birthday of her partner, Michael Shepherd, 38, whom she planned to marry.

當時沒在上班的歐坎,正慶祝38歲伴侶麥可.薛普的生日,此人也是她打算結婚的對象。

McNulty was also out enjoying birthday drinks but became abusive when he and his friends were not allowed into the pub.

麥克納提也是出來為慶生喝幾杯,但當酒館不准許他和其友人進入時,開始惡言相向。

2009/03/30

French sex toy sales fall as financial crunch bites 金融危機侵襲 法國情趣用品銷售下滑

◎自由時報轉載

Sales in the French erotic industry have fallen as the global economic crisis has driven consumers to reduce their spending on sex toys, massage oils and other kinky products, sector specialists say.

法國情色業生意已經隨著全球經濟危機導致消費者減少情趣用品、按摩油和其他怪異癖好用品花費而下滑,業界專家說。

At "Big Eropolis," an erotic fair that opened on Mar. 13 near Paris and bills itself as the biggest of its kind in the world, attendance was healthy but stall owners said customers were not spending as much as in previous years.

三月十三日在巴黎附近開幕的「情色大展」,以自稱是全球最大情趣博覽會為號召,參觀人數還算不錯,但是參展業者說,顧客花錢手筆不若往年。

"We are hit by the financial crisis. We are not in the car industry either, so we haven’t seen a drop (in sales) of 50 percent, but the financial crisis has hit us," the fair’s organiser Eric Heuninck said.

「我們正受到金融危機的打擊。我們並非如汽車產業(生意)掉了五成,但是這場金融危機已經真正衝擊到我們」,這場展覽的主辦人惠尼克說。

"We have had a fall in turnover of about 30 percent compared with last year," said Bernard Montagud, who runs a sex toy stand at the fair which travels around France.

「我們的銷售量和去年相比掉了大概30%」,在這場巡迴法國展出的展覽中設一個情趣用品攤位的蒙塔古德說。

"Before, when a customer came and we always managed to sell them two or three items. Now, alas, they leave with one single item. We feel the impact," he added.

「以前一個客人上門,我們總是能夠賣出兩、三樣產品給他們。現在,唉,他們通常就只會買一樣。我們確實感受經濟不景氣帶來的衝擊。」他說。

Dictionary 新聞辭典

turnover:名詞,(一定時間內的)業績、銷售量。例句:High turnover brings you high bonus. (業績好,你的獎金就多。)

kinky: 形容詞,古怪的,怪異到有點變態的特殊性癖好。例句:No wonder he can’t keep a good relationship with girls because he always like to talk kinky.(他老是愛講一些變態的性癖好,難怪和女生關係都不好。)

alas:副詞,(表示惋惜、遺憾)唉。

2009/03/29

Italian porn star strips in Milan bourse protest 義大利色情片女星在米蘭證交所脫光抗議

◎自由時報轉載

Italian porn star strips in Milan bourse protest

義大利色情片女星在米蘭證交所脫光抗議

An Italian pornographic actress stripped down to her panties at the Milan stock exchange on Tuesday to protest against the financial crisis, police said.

警方表示,一名義大利色情片女星週二在米蘭證交所脫到只剩內褲,以抗議金融危機。

Laura Perego, 22, climbed on to a table inside the bourse entrance clad only in her panties and with the Italian flag painted on her body, a police spokesman said.

警方發言人表示,22歲的蘿拉.沛瑞格爬上證交所入口內的一張桌子,身上只剩內褲,以及彩繪在身上的義大利國旗。

"Italy is down to its underpants," the Sicilian-born actress shouted before being taken away by police. She was charged with obscene acts.

「義大利已經被扒到只剩內褲了」,這位西西里出身的女演員在被警察帶走前大吼。她被控從事淫穢行為。

"I want to send a message to all those who have so badly managed people’s savings," Perego told the Ansa news agency.

「我希望傳遞一個訊息給那些沒有好好管理民眾存款的人」,沛瑞格告訴義大利新聞社。

She added she had other public exhibitions in mind "always improvised and unexpected," Ansa said.

她補充說,自己腦中已經有了其他示威的構想,「總是隨興又無法預期」,義大利新聞社報導。

新聞辭典

bourse:(證券)交易所,此為由法文而來的詞彙,英文一般又稱stock exchange。

panties:內褲,原形為panty或pantie,但常做複數使用。下文的underpants,意思同為內褲。

clad:動詞,clothe的過去式和過去分詞。當形容詞時為穿…衣服的、被…覆蓋的。scantly-clad,幾乎沒穿衣服。

obscene:形容詞,猥褻的、淫穢的。名詞為obscenity。Obscene material/content,猥褻物品/內容。

Power grid is found susceptible to cyberattack 電力網易遭網路攻擊

◎自由時報轉載

An emerging network of intelligent power switches, called the Smart Grid, could be taken down by a cyberattack, according to researchers at IOActive Inc., a Seattle-based security consultancy.

一種稱為「智慧電網」的新興智慧電力開關,可能被網路攻擊行動擊垮,據總部設在西雅圖的安全顧問公司IOActive研究人員指出。

IOActive researchers have spent the past year testing Smart Grid devices for security vulnerabilities and have discovered a number of flaws that could allow hackers to access the network and cut power, according to Joshua Pennell, IOActive’s CEO.

IOActive研究人員過去一年對「智慧電網」設備進行測試,以找出安全漏洞,結果發現若干瑕疵可能令駭客進入到這個網路並切斷電力,據IOActive執行長約書亞.培尼爾表示。

Smart Grid devices are small computers that are connected to the power grid, giving customers and power companies better control over the electricity they use. There are about 2 million of these devices currently deployed, but many more are expected to be added in coming years.

「智慧電網」設備是連接到電力網的小型電腦,讓消費者及電力公司對用電進行更佳的管控。目前已建置了約200萬部這種設備,預計未來幾年還會裝設更多。

IOActive and independent security researcher Travis Goodspeed concluded that these Smart Grid devices could be used to spread malicious code.

IOActive與獨立安全研究員崔佛斯.古茲匹德總結指出,「智慧電網」設備可能被利用來散佈惡性程式碼。

In the hands of a malicious hacker, this code could be used to cut power to Smart Grid devices that use a feature called "remote disconnect," which allows power companies to cut a customer’s power via the network.

在不懷好意的駭客手中,這種程式碼可能會被用來切斷「智慧電網」設備的電力。「智慧電網」運用一種稱為「遠端斷電」的特點,讓電力公司能透過網路切斷顧客的電力。

新聞辭典

susceptible to:片語,易受……影響的;對……敏感的;易為……感染(感動)的。例句:The plant is not susceptible to disease.(這種植物不易受病害侵襲。)

grid:名詞,(將電流輸送廣大地區的) 高壓輸電線路網。grid原意為「格狀的框架;格子」。美國的電力設施,多年來採取相互支援、將多區電廠透過電塔串接成棋盤網路的模式運作,形成所謂的「power grid」。

via:介系詞,經由;憑、藉(=by means of)。via air mail指以航空郵寄。

2009/03/27

Mexican worker sews his lips to demand promotion 墨西哥勞工縫唇要求升遷

◎自由時報轉載

A Mexican state water company worker has sewn his lips together to draw attention to his five-year fight to get a promotion.

一名墨西哥國營水公司的勞工已將他的兩片嘴唇縫起來,藉此吸引外界關注他歷時5年的升遷抗爭。

The man used a needle and thread to put five stitches through his lips in front of the water company headquarters in the eastern city of Veracruz.

這名男子在位於東部城市韋拉克魯斯的水公司總部前面,用針線把他的嘴唇縫了5針。

He handed a statement to reporters saying he has pleaded his case before several state institutions.

他交給記者們一份聲明,表示他已將他的案子向許多政府機構提出訴願,但只得到沒有下文的承諾。

The man has been a laborer at the company for 18 years and has been seeking an office job since 2004.

這名男子在這家公司做工達18年,2004年起開始爭取辦公室職位。

Water company labor-union leader Angelica Navarette dismissed the man as a troublemaker whose demands are unfounded. She said the company has offered him better benefits but he refuses to compromise.

水公司工會領袖安潔莉卡.納瓦雷特將該男子斥為麻煩製造者,並說他的要求根本沒有事實根據。她說,公司曾提供他較好福利,但他拒絕妥協。

新聞辭典

sew:動詞,縫補。sew up,片語(非正式用法),大獲成功;完全控制/獨占;確保。例句:The Japanese baseball team has sewn up the 2009 WBC championship.(日本隊贏得2009年世界棒球經典賽冠軍。)

stitch:名詞,縫了一針。A stitch in time saves nine,諺語,事半功倍。in stitches,片語(非正式用法),無法控制地狂笑。例句:He had us all in stitches with his funny gestures.(他的滑稽動作讓我們狂笑不止。)

unfounded:形容詞,沒有事實根據的;未建立的。例句:The candidate’s Senate bid has been attacked with an unfounded accusation.(這名候選人的參議院選情遭到不實指控的攻擊。)

2009/03/26

Strained marriages harm women 緊張的婚姻關係有害女性

◎自由時報轉載

Women are more likely than men to suffer damage to their health from being in a strained marriage, research suggests.

