SCIENCE REPORT - November 29, 2001: National Virtual Observatory
By Mario Ritter
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This is the VOA Special English Science Report.
The National Science Foundation is providing ten-million dollars to develop a program that will permit astronomers to share scientific information. The program is called the National Virtual Observatory. The new observatory will not have a telescope. Instead, it will put huge amounts of space information on the InternetÆs World Wide Web. Anyone with a computer will be able to use the information. Scientists, teachers and students will be able to study the universe online.
Narodowa Fundacja Nauki zapewni 10 mln dolar≤w, aby opracowaµ program, kt≤ry pozwoli astronomom dzieliµ sie naukowymi informacjami. Program nosi nazwΩ Narodowego Wirtualnego Obserwatorium. Nowe obserwatorium nie bΩdzie mieµ teleskopu. W zamian za to bΩdzie umieszczaµ ogromne ilo£ci informacji w WWW. Ka┐da osoba dysponuj╣ca komputerem bΩdzie mog│a skorzystaµ z tej informacji. Naukowcy, nauczyciele i studenci bΩd╣ mogli badaµ wszech£wiat online.
Astronomers from seventeen research centers will work on the project. The project is headed by Alex Szalay of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and Paul Messina of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
Nad projektem bΩd╣ pracowaµ astronomowie z 17 o£rodk≤w badawczych. Projekt jest kierowany przez Alexa Szlaya z Johns Hopkins University w Baltimore (Maryland) i Paula MessinΩ z California Institute of Technology w Pasadenie.
The new Web site will include a large number of different information systems in one place. Currently, telescope observations made at one observatory are kept in its own computer information system. Information gathered by spacecraft is also kept in similar systems. Today, there is no way to search all these different information systems through one computer Web site.
Nowy serwis WWW bΩdzie gromadzi│ w jednym miejscu znaczn╣ liczbΩ r≤┐nych system≤w informacyjnych. W chwili obecnej obserwacje teleskopowe wykonywane w jednym obserwatorium s╣ trzymane w jego w│asnym systemie informacyjnym. Informacje zebrane przez statki kosmiczne s╣ trzymane w podobnych systemach. Dzisiaj nie ma ┐adnego sposobu przeszukiwania wszystkich tych zr≤┐nicowanych system≤w informacyjnych poprzez jeden serwis WWW.
The National Virtual Observatory will be designed so that many information systems can be searched from one Web site. However, this project is more complex than simply creating an information base organized with normal computer systems. A special system is necessary because of the huge amounts of information involved.
Narodowe Wirtualne Obserwatorium bΩdzie tak zaprojektowane, aby wiele system≤w informacyjnych mog│o byµ przeszukiwanych z jednej strony internetowej. Jednak projekt jest bardziej z│o┐ony ni┐ tylko zbudowanie bazy informacyjnej zorganizowanej za pomoc╣ normalnych system≤w komputerowych. Konieczny jest specjalny specjalny system, poniewa┐ w grΩ wchodz╣ ogromne ilo£ci informacji.
Information from experiments and observations has increased at a very fast rate in the space sciences of astronomy and astrophysics. Today, many kinds of telescopes make observations that are stored in computers.
W astronomii i astrofizyce informacja z eksperyment≤w i obserwacji wzros│a wbardzo szybkim tempie. Dzisiaj wiele rodzaj≤w teleskop≤w wykonuje obserwacje, kt≤re s╣ gromadzone w komputerach.
So much information can be stored in computers that it has become difficult to process. Also, some astronomers may not know of observations done at other observatories. This could cause researchers to perform the same studies over and over again. The National Virtual Observatory will permit astronomers to find out very quickly if information already exists to help their own research.
W komputerach mo┐na zgromadziµ tak wiele informacji, ┐e sta│a sie ona trudna do przetworzenia. Wielu astronom≤w mo┐e tak┐e nie wiedzieµ o obserwacjach innych o£rodk≤w. Mog│oby to spowodowaµ, ┐e badacze przeprowadzaliby ci╣gle te same badania. Narodowe Wirtualne Obserwatorium pozwoli atronomom szybko siΩ dowiedzieµ, czy istniej╣ ju┐ informacje, kt≤re bΩd╣ pomocne w ich w│╣snych badaniach.
