Number of Pregnancies Can Affect Mother’s Heart Condition

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. link [lingk]  (v.) – to connect with someone or something

Example: Stress is linked to moodiness and irritability.

2. carry out  [KAR-ee-out] (phrasal v.) – to perform a particular research or study

Example: They carried out the research by asking 10 teenagers to accomplish a survey.

3. substantial [suh b-STAN-shuh l] (adj.) – enough or considerable in amount or size

Example: The researchers had a substantial amount of time to conduct the study.

4. cardiovascular [kahr-dee-oh-VAS-kyuh-ler] (adj.) – relating to the heart and blood vessels

Example: Cardiovascular diseases are common in older people.

5. prevent [pri-VENT]  (v.) – to stop from doing something

Example: My poor health prevents me from doing extreme sports.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The number of times a mother gives birth can be linked to heart disease, research says. A recent study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center suggests that women with four or more children have higher chances of developing heart disease. The researchers, led by Monika Sanghavi, speculated that the number of pregnancies can be associated with early signs of heart illness. Sanghavi and her team carried out the study by selecting 1,644 women with an average age of 45. Nearly 60 percent of the participants were African-Americans. To obtain substantial information, all participants indicated the number of live births they had in the past. They also underwent relevant imaging tests – tomography imaging and magnetic resonance imaging – to gather evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis [ath-uh-roh-skluh-ROH-sis, ath-] in their hearts and artery walls. Results of the study showed that women who gave birth to four or more children have higher risks of cardiovascular disease compared to women with two to three live births. However, the researchers were surprised to know that the women with zero to one live birth also showed signs of subclinical atherosclerosis. The team assumed that some of these participants have an underlying medical condition that prevented them from having successful live births. This particular medical condition can also cause heart disease. Sanghavi said that this study is intended to look into possible factors contributing to heart disease and not as a basis for the number of children a woman can have.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Is heart disease a common ailment among women in your county? Why is that so?

         What do you think would be the effect of this study on women?

Discussion B

         In your opinion, how many children should a family have?

         What factors do you think should individuals consider in deciding the number of children one can have?

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Harvard Now Offers Online Business Program

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. take up [teyk uhp] (v.) – to start studying or doing something

Example: My friend will take up Journalism in college.

2. attend to [uh-TEND too] (idiom) – to assist and give help

Example: The professors tried to attend to all the inquiries of the students.

3. course [kawrs, kohrs] (n.) – a set or series of classes on a specific subject

Example: I need to take some writing courses this semester.

4. tenured [TEN-yerd] (adj.) – having permanent status of employment

Example: The tenured professor has worked in the university for thirty years now.

5. shift [shift] (n.) – a change or development of something

Example: The school had a shift of academic calendar.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Harvard Business School has recently introduced its Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) program called the HBX. Around 500 to 1000 are expected to take up the HBX this June. To quickly attend to students’ concerns, only residents of Massachusetts [mas-uh-CHOO-sits], where Harvard is located, are allowed to participate. If HBX turns out to be a successful project, Harvard will allow nationwide enrollment before the end of the year and international enrollment will follow by early 2015. The HBX offers three courses under the program: business analytics, economics for managers, and financial accounting. The lessons will be handled by full-time and tenured Harvard professors. Students must spend seven to 10 hours per week on the program. Teachers will provide reading materials and educational videos that students can study on their own. Before the online program ends, students will have to take a final exam that covers all three courses. Professors will then evaluate the students’ overall performance. However, Harvard has not yet decided if it will follow the traditional grading system for the online program. In HBX, students will learn through an online program modeled after Facebook and LinkedIn [lingkt-in]. The software provides an interactive experience in which students can earn grades by online class participation. Enrollment fee will cost around $1,500. The shift toward digital education is considered a bit late for Harvard Business School. One of the earliest to offer online courses is Indiana University’s Kelley [KEL-ee] School of Business, which launched its MOOC in 1999. Other notable schools that recently opened online courses are University of North Carolina’s [kar-uh-LAHY-nuh] Kenan-Flager [kee-nuhn FLEY-guhr] Business School and Carnegie Mellon’s [KAHR-ni-gee MEL-uhn] Tepper School.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         In your opinion, how will HBX affect Harvard Business School’s image? Kindly discuss.

         If given the chance, would you be interested to enroll in HBX? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         Why do you think online schools are increasing nowadays?

         How can the Internet shape the future of education?