研究顯示,女性比男性還容易因為婚姻關係緊張而傷害健康。

US psychologists found wives in tense marriages were prone to risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. In comparison, husbands seemed relatively immune from such problems.

美國心理學家發現,身處緊張婚姻的妻子,容易有心臟病、中風與糖尿病的風險因子。相較來說,丈夫似乎對這樣的問題相對免疫。

Details of the study, based on 276 couples who had been married for an average of 20 years were presented to the American Psychosomatic Society.

這份研究以276對結婚平均20年的夫婦為對象,研究結果向美國身心醫學協會發表。

Each couple filled out questionnaires designed to assess the good and bad aspects of married life.

每對夫婦填寫用來評估婚姻生活優缺點的問卷。

They were also rated for how depressed they appeared to be, based on their self-reported symptoms. Doctors then carried out a battery of tests to assess whether or not the volunteers were showing signs of metabolic syndrome.

他們也根據自行通報的症狀,接受調查憂鬱程度的評分。醫師接著進行一連串測試,評估志願受試者是否出現代謝症候群的跡象。

Women in strained marriages were more likely to be depressed and to have a greater number of symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

在緊張婚姻中的女性,比較可能憂鬱,也會有較多代謝症候群症狀。

新聞辭典

strained :形容詞,緊張的。例句:Relations between the two countries have become strained recently.(這兩個國家最近關係緊張。)

immune:形容詞,免於…的。例句:He seems to be immune to colds - he just never gets them.(他似乎對感冒免疫,就是從來沒感冒過。)

a battery of :一連串。

2009/03/25

Nigerian student gets 19 years’ jail for love scam 奈及利亞學生因感情騙局換得19年牢獄

◎自由時報轉載

A Nigerian undergraduate has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for obtaining $47,000 from an Australian woman by convincing her over the Internet that he was 57 years old, white, and madly in love with her.

一名奈及利亞大學生被判19年徒刑,因為他在網路上讓一名澳洲婦女相信,他是瘋狂愛上她的57歲白人男子,而得手47000美元。

Lawal Adekunle Nurudeen met his victim on the Internet in 2007 and convinced her that he was a British widower called Benson Lawson. He said he was an engineer working in Lagos whose wife and only child had been killed in a car accident.

拉瓦.阿德庫.努魯定2007年在網路上遇到他的受害者,並讓她相信他是名叫班森.羅森的英國鰥夫。他說他是在拉哥斯工作的工程師,妻子與唯一的孩子在一場車禍中喪生。

"The victim, a 56-year-old woman from Australia, told the convict that she wanted a husband and all the men she had met always disappointed her," said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti-corruption police.

「來自澳洲的56歲受騙婦女告訴這名罪犯,她想要一個丈夫,但她遇到的所有男人總讓她失望。」奈及利亞反貪污警政單位經濟財政犯罪委員會指出。

"The convict, who is married with three children, instantly replied and told the victim she had met her Mr Right ... He sent the picture of a white man to foreclose any suspicions."

「這名已婚、育有3子的罪犯立即回覆,告訴受害者她已然遇到了她的Mr. Right…,為了釋疑,他寄送一張白人男子的照片。」

The woman sent Nurudeen money for medical treatment and travel costs to visit Australia. He spent the funds on two plots of land and a Honda Prelude car.

這名婦女寄給努魯定一筆醫藥費與澳洲之行的旅費,而他把錢花在購買2小塊土地與一輛本田Prelude轎跑車。

Nigerian confidence tricksters have a long history of extorting money via the Internet through "419" scams, named after the clause that outlaws them in Nigeria’s penal code.

奈國騙徒在網路上透過「419」騙術訛詐金錢的歷史悠久,「419」騙術是以判決其不法刑法為名。

新聞辭典

foreclose︰排除、阻止。例句︰They tried to foreclose the possibility of his meeting with the press.(他們設法排除他與媒體會面的可能性。)

confidence trick︰(先取信對方的)騙局。confidence指信任、秘密話,例如︰blurt out a confidence(脫口說出秘密。)

outlaw︰動詞為宣布…不合法。名詞指歹徒、被褫奪公權者,例句︰He was accused of giving shelter to a hunted outlaw.(他被控窩藏逃犯。)

2009/03/24

Did you have any actual work experience while in college?

問題九
Q:Did you have any actual work experience while in college?
問:你就讀大學期間有什麼實際工作經驗嗎?
A:Yes, at college I worked as an intern at a local Public Relations agency. I was based in the marketing department, and shadowed some of the marketing assistants there. I learnt a great deal from my colleagues. This work experience was very helpful and I really enjoyed it. The internship was the turning point in my life. It made me start thinking seriously about working in the field of public relations.
答:有的,我念大學時曾在本地一家公關公司實習過。我那時待在行銷部門,跟著幾位行銷助理見習。我從同事身上學到很多東西。這次工作經驗非常有幫助,我也很樂在其中。那段實習期間是我人生的轉捩點。它讓我開始認真思考從事公關這行的可能性。

單字片語
◎intern n.實習生 vt.實習
例:Kevin worked in the local bank as an intern.(凱文目前在一家當地銀行當實習生。)
◎agency n.公司、代辦機構
例:Can you recommend a good travel agency?(你可以推薦我一家好的旅行社嗎?)
◎shadow vt.見習
例:I spent my first month at work shadowing some of my colleagues.(我工作的第一個月都在跟某些同事見習。)
◎a marketing assistant 行銷助理
.assistantn.助理(與介詞to並用)
例:Alice used to work as an assistant to Mr. Goodman.(愛麗斯曾經當過古德曼先生的助理。)
◎the turning point 轉捩點
例:I regard meeting Mr. Johnson as the turning point of my life.(我認為遇見強森先生是我人生的轉捩點。)
◎think seriously about… 認真考慮……
例:Mark is thinking seriously about what he is going to do with his life.(馬克正在認真思考他的人生該何去何從。)


WWW.IVY.COM.TW轉載

Police seek dancing trucker 警方尋找跳舞的卡車司機

◎自由時報轉載

European authorities say they are searching for a Romanian truck driver who released a video of himself dancing in his cab as he sped along a highway.

歐洲當局表示他們正尋找一名羅馬尼亞卡車司機,他公開自己沿著公路狂飆時在車內跳舞的影片。

The truck driver, who works throughout Europe, gave the video to a television station and posted it on the Internet site YouTube, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

這名工作遍及歐洲各地的卡車司機,將這部影片交給一家電視台,而且張貼在YouTube網站上,《每日電訊報》週六報導說。

The British newspaper said the video shows the man dancing in his cab, waving both hands and barely looking at the road ahead. He also moves to the passenger’s seat to dance. At one point, the driver steers with his feet as he drives close to other trucks and cars.

這家英國報紙說,影片中可以看到此人在車內跳舞,揮舞雙手,而且幾乎不看前面的路。他也移位到乘客座位上跳舞。這名司機在把車開到靠近其他卡車與汽車時,一度用腳來駕駛。

"I was just bored. This wasn’t anything special. We all do this -- we sing, while we’re driving," he said in the video.

「我純粹只是無聊,這一點也不特別。我們大家都這麼做—我們在開車時會唱歌。」他在影片中說。

The newspaper said copies of the video have been given to authorities throughout Europe. Romanian police say they want to interview the trucker, who appeared on a local television show.

這家報紙說,這部影片的拷貝已交給全歐洲有關當局。羅馬尼亞警方說,他們想約談這名出現在當地電視節目上的卡車司機。

新聞辭典

speed:這裡當動詞用,指駕車者超速行駛。例句:The ambulance sped away in haste.(救護車疾速駛離。)

search for:片語,搜尋、尋找。例句:The policemen

2009/03/23

Beverly Hills pawnshops snap up artwork, Rolexes比佛利山當舖生意大好

◎自由時報轉載

An original Kandinsky, an Andy Warhol, a grand piano and Rolexes by the dozen: as the economic crisis bites even the filthy rich are hocking prized possessions to pay the bills.

原版的康丁斯基、安迪沃荷作品,表演式鋼琴,還有數十只勞力士錶,經濟危機侵蝕下,就連超級有錢人都拿出名貴家當典當過日子。

"This business in the past eight months is booming," said Yossi Dina, the president of The Dina Collection, who describes himself as the pawnbroker to the stars.