Experts say the National Virtual Observatory represents an important step in astronomy. Astronomers now must gather and organize huge amounts of information. Soon, this information will be open to everyone.
Specjali£ci twierdz╣, ┐e Narodowe Wirtualne Obserwatorium stanowi wa┐ny krok w astronomii. Astronomowie musz╣ teraz gromadziµ i przetwarzaµ ogromne ilo£ci informacji. Wkr≤tce ta informacja bΩdzie sta│a otworem dla ka┐dego.
This VOA Special English Science Report was written by Mario Ritter.
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SCIENCE REPORT- December 5, 2001: Process of Tumor Growth
By Nancy Steinbach
spec0041a1205.mp3
This is the VOA Special English Science Report.
Scientists say they have made an important discovery about how a cancerous tumor develops the blood supply that it needs. The researchers found that cells from the bone marrow play an important part in creating the blood supply. Marrow is the soft tissue found inside most bones.
Naukowcy twierdz╣, ┐e dokonali wa┐nego odkrycia, jak guz nowotworowy rozwija system zaopatrzenia w krew, kt≤rej potrzebuje. Badacze odkryli, ┐e kom≤rki szpiku kostnego odgrywaj╣ istotn╣ rolΩ w tworzeniu zaopatrzenia w krew. Szpik to miΩkka tkanka znajduj╣ca siΩ w £rodku ko£ci.
The research was carried out by scientists at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. They reported the results of their studies in the publication "Nature Medicine".
Badanie by│o przeprowadzone przez naukowc≤w z Weill Medical College z Cornell University i Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center w Nowym Jorku. Donie£li oni o wynikach swoich bada± w publikacji "Nature Medicine".
The scientists used mice to investigate the theory that special stem cells from the bone marrow are involved in creating new blood vessels for cancerous growths. They used mice that had been genetically engineered so they could not produce new blood vessels. The mice also could not develop cancer because tumors placed in them could not make new blood vessels.
Naukowcy pos│u┐yli siΩ myszami, aby zbadaµ teoriΩ, ┐e specjalne kom≤rki macierzyste ze szpiku kostnego s╣ zaanga┐owane w tworzenie nowych naczy± krwiono£nych dla wzrostu nowotworu. Wykorzystali myszy, kt≤re zosta│y tak genetycznie zmodyfikowane, aby nie mog│y wytwarzaµ nowych naczy± krwiono£nych. W myszach nie m≤g│ siΩ tak┐e rozwijaµ rak, gdy┐ umieszczone w nich guzy nowotworowe nie mog│y tworzyµ nowych naczy± krwiono£nych.
The researchers placed specially marked bone marrow from normal mice into the mice that could not produce blood vessels. The mice were then given a kind of cancer cell that spreads quickly. The researchers found that cancerous tumors appeared on the mice. After the animals died, the researchers found the marked bone marrow cells in most of the tumors.
Badacze umie£cili specjalne oznaczony szpik z normalnych myszy w myszach, kt≤re nie mog│y produkowaµ naczy± krwiono£nych. Myszom zaaplikowano nastΩpnie pewien rodzaj kom≤rek nowotworowych, kt≤ry szybko siΩ rozprzestrzenia. Badacze odkryli, ┐e w myszach pojawi│y siΩ guzy nowotworowe. Gdy zwierzΩta zdech│y, badacze wykryli w wiΩkszo£ci guz≤w oznakowane kom≤rki szpiku kostnego.
Cancerous tumor cells produce a protein called VEGF (VEJ-eff). VEGF helps blood vessels grow into the tumor. The researchers found that the cells used by VEGF to build blood vessels come from the bone marrow. They include two kinds of stem cells. One kind is involved in the development of blood vessel walls.
Kom≤rki guza nowotworowego produkuj╣ bia│ko zwane VEGF. VEGF pomaga naczyniom krwiono£nym wrastaµ w guz. Badacze odkryli, ┐e kom≤rki u┐ywane przez VEGF do wytworzenia naczy± krwiono£nych pochodz╣ ze szpiku kostnego. Zawieraj╣ one dwa rodzaje kom≤rek macierzystych. Jeden rodzaj jest zaanga┐owany w wytwarzanie £cianek naczy± krwiono£nych.
