Scientists Use Dogs to Identify Lung Cancer

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

1. likelihood (n.) [lahyk-lee-hood]– the possibility or chance that something will happen

Example: A person who eats unhealthy food has a big likelihood of getting sick.

2. in the company of (idiom.) [ihn-thee-kuhm-puh-nee-ov]– with somebody; in the presence of somebody or something

Example: Being in the company of smokers might cause one to have lung problems.

3. sniff (v.) [snif]– to smell something by quickly breathing in air in small amounts

Example: The dogs sniffed luggage in the airport to find any illegal items..

4. pulmonology (n.) [puhl-muh-no-lo-jee, pool-]– (in medicine) study of the lungs and the rest of the respiratory system

Example: Pulmonology explains how the lungs get the oxygen through the nose.

5. embark (v.) [em-bahrk]– to start or to engage in something, usually a business

Example:  Researchers studied the respiratory system before embarking on the 2-year experiment.

Article
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Scientists are currently studying the ability of dogs to identify patients with lung cancer. Lung cancer causes the highest number of cancer deaths in America. Last year, 226,000 people were diagnosed with lung cancer while 160,000 people died from the disease. The likelihood of smokers acquiring this illness is higher, but the cases of non-smoker lung cancer patients have also increased. Lung cancer is a growing problem worldwide. With such an alarming rise in the number of lung cancer patients, Austrian scientists have been searching for ways to detect the disease earlier in order to save more lives.  The scientists used dogs as the subject of their current study based on stories and previous studies about how these animals act strangely in the company of people with cancer. Austrian scientists made the dogs sniff 120 breath samples taken from healthy people and from people with lung cancer. The researchers found that the dogs can successfully identify breath samples from lung cancer patients 70% of the time. Peter Errhalt, one of the authors of the study and the head of the pulmonology department at Krems Hospital, said the dogs had no difficulty in identifying patients with cancer tumors. Because of their success, the scientists are planning to embark on a two-year long study, which will use dogs to identify over 1,200 breath samples. In addition, scientists are trying to make “electronic noses” or medical devices that can sniff for cancer just like dogs’ noses.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         Is it necessary to study animals to improve human medicine or health? What makes you say so?

         How else are animals helpful to humans?

Discussion B

         What do you think causes lung cancer?

         How can people prevent lung cancer cases from increasing?

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Chinese Couple Disobeys One-Child Policy by Having Eight Children

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

1. surrogate mother (n.) [sur-uh-geyt, -git, suhr-] [muhth-er]–  a woman who gets pregnant for someone who cannot bear a child

Example: He searched for a surrogate mother because his wife had difficulties in having children.

2. defy (v.) [dih-fahy; n. dih-fahy, dee-fahy]– to refuse to follow or obey

Example: The authorities arrest criminals who defy the law.

3. exceptional (adj.) [ik-sep-shuh-nl]– not ordinary

Example The way that they took care of eight kids is exceptional.

4. evade (v.) [ih-veyd]– to avoid or to escape something

Example: The criminal tried to evade punishment by running away, but he was caught before he even reached the bus station.

5. fine (n.) [fahyn]– a punishment, in the form of money, for breaking a rule or law

Example:  Tax law breakers must pay a fine of $200,000.

Article
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A wealthy couple from Guangdong, China faces legal penalties after violating the country’s one-child policy. The couple has 8 children--five of whom were borne by two surrogate mothers. China’s one-child rule was implemented thirty years ago to control the growing population. Now with 1.35 billion people, China’s population is the largest in the world. But many people are against this policy, believing it is not needed in the country anymore. While many Chinese have defied the one-child policy, the Guangdong couple’s case is considered exceptional. The couple are said to be rich business people who had experienced difficulty in having children. After artificial insemination, the mother successfully gave birth to triplets in 2010. The children were born in Hong Kong, a popular option for wealthy Chinese who want to evade mainland China’s one-child policy. Since the children were triplets, their birth is counted as one. This means the couple’s three children are considered legal under Chinese law. However, their other five children—a set of triplets and a set of twins—were delivered by two surrogate mothers within only two months’ time. Surrogate births are considered illegal in China, although people rarely report such cases to the court. The couple’s wealth and unique situation have made the matter a big legal issue. The couple’s case was first raised in 2011, but it again drew much public attention after a provincial court meeting last December. According to provincial rules, the fine for the violation is estimated to be ten times the couple’s yearly income.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         Do you think the one-child policy is effective in controlling a population? Why or why not?

         Why do you think some people choose to go against one-child policy? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         Why do you think some people are not afraid to defy some laws?

         What do you think would encourage people to follow a law?