「過去八個月生意暴增」,迪納收藏老闆迪納說,他形容自己有如大明星的當舖經紀人。

"I’m very special because I don’t give small loans. I give big loans, people call me for half a million, big loans," he boasted.

「我的特別之處在於我不提供小額貸款,只借大筆的,大家是為了五十萬來找我,來借大錢」,他吹噓說。

Pawnshop owners said they haven’t had it so good for decades in the wealthy Beverly Hills dotted with the luxurious mansions of the nation’s rich and famous,

當舖老闆們說,在全國性富豪、名人豪宅多如繁星的多金比佛利山,他們的生意幾十年來沒這麼好過。

"Recently I got a Kandinsky, an Andy Warhol, original Andy Warhol, a lot of California art ... even a piece for one million dollars," Dina added. Someone even tried to hand over an Oscar to him, but he had to refuse as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has strict rules on selling the famous statuette. He did take the same person’s Golden Globe though.

「最近我收到一幅康丁斯基、一幅安迪沃荷,原版的安迪沃荷,一大堆加州藝術品……甚至有一件價值一百萬美元」,迪納補充說道。有個人甚至要把奧斯卡獎座當給迪納,但是由於美國影藝學院對於出售這個知名雕像有嚴格限制,他不得不拒絕,不過他倒是接受同一個人當的金球獎座。

新聞辭典

snap up:動詞,原意為迅速抓住(機會或物品),本文指當舖生意好。例句:He was snapped up by a MLB team even before he graduated from school. (他還沒畢業就被一支美國大聯盟棒球隊網羅。)

filthy rich:名詞。非常有錢的人。filthy原意為污穢的或令人討厭的,在美國俚語中有「富有的」的意思,舊時用filthy rich略帶貶意,但現在這種負面意涵已經淡化。

boast:動詞,吹噓、自吹自擂。例句:She boasted to everyone that her boyfriend got a PHD degree from Harvard.(她逢人就吹噓她男友拿到了哈佛博士學位。)


2009/03/22

Caravaggio used photographic techniques: researcher 研究者:卡拉瓦喬使用照相般的技術

◎ 自由時報轉載

Italian Renaissance painter Caravaggio used revolutionary optical instruments to "photograph" his models more than 200 years before the invention of the camera, according to a researcher in Florence.

佛羅倫斯研究者表示,義大利文藝復興時期的畫家卡拉瓦喬使用革命性光學儀器替模特兒「照相」,比照相機的發明時間還早了200年。

The 16th-century artist celebrated for his dramatic chiaroscuro (light and shadow) paintings mastered "a whole set of techniques that are the basis of photography", Roberta Lapucci told AFP.

研究者羅貝塔.拉普契告訴法新社,這位以戲劇性明暗對照技法聞名的16世紀畫家,精通「攝影基礎的一整套技法」。

Caravaggio worked in a "darkroom" and illuminated his models through a hole in the ceiling, said Lapucci, who teaches at the prestigious Studio Art Centers International in the Tuscan capital.

任教於塔斯卡尼首府知名的「國際攝影藝術中心」的拉普契說,卡拉瓦喬在「暗室」內工作,從屋頂的小洞照亮模特兒。

The image was then projected on a canvas using a lens and a mirror, she said.

她說,影像利用透鏡及鏡子投射在畫布上。

Caravaggio "fixed" the image, using light-sensitive substances, for around half an hour during which he used white lead mixed with chemicals and minerals that were visible in the dark to paint the image with broad strokes, Lapucci said.

拉普契說,卡拉瓦喬「固定」影像,是利用感光物質;約半小時的時間,他利用混合化學物及礦物的白鉛,以寬筆觸勾勒影像。這種混合顏料在黑暗中也看得到。


2009/03/21

Nanotech blasts cancer cells with tumor-killing genes 奈米科技以殺腫瘤的基因爆破癌細胞

◎自由時報轉載

Scientists in the U.K. are using nanotechnology to blast cancer cells in mice with "tumor busting" genes, giving new hope to patients with inoperable tumors.

英國科學家正利用奈米科技,以「腫瘤爆裂」基因來爆破老鼠體內的癌細胞,為帶有不宜動手術腫瘤的病患帶來新希望。

The new technique has been shown to leave healthy cells undamaged in tests on mice. Researchers are hoping to do human trials within two years, according to the School of Pharmacy at the University of London.

這項新科技在老鼠試驗顯示不會損害健康細胞。研究人員希望在兩年內進行人體實驗,據倫敦大學藥學院表示。

Nanotechnology has held a critical role in the fight against cancer over the past year.

奈米科技在過去一年扮演著舉足輕重的抗癌角色。

In December, for example, researchers at MIT announced that they had developed nanotechnology that can be placed inside living cells to determine whether chemotherapy drugs are reaching their targets or attacking healthy cells.

舉例來說,麻省理工學院12月間宣布,他們已發展出能置入活細胞內,藉以判定化療藥物是否到達目標或攻擊健康細胞的奈米科技。

The sensors, which can detect chemotherapy drugs as well as toxins and free radicals, are carbon nanotubes that scientists have wrapped in DNA so they can be safely injected into living tissue.

這種能夠偵測化療藥物、毒素及自由基的感應器,是科學家包裹在DNA中的奈米碳管,如此就能安全地將它們注入活體組織中。

新聞辭典

inoperable:形容詞,不宜動手術的;手術不能治癒的。用法如:an inoperable brain tumor(手術不能治癒的癌)。

free radical:自由基,是指帶有不成對電子的分子、原子、或離子。自由基非常不穩定、具高度活性,會去搶奪其他物質的電子,而併發一連串連鎖反應,對身 體有一定毒性;可能影響一些生物分子如蛋白質、脂質、醣類、DNA等正常結構及代謝反應,造成不可回復的傷害。

wrap:動 詞,包裹;纏繞;覆蓋。wrapped,被包裝起來的,被包裝好的;wrapping,包裝紙,包裝材料。 wrapped up in,片語,全神貫注於;醉心於。例句:She is wrapped up in her studies.(她全神貫注於她的研究。)


2009/03/20

British scientists uncover oldest words in English 英國科學家發現最古老的英文字彙

◎自由時報轉載

The oldest words in the English language include "I" and "who", while words like "dirty" could die out relatively quickly, British researchers said.

英國研究人員表示,英文中最古老的字彙包括「I」(我)與「who」(誰),至於像「dirty」(骯髒的)這些字彙則會很快消失。

Scientists at Reading University in southern England have used a supercomputer called ThamesBlue to model the evolution of words in English and the wider family of Indo-European languages over the last 30,000 years.

英格蘭南部瑞汀大學的科學家利用名叫ThamesBlue的超級電腦,以找出過去3萬年的英文,以及更廣泛的印歐語系字彙演化的模型。

They say that the most commonly-used words -- which also include the numbers two, three and five -- tend to be the oldest and change most slowly over time.

科學家說,最普遍被使用的字彙—包括數字2、3與5—傾向是最古老的字彙,隨時間改變的速度也最慢。

Meanwhile, adjectives like "dirty" and verbs like "squeeze" could disappear over the next eight centuries or so, the scientists say.

在此同時,科學家說,像「dirty」等的形容詞以及像「squeeze」(擠捏)等的動詞,可能會在未來8世紀左右消失。

Because there are many different ways of saying "dirty" in Indo-European languages -- currently 46 -- it is more likely to die out, the team said, along with, for example, "push", "turn", "wipe" and "stab".

該研究團隊說,這是因為在印歐語系中,還有很多不同的說「dirty」的方式—目前有46種—該字因而更有可能消失,其他也可能很快消失的字彙還有例如「push」(推)、「turn」(翻轉)、「wipe」(擦拭)與「stab」(戳刺)。

新聞辭典

uncover:動詞,揭開,移去;發現;脫帽。

die out:片語,逐漸消失,滅絕。

evolution:名詞,發展;演化。例句:Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, has been one of the most respected figures in the history of science especially in the biology field.(進化之父查爾斯.達爾文是科學史上、特別是生物領域的科學史上最受敬重的人物之一。)


2009/03/19

stuntman pulls off some of the greatest fall(s)

Hollywood stuntman pulls off some of the greatest fall(s) I've ever seen! But, it's the last stunt the dude does that will absolutely blow you away! This guy is incredible (& maybe a little SORE, too!) lol

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2463404/video/R/CFD_1002/

Chinese food fights breast cancer 中式食物可對抗乳癌

◎自由時報轉載

Two Chinese dietary staples - mushrooms and green tea - may have the power to ward off breast cancer, mounting evidence suggests.