VEGF makes these cells leave the bone marrow, enter the bloodstream and seek out the tumor. Then the cells begin to create blood vessels that support the tumor. The tumor then increases in size and destroys normal tissue.
VEGF nakazuje tym kom≤rkom opu£ciµ szpik, przedostaµ siΩ do strumienia krwi i wyszukaµ guz. NastΩpnie kom≤rki rozpoczynaj╣ tworzenie naczy± krwiono£nych, kt≤re obs│uguj╣ guz. Guz zwiΩksza wtedy swoja wielko£µ i niszczy normaln╣ tkankΩ.
The scientists found that they could stop the action of VEGF on the bone marrow stem cells with specially made substances called antibodies. The antibodies blocked the action of the stem cells. In the mice experiments, the use of two kinds of antibodies caused the cancer cells to die.
Naukowcy odkryli, ┐e s╣ w stanie powstrzymaµ dzia│anie VEGF na kom≤rki macierzyste szpiku kostnego za pomoc╣ specjalnie wyprodukowanych substancji zwanych antycia│ami. W eksperymencie z myszami u┐ycie dw≤ch rodzaj≤w cia│ spowodowa│o, ┐e kom≤rki rakowe obumar│y.
Other researchers say this work shows a new way of thinking about a tumorÆs blood supply. They say these kinds of antibodies may provide a new way to attack cancer.
Inni badacze twierdz╣, ┐e praca ta pokazuje nowy spos≤b my£lenia na temat zaopatrzenia guza w krew. M≤wi╣, ┐e te rodzaje antycia│ dostarczyµ nowej metody atakowania raka.
This VOA Special English Science Report was written by Nancy Steinbach.
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SCIENCE REPORT û December 6, 2001: Stop Smoking
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This is the VOA Special English SCIENCE REPORT.
The World Health Organization estimates that more than four-million people die each year from the effects of smoking tobacco. That number is increasing.
îwiatowa Organizacja Zdrowia szacuje, ┐e ponad 4 miliony ludzi umiera ka┐dego roku na skutek palenia tytoniu. Liczba ta ro£nie.
W-H-O officials expect one-hundred-fifty- million people to die from tobacco use in the next twenty years. Seven in ten of those deaths will be in developing countries. These numbers are frightening.
UrzΩdnicy WHO spodziewaja siΩ, ┐e w ci╣gu najbli┐szych 20 lat umrze przez tyto± 150 mln os≤b. 7 na 10 zgon≤w bΩdzie mia│o miejsce w krajach rozwijaj╣cych siΩ. Liczby te s╣ zatrwa┐aj╣ce.
Yet people around the world continue to smoke.
Jednak ludzie na ca│ym £wiecie w dalszym ci╣gu pal╣.
In the United States, about forty-seven-million adults currently smoke. American health experts say tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death nationwide. This year, more than four-hundred-thirty-thousand Americans will die of diseases linked to smoking.
W Stanach Zjednoczonych pali w tej chwili oko│o 47 mln doros│ych. Ameryka±scy eksperci do spraw zdrowia m≤wi╣, ┐e zu┐ycie tytoniu jest czo│ow╣ daj╣c╣ siΩ zapobiec przyczyn╣ £mierci na skalΩ krajow╣. W tym roku ponad 430 tys. Amerykan≤w umrze z powodu chor≤b zwi╣zanych z paleniem.
One day last month, thousands of Americans attempted to stop smoking. They were taking part in the Great American Smokeout.
Pewnego dnia w ubieg│ym miesi╣cu tysi╣ce Amerykan≤w spr≤bowa│y zaprzestaµ palenia. WziΩli oni udzia│ w Great American Smokeout (Wielkiej Ameryka±skiej Akcji Rzucania Palenia).
The American Cancer Society has organized the Great American Smokeout every year for twenty-five years. The goal is to show the dangers of smoking and provide support for people who decide to stop smoking. The American Cancer Society says all cigarettes damage the body. It warns that smoking even a small number of cigarettes is dangerous.
