【98-101】Scientists to Use DNA in Search for Loch Ness Monster

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【98】AS IT IS

Scientists to Use DNA in Search for Loch Ness Monster

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FILE -An undated photo shows a shadowy shape that some people say is the Loch Ness monster in Scotland.

For hundreds of years, visitors to Scotland's Loch Ness have described seeing a creature that some people believe lives deep in the lake.

But now the story of “Nessie” -- the Loch Ness Monster -- may have no place to hide.

A New Zealand scientist is leading an international team to the lake next month. They plan to take some of the water and study genetic material from the lake to see what species live there.

Neil Gemmell is a professor at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. The 51-year-old researcher says he does not believe all the stories about Nessie. But he said he wants to take people on an interesting trip and communicate some science to them along the way. Besides, he added, his children think it is one of the coolestthings he has ever done.

One of the more unusual theories is that Nessie is a long-necked dinosaur that somehow survived after other dinosaurs died out.

Another theory is that the creature is actually a large fish, such as a sturgeon or giant catfish. Many people believe the claims of sightings are tricks or can be explained by trees floating in the water or strong winds.

Gemmell said that when creatures move in water, they leave behind small pieces of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. DNA is found in the cells of all animals and plants. It carries their genetic information. DNA comes from their skin, hair and waste fluids.

The New Zealand researcher said his team will take water from different points around the lake and at different depths. After removing the organic material, they will take the DNA, and sequence it by using technology created for the human genome project. The goal of that project was the complete mapping and understanding of all the genes of human beings.

Gemmell said the results of his team’s DNA tests will then be compared against all known species. He said they should have answers by the end of the year.

"I'm going into this thinking it is unlikely there is a monster, but I want to test that hypothesis," Gemmell said, adding that the results will also show “the biodiversity of the Loch Ness."

He noted that the real discoveries may come in finding things like the number of invasive species.

Gemmell said he first visited Loch Ness when he was in his late 20s. Like thousands of visitors before him, he looked out over the lake trying to see a monster. He said he first came up with the idea of testing DNA from the lake a few years ago and many people liked it, including his children.

Graeme Matheson, chief of the Scottish Society of New Zealand, said he, too, had visited Loch Ness and looked for a monster.

"I hope he (Gemmell) and his cohorts find something, although I think they'll be battling," Matheson said. "Still, it's a good way to get a trip to Scotland."

Gemmell said that even if his team fails to find any monster DNA, it won't stop some Nessie believers. He said they have already been offering him theories. One idea is that Nessie might have left the lake and, after a lot of swimming, gone somewhere else for a rest. Another theory is that the monster might be an extraterrestrial, perhaps coming may another planet, and not leave behind any DNA.

"In our lives we want there still to be mysteries, some of which we will solve," Gemmell said, adding that sometimes we find what we were not expecting to find.

I'm Susan Shand.

The Associated Press reported story. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

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Words in This Story

species – n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

dinosaur – n. one of many reptiles that lived on Earth millions of years ago

sequencing – v. to determine the order in which things happen or should happen

hypothesis – n. an idea or theory that is not proven but that leads to further study or discussion

biodiversity - n. the existence of many different kinds of plants and animals in an environment

cohort – n. a friend or companion

extraterrestrial – n. coming from or existing outside the planet Earth

cool – adj. very good or excellent

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【99】AS IT IS

‘Murdered' Reporter Appears Alive with Ukrainian Officials 

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A Russian journalist who was reportedly murdered turned up alive in the middle of a televised news conference in Ukraine about his own killing.

“I’m still alive,” Arkady Babchenko said to reporters at the news conference at Ukrainian Security Service headquarters in Kyiv.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian officials said Babchenko had been shot dead and that his wife had found him in a pool of blood. He is a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his policy in Ukraine and Syria.

The report of his murder started a war of words between Ukraine and Russia. It also brought condemnation from the United States and European countries.

But on Wednesday, Babchenko appeared before reporters saying he had been part of a special Ukrainian operation to stop a Russian attempt on his life.

Babchenko apologized to his wife “for the hell she had to go through in the past two days.” He said she did not know about the operation in advance.

Neither he nor Vasyl Gritsak, head of the Ukrainian Security Service, provided details of how they staged Babchenko’s injuries or made his wife believe he was dead.

The surprise came as Gritsak held the news conference to announce that Ukrainian police had solved the reported killing.

Before Babchenko’s appearance, Gritsak said investigators had identified a Ukrainian citizen who allegedly was paid $40,000 by the Russian security service to kill Babchenko. Gritsak also said killing Babchenko was part of a larger terror plot by Russian security services in Ukraine.

Babchenko said he was approached by the Ukrainian Security Service a month ago to set up the operation.

“The important thing is my life has been saved and other, bigger terrorist attacks have been thwarted,” he said.

Babchenko is one of Russia’s best-known war reporters. He fled the country in February 2017 after receiving death threats against him and his family. He said his home address was published online and the threats he received were made by phone, email and social media.

I’m Mario Ritter.

Hai Do adapted the story for VOA Learning English from AP and Reuters reports. Mario Ritter was the editor.

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Words in This Story

hell –n. (figurative) a very difficult or unpleasant experience

in advance –phrase, before something

stage –v. to arrange for a purpose

allegedly –adv. said to have happened but not proven

thwart –v. to prevent something from happening

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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【100】AS IT IS

Hong Kong Researchers Worried About Possible ‘Loyalty Test’ 

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Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival, 2018.