越來越多證據顯示,兩種中式飲食菇類與綠茶,或許有預防乳癌的效果。

A study of over 2,000 Chinese women in the International Journal of Cancer found large quantities of both in the diet slashed cancer risk by up to 90%.

國際癌症期刊一份針對2000名中國女性所做的研究發現,攝取大量菇類與綠茶,癌症風險最高可降低90%。

Research suggests chemicals in the foods block tumour growth and boost the body’s natural defences against cancer.

研究顯示,這兩種食物裡的化學物質抑制腫瘤成長,提高身體對抗癌症的天然防禦力。

But experts say it is unclear whether the benefits will apply to all women.

但專家表示,目前還不清楚這種好處是否適用於所有女性。

It is known that the rate of breast cancer in China is four- to five-times lower than rates typically seen in developed countries, although this is changing as women are adopting Western diets rich in meat and dairy.

乳癌罹患率在中國較已開發國家低4到5倍,不過這個比率也因為越來越多女性食用富含奶蛋的西式食物而有所改變。

Scientists in California have been doing a trial to see if taking a mushroom extract twice a day for a month helps breast cancer survivors remain free of the disease.

加州的科學家一直進行測試,觀察每天食用兩次菇類萃取物一個月,是否有助癌症康復者不再復發。

The new study of Chinese women, by a team at the University of Western Australia in Perth, found that women who ate at least 10g of fresh mushrooms daily were 64% less likely to develop breast cancer.

伯斯西澳大學團隊針對中國女性的新研究發現,每天至少食用10克新鮮菇類的女性,乳癌罹患率低64%。

新聞辭典

ward off:片語,避免。例句:In the winter I take vitamin C to ward off colds.(冬天我吃維他命C預防感冒。)

slash:動詞,降低。例句:Prices have been slashed by 50%!(價錢降了5成!)

extract:名詞,萃取物。


2009/03/18

Hundreds attending Britain’s first divorce fair 數百人參加英國首度舉辦的離婚展

◎自由時報轉載

Hundreds of newly single people are attending an event billed as Britain’s first divorce fair.

數百位剛恢復單身的男女參加號稱是英國首次的離婚展。

The Starting Over Show says it aims to help people "bounce back" from breakups. It is taking place at a hotel in the English seaside resort of Brighton.

「重新出發秀」指出,其宗旨在協助人們從分離崩潰中「復元」。這場活動在英格蘭海濱度假勝地布萊頓的飯店舉行。

Organizer Suzy Miller says the fair tries to focus on the positive and provide support to those experiencing a breakup.

主辦人蘇琪.密勒說,該展覽致力聚焦於積極面,並對那些經歷關係破裂的人提供支持。

Attendees can talk to lawyers, counselors, astrologers, financial advisers and lifestyle coaches. There is a play area for kids, as well as comforting tea and cake.

參加者可以與律師、諮商師、占星家、財務顧問與生活型態輔導等專家談談。現場有兒童遊樂區及可口的茶點。

Organizers say they sold 300 advance tickets at about 5 pounds each.

主辦人員說,他們賣出300張預售入場券,每張票約5英鎊。

Britain has one of Europe’s highest divorce rates, with 2.6 divorces per 1,000 people compared with a European average of 1.8, according to 2001 EU statistics.

根據2001年歐盟的統計數據,英國是歐洲離婚率最高的國家之一,每1000人中有2.6人離婚,相較之下,歐洲平均為1.8人。

新聞辭典

bill(as)︰動詞,(以海報、廣告、報紙等)宣布。例句︰The visit was billed as nonpolitical. (這次訪問宣稱是非政治性的。)

bounce back︰片語,復元、復甦、回升。例句︰Last month he suffered a heart attack. But now he seems to have bounced back. (他上個月心臟病發過一次,不過現在他看來已經復元了。)

advance ticket︰指預售票。advance當形容詞有預先、事先之意。例如︰advance guard(先遣部隊、先鋒)。in advance of︰在…之前;例句︰His educational ideas were far in advance of his time.(他的教育觀點遠遠超越他的時代。)


2009/03/17

Wal-Mart customer finds teeth in new wallet 沃爾瑪顧客在新皮夾中發現牙齒

◎自由時報轉載

A customer shopping at a Wal-Mart for a wallet claims he found something that definitely didn’t fit the bill: human teeth.

一名在沃爾瑪選購皮夾的顧客宣稱,他發現某件東西,肯定與帳單不符:人的牙齒。

Police say the man found 10 human teeth Saturday when he unzipped a compartment in the wallet. One tooth had a filling.

警方說,這名男子週六拉開皮夾內的一個夾層拉鍊時,發現10顆人類牙齒,其中一顆牙齒填補過。

The customer turned the wallet and the teeth over to employees at the Falmouth store but left without giving his name.

這名顧客將這個皮夾與牙齒轉交給這家位於法茅斯的商店員工,但沒有留下自己的姓名就離去。

Police investigating the incident told The Cape Cod Times that the teeth belong to an adult, but since there was no blood or gum tissue on the teeth, they would be unable to perform DNA tests.

調查這起事件的警方告訴《鱈魚角時報》,這些牙齒屬於一名成年人所有,但由於這些牙齒上沒有殘留任何血液或牙齦組織,所以他們無法進行DNA化驗。

A Walmart spokeswoman said the company believes it was an "isolated incident," but will investigate.

沃爾瑪一名女性發言人說,該公司相信這是一起「孤立事件」,但會進行調查。

新聞辭典

unzip:動詞,拉開~拉鍊。例句:As she unzipped the garment, she noticed two price tags inside.(她拉開衣服的拉鍊時,注意到裡面有兩個價格標籤。)

turn over:片語,交給、移交。例句:I turned my library book over to the librarian yesterday.(我昨天把我在圖書館借的書交給館員。)

belong to:片語,(在所有權、關係方面)屬於~。例句:As a writer, he really belongs to the 18th century.(作為一位作家,他其實是屬於18世紀的。)


2009/03/16

5 living presidents singing Give Me Money by the Beatles

Jay Leno 5 Presidents Beatles Singing BEATLES SONG for MONEY! Need Money BEST COMEDY

5 living presidents singing Give Me Money by the Beatles, I need money, you need money, let's make

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2539923/video/R/CFD_1002/

The Alive Gallery in Seoul

"CBS News RAW": The Alive Gallery in Seoul, South Korea unveils its collection of moving and talking paintings. The technology helps young children interact with and appreciate old artworks. (CBSNews.com)

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2322501/video/R/CFD_1002/

HOW TO CONVERT A NORMAL COIN INTO A MAGIC COIN

(S.E.P) HOW TO CONVERT A NORMAL COIN INTO A MAGIC COIN TO USE IN MAGIC TRICKS SUCH AS THE BITTEN COIN OR THE COIN IN THE BOTTLE SIMPLE STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS, CAN BE DONE WITH ANY CURRENCY, AMAZE YOUR FREINDS! (A SHOOTING

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2526779/video/R/CFD_1002/

Chimpanzee ’created weapons to hurl at zoo vistors’ 黑猩猩製造武器扔向動物園遊客

@自由時報轉載

A chimpanzee in Furuvik Zoo of Sweden became so annoyed at being gawked at by tourists that he started creating weapons to hurl at them, scientists have found.

瑞典福魯維克動物園的一隻黑猩猩覺得一直被遊客盯著看很煩,開始製造武器扔向他們,科學家發現。

Santino the chimp would calmly collect stones even when the zoo was closed, to throw at visitors when they returned.

這隻黑猩猩桑提諾就算動物園關閉時都會冷靜地收集石頭,在遊客回來時丟他們。

Scientists believe his behaviour is the strongest proof yet that humans are not the only creatures which can make plans for the future.

科學家相信,牠的行為是目前為止最強烈證據顯示,人類不是唯一能未雨綢繆的生物。

Although he was clearly agitated and distressed when pitching his ammunition, the scientists found that Santino was always calm whenever collecting or crafting the stones.

雖然牠丟彈藥時明顯焦躁憤怒,科學家發現,桑提諾總是能冷靜地收集或打造石塊。

This cool behaviour proves that he was not driven by his immediate circumstances or need, according to a new study in the journal Current Biology.

這種冷靜行為證明牠並非出於當下臨時狀況或者需要,根據「當代生物學」期刊中一份新研究指出。

Mathias Osvath, from Lund University in Sweden, who led the study, which watched the chimp’s actions for more than a decade, said: "These observations convincingly show that our fellow apes do consider the future in a very complex way.

瑞典隆德大學負責帶領這項研究、觀察這隻黑猩猩的行動逾十年的奧斯瓦德說:「這些觀察令人信服地顯示,我們的猿猴同類確實會以非常複雜的方式為未來打算。」

"It implies that they have a highly developed consciousness, including life-like mental simulations of potential events.