American Cancer Society organizuje Great American Smokeout ka┐dego roku od 25 lat. Celem jest pokazanie niebezpiecze±stwa palenia i zapewnienie wsparcia dla os≤b, kt≤re zdecyduj╣ siΩ rzuciµ palenie. American Cancer Society twierdzi, ┐e wszystkie papierosy szkodz╣ cia│u. Ostrzega, ┐e palenie nawet niewielkiej liczby papieros≤w jest niebezpieczne.
It is not easy to stop smoking permanently. However, doctors say you probably will live longer if you do stop smoking. You will feel better and look better. You also will protect the health of family members who breathe your smoke.
Nie jest │atwo rzuciµ palenie na sta│e. Tym niemniej lekarze twierdz╣, ┐e prawdopodobnie bΩdziesz ┐yµ d│u┐ej, je£li naprawdΩ rzucisz palenie. BΩdziesz siΩ lepiej czu│ i lepiej wygl╣da│. BΩdziesz tak┐e chroni│ zdrowie cz│onk≤w rodziny, kt≤rzy oddychaj╣ twoim dymem.
The American Cancer Society says there is not just one right way to stop smoking. It says one method or a combination of methods may be successful. They include attending self-help programs or following directions in a book. The group says any way to stop smoking that is legal, moral and effective is worth trying. This could include taking long walks or spending time in areas where smoking is banned. Also, you could eat a small piece of fruit or vegetable instead of having a cigarette.
American Cancer Society twierdzi, ┐e nie ma tylko jednego w│a£ciwego sposobu rzucenia palenia. M≤wi, ┐e powie£µ siΩ mo┐e jedna metoda lub kombinacja metod. Obejmuj╣ one uczestniczenie w programach samopomocy albo postΩpowanie wed│ug wskaz≤wek w podrΩczniku. Grupa twierdzi, ┐e ka┐dy spos≤b zaprzetsania palenia, kt≤ry jest legalny, moralny i skuteczny, jest wart wypr≤bowania. Mog│oby to obejmowaµ podejmowanie d│ugich spacer≤w albo spΩdzanie czasu w miejscach, gdzie palenie jest zabronione. M≤g│byµ tak┐e zje£µ ma│y kawa│ek owocu czy jarzyny zamiast zapalenia papierosa.
The American Cancer Society says the sooner smokers stop smoking, the more they can reduce their chances of getting cancer and other diseases. It says blood pressure returns to normal twenty minutes after smoking the last cigarette. Carbon monoxide gas levels in the blood return to normal after eight hours. After one day, the chance of heart attack decreases. After one year, the risk of heart disease for a non-smoker is half that of a smoker.
American Cancer Society m≤wi, ┐e im wcze£niej palacze zaprzestan╣ palenia, tym bardziej zredukuj╣ ryzyko zachorowania na raka czy inne choroby. Twierdzi, ┐e ci£nienie krwi powraca do normalnego w 20 minut po wypaleniu ostatniego papierosa. Poziom tlenku wΩgla w krwi wraca do normalnego po 8 godzinach. Po jednym dniu zmniejsza siΩ ryzyko ataku serca. Po roku ryzyko zapadniΩcia na chorobΩ serca u nie-palacza wynosi po│owΩ ryzyka u palacza.
This VOA Special English SCIENCE REPORT was written by George Grow.
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IN THE NEWS - November 24, 2001: American Red Cross
By Nancy Steinbach
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This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English program IN THE NEWS.
Since the terrorist attacks on the United States in September, Americans have given millions of dollars to help thousands of victims and their families. A lot of that money was given to the American Red Cross.
Od terrorystycznych atak≤w na Stany Zjednoczone we wrze£niu, Amerykanie przekazali miliony dolar≤w na pomoc dla tysiΩcy ofiar i ich rodzin. Mn≤stwo pieniΩdzy zosta│o przekazanych Ameryka±skiemu Czerwonemu Krzy┐owi.
The American Red Cross collected more than five-hundred-million dollars for this purpose in what it called the Liberty Fund. Recently, Red Cross officials admitted that they were not giving the families all the money that was collected. They said the Liberty Fund was created to help the victims of the September attacks, and also to help victims of future attacks. The officials said they regretted that the American public did not understand this.
