This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. This week we have stories in health, the animal kingdom and history. In our first story on health, we learn that dogs may be a great help to us during the corona virus pandemic. You can read more about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/faster-than-pcr-test-dogs-detect-covid-coronavirus-london-bmj   In our second story on the animal kingdom, we discover how sharks find their way around in the ocean, and you can read more by following this link: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/17/sharks-earth-magnetic-field-gps-guidance-system   In our final story on history, we hear how microbes have helped to clean some of Michelangelo’s most beautiful statues. Read about it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/30/arts/bacteria-cleaning-michelangelo-medici-restoration.html?searchResultPosition=1   Worksheet Answers: C 2. A 3. D © Martin Parsons, 2021

University English Podcast

In the News, June 24th, 2021

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have two stories on world news and one on the environment. In world news, we hear a very scary story about a tourist bridge collapsing in China. You learn more about this story here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/10/china-tourist-bridge-glass-panels-smash-longjing-city In the environment, we discover that the Earth’s stratosphere is getting smaller. You can learn more about this frightening story here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/12/emissions-shrinking-the-stratosphere-scientists-find　 And finally, in world news learn about a young boy who has gone from being homeless to being a Chess master. Read about this inspiring story here: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/tanitoluwa-adewumi-refugee-chess-champion-national-master/ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/08/opinion/sunday/homeless-chess-champion-tani-adewumi.html  Worksheet Answers: B 2. B 3. D © Martin Parsons, 2021

In the News, May 27th, 2021

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. This week we have three stories related to the ocean. In our first story, we hear about a walrus that went to sleep and ended up in … Ireland. You can read more about it here: https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/walrus-falls-asleep-on-arctic-iceberg-ends-up-in-ireland  In our second story, we learn about a very unusual animal which can replace its entire body. You can read more about it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/08/science/decapitated-sea-slugs.html https://mainichi.jp/articles/20210308/k00/00m/040/140000c https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210309/p2g/00m/0li/061000c In our final story, we learn that there is large scale fraud in the seafood business. Read about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/15/revealed-seafood-happening-on-a-vast-global-scale Worksheet Answers: D 2. B 3. D © Martin Parsons, 2021

In the News April 22 2021

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. This week we have stories in science, world news and the environment. In our first story, we hear about a strange bear attack in the USA. You can read more about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/19/alaska-woman-outhouse-attacked-bear In our second story, we discover that NASA has named an important crate on Mars after a small village in Bosnia - Herzegovina, and you can read more by following these links: https://theconversation.com/how-did-nasas-martian-rover-come-to-land-in-a-crater-named-after-a-tiny-balkan-village-155740 https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-mars-mission-connects-with-bosnian-town In our final story, we learn that batteries for cars which can be recharged in five minutes are being developed. Read about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/19/electric-car-batteries-race-ahead-with-five-minute-charging-times Worksheet Answers: C 2. A 3. B 

In the News, February 26, 2021

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. This week we have three stories about animals. In our first story, we learn about a tiny chameleon in Madagascar. You can read more about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/05/seed-sized-chameleon-madagascar-world-tiniest-reptile In our second story, we discover that naked mole rats have different “accents”, and you can read more by following this link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/naked-mole-rats-speak-dialects-unique-their-colony-180976908/ In our final story, we try to understand why wombats have square-shaped poo. Read about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/29/box-seat-scientists-solve-the-mystery-of-why-wombats-have-cube-shaped-poo Worksheet Answers: A 2. D 3. B © 2021, Martin Parsons

In the News, February 11th, 2021

Chirashi zushi is a unique kind of sushi, well known in Japan. Chirashi zushi uses a wide variety of ingredients and is both healthy and delicious. In this video, a student from Hannan University in Japan explains the process for making chirashi zushi.

Chirashi Zushi

Kinako is a powder made from roasted soybeans and used in Japanese confectionery and other dishes. In this video, students from Kyoto explain how to make kinako, and introduce other uses for soybeans in Japanese cuisine.

Kinako

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In our first story, we learn about an ancient fast-food shop in Italy. You can read more about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/26/exceptionally-well-preserved-snack-bar-unearthed-in-pompeii   In our second story, we discover that marsupials glow in the dark, and you can read more by following these links: https://www.degruyter.com/view/journals/mamm/ahead-of-print/article-10.1515-mammalia-2020-0027/article-10.1515-mammalia-2020-0027.xml   https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/19/tasmanian-devils-glow-in-the-dark-australian-animals-glowing-platypus-wombat-echidna-bandicoot-scientists-investigate-australia-marsupials-light   In our final story, we learn that a new movie has just become the box-office record holder in Japan. Read about it here: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/12/28/films/demon-slayer-japan-top-box-office-hit/ Worksheet Answers: C 2. A 3. B © 2021, Martin Parsons

In the News, January 3rd, 2021

Udon is a noodle dish, famous in Japan, usually served in a hot broth with various toppings. It is delicious. In this video, students from Kyoto explain how to make a delicious bowl of udon.

