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　　This wireless transmitter allows you to listen to music from your iPod / MP3 player, on your home or car stereo－without any wires．

　　It acts like a miniature radio station, transmitting your music via the FM frequency to the nearest radio．

　　Simply plug the transmitter into the headphone hole of your MP3 player, select a frequency on the transmitter and then set your radio to that same frequency．

　　Then sit back and enjoy your digital music in full stereo sound wherever you are．

　　Can be used with iPods, MP3 players, portable CD players, cassettes players, games consoles(控制台)or even your laptop computer whenever you want to hear full stereo sound from your radio．

　　Features include：

　　·LCD display with background lighting(shows time / date / temperature)

　　·Full FM frequency range, so you can select the best performing frequency

　　·Choose from 2 power supplies：2 AAA batteries or car charger(adaptor provided)

　　·4 memory channels for storing best performing FM frequencies

　　·Frequency response：100 Hz－15000 Hz

　　The unit is wireless so there are no disorganized cables, it is lightweight and easy to carry．

　　Adds a whole new part to your MP3 experience!

　　Takes 2×AAA batteries(not supplied)Click here to buy batteries for this product…

　　GIFT STATS：iPod / MP3 Transmitter

　　Measures：7.5×4.5 cm

　　Packaging：Gift pack

　　We can deliver this item to the UK, Europe, and North America．

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　　A single night of taking the drug Ecstasy(摇头丸)can cause serious brain damage and speed up the start of Parkinson’s disease, scientists say．Just two to three Ecstasy tablets－a quantity that thousands of clubbers take during parties－can permanently destroy brain cells that affect movement and reasoning, according to American research that links the drug to Parkinson's for the first time．

　　A study by a team at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, involving squirrel monkeys and baboons(狒狒)found that both species suffered permanent damage to key cells called dopamine neurons, which are lost in Parkinson’s, after receiving three low doses of Ecstasy at three-hour periods．

　　The study is particularly significant because baboons are one of the best animal models for the human brain．George Ricaurte, who led the research, said that widespread abuse of the drug may already be claiming victims of such neurological(神经性的)damage．“The most troubling result is that young adults using Ecstasy may be increasing their risk for developing Parkinsonism as they get older．”

　　Alan Leshner, a former director of the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, said：“This study emphasizes the multi-aspect damage that Ecstasy can do to users．We've long known that repeated use damages brain cells．This study shows that even very occasional use can have long-lasting effects on many different brain systems．It sends an important message to young people：don't experiment with your own brain．”

　　Janet Betts, the Essex mother whose daughter Leah died after a single Ecstasy tablet in 1995, said：“This comes as no surprise．People can't see the effects at first, and they're in permanent denial(否认), saying it’s not going to happen to them．But we'll see the symptoms(症状)later, just as we have with smoking．”

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　　For most of us, the purpose of the holidays is to bring peace, love, and goodwill towards all．Yet, for many, the holiday season often means stress, tiredness, pressure, disappointment and loneliness．

　　These feelings, often known as the “holiday blues,” may be even more common this year, due to the emotional disorder of the past few months, not to mention the unsteady economy．Experts say even the more usual tasks of shopping, decorating, late-night parties, cooking, planning and family reunions can be holiday stressors．

　　In addition, the psychological phenomenon known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, may bring a specific type of depression related to winter's shorter days and longer nights．

　　“Certainly just because it's the holidays doesn't mean people are going to be happy,” says Dr．Doug Jacobs of Harvard University．“And this will be a particularly hard holiday for some who are dealing with a lost job, debt, or even a lost loved one．”

　　And with family reunions becoming less frequent events over the years, there is now the added pressure of getting just one chance to get it all right．“Families are much more different now,” says John Stutsman, a clinical psychologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago．The disappointment and sense of unfriendliness that often results from family gatherings, he adds, are actually a realization that “the fantasy is not met”．

　　Still, say experts, the blues should be dealt with．The most essential step, says Stutsman, is for the individual to admit their feelings and the reason for their depression．“Disagreement will only compound the stress they're feeling．”

　　Stutsman recommends people do things that are normally comforting in order to get a handle on the holiday stress．“If they're feeling a little blue, they should try to do things personally satisfying for them．Maybe this is exercise, cooking, reading a book, or massage．”

　　Stutsman also advises that sometimes “avoidance is actually not such a bad idea”．In some situations, fulfilling social obligations may be self-destructive when the best thing may be to just stay home．“The healthy choice has to do with taking care of oneself．”

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　　From the coldest arctic ice to the hottest deserts you will find mammals living and thriving(兴旺)．There seems to be no climate that they can't adapt to, however changeable it may be．Why can mammals adapt to so many different habitats? There is a good reason for this－mammals have the ability to keep their body at a constant temperature whatever the weather．They are “warm-blooded”．

