Plasticizer Body, Elephant Names

News Bites

Hi there. It's time for an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's episode, more problems from plastic, and elephants know their names! And today's Tasty Tidbit takes a dark turn… Stay tuned for all that and more, coming up next. ________________________________ 台灣人體內塑化劑濃度高美國人7倍 Plasticizers in our Bodies The world is facing a serious problem with plastic pollution. And it may affect us in more ways than we thought. Recently, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes (國家衛生研究院) did a study together. The study found that people in Taiwan had 2 to 7 times more plasticizer in their bodies than people in Europe and the U.S. Plasticizer is added to materials to make them softer and more flexible (有彈性). Plasticizer is often added to polymer (聚合物) and PVC. It makes it easier to change the shape of these materials. Plasticizer is also added to concrete (混凝土) to improve strength. Plasticizer does get into our bodies. But experts say it takes only a few days for us to metabolize (代謝) the plasticizer. So why are the levels so high in Taiwanese people? It may be that we come into contact with a lot of plasticizer, and often. We are exposed to plasticizers on a daily basis. Often when we buy food in Taiwan, they come in plastic bags… Even when it's hot food or soup. When people heat food in microwaves, the plastic wrap (保鮮膜) is often still wrapped on the food. Plasticizers in our bodies can cause many different problems. Experts say plasticizer can affect thyroid hormones (甲狀腺荷爾蒙), insulin (胰島素) and other hormonal functions (荷爾蒙功能). It can also disrupt menstrual cycles (干擾月經週期). Some plasticizers impair (影響) child development, heighten cancer risks and other effects. The experts say cutting down exposure is very important. They say we should use reusable tableware. And they say we should learn about different materials. Some single-use tableware is covered with a layer of waterproof plastic (防水塑膠膜). If the food is very hot, or the tableware is heated, there is a risk. The plastic may release harmful chemicals. 專家建議，購買外帶食物最好能夠自備環保容器或餐盒。 Looks like the reduction of plastic tableware is something that cannot be put off. ________________________________ 大象會用"名字"呼叫彼此 Elephants Call Each Other by Name Animals have their own ways to communicate with each other. Dolphins mimic (模仿). Studies have shown that some dolphins call one another by making the signature (特色) whistle of the dolphin they want to call. Some parrots also do this. But elephants do something different. A new study shows that elephants call out to each other using something like names! It's a bit like our human names. But elephants use names that they made up for other elephants. A team of international scientists looked at the calls of two herds of elephants in Kenya. They listened closely to the sounds these elephants made. They played a recording to an elephant of others calling out its name. They found the elephant responded positively (正面的) and energetically. But when the names of other elephants were played, they did not respond. The scientists think this shows that elephants use different sounds for each of their friends and family members. And they know when other elephants are calling them. The scientists say this means that elephants and humans may be the only two animals that can make up names for each other. The scientists say in some ways, this makes sense. They say humans and elephants share many similarities (共同點). Both live with families and relatives. Both live social lives. Elephants also have highly-developed brains. There's a saying that goes, “an elephant never forgets.” 或許還有其他動物跟我們一樣，擁有進步的溝通機制，等著我們去發現。 ________________________________ So in today's News Bites, A new study finds that people in Taiwan had 2 to 7 times more plasticizer in their bodies than people in Europe and the U.S. It may be that we come into contact with a lot of plasticizer, and often. The experts say cutting down exposure is very important. ________________________________ And, A new study shows that elephants call out to each other using something like names! But elephants use names that they made up for other elephants. The scientists say this means that elephants and humans may be the only two animals that can make up names for each other. _______________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And for today's Tasty Tidbit, What building has the most stories? Taipei 101? Nope, the library! Now, are you afraid of the dark? 6th graders Lien Yu-en and Lin Zhi-hsuan from Yunlin County's Wen-chang Elementary School think maybe you just need to understand it better! ******** ________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or an interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to [e-mail], and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!