Ameryka±ski Czerwony Krzy┐ zebra│ na ten cel ponad 500 mln dolar≤w w funduszu zwanych Funduszem Wolno£ci. Ostatnio urzΩdnicy Czerwonego Krzy┐a przyznali, ┐e nie przekazywali rodzinom wszystkim pieniΩdzy, kt≤re zebrali. Twierdz╣, ┐e Fundusz Wolno£ci zosta│ utworzony, aby pom≤c ofiarom wrze£niowych atak≤w, a tak┐e ofiarom przysz│ych atak≤w. Oficjele powiedzieli, ┐e ┐a│uj╣, i┐ ameryka±ska opinia publiczna tego nie zrozumia│a.
Last week, Red Cross officials announced a major change in policy. They said all the money given to the Liberty Fund would be used only to help the victims of the September Eleventh attacks and their families. The money will help families pay costs of daily living such as housing and food for up to one year.
W ubieg│ym tygodniu urzΩdnicy Czerwonego Krzy┐a og│osili powa┐n╣ zmianΩ swojej polityki. Stwierdzili, ┐e wszystkie pieni╣dze przekazane na Fundusz Wolno£ci zostan╣ wykorzystane na pomoc dla ofiar wrze£niowych atak≤w i ich rodzin. Pieni╣dze pomog╣ rodzinom op│aciµ koszty codziennego ┐ycia, jak mieszkania i ┐ywno£µ, w okresie do jednego roku.
Immediately after the terrorist attacks, the Red Cross provided money for three months of living costs to more than two-thousand families of people who were killed. Red Cross officials say the organization also provided support to about twenty-three-thousand other families who were affected by the terrorist attacks. These included rescue workers and people who could not go back to their homes near the World Trade Center in New York City. Business people who lost their workplaces also received help.
Zaraz po atakach terrorystycznych Czerwony Krzy┐ przekaza│ pieni╣dze na pokrycie 3 miesiΩcy koszt≤w utrzymania dla ponad 2 tysiΩcy rodzin os≤b, kt≤re zosta│y zabite. Oficjele Czerwonego Krzy┐a m≤wi╣, ┐e organizacja zapewni│a tak┐e wsparcie dla oko│o 23 tysiecy innych rodzin, kt≤re zosta│y dotkniΩte przez ataki terrorystyczne. Obejmuje to pracownik≤w ekip ratunkowych i ludzi, kt≤rzy nie mogli wr≤ciµ do swoich dom≤w w pobli┐u World Trade Center w Nowym Jorku.
However, the Red Cross planned to use about half the money given to the Liberty Fund for future programs. It wanted the money to increase blood supplies, improve communications and expand services for families of people serving in the military forces. Individuals who had given money to the Liberty Fund reacted strongly to this news. They expected their money to be used immediately to help victims of the attacks. Red Cross officials now say the Liberty Fund will be repaid for any money already used for other projects.
Jednak Czerwony Krzy┐ planowa│ wykorzystaµ po│owΩ pieniΩdzy przeznaczonych na Fundusz Wolno£ci w przysz│ych programach. Chcia│, aby pieni╣dze zapewni│y zwiΩkszenie dostaw krwi, poprawi│y komunikacjΩ i rozszerzy│y us│ugi dla rodzin os≤b s│u┐╣cych w si│ach zbrojnych. Osoby prywatne, kt≤re przekaza│y pieni╣dze na Fundusz Wolno£ci, zareagowa│y gwa│townie na takie informacje. Oczekiwa│y one, ┐e pieni╣dze zostan╣ natychmiast wykorzystane na rzecz ofiar atak≤w. UrzΩdnicy Czerwonego Krzy┐a twierdz╣ teraz, ┐e Funduszowi Wolno£ci zostan╣ zwr≤cone wszelkie pieni╣dze u┐yte w innych projektach.
The American Red Cross has been active for more than one hundred years. Its policy has been to keep some of the money given after a tragedy to prepare for future emergencies. Officials say the organizationÆs appeals are supposed to tell people that the money will be used to help victims of the current emergency or similar ones. They have promised to investigate to see if the message is clear enough to the people who give their money.