Earlier this May, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Hong Kong scientists could seek government money to fund their research. It is the first time since 1997 that Hong Kong researchers have been permitted to request money from the Chinese government.

But the official Xinhua news agency said those seeking such support must show they “love the country and Hong Kong.” Some Hong Kong researchers are worried the requirement is a patriotism test that could interfere with their work.

More than 20 individuals and education groups started a petition protesting the measure. The petition said the term “love the country and Hong Kong” was unclear. And, it said, making researchers show their loyalty could limit freedom of thought and study.

Signers to the petition also worried the order could be extended to people working in other areas – the law, for example, or history and written works.

Carrie Lam swearing-in ceremony, 2017.

But Hong Kong’s top official, Carrie Lam, said people had misunderstood the order. Lam told reporters: “Of course, in Hong Kong we do expect, whether you are a scientist or researcher, or government official like myself, to love our country and love Hong Kong. So that is nothing unusual.”

Lam aims to help make Hong Kong a worldwide center for research and discovery.

As of this Monday, some researchers said they still were not sure whether evidence of patriotism was required to seek government money.

They also noted that past Chinese government attempts to establish patriotism among Hong Kong’s people had failed. For example, six years ago more than 100,000 protesters objected to a proposed school program designed to make Hong Kong children feel good about China. In time, the Hong Kong government cancelled the program.

I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.

Suzanne Sataline reported this story for VOA News. Kelly Jean Kelly adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

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Words in This Story

petition - n. a written document that people sign to show that they want a person or organization to do or change something

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

【101】AS IT IS

Nigerian University Stays Open, Ignoring Boko Haram Threats 

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Students take their final exams at the computer science department. More than 20,000 students are enrolled at the University of Maiduguri. (C. Oduah/VOA)

Since the start of 2017, Boko Haram militants have launched at least 12 attacks on the University of Maiduguri.

The university sits in Maiduguri, the same Nigerian city where Boko Haram was formed. The group has launched attacks against Nigeria’s central government since 2009.

Boko Haram has also attacked the University of Maiduguri. Yet the university remains open, and thousands of students continue to attend its classes.

More than 20,000 students officially attend the school, and those numbers continue to grow.

Growing in the face of threats

Muktar Muhammed produces a music show for the university’s radio station. He begins each broadcast with a cheerful “Good Morning” message to keep students calm.

“We have to make it a point…to keep them positive. Of course, to try and stay relaxedand focused on their studies,” he told VOA.

Muhammed said students were still frightened a few weeks ago after suspected Boko Haram militants invaded the city. But the militants left after they were driven away by government troops.

Nigeria troops, rear, provide security at the area where a bomb exploded in Nigeria's northeastern University of Maiduguri at Maiduguri, Nigeria, Jan. 16, 2016.

Third-year student Tasiu Hassan was at the school in January 2017 when a suicide attacker exploded a bomb, killing a professor. Later, Boko Haram released a video claiming responsibility for the attack.

"I found myself in a very terrible situation in such a way that I had even thought of going back home," Hassan told VOA. But he still stayed at school, like many other students.

Since then, the university has been attacked at least 12 times by suicide bombers, university officials told VOA.

In July 2017, suspected Boko Haram supporters kidnapped 10 members of the university's geology and surveying department. The Nigerian military later rescued them.

Resisting terrorists

The University of Maiduguri is the largest and most famous public education center in northeastern Nigeria. Its students are resisting Boko Haram's message that condemns Western education as sinful.

Throughout Boko Haram's rebellion against the government, the university never closed.

"To show how resilient we are, to show how much sacrifice we are making and that is the true reflection of the Maiduguri spirit -- we are here because we have a responsibility to keep the system going.” Those are the words of Danjuma Gambo, a mass communications professor and a spokesman for the university.

“Someone has to be around no matter how bad the situation is,” he added.

Gambo said that the university was too important to close, even for a day. He said it provides a lot “to the local economy, to the business, to the finance, to even social activities in Maiduguri.”

University of Maiduguri

That is why city and state officials said they would do anything in their power to keep the university open.

The commissioner for the Borno State Ministry for Education, Musa Inuwa Kubo, told VOA the university has helped create a sense of self-respect in the community.

"Most of us are products of that institution,” he said. He added that the resiliency of the university during the Boko Haram attacks should be respected by everybody.

Last year, workers dug a 27-kilometer-long trench around the university, mainly on its eastern side. This side faces the border with Cameroon, where many Boko Haram fighters operate. The hole is designed to slow down attacks from the militant group. Its fighters often invade cities on motorcycles.

Every day, dogs trained to smell bomb chemicals and weapons perform inspections at two entrances to the university.

No other public university in the area has this level of security.

That is one reason why Esther Clement continues to attend the university.

She has one more year of studies before she will receive a degree in mass communication.

"I want to become a reporter, so I can inform people about Boko Haram," she added.

I’m Phil Dierking.

Chika Oduah wrote this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted the story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Do you know of other schools that stay open despite danges? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

commissioner - n. an official who is in charge of a government department or part of a government department

degree - n. an official document and title that is given to someone who has successfully completed a series of classes at a college or university

focus - v. to direct your attention or effort at something specific

motorcycle - n. a vehicle with two wheels that is powered by a motor and that can carry one or two people

positive - n. thinking about the good qualities of someone or something

reflect - v. to cause people to think of someone or something in a specified way

relax - v. to become or to cause (something) to become less tense, tight, or stiff

resilient - adj. able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens

sinful - adj. wrong according to religious or moral law

survey - n. an act of measuring and examining an area of land

trench - n. a long, narrow hole that is dug in the ground

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