「這表示他們有高度發展的認知能力,包括對可能發生事件做逼真的心智模擬。」

◎新聞辭典:

gawk:動詞,長時間盯著看某物、某人。例句:It’s rude to gawk at people.(一直盯著人看很沒禮貌。)

hurl:動詞,丟,激烈地說或罵。例句:He interrupted the speech and hurled curses at the speaker.(他打斷演講,並激烈地咒罵演講者。)

agitate:動詞,鼓動、使激動、焦慮。例句:He would become agitated everytime we mentioned about his ex-girlfriend.(每次我們提到他前女友都會讓他心煩意亂。)


2009/03/15

如何製作煙幕彈

(S.E.P) FORGET ALL YOU HAVE SEEN BEFORE, THIS IS HOW TO MAKE THE ULTIMATE COLORED SMOKE BOMB, MILITARY SPEC, STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FROM START TO FINISH, ALL INGREDIENTS CAN BE BOUGHT EASILY IN MOST COUNTRYS, PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION RESPONSIBLY... (A SHOOTING EGGS PRODUCTION)

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2383631/video/R/CFD_1002/

Museum finds "secret" message in Lincoln’s watch 博物館發現林肯懷錶內的「秘密」訊息

◎自由時報轉載

A gold watch owned by Abraham Lincoln bears a message marking the start of the U.S. Civil War, but the president never knew of the "secret" inscription uncovered on Tuesday at the National Museum of American History.

亞伯拉罕.林肯所擁有的金錶帶有一段訊息,記錄了美國南北戰爭(內戰)的開始;但總統從來沒發現的「秘密」銘刻文字週二卻在美國國立歷史博物館公諸於世。

The engraving, by watchmaker Jonathan Dillon, is dated April 13, 1861, and reads in part: "Fort Sumpter was attacked by the rebels" and "thank God we have a government."

文字是由錶匠強納森.迪倫所留下,日期是1861年4月13日,部分內容為「桑特堡(應為Sumter)遭到叛軍攻擊」、「感謝主,我們還有政府」。

The museum said it agreed to open the watch to find out if the message really was there after it was contacted by the watchmaker’s great-great-grandson, Doug Stiles of Waukegan, Illinois.

館方表示,錶匠住在伊利諾州沃肯岡的玄孫道格.史提勒斯跟他們聯繫,因此他們同時打開懷錶,看看是否真有這段訊息。

The American Civil War began when Confederate troops opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861.

南北戰爭的開端是,南軍在1861年4月12日攻擊南卡羅來納州查爾斯頓的桑特堡。

Forty-five years later, Dillon the watchmaker told The New York Times that he was repairing Lincoln’s watch when he heard that the first shots of the Civil War had been fired.

45年後,錶匠迪倫告訴紐約時報,當他聽到內戰開打的消息時,他正在修理林肯的錶。

Dillon said he unscrewed the dial of the watch and used a sharp instrument to mark the historic day on the president’s watch.

迪倫說他卸下錶面,用尖銳工具在總統的錶裡記下歷史性的一天。

新聞辭典

the U.S. Civil War:美國內戰,或稱南北戰爭。一般小寫時,civil war是指任何一場內戰。

inscription:名詞,銘刻、銘文、碑文。The inscription on the tombstone is beyond recognition.(墓碑的文字已經難以辨認。)

great-great-grandson:玄孫。英文中一般不會特別區分孫子跟外孫,grandson就包括兩者,great-grandson就是曾孫及曾外孫。

emergency crash-landing into the Hudson River

US Airways flight 1549 made an emergency crash-landing into the Hudson River on Thursday, January 15, 2009. All 155 people on board were brought to safety. The miraculous landing took place after the plane struck at least one bird upon takeoff from New York!|s LaGuardia Airport. Watch the video to see for yourself what really happened: the take-off, flight-path and - crucially - the landing and rescue of passengers.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2521072/video/R/CFD_1002/

2009/03/14

Breaking up is hard to do, and costly, survey says 調查:分手難,代價高

@自由時報轉載

Breaking up is hard to do and it is also expensive, with an Australian survey finding it cost people on average $45,000 to rebuild their lives after splitting up.

分手是一件難做的事,而且代價高昂,澳洲一項調查發現,分手後重建生活,平均要花費4萬5000美元。

The survey for financial services group Bankwest found 19 percent of respondents who had been married estimated it cost over $100,000 to start a new life, while the average cost was slightly less. It also took several years to recover financially.

這項為金融服務集團Bankwest所做的調查發現,19%曾有過婚姻的受訪者估計,他們花了超過10萬美元才開始新生活,而調查出的平均花費比這個數目低一點。此外,財務狀況要好幾年才能恢復。

"It’s natural that couples in long-term relationships buy big ticket items together without giving a thought that one day they might split up," said Bankwest spokeswoman Selina Duncalf in a statement.

「擁有長期關係的男女共同購買大型貴重物品,想都沒有想過他們有一天可能會分手,這是很自然的事。」Bankwest的發言人塞琳娜.杜卡爾夫在一項聲明中說。

"But our research showed that nearly one in four people estimated it took longer than two years to get back on their feet financially after a split. Many are still struggling to get back on their feet years later."

「但我們的調查顯示,近4分之1的人估計,在分手後他們要花兩年多的時間才能在財務上重新站穩腳跟。許多人在分手後多年依然苦苦掙扎,以求東山再起。」

The poll, conducted by Brand Management in late January, found that nearly half, or 48 percent, lost friends as a result of splitting up while 46 percent said their social life improved.

這項調查由Brand Management公司於1月底進行,調查發現幾乎一半人,也就是48%的人因分手而失去朋友,但有46%的人表示他們的社交生活改善了。

新聞辭典 Dictionary

on(the)average:平均而言。例句:I spend 2,000 dollars per month on average.(我每月平均花費兩千美元。)

split up:分裂、分開。例句:The party split up into small groups.(該黨分裂為若干小派系。)

get back on one’s feet:片語,從(失敗,痛苦等)中重新振作起來。例句:He soon got back on his feet after the fall.(他在挫折後很快就東山再起。)


2009/03/13

Teed off man uses golf club in clash over manners/爭論禮貌 男子火大拿高球桿打人

◎自由時報轉載

A man faces assault charges after allegedly striking another man with a golf club in an argument over manners.

一名男子面臨攻擊指控,因為他在一場關於禮貌的爭執中,涉嫌使用一支高球桿攻擊另外一名男子。

Police told the Cape Cod Times that a 50-year-old man leaving a gas station in town on Monday morning held the door open for a 38-year-old man.

警方告訴鱈魚角時報,一名50歲男子週一早上離開鎮上一座加油站時,幫一名38歲的男子拉住門。

Police said the 38-year-old man did not thank the other man, who responded by uttering a sarcastic "thank you."

警方表示,這名38歲的男子並未向另外那名男子致謝,該男子於是語帶諷刺地說了一句「謝謝你」。

The two men got into an argument before the 38-year-old went to his car to get a golf club, which he allegedly used to strike the victim several times in the stomach and legs. Police said the victim suffered minor injuries.

兩名男子因此陷入爭執,38歲的男子到他的車上取出一支高球桿,涉嫌使用高球桿多次攻擊受害者的腹部與雙腿。警方表示,受害者受到輕傷。

The 38-year-old man pleaded not guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in Falmouth District Court on Tuesday and was ordered to stay away from the other man.

這名38歲的男子週二在佛茂斯地區法院對於以危險武器攻擊與毆打的罪名拒不認罪,並遭(法庭)諭令不得靠近另外那名男子。

新聞辭典

tee off:片語,(高爾夫)從梯台上開球;(俚語)開始;使生氣或不高興。例句:His rude remarks really teed her off.(他的粗魯發言真的令她很不高興。)

club:名詞,棍棒。各式棍、棒、桿的英文用字不盡相同,例如,棒球棒是baseball bat,釣魚竿是fishing pole/rod,曲棍球桿是hockey stick,至於高爾夫球桿則是golf club。

manners:名詞,禮貌;風俗。例句:I hate to greet people with no manners at all.(我超討厭接待毫無禮貌的人。)


2009/03/12

Quick reactions ’long life link’ 反應快活得比較久

◎自由時報轉載

People with quick reactions are likely to live longer than those less quick off the mark, a study suggests.

研究顯示,反應快的人,活得可能比反應不那麼快的人久。

The joint Edinburgh University and Medical Research Council team looked at the response rates of more than 7,400 people, the journal Intelligence said.

「智力」期刊說,愛丁堡大學與醫學研究委員會團隊觀察7400多人的反應率。

Researchers found those with the slowest reactions were 2.6 times more likely to die prematurely.

