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Learning English Podcast - December 24, 2024

2024/12/24

VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English

AI Deep Dive AI Insights AI Chapters Transcript

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Ana Mateo

Andrew Smith

Topics

Andrew Smith: 美国栗树曾经是美国东部最常见和最大的树木之一，其木材、树叶和果实都具有重要的经济和生态价值。然而，19世纪后期从东亚引入的栗树品种携带了一种真菌，导致几乎所有美国栗树死亡。美国栗树基金会（TACF）致力于恢复美国栗树种群，他们尝试了多种方法，包括与抗真菌的中国栗树杂交，以及基因改造技术。然而，由于真菌的侵害和气候变化的影响，恢复工作进展缓慢，其中一些专家也相继离世。尽管如此，这项工作仍在继续，研究人员们希望通过结合杂交和基因改造技术，最终能够培育出能够抵抗真菌并适应未来气候变化的美国栗树。 Katie Weaver: 冬季是尝试各种应季蔬菜和水果的最佳时机，这有助于保持健康饮食。营养专家建议多吃柑橘类水果、南瓜、根茎类蔬菜和绿叶蔬菜等。此外，汤、炖菜和粥等食物也是冬季饮食的良好选择，它们不仅营养丰富，而且方便制作和保存。豆类、坚果和干果也是冬季饮食中重要的营养来源，它们富含蛋白质和纤维。专家们还建议，在冬季，人们应该多与朋友和家人一起用餐，以增强社交联系，并更好地享受冬季的美食。 Ana Mateo: 美国2025-2030年膳食指南建议人们多吃豆类、豌豆和扁豆等，少吃红肉、加工肉类和含淀粉的蔬菜，并继续限制添加糖、钠和饱和脂肪的摄入。然而，由于缺乏足够的证据，该指南并未对超加工食品和酒精的摄入提出具体的建议。专家们指出，大多数美国人的饮食习惯并不符合目前的膳食指南，这导致了多种与饮食相关的慢性疾病的发生。这份报告也强调了考虑经济状况、种族、民族和文化等因素对制定膳食指南的重要性，以确保指南能够反映和包容各种人群的饮食需求。 Jill Robbins: 火灾安全非常重要，人们应该采取多种措施来预防和应对火灾。首先，应该安装并定期检查烟雾报警器，确保电池充满电。其次，要了解紧急出口的位置，并制定疏散计划，定期进行疏散演练。此外，每个人都应该学习如何使用灭火器，并将其放置在方便取用的位置。发生火灾时，不要使用电梯，要低姿行进，因为烟雾会上升，靠近地面的空气比较清晰。如果门很烫，不要打开，以免发生危险。如果衣服着火，要停止、放下、翻滚，以扑灭火焰。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why are American chestnuts endangered?

A fungus brought by East Asian chestnut trees in the late 19th century killed almost all American chestnuts.

What methods are researchers using to restore American chestnuts?

They are crossbreeding American chestnuts with Chinese varieties resistant to the fungus and genetically modifying the trees to improve resistance.

Why has progress in restoring American chestnuts been slow?

Scientists have faced challenges with crossbreeding and genetic modification, and a recent mix-up with genetically modified seeds delayed progress.

What role does climate change play in the restoration of American chestnuts?

Warmer temperatures may make it difficult for the trees to survive in some areas, as projected by a Virginia Tech study.

What are some healthy winter foods recommended by nutrition experts?

Citrus fruits, pumpkins, root vegetables like sweet potatoes and beets, leafy greens such as chicory, and dried fruits like apricots and raisins are recommended.

What are the new U.S. dietary guidelines for 2025-2030?

The guidelines recommend eating more vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and fish, while reducing red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened foods, refined grains, and saturated fat.

Why didn't the dietary guidelines address ultra-processed foods?

The panel found insufficient evidence to make recommendations, despite studies linking these foods to health issues.

What fire safety measures are recommended for homes and offices?

Installing fire alarms, testing them monthly, having fire extinguishers handy, practicing evacuation plans, and avoiding elevators during fires are key measures.

What should you do if your clothes catch fire?

Stop, drop, and roll to extinguish the fire instead of running, which can make it burn faster.

Chapters

This chapter explores the history of the American chestnut tree, its decline due to a deadly fungus, and ongoing efforts to restore it through crossbreeding and genetic modification. The challenges faced by researchers, including setbacks and the loss of key experts, are highlighted.

American chestnut trees were once common in the eastern US.
A fungus brought from East Asia devastated the American chestnut population.
Scientists are working to restore the trees through crossbreeding and genetic modification.
The process has been slow and faces various challenges, including climate change.

Shownotes Transcript

On today’s podcast, hear the latest about chestnuts, a holiday treat during the winter followed by some healthy ideas for warm wintertime meals; U.S. health officials give new dietary guidelines on the Health Report; then, describing fire safety measures on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - December 24, 2024 29:56 Share