Ameryka±ski Czerwony Krzy┐ dzia│a od ponad 100 lat. Jego polityk╣ by│o zachowanie pewnej ilo£ci pieniΩdzy przekazanych po tragedii, aby przygotowaµ siΩ do przysz│ych sytuacji awaryjnych. Wy┐si urzΩdnicy m≤wi╣, ┐e apele organizacji maj╣ przekazaµ ludziom, i┐ pieni╣dze bΩd╣ wykorzystane, aby pom≤c ofiarom obecnej sytuacji kryzysowej czy jej podobnych. Obiecali zbadanie, czy przekaz ten jest wystarczaj╣co jasny dla os≤b, kt≤re odda│y swoje pieni╣dze.
Red Cross officials say any relief organization needs build up an amount of money to help victims of smaller emergencies. The American Red Cross says it provides aid services in about sixty-thousand emergency situations each year such as fires, floods, storms and accidents.
UrzΩdnicy Ameryka±skiego Czerwonego Krzy┐a twierdz╣, ┐e ka┐da organizacja pomocy musi zgromadziµ pewn╣ sumΩ pieniΩdzy, aby pom≤c ofiarom mniejszych kryzys≤w. Ameryka±ski Czerwony Krzy┐ informuje, ┐e ka┐dego roku dostarcza pomocy w 60 tys. awaryjnych sytuacji, takich jak po┐ary, powodzie, burze czy wypadki.
This VOA Special English program, IN THE NEWS, was written by Nancy Steinbach. This is Steve Ember.
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IN THE NEWS - December 8, 2001: Enron Fails
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This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English program, IN THE NEWS.
One of the largest companies in the United States has failed. The Enron Corporation has asked a federal court for protection because it can not pay the thousands of millions of dollars of money it owes. Enron is an energy trading company that buys and sells electricity and natural gas. It also owns or controls several other companies that deal in several different products.
Upad│a jedna z najwiΩkszych kompanii w Stanach Zjednoczonych. Enron Corporation poprosi│a s╣d federalny o ochronΩ, poniewa┐ nie jest w stanie zap│aciµ miliard≤w dolar≤w, kt≤re jest d│u┐na. Enron jest firm╣ handluj╣c╣ energi╣, kt≤ra sprzedaje i kupuje elektryczno£µ i gaz ziemny. Posiada ona tak┐e i kontroluje szereg innych kompanii, kt≤re zajmuj╣ siΩ szeregiem innych produkt≤w.
Enron asked for bankruptcy protection for itself and fourteen of its companies. Under the bankruptcy law, a business can continue to operate while it tries to negotiate new credit with companies and banks to whom it owes money.
Enron poprosi│ o ochronΩ przed bankructwem dla siebie i dla czternastu z jej kompanii. Pod rz╣dami prawa o bankructwie firma mo┐e kontynuowaµ dzia│anie, w czasie gdy stara siΩ wynegocjowaµ nowy kredyt u firm i bank≤w, kt≤rym jest winna pieni╣dze.
Enron began failing in October as some of its financial problems became known. The value of its stock quickly fell. The stock closed Thursday at thirty-six cents a share. Less than a year ago, each share of Enron stock sold for more than eighty dollars.
Enron zacz╣│ upadaµ w paƒdzierniku, gdy znane siΩ sta│y niekt≤re z jego finansowych problem≤w. Warto£µ jego akcji gie│dowych szybko spad│a. Gie│da zamknΩ│a siΩ w czwartek wynikiem 36 cent≤w za akcjΩ. Nieca│y rok temu ka┐da z akcji Enron sprzedawa│a siΩ za ponad 80 dolar≤w.
Enron will continue to try to do business with the aid of court protection. However Enron has already dismissed four-thousand of its more than twenty-one-thousand workers. Most of those dismissed were employees that worked at the companyÆs headquarters in the western city of Houston, Texas. Last week, Enron dismissed about one-thousand-one-hundred employees in Europe.
Enron bΩdzie dalej pr≤bowaµ robiµ biznes z pomoc╣ ochrony s╣dowej. Jednak Enron zwolni│ ju┐ 4 tysi╣ce z ponad 21 tysiΩcy pracownik≤w. WiΩkszo£µ zwolnionych stanowili pracownicy, kt≤rzy pracowali w siedzibie g│≤wnej firmy w zachodniej czΩ£ci Houston, w stanie Texas. W ubieg│ym tygodniu Enron zwolni│ oko│o 1100 pracownik≤w w Europie.
