Learning English Podcast - January 12, 2025
VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English
Deep Dive
Why are public health experts now advising people to limit alcohol intake?
Public health experts advise limiting alcohol intake because recent research shows it raises the risk of several types of cancer, including colon, liver, breast, mouth, and throat. Alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde, a chemical that damages cells and prevents repair, creating conditions for cancer growth. Thousands of U.S. deaths could be prevented annually if people followed dietary guidelines on alcohol consumption.
What are the U.S. dietary guidelines for alcohol consumption?
The U.S. dietary guidelines recommend men limit themselves to two drinks or fewer per day and women to one drink or fewer per day. One drink is equivalent to a 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or one serving of liquor.
How many alcohol-related cancer deaths occur annually in the U.S.?
Approximately 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths are reported yearly in the United States, with about 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases annually.
What is the significance of NASA's Parker Solar Probe mission?
NASA's Parker Solar Probe mission is significant because it has gotten closer to the sun than any other spacecraft, passing within 6.1 million kilometers of the sun's outer corona. The mission aims to study the sun's corona and solar wind, which are crucial for understanding solar behavior and its impact on the solar system and Earth's technology.
What speed did the Parker Solar Probe reach during its mission?
The Parker Solar Probe reached speeds of up to 692,000 kilometers per hour, making it the fastest human-made object ever.
What is Jack Frost, and how is it related to winter?
Jack Frost is a personification of winter, representing the cold, icy effects of winter weather. The term is used to describe the arrival of frost and freezing temperatures, often creating beauty in nature, such as ice and snow patterns on windows and trees.
What is the purpose of tag questions in English?
Tag questions are used to ask if the listener agrees with the speaker. They are formed by adding a short question at the end of a statement, such as 'isn't it?' or 'don't you?' For example, 'It's a nice day, isn't it?' seeks confirmation or agreement from the listener.
What are some examples of tag questions with different verbs?
Examples of tag questions include: 'You like teaching English, don't you?' 'That professor talks a lot, doesn't she?' 'That was a great concert, wasn't it?' and 'We don't have to work tomorrow, do we?' These examples show how tag questions vary based on the verb and context.
- Past research suggesting moderate alcohol consumption benefits the heart is now challenged.
- Numerous studies link alcohol consumption to increased cancer risk (colon, liver, breast, mouth, throat).
- Alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde, damaging cells and hindering repair, potentially leading to cancer.
- Earlier studies had methodological flaws, failing to establish cause-and-effect and neglecting younger populations.
- Current health guidelines from various countries recommend lower alcohol limits than previously advised.
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