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Australia Starts Using Plain Packaging for All Cigarettes

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

1. plain (adj.) [pleyn]– simple; contains little or no design

Example:   For formal occasions, plain shirts look better than printed ones.  

2. graphic (adj.) [graf-ik]– shown through pictures or words

Example:  Graphic images of lung cancer show the bad effects of smoking.

3. intellectual property rights (n.) [in-tl-ek-choo-uhl] [prop-er-tee] [rahyts]– the right to prevent the unauthorized use of one’s original creation

Example: Copying a product’s packaging violates intellectual property rights.

4. appealing (adj.) [uh-pee-ling]– attractive or inviting

Example: Appealing advertisement may increase sales.

5. exaggerated (adj.) [ig-zaj-uh-rey-tid]– greater than the normal

Example: Reports that show some health benefits of smoking seem exaggerated.

Article
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Australia has started selling all cigarettes in plain packaging, following a law that became effective last December 1st. The new law states that cigarettes must be sold in olive-brown packets with graphic health warnings of the possible effects of cigarette smoking. These warnings include images of people with skin disease and mouth cancer. The law faced legal challenges from tobacco companies before it was approved. The companies argued that the law goes against their intellectual property rights, since the law does not allow brand logos and trademarks on the packaging. Australia’s High Court, however, rejected the companies’ arguments. Although their packaging is new, the cigarettes are still the same. Some consumers have said the cigarettes now taste different, which may be a psychological effect caused by the new packaging. Fiona Sharkie of anti-smoking organization Quit Victoria reported several people have also decided to quit smoking because of the new packaging. Health officials say the law’s goal is to make smoking less appealing to people, especially to teenagers. The government is aiming to reduce the number of smokers to only 10% of the population by 2018. The creation of the law was also encouraged by research from anti-smoking organizations, such as the Cancer Council of Victoria. Of the 4,200 smokers surveyed by the Council from 2003 to 2011, 25% believed health effects of smoking were exaggerated, while 10% did not believe or were unsure whether smoking could really cause illnesses. According to statistics, smoking is one of the leading causes of death in Australia, killing around 15,000 people per year.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         Do you think this law can really stop people from smoking? Why or why not?

         What else can be done to prevent people from smoking?

Discussion B

         In your opinion, how important is the packaging of a product?

         Do you agree that a change in packaging can  change the way we think or feel about a product? Why or why not?

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Poorer Countries Ask Richer Countries to Pay for Damages from Climate Change

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

1. mechanism (n.) [mek-uh-niz-uhm]– a system or process that aims to reach a goal

Example: The government must educate the public about the mechanism of taxation and its benefits to the community.

2. developing country (n.) [dih-vel-uh-ping- kuhn-tree]– a country which has lower living standards compared to other countries

Example: Developing countries mostly rely on farming or agriculture.

3. developed country (n.) [dih-vel-uhp- kuhn-tree]– a country which has high living standards and advanced technology

Example: Developed countries used to be very rich but now have problems with their economies.

4. recover (v.) [ree-kuhv-er]– to get back to the previous or normal state

Example: Many people wonder if Europe’s failing economy will recover soon.

5. proposed (adj.) [pruh-pohz]– planned or suggested

Example: The proposed budget for the year 2013 was approved by the president.

Article
Read the text below.

In Doha, Qatar, almost 200 countries met to discuss a new United Nations (UN) mechanism for addressing climate change. The new mechanism will require developed countries to pay developing countries for damages caused by climate change-related disasters, such as rising sea levels and long periods without rain. Developed countries produce large amounts of waste and harmful gases that contribute to climate change. Climate change has been blamed for making storms more powerful. For example, in the Philippines, last December’s typhoon Bopha killed 540 people. In 2004, the island country of Grenada experienced hurricane Ivan, which killed 39 people and caused damage costing twice the amount Grenada earns in a year. If the new UN mechanism is approved, it will help developing countries such as these recover from disasters. However, the head of the UN Development Program, Helen Clark, warns developing countries not to expect too much from developed countries. Many Western countries are currently stressed by economic problems and want to avoid spending more money. In the UN forum, developed nations were not willing to agree to the proposed mechanism. The United States insisted that the only support developed nations can provide is the $100 billion promised in a previous UN meeting. The $100 billion will be available in 2020 and will help poor countries affected by global warming. The UN meeting in Doha ended with countries agreeing to extend the Kyoto Protocol and to set up a new international mechanism this year for dealing with climate change, although money issues were not yet agreed on.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A 

         Should developed countries pay for the damages caused by climate change in developing countries? Why or why not?

         How can countries with different interests and viewpoints solve international problems?

Discussion B

         What steps has your country taken to address the issue of climate change?

         In our own way, how can we help address problems brought by climate change?

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