　　Mammals achieve this by chemically “burning” their food as fuel inside their bodies．This is kept under tight control by a region of the brain that acts like a thermostat(恒温器), and this makes sure that the mammal's body temperature stays about the same．

　　A constant body temperature is a great advantage for mammals because all the chemical processes that go on inside a living body are likely to happen more slowly at low temperatures and faster at higher temperatures．Mammals can regulate their temperature at the best condition for all these processes, allowing them to be active at very cold or very hot periods and to keep up tiring activity for a long time．Animals such as lizards(蜥蜴)rely on moving in and out of the warm sunlight to regulate their body temperature．They slow down when they can't warm up and may die if they can't get away from heat．They also tend to overheat quickly when they are active as their muscles produce warmth．

　　Using food energy to keep body temperature constant is expensive, and since mammals need to be efficient at keeping the warmth they create inside themselves, they often have fur and a cover of fat under their skin to prevent heat from escaping．To help lose heat when they are too hot, they have sweat glands(汗腺)that take the heat away from the skin through evaporating(蒸发)water．This means, though, that they need to drink more than other animals．

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　　It was the afternoon of December 24, the day before Christmas; and as the newest doctor in our office, I had to work．The only thing that brightened my day was the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in our waiting room and a gift sent to me by a fellow I was dating－a dozen long-stemmed red roses．

　　As I was cleaning my office, our receptionist came and said there was a lady in the front office that urgently needed to speak with me．As I stepped out, I noticed a young, tired-looking woman with a baby in her arms．Nervously, she explained that her husband－a prisoner in a nearby prison－was my next patient．The guards were scheduled to bring him to the office that afternoon．She told me she wasn't allowed to visit her husband in prison and that he had never seen his son．Her request was for me to let the boy's father sit in the waiting room with her as long as possible before I called him for his appointment．Since my schedule wasn't full, I agreed．After all, it was Christmas Eve．

　　A short time later, her husband arrived－with chains on his feet and hands, and two armed guards as bodyguards．The woman's tired face lit up like our little Christmas tree when her husband took a seat beside her．I kept glancing out to watch them laugh, cry, and share their child．After almost an hour, I called the prisoner back to my office．While I worked, the guards stood just outside my door．The patient seemed like a gentle and modest man．I wondered what he possibly could have done to be held under such conditions．I tried to make him as comfortable as possible．

　　At the end of the appointment, I wished him a Merry Christmas－a difficult thing to say to a man headed back to prison．He smiled and thanked me．He also said he felt saddened by the fact he hadn't been able to get his wife anything for Christmas．On hearing this, I was inspired with a wonderful idea．

　　I'll never forget the look on both their faces as the prisoner gave his wife the beautiful, long-stemmed roses．I'm not sure who experienced the most joy－the husband in giving, the wife in receiving, or myself in having the opportunity to share in this special moment．

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　　A popular saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me．” However, that's not really true．Words have the power to build us up or tear us down．It doesn't matter if the words come from someone else or ourselves－the positive and negative effects are just as lasting．

　　We all talk to ourselves sometimes．We're usually too embarrassed to admit it, though．In fact, we really shouldn't be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit．

　　This “self-talk” helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down．Be aware, though, that as much as 77％ of self-talk tends to be negative．So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves．We should also be quick to give ourselves a pat on the back．The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying “Good job!”

　　Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have．But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others．For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange．And the clerk will probably respond in a similar manner．Or harsh(刻薄的)and critical language will most likely cause the clerk to be defensive．

　　Words possess power because of their lasting effect．Many of us regret something we once said．And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves：Is it true? Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn't pass this test, then it's better left unsaid．

　　Words possess power：both positive and negative．Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively．We can offer hope, build self-esteem(自尊)and motivate others to do their best．Negative words destroy all those things．Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours．

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　　●Paris City Tour, Seine River Cruise(巡游)and the Eiffel Tower

　　Duration：5 hours

　　Departure Dates：Daily

　　Unavailable Date：July 14(Bastille Day)

　　Departure Point：Paris

　　Departure Time：9∶00 a.m, 12∶00 p.m, 3∶00 p.m

　　This tour will give you a view of Paris from three different viewpoints．It includes a coach tour around Paris with a Seine River cruise, which will take you back through 2 000 years of Paris history．The tour concludes with an elevator ride up to the 2^nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, where you can experience its wonderful view．

　　●London City Tour, Thames River Cruise and English Pub Lunch

　　Duration：8.5～9 hours

　　Departure Dates：Daily

　　Unavailable dates：January 1(New Year's Day), December 24～26(Christmas)

　　Departure Point：Victoria Coach Station, opposite Gate 1

　　Departure Time：8∶45 a.m

　　You will visit great architecture like Westminster Abbey, the Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the Buckingham Palace．The tour includes 38 ceremonies and 14 Royal weddings．

　　At noon, you'll have two-course lunch in a traditional London pub．After lunch, there will be a Thames River Cruise for great views of the Houses of Parliament, London Eye and London's famous bridges．The tour ends at the Tower of London．