研究者發現,反應最慢者,早逝的機率高2.6倍。

They said quick reactions may be a sign of intelligence.

他們說,反應快可能是智力的跡象。

Reaction times were taken using a computer programme during the 1980s along with range of other factors including alcohol intake, smoking habits, blood pressure and weight. The average age of those studied was 46.

(研究人員)利用在1980年代的一個電腦程式,以及納入酒精攝取量、抽菸習慣、血壓與體重等其他因子,來估算反應時間。接受研究者平均年齡為46歲。

Dr Geoff Der, one of the authors of the report, said: "Research has shown that there is a correlation between reaction times and intelligence.

報告作者之一吉歐夫.德表示:「研究顯示,反應時間與智力有相互關係。」

新聞辭典

be quick off the mark:片語,對某件事情或某種情況反應迅速。例句:The police were quick off the mark reaching the scene of the accident.(警方很快地抵達意外現場。)

along with :片語,與、連同、一起。例句:California, along with Florida and Hawaii, is among the most popular US tourist destinations.(加州,連同佛羅里達與夏威夷,都是美國人氣旅遊地點。)

intake:名詞,攝取量。例句:It says on the packet that four slices of this bread contains one half of your recommended daily intake of fibre.(包裝上說,這種麵包4片含有每日建議纖維攝取量的一半。)


2009/03/11

Vatican says washing machine brought rights to women 教廷說洗衣機帶來女權

◎ 自由時報轉載

The washing machine has had a greater liberating role for women than the pill, the official Vatican daily said in an International Women’s Day commentary.

梵蒂岡官方報紙在一篇國際婦女節的評論指出,洗衣機比避孕藥扮演更大的婦女解放角色。

"The washing machine and the emancipation of women: put in the powder, close the lid and relax," said the headline on the article in Osservatore Romano.

「洗衣機與婦女的解放︰放進洗衣粉,關上蓋子,然後放輕鬆」,羅馬觀察家報該篇文章的標題寫道。

"In the 20th century, what contributed most to the emancipation of western women?" questioned the article. "The debate is still open. Some say it was the pill, others the liberalisation of abortion, or being able to work outside the home. Others go even further: the washing machine," it added.

「在20世紀,什麼對西方婦女的解放貢獻最卓著?」該文提問。「這項爭議仍懸而未決,有些人說是避孕藥,另有人說是墮胎的自由化或能走出家庭工作,其他人甚至說是洗衣機。」文章補充說。

The long eulogy to the washing machine -- for which the first rudimentary models appeared in the 18th century -- highlighted "the sublime mystique to being able to ’change the sheets on the beds twice a week instead of once’," quoting the words of late American feminist Betty Friedan.

對洗衣機的長篇褒揚—該機器最初模型出現在18世紀—凸顯出「『能夠每週換兩次而非一次床單的』極致秘訣」,文章引述已故美國女性主義者貝蒂.傅瑞丹的說法。

While the machines were at first unreliable, technology has developed so quickly that now there is "the image of the super woman, smiling, made-up and radiant among the appliances of her house," wrote Osservatore.

雖然洗衣機一開始性能不可靠,然而科技發展如此迅速,以致現在存在「超級婦女的形象;這個婦女露出微笑、化好妝,同時容光煥發地周旋在家裡的電氣用品之間。」觀察家報寫道。

新聞辭典

emancipation︰名詞,解放。比如︰Emancipation Proclamation(解放宣言;美國總統林肯於1862年頒布的解放奴隸法令。)

eulogy︰名詞,頌詞、悼詞、讚美。例句︰The Prime Minister pronounced a eulogy upon the firefighting heroes.(總理向打火英雄致上頌詞。)

rudimentary︰形容詞,基本的、初步的、早期的。例句︰Her grasp of rudimentary English allowed her at least to do the shopping.(她對基礎英文的掌握,讓她至少可以購物。)


2009/03/10

Missing mobile found inside fish 魚肚裡找到不見的手機

◎自由時報轉載

A businessman who lost his mobile phone on a beach was amazed when it turned up - in the belly of a giant cod.

一名商人在海灘遺失了自己的手機,當它出現在一條巨大鱈魚的肚子裡時,大感詫異。

Andrew Cheatle thought it had been swept out to sea after it slipped from his pocket.

安德魯.齊托以為它是在從他的口袋滑落出來後,被沖入海中。

But a week later his girlfriend’s mobile rang and it was fisherman Glen Kerley saying he’d found the phone in a 25lb fish, reports The Sun.

但一週後,他的女友手機響起,結果是漁夫葛林.柯雷打來,說他在一條25磅的魚身上發現這支手機,太陽報報導說。

Andrew got the handset back, dried it out - and amazingly it still works.

安德魯拿回手機,把它烘乾—它竟神奇地仍可使用。

Andrew, 45, said: "I was messing about with my dog and my phone must have fallen out and been swept out in the swell. I kept calling it but I gave up hope after a couple of days."

45歲的安德魯說:「我當時正在和我的狗嬉鬧,而我的手機一定是掉下來,而且在大浪中被沖走了。我一直打給它,但數天後我死心了。」

He was shopping for a new phone with girlfriend Rita Smith, 33, when her mobile went off.

他和33歲的女友麗塔.史密斯去選購一個新手機,當時她的手機關機。

She told him: "Your old mobile number is calling my phone."

她告訴他:「你的舊手機號碼正打給我的手機。」

新聞辭典

turn up:片語,出現、重現。例句:We thought he had been killed, but he turned up safe ans sound.(我們以為他遇害了,但他卻安全無恙地出現了。)

dry out:片語,(使)乾透。例句:The sun dried out the hay.(太陽把草曬得乾透。)

mess about:片語,嬉鬧、胡鬧或開玩笑。例句:Stop messing about! I am trying to tell you something important.(別胡鬧!我要告訴你一件重要的事情。)


2009/03/09

Budget airline mulls charging passengers to use toilet廉價航空公司打算向上廁所乘客收費

◎自由時報轉載

Budget airline mulls charging passengers to use toilet

廉價航空公司打算向上廁所乘客收費

Irish budget airline Ryanair is considering charging passengers to use the toilet during flights, Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said.

愛爾蘭廉價航空公司萊恩航空正考慮向在飛行途中使用廁所的乘客收費,執行長麥可.歐利瑞說。

O’Leary said the carrier was looking at the possibility of installing coin slot on toilet doors in its planes which would only open with the insertion of a one pound coin.

歐利瑞說,該公司正在評估在飛機廁所門上加裝投幣孔,投入一英鎊才能開門。

"One thing we have looked at in the past, and are looking at again, is the possibility of maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door, so that people might actually have to spend a pound to spend a penny in future," he said.

「我們過去考慮過、現在再提出來思考的一件事是,廁所門上裝個投幣孔的可能性,如此一來,大家或許未來真的得花錢上廁所。」他說。

He added: "I don’t think there is anybody in history that has got on board a Ryanair aircraft with less than a pound."

他還說:「我認為任何搭過萊恩航空的人,不會身上連一英鎊都沒有。」

It is the latest Ryanair idea to save money in the tough economic climate.

這是萊恩航空在經濟困難的當下所想出的最新省錢之道。

A Ryanair spokesman, Stephen McNamara, later played down the toilet charge idea. "Michael makes a lot of this stuff up as he goes along and while this has been discussed internally there are no immediate plans to introduce it," he said.

一名萊恩航空的發言人後來淡化這個上廁所要收費的想法。「麥可隨時提出許多這類想法,儘管這個構想曾在內部討論過,尚無立即計畫引入。」他說。

◎新聞辭典:

mull:動詞,考慮。例句:He’s mulling divorce. (他正考慮離婚。)

spend a pound to spend a penny:penny為英國貨幣單位「便士」,幣值小於英鎊(pound);過去英國公廁要投一便士硬幣,衍生出spend a penny「上廁所」之意。這句運用pound和penny和spend a penny的衍生義形成用字對比的句子。

go along:片語,持續進行;go along with 陪伴、贊成。例句:Everything’s going along well in this project. (這項計畫一切進行順利。)

2009/03/08

Hasta la vista, baby 拜拜了,寶貝

@自由時報轉載

A Mexican national who told airport immigration he was visiting Britain to see a friend was swiftly deported after a search unearthed a good-luck card in his luggage wishing him well for his "new life in the UK."

一位墨西哥國民告訴機場入出境官員,他正要造訪英國去看一位朋友,卻在被搜到行李裡面有張寫著「希望在英國的新生活一切順利」的祝福卡後,很快被遞解出境。

UK Border Agency officers at Manchester Airport routinely stopped the 40-year-old chef after he arrived on a flight from Los Angeles last Friday.