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UK to Recruit Chinese Math Teachers

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. overhaul [oh-ver-HAWL, OH-ver-hawl] (v.) – to examine carefully in order to repair or revise

Example: The school expects improvement on the students’ performance after overhauling the curriculum.

2. numeracy [NOO-muh-ruh-see, NYOO-] (n.) – the ability to use numbers and understand numerical techniques in Mathematics

Example: The student’s numeracy is exceptional.

3. feedback [FEED-bak] (n.) – an evaluation of an activity or performance

Example: The teacher gave positive feedback on the students’ essay.

4. pass on [pahs on] (idiom) – to share or transfer information to another person

Example: She passed on the details of the exchange program to other students.

5. take part [teyk pahrt] (phrasal v.) – to participate in an event or activity

Example: I took part in a research about the effects of sleep on concentration.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The UK will recruit teachers from China to help boost the Math performance of British pupils. Asian countries often perform best in key subjects like Math and Science. Because of this, UK Education Minister Elizabeth Truss believes that England can learn from the teaching strategies of teachers in Asian nations, especially China. The minister even visited the country to examine how the Chinese teach Math. Sixty English-speaking teachers from various Chinese cities will take part in the exchange program. They will be assigned in 30 new schools that specialize in teaching Math. These teachers are also expected to try new methods to help struggling students deal with homework and feedback. They will also conduct practical demonstrations and advanced classes for school staff. At the same time, two British math teachers will be sent to China to learn from the teaching methods of the Chinese. Once they go back to the UK, they are expected to pass on the new methods and practices they learned to other teachers in the country. In 2012, more than half a million 15-year-old students from different countries participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study. The study revealed that the UK ranked 26th in Math. The results also showed that the UK is falling behind Asian countries like China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea when it comes to Math, Science, and Reading. On another note, UK’s Department for Education says Math performance is important in becoming competent for jobs. And in order to improve the students’ Math performance, the country plans to overhaul the way numeracy is being taught in schools.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you think the exchange program is a good idea? Please explain.

         Do you agree that good Math performance is key to becoming competent for jobs? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         How else can the government help pupils improve their Math performance? Explain.

         Aside from Math, what other subjects should be prioritized by schools? Kindly discuss your answer.

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Omega-3 Can Cause Better Sleep Among Children

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. induce [in-DOOS] (v.) – to cause something to happen or to produce an effect

Example: Drinking warm milk at night induces good sleep.

2. dose [dohs] (n.) – a specified amount of drug to be taken at a certain time or schedule

Example: Doctors require patients not to skip a dose during medication.

3. supplement [SUHP-luh-muh nt] (n.) – a drug or product containing specific nutrients

Example: The athlete takes protein supplement to help his muscle develop.

4. awakening [uh-WEY-kuh-ning] (n.) – act of waking up in the middle of sleep

Example: The baby’s frequent awakening at night caused trouble to the parents.

5. profound [pruh-FOUND] (adj.) – showing great impact

Example:  Using gadgets brought profound effects on kids’ sleeping habits.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A study from the UK shows that an increased amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the body induces better sleep especially among healthy children. Led by Professor Paul Montgomery [mont-GUHM-uh-ree], researchers from Oxford University gathered 362 kids aged between seven and nine – with around 40% experiencing sleep disturbances. The participants were then grouped into two. For 16 weeks, the first group had a daily dose of 600-milligram algal supplements that are rich in omega-3. On the other hand, the second group took placebo [pluh-SEE-bo], a substance that has no medicinal effect. Then, the children’s body movements in bed were monitored. Results revealed that children who took algal supplements slept 58 minutes longer and had seven fewer awakenings per night than those who took placebo. According to Montgomery, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are naturally present in the human body to regulate sleep. During childhood, the body system contains lower amount of these fatty acids compared to adults, which is why sleep issues are more common for children. Prior to this experiment, a similar study confirmed how increased intakes of omega-3 among children improve their ability to focus, read, and spell. Since Montgomery’s team focused only on a few participants, further studies are needed to determine the full benefits of these fatty acids. The researchers assure that their next studies will show the profound effects of omega-3 not only on children’s learning process but also their behavior.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you agree that the food we eat affects the quality of our sleep? Why or why not?

         Which do you think is better – taking algal supplements or eating actual food that is high in omega-3? Please explain your answer.  

Discussion B

         What other factors do you think contribute to lack of sleep?

         What do you think are the effects of a ‘bad sleep’?

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