　　●Full Day Tour to Naples and Pompeii

　　Duration：13 hours

　　Departure Dates：Daily

　　Unavailable Dates：New Year's Day, Christmas Day, December 31

　　Departure Point：Rome Hotel

　　Departure Time：6∶30 a.m

　　Take the “Highway of the Sun” and travel through the Roman countryside．

　　Arriving in Naples, you will go on along the hill of Posillipo, where you can enjoy views of the volcano Vesuvius which erupted in AD 79, destroying the towns of Pompeii．At Pompeii you will stop for lunch．

　　After lunch, visit the site for two hours with a local guide, traveling through the ruins of this ancient city．Then return to the coach for a journey of 3 hours back to Rome．

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　　“You must be mad!” said my friends．“Giving up your job now, when there isn't much chance of finding another one, ever!”

　　But I had already come to my lonely decision．To wake up in the morning with a sense of fear, to force a hasty breakfast down an unwilling throat and then to set off for work with pounding heart and frozen face had become habitual, and I had turned to tranquilizers(镇定剂)to help me along．

　　It hadn't always been as bad as this．Ten years before I had managed quite well．

　　I, in common with most other teachers, am rather self-critical, and I knew now I was no longer “managing”．My classes were noisy, the children were not learning very much, and my attempts to cope with changing teaching methods produced very little effect．At one time my very presence in the doorway would be enough to ensure a partial silence．Now they give a vague(含糊的)“Hello, Miss”, and carry on．I had run out of enjoyment and enthusiasm．It was time to stop．

　　Was it all my own failure? In fairness to myself, I don't think it was．I had plenty of ideas, I loved my subject, and I liked children．

　　I had been idealistic．But the reality I faced was bored children, over-stimulated(刺激)by video-watching the night before and tired out by a late bedtime．They were given the wrong food at the wrong time, who came without breakfast to school and then stuffed themselves with gum and chocolates bought on the way; who were “high” with hunger in class and talked restlessly as the cooking smell from the school kitchen came drifting(漂)to all floors．

　　I had been trying to create the basic conditions in which teaching becomes possible, but I had failed, and no longer had the stomach for the job．

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　　Climate change connected with the reduction of wetlands at the source of the country's two longest rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow, has reduced the volume of water flowing into them, scientists said．

　　Scientists studied changes over past 40 years to the wetlands on the cold Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in west China where the two rivers have their sources．

　　They found the wetlands on the plateau have shrunk(减少)more than 10 percent over the past four years．The wetlands at the source of the Yangtze have suffered the most, decreasing by 29 percent．

　　About 17.5 percent of the small lakes at the source of the Yangtze have dried up, the scientists said．

　　“The wetland plays a key role in holding water and changing the water volume of the rivers,” Wang Xugen, a researcher, said．

　　“The reduction of the wetland on the plateau is closely connected with global warming,” Wang said, adding that even though rainfall has increased in the area, the reduction of the wetland has reduced the flow of the Yangtze and the Yellow．

　　Records by the weather station at the head of the Yangtze showed yearly rainfall at its source increased from 260 mm during 1991－2000 to 323 mm in the period 2001－2006．

　　“But the increased rainfall didn't lead to more water's flowing into the rivers because the evaporation(蒸发)was so fast as a result of global warming,” Li Shijie, a researcher, said．

　　Another study showed global warming had caused glaciers to get smaller, frozen earth to melt, grasslands to turn yellow and rivers to dry up．

　　The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau used to have 36 000 glaciers covering an area of 50 000 sq km．In the past 100 years, their area has been reduced by 30 percent．

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　　On the first day of school we were challenged to get to know a new classmate．I was looking around, when a gentle hand touched my shoulder．I found a little old lady with a warm smile．

　　She said, “Hi, handsome! I'm Rose．I'm 87 years old．Can I give you a hug(拥抱)?” I laughed and heartily responded, “Of course!”

　　“Why are you in college at such a young, innocent(天真的)age?” I asked．

　　She jokingly replied, “I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have children, and then travel around．”

　　“No, seriously,” I asked．I was curious why she took on this challenge at this age．

　　“I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!” She told me．We became instant friends．

　　Over the year, Rose became a campus icon(偶像)and she easily made friends wherever she went．She loved to dress up and she enjoyed the attention from the other students．She was living it up．

　　At the end of the term we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet．I'll never forget what she taught us．

　　“We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing．Here are the secrets to staying young．You have to laugh and find humor every day．You've got to have a dream．When you lose your dreams, you die．We have many people walking around who are dead, and they don't even know it!” she said．

　　“There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up．Anybody can grow older．That doesn't take any talent or ability,” she added．“But growing up requires finding the opportunity in change．The elderly usually don't have regrets for what they did, but rather for things they did not do．”

　　One week after graduation that year, Rose died peacefully in her sleep．She taught us by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be．

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