在這位40歲的廚師上週五搭機從洛杉磯抵達後,曼徹斯特機場的英國邊境事務處官員照慣例將他攔下。

The man told them he was on a short trip to see a friend who was opening a restaurant in the area.

這名男子告訴他們,他是短期停留,以便造訪一位在此地區開餐廳的朋友。

"However, a search of the passenger’s baggage revealed a huge collection of Mexican food recipes and a good-luck card from his church wishing him well for his ’new life in the UK,’" the agency said in a statement.

「但是,搜查這位旅客的行李後,卻發現一大堆墨西哥菜的食譜,以及一張教會給他的祝福卡,希望他在『英國的新生活』一切順利」,邊境事務處在聲明中表示。

The man later admitted he had intended to work at the restaurant illegally and had planned to bring his family over from America if he liked it.

這名男子稍後坦承他打算在餐廳非法打工,還計畫如果他喜歡這裡,會把家人也從美國帶來。

He was deported the next day.

他在第二天就被遞解出境了。

"We will not tolerate people coming here to work illegally," the agency said. "People wanting to visit the UK must play by the rules. Those who do not are sent back."

「我們不允許非法打工」,邊境事務處表示。「想入境英國的人必須遵守規定,不守法者就會被送回去。」

新聞辭典

hasta la vista:西班牙文的「再會」;隨著美國西語系人口增加,此用法已引入美國口語。但hasta la vista, baby!的用法,雖然帶有baby(寶貝),但偶爾會帶有戲謔意味,例如甩掉討人厭的傢伙後可以說hasta la vista, baby!,意思其實是「終於不用看到你了!」

recipe:名詞,(醫療的)處方,或是(烹飪的)食譜,後來也引申為訣竅,如the recipe for richness,致富秘訣。

play by the rule(s):片語,照規定來。Play by the rule, or face severe punishment.(照規定來,不然等著被重罰。)

Fujitsu Siemens Debuts ’zero-watt’ Green PC 富士通西門子首推「零瓦」環保電腦

@自由時報轉載

Fujitsu Siemens Computers plans to launch in the middle of this year an enterprise desktop computer that consumes no energy when switched off, it said Sunday at the Cebit trade fair in Hanover, Germany.

富士通西門子電腦公司計畫今年中推出一款能在關機時不會耗能的企業桌上型電腦,該公司週日在德國漢諾瓦的Cebit電腦展上表示。

Computers, like most electronics, consume a very small amount of energy even when switched off because of losses in the transformer or sensors that remain active for functions such as remote power-on.

電腦如同多數電子裝置,即使關閉時也會耗費極少量電力,這是肇因於變壓器(電力)流失或諸如遠端啟動等功能的偵測器仍然啟動。

The Esprimo 7935 packs a system that achieves zero consumption without pulling the plug, said Lothar Lechtenberg, a spokesman for the company.

「Esprimo 7935」集合了一套不用拔掉插頭就能達到零耗電目標的系統,該公司發言人洛塔爾.萊希滕貝格說。

Businesses with a lot of computers stand to save a significant amount of money each year by ensuring their PCs aren’t consuming any power overnight but there are disadvantages. Many companies administer software updates overnight and having the machines unplugged means that’s not possible.

擁有許多電腦的企業藉由確保其個人電腦一整晚不會消耗任何電力,每年將可省下可觀金錢,但也有缺點。許多企業利用一整晚進行軟體更新,機器不插電就不可能進行。

Fujitsu Siemens says it has solved this problem by allowing the machines to be awake and consuming a very small amount of power during a predefined time-slot during which updates can take place. Once the time slot passes the machine returns to zero-watt mode until it is switched on by its user.

富士通西門子說,它已藉由在預定的時間空檔喚醒機器並消耗極少量電力,使這段時間能進行軟體更新,而解決了這個問題。一旦此時間空檔過去後,這部機器會回到「零瓦」模式,直到使用者開機為止。

新聞辭典 Dictionary

debut: 這是英語系國家常用的法文單字,是首次出現或是首映(premiere)的意思。debut當名詞時用法如:Did you see the debut of the Spiderman?(你看了蜘蛛人的首映嗎?)另外它也常以make one’s debut的形式出現。

time-slot:名詞,時間空檔。例句:We need a prime time slot.(我們需要一個黃金檔時段。)

2009/03/06

Ind. man, 72, shaves shaggy eyebrows for charity 印地安納州72歲男子為慈善剃掉濃眉

◎自由時報轉載

A 72-year-old man with eyebrows so long he brushed them each morning raised $1,600 for charity from people who paid to take turns trimming his out-of-control brows.

一名眉毛長到得每天早上梳理的72歲男子,從願意付錢輪流修剪他眉毛的人潮中,募得1600美元的善款。

Some of the wiry hairs shorn from Si Burgher’s shaggy eyebrows measured more than three inches long because the former jeweler’s brows had never been trimmed.

西.伯格部分被修剪下來的粗濃眉毛長逾3英寸,因為這名前珠寶商的眉毛從來沒有被修剪過。

Burgher’s eyebrows were so long he used to brush them before leaving the house. But he agreed to have the overgrown brows tamed last week by members of the Bloomfield Rotary Club to raise money for a polio eradication campaign.

伯格的眉毛長到他出門前總是得先梳過。但他上週同意讓布魯姆扶輪社的成員修剪這些生長過盛的眉毛,以便為一項根除小兒麻痺的活動籌款

Burgher barely winced as his wife, Amy, got the first whack at the overgrown hairs.

當伯格的妻子艾美率先修剪那些生長過盛的毛髮時,伯格幾乎沒有退縮。

"I don’t care if they ever grow back," he told The Herald-Times of Bloomington. "My wife says I look 20 years younger."

「我不在乎它們(眉毛)會不會再長回來,」他告訴布魯明頓前鋒時報。「我老婆說我看起來年輕了20歲。」

Burgher’s wife said she likes his new look. "Beneath the eyebrows is a really handsome man," she said. "He looks like a normal person."

伯格的老婆說她喜歡他的新造型。「(藏)在那些眉毛底下的是個大帥哥,」她說。「他看起來像是個正常人了。」

新聞辭典

take turns:輪流。turn,名詞,輪流時各自的一次機會。例句:We take turns on the night shift, and your turn will be tomorrow.(我們輪流上夜班,明天輪到你。)

eyebrow: 名詞,眉毛。其他eye-字彙還有,eyelashes,眼睫毛;eyelid,眼瞼。例句:Never apply mascara to your eyelashes if you have very sensitive eyes.(如果你的眼睛很敏感,絕對不要擦睫毛膏。)

trim:動詞,修剪。


2009/03/05

’Brain training’ claims dismissed 「大腦訓練」宣稱遭駁斥

◎自由時報轉載

People who spend money on brain trainers to keep their mind sharp may well get the same benefit from simply doing a crossword, experts conclude.

專家總結道,花錢買大腦訓練器保持心智敏銳的人,玩填字遊戲或許也能達到差不多相同的好處。

Consumer group Which? asked three experts to check claims made about several devices, including the Nintendo DS, on memory and staving off dementia.

消費者團體Which?要求3名專家,檢查關於任天堂NSDL等器材有助於記憶與擊退痴呆的說法 。

They found the evidence behind such claims was non-existent or "weak".

他們發現,這些說法背後的證據並不存在,或是「薄弱」 。

But there is evidence that exercise, a healthy diet and an active social life help keep an agile mind, Which? said.

Which?說,但有證據顯示,運動、健康飲食與活躍的社交生活,有助保持心智敏銳

Brain trainers, often promoted by celebrity endorsement, have been increasing in popularity.

通常以名人代言來推銷的大腦訓練器越來越受到歡迎。

They are marketed as helping to improve memory, keep the mind fit and active and in some cases to prevent dementia.

它們被推銷為有助增強記憶力、保持心智健康與活躍,在有些案例中,還能避免痴呆 。

Manufacturers behind the products were asked what the benefits of their products were and what evidence they had to back up the claims.

這些產品的製造者,被問到產品有甚麼好處、有甚麼證據支持這些說法 。

The panel of scientists then gave their view on the research provided.

這個科學家小組接著根據收到的研究結果發表看法。

None of the claims was supported by peer-reviewed research in a recognised scientific journal, they concluded.

他們總結道,這些宣稱,無一在受到認可的科學期刊獲得同儕評估的研究支持。

新聞辭典

trainer︰名詞,訓練器。

agile︰形容詞,敏銳的。例句:For a man of 80, he has a remarkably agile mind.(對80歲的人來說,他的心智驚人地敏銳。)

endorsement︰ 名詞,背書、代言,動詞為endorse。例句:They paid $2 million to the world champion to endorse their new aftershave.(他們花了200萬美元請世界冠軍代言新的鬍後水。)



2009/03/04

Birds pilfer metal for nest 鳥兒竊取金屬築巢

◎ 自由時報轉載

A pair of magpies has constructed a nest in a built-up part of Hong Kong using metal sticks apparently swiped from a nearby construction site, a report said.