Udon

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have “good news” stories on health, the environment, and world news. In our first good news story, we learn that scientists have developed a simple blood test to check for cancer. You can read more about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/27/nhs-to-trial-blood-test-to-detect-more-than-50-forms-of-cancer   In our second story, we find out that waste from sugar production could replace plastic for coffee cups, and you can learn more by following these links: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2020/11/14/better-disposable-coffee-cups https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201112113139.htm   In our final story, we hear about a family which found a koala in their Christmas tree. You can watch a video and learn more here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/03/on-the-first-day-of-australian-family-finds-live-koala-in-their-christmas-tree   Worksheet Answers: 1. C       2. A      3. C ©Martin Parsons, 2020

In the News, December 10th, 2020

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have stories from around the world all about animals. In our first story, we learn that a little puppy was grabbed by an alligator in the USA. You read more about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/23/man-rescues-puppy-from-alligator-without-dropping-cigar   In our second story, we find out about an elephant that fell into a well in India, and you can learn more by following this link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/22/elephant-trapped-in-indian-well-rescued-in-12-hour-crane-operation In our final story, we hear that some of the animals in London Zoo are feeling lonely. You can find out more by watching this video: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-london-54967076   Worksheet Answers: D    2. B    3. B 

In the News, November 25th, 2020

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have stories on the environment, science, and archaeology. In our first story, we learn about possibilities Australia to become a clean energy superpower in the Asia-Pacific region. You read more about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/14/green-giants-the-massive-projects-that-could-make-australia-a-clean-energy-superpower   In our second, we discover that if global warming does destroy our planet, there are plenty of other planets we might be able to go to, and you can learn more by following this link: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/science/astronomy-exoplanets-kepler.html?surface=home-discovery-vi-prg&fellback=false&req_id=949876966&algo=identity&imp_id=681924965&action=click&module=Science%20%20Technology&pgtype=Homepage In our final story, we hear about new discoveries of ancient coffins in Egypt. You can find out more here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-15/egypt-unveils-ancient-coffins-statues-found-in-saqqara/12884648 Worksheet Answers: B 2. C 3. A © Martin Parsons, 2020

In the News, November 15th, 2020

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have something on health, science and the environment. In health, we learn that indigenous people are probably the best people to give advice and help other indigenous people with the coronavirus. You listen and learn more about this by listening to this interview: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/fiona-stanley-feature-interview/12785302 In science we discover that octopuses can ‘taste’ with their arms. You can learn more here: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(20)31149-1?utm_source=EA https://www.newscientist.com/article/2258515-octopuses-taste-their-food-when-they-touch-it-with-their-arms/ And finally, in the environment we learn that sugar gliders in Australia are more diverse that was previously thought. Read more about these lovely animals here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/06/two-new-greater-glider-species-discovered-australias-biodiversity-just-got-a-lot-richer Worksheet Answers: C   2. C   3. A 

In the News, November 8th, 2020

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have two stories from world news and one from science. In our first story, we discover that Tokyo is installing transparent public toilets in parks and other places. What is going on? Find out here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/18/loo-with-a-view-transparent-public-toilets-installed-in-tokyo-parks In our second story, we learn about how the sense of smell in animals can get a great help for us, in detecting landmines, or in detecting the coronavirus. And you can read more by following these links: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/25/magawa-the-landmine-detection-rat-given-gold-medal-for-bravery https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/24/close-to-100-accuracy-airport-enlists-sniffer-dogs-to-test-for-covid-19 Finally, we hear a humorous story about companies misusing words from another language. Learn about their mistakes here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/07/beer-brand-and-leather-store-unwittingly-named-after-maori-word-for-pubic-hair Worksheet Answers: 1. C   2. D   3. B © Martin Parsons, 2020

In the News, September 29th, 2020

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have three stories related to the coronavirus. In our first story, we hear about a wonderful new test developed by scientists at Monash University in Australia. You read more about it here: https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-research/australian-researchers-invent-20-minute-coronavirus-blood-test-idUKKCN24I0OR In our second, we discover that the lack of human activity caused by the coronavirus has been ‘seen’ by seismologists around the world. And you can read more by following this link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/07/23/human-seismic-noise-coronavirus/ In our final story, we consider the environmental problems caused by disposable masks. Find out how to make your own cloth mask here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/26/what-kind-of-face-mask-is-best-against-coronavirus Worksheet Answers:     1. B    2. D    3. B ©Martin Parsons, 2020

In the News, July 26th, 2020

A podcast in English for and by university students, which began in Japan. Podcasts cover a wide range of themes and topics, including academic subjects such as finance and Japanese culture and history.

hubhopper

University English Podcast

hubhopper