一篇報導指出,一對喜鵲利用金屬棒,在香港一處新興區築了一個鳥巢,這些金屬棒顯然是竊取自附近的工地。

In an example of nature’s ability to improvise even in the most urban setting, a third of the nest in the city’s Tuen Mun district was found to be made from metal, the Sunday Morning Post reported.

週日南華早報報導,此例顯示,即使在最城市化的環境,生物皆有就地取材的本能;已發現香港屯門區三分之一的鳥巢是由金屬做成。

The innovative construction only came to light after around 40 metal sticks appeared on the ground over the past week, with one striking a woman on the head, it said.

這個創新的「建築物」在上週地上出現約40條金屬棒,其中一條打到一名婦女頭部後才曝光

The Leisure Department said it believed the birds may have taken the sticks from a construction site close to the tree where the nest is located.

香港康樂及文化事務署說,咸信鳥兒是從鳥巢所在的樹木附近的工地取得金屬棒。

Cheung Ho-fai, of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, told the Post it was the first time he had heard of a nest being built with metal, although there had been reports of construction with nylon string and plastic trash. "Urban construction has already compressed birds’ settlement space," he said. "I hope humans and birds can live peacefully together."

香港觀鳥協會的專家張浩輝告訴早報說,雖然已有以尼龍線與塑膠垃圾築鳥巢的報導,但這還是他頭一遭聽到用金屬築巢的事。「都市建築已壓縮鳥類的棲地,」他說。「我盼望人鳥能和平共存。」

新聞辭典

pilfer︰動詞,一點一點地偷竊,剽竊。例句︰She had been pilfering from the cash box for months.(幾個月來她一直從錢箱中偷錢。)

built-up︰名詞,發展、增強、積聚,也有捧場之意。例句︰The play had a big build-up in the press.(這齣戲在報上大受好評。)

improvise︰動詞,臨時湊成、即興演出。例句︰The cook hastily improvised a supper.(廚師臨時做了頓晚餐。)



2009/03/03

Stay married and save the planet - Aussie lawmaker 澳洲國會議員:維持婚姻能拯救地球

◎自由時報轉載

Staying married is better for the planet because divorce leads the newly single to live more wasteful lifestyles, an Australian lawmaker said Tuesday.

維持婚姻對地球較好,因為離婚會導致剛單身者過著更浪費的生活方式,一名澳洲國會議員週二說。

Senator Steve Fielding told a Senate hearing in the Australian capital Canberra that divorce only made climate change worse.

參議員史提夫.菲丁在澳洲首都坎培拉的參議院公聽會上表示,離婚只會造成氣候變遷更加惡化。

When couples separated, they needed more rooms, more electricity and more water. This increased their carbon footprint, Australian Associated Press (AAP) quoted Fielding as telling the hearing on environmental issues.

當夫妻離異時,他們需要更多房間、更多電力與更多的水。這增加了他們的碳足跡,澳聯社引述菲丁在公聽會上針對環境議題的發言。

Such a "resource-inefficient lifestyle" meant it would be better for the planet if couples stayed married, he said.

這樣一種「資源欠缺效率的生活方式」,意味如果夫妻保持已婚狀態較有益於這個星球,他說。

During the hearing, the senator read out quotes from a U.S. report that advocated his stance.

在公聽會期間,這名參議員大聲念出引述自一份美國報告的內容,宣揚其立場。

Fielding, who leads the independent Family First party, grew up in a family of 16 children and has been married for 22 years, his website says.

領導獨立的「家庭第一黨」的菲丁,成長於一個有16名小孩的家庭,而且結婚22年,他的網站指出。

新聞辭典

carbon footprint:名詞,碳足跡,指一個人、家庭、組織或國家所排放的溫室氣體(主要是二氧化碳)數量,也是溫室氣體排放量的通用測量標準。例句:Calculate your carbon footprint, start reducing it and saving money.(計算你的碳足跡,開始減量來省錢。)

read out:片語,朗聲讀出。The referee read out the football results.(裁判大聲念出足球賽的比賽結果。)

grow up:片語,成長。例句:She grew up to be a lovely woman.(她長大後成為一位亭亭玉立的女子。)

2009/03/02

Scientists want DNA tests on Galileo for "eye test" 科學家打算為伽利略驗DNA做「視力檢查」

◎自由時報轉載

Italian and British Scientists want to exhume the body of 16th century astronomer Galileo for DNA tests to determine if his severe vision problems may have affected some of his findings.

科學家打算挖出16世紀天文學家伽利略的遺體驗DNA,以確定他嚴重的視力問題是否可能影響了他的一些研究發現。

Galileo, whom the Vatican condemned for teaching that the earth revolves around the sun, is known to have had intermittent eye problems for the second half of his life and was totally blind for his last two years.

因提出地球繞著太陽公轉而遭梵蒂岡譴責的伽利略,據悉他下半生受眼疾一再復發所苦,死前2年已經完全失明。

One of the "errors" that Galileo made, which Galluzzi suspects may have been attributed to his bad eyesight, is that he believed Saturn was not perfectly round but may have had an irregular, inflated side. He might have mistaken Saturn’s gaseous ring to surmise that it was formed of one planet with two moons as satellites.

伽利略所犯的其中一個「錯誤」,加路齊懷疑或許可能因為視力差造成的,就是他相信土星不是完美圓形,而是可能有不規則、突出的一邊。他或許看錯土星的氣環,誤以為土星有2顆衛星

"If we knew exactly what was wrong with his eyes we could use computer models to recreate what he saw in his telescope," said Paolo Galluzzi, director of the Museum of History and Science in Florence, the city where Galileo is buried.

「如果我們明確知道他的眼睛出了什麼問題,我們就能夠用電腦模型重現他在望遠鏡中看見了什麼」,加路齊,伽利略長眠之地佛羅倫斯的歷史暨科學博物館館長說。

新聞辭典

exhume:動詞,挖出。例句:The prosecutor ordered to exhume the victim’s body to investigate the cause of his death.(檢察官下令挖出受害者的遺體以調查他的死因。)

revolve around:動詞片語,以某物為中心旋轉、以某人、某物為重心。例句:She’s so ego and seems to think that the whole world revolves around her.(她很自以為是,以為她最重要。)

surmise:動詞、名詞,推測、猜測。例句:He has proved that his surmise is true.(他證明了他的推測是對的。)



2009/03/01

Using magnets to repel crocodiles 用磁鐵驅趕鱷魚

◎自由時報轉載

Florida wildlife managers have launched an experiment to see if they can keep crocodiles from returning to residential neighborhoods by temporarily taping magnets to their heads to disrupt their "homing" ability.

佛羅里達州野生動物管理者已經開始一項實驗,看看暫時將磁鐵放到鱷魚頭上以干擾牠們的「導航」能力,是不是真能阻止鱷魚返回住宅區

Researchers at Mexico’s Crocodile Museum in Chiapas reported in a biology newsletter they had some success with the method, using it to permanently relocate 20 of the reptiles since 2004.

墨西哥洽帕斯「鱷魚博物館」的研究人員曾在生物學通訊中指出,他們曾經利用這種方式達到部分效果,自2004年開始永久移置20隻鱷魚。

"We said, ’Hey, we might as well give this a try," Lindsey Hord, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s crocodile response coordinator, said on Tuesday.

「我們說,『嘿,我們一樣可以試試看啊』」,佛州「魚類與野生動物保護委員會」的鱷魚應變協調官林賽.霍爾德週二表示。

Crocodiles are notoriously territorial and when biologists move them from urban areas to new homes in the wild, they often go right back to the place where they were captured, traveling up to 10 miles a week to get there.

鱷魚具有非常強的領域性,當生物學家將牠們從都市區移到野外的新棲地時,牠們常常會直接返回牠們的被捕地點,為此一週能爬上10英里。

Scientists believe they rely in part on the Earth’s magnetic fields to navigate, and that taping magnets to both sides of their heads disorients them.

科學家相信,牠們的導航能力一部分來自地球的磁場,所以將磁鐵依附在頭的兩側將能干擾方向感。

新聞辭典

homing:名詞,返回原生地的能力。此字來自當動詞用的home,意為回家、(飛彈等的)導航。homing ability,指洄游魚類、候鳥返回原生地的能力。

relocate:動詞,重新安置。We have to relocate the refugees to a safer location.(我們得將難民安置到更安全的地方。)

disorient:動詞,使……失去方向。The trick disorients many.(這招能讓很多人失去方向感。)