These actions caused anger among the workers because the companyÆs retirement plan had already lost more than one-thousand-million dollars. Many employees not only lost their jobs, but also lost the money they had invested in the company as part of their retirement plan.
Akcje te wywo│a│y gniew w£r≤d pracownik≤w, poniewa┐ projekt emerytalny firmy straci│ ju┐ ponad miliard dolar≤w. Wielu pracownik≤w nie tylko utraci│o swoje miejsca pracy, ale i straci│o pieni╣dze, kt≤re inwestowali w firmΩ jako czΩ£µ ich planu emerytalnego.
Reports say the United States Justice Department has begun a criminal investigation into the companyÆs activities. The Labor Department says it is examining the companyÆs dealings with the employeesÆ retirement plan.
Doniesienia m≤wi╣, ┐e Departament Sprawiedliwo£ci USA rozpocz╣│ £ledztwo w sprawie dzia│a± firmy. Departament Pracy m≤wi, ┐e bada poczynania kompanii w kwestii planu emerytalnego pracownik≤w.
The Security and Exchange Commission already is investigating EnronÆs finances. And Congressional committees have announced they will hold hearings to investigate the failure of Enron and the investment actions of the companyÆs senior officials.
Komisja Bezpiecze±stwa i Handlu bada ju┐ finanse Enron. Komisje Kongresu tak┐e poinformowa│y, ┐e przeprowadz╣ przes│uchania, aby zbadaµ upadek Enrona i dzia│ania inwestycyjne wy┐szych mened┐er≤w kompanii.
The Enron Corporation has brought legal charges against the Dynegy Company. Enron says Dynegy had agreed to link with Enron. Enron says this would have saved it. Enron says the Dynegy Company refused to honor a legal business agreement. Enron is asking the court to force Dynegy to pay ten thousand million dollars in damages.
Enron Corporation podjΩ│a kroki prawne przeciw Dynegy Company. Enron twierdzi, ┐e Dynegy zgodzi│a siΩ na po│aczenie z Enronem. Enron m≤wi, ┐e mog│oby to go ocaliµ. Enron twierdzi, ┐e Dynegy Company odm≤wi│a honorowania legalnej umowy biznesowej. Enron prosi s╣d, aby zmusi│ Dynegy do zap│acenia 10 mld dolar≤w odszkodowania.
The Enron Corporation once was the worldÆs largest energy trader. Its failure is affecting energy markets in many countries including Germany, Britain and India. Reports say companies and banks that have lent money to Enron could lose at least five-thousand-million dollars. Experts say what caused Enron to fail will be the subject of legal questions and court actions for many months to come.
Enron Corporation by│a kiedy£ najwiΩksza na £wiecie firm╣ handluj╣c╣ energi╣. Jej upadek dotyka rynki energii w wielu krajach, w│╣cznie z Niemcami, Wielk╣ Brytani╣ i Indiami. Doniesienia m≤wi╣, ┐e firmy i banki, kt≤re po┐yczy│y Enronowi pieni╣dze, mog╣ straciµ przynajmniej 5 mld dolar≤w. Eksperci twierdz╣, ┐e przyczyna upadku Enrona bΩdzie przedmiotem spor≤w prawnych i dzia│a± s╣dowych w ci╣gu wielu nastΩpnych miesiΩcy.
This VOA Special English program, IN THE NEWS, was written by Paul Thompson. This is Steve Ember.
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ENVIRONMENT REPORT - November 23, 2001: Population and the Environment
By Cynthia Kirk
spec0041a1123.mp3
This is the VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT.
A new report says the growing population around the world is harming the environment. More people are using more of the EarthÆs natural resources than ever before. Experts say poor people around the world will suffer most in the future unless environmental damage is stopped. They say more should be done to balance human and environmental needs.
Nowy raport twierdzi, ┐e rosn╣ca na ca│ym £wiecie populacja szkodzi £rodowisku. WiΩcej ludzi wykorzystuje wiΩcej ziemskich zasob≤w naturalnych ni┐ kiedykolwiek przedtem. Eksperci m≤wi╣, ┐e biedni ludzie ucierpi╣ najbardziej, je£li nie zostanie zatrzymane szkodzenie £rodowisku. Twierdz╣, ┐e powinno siΩ wiΩcej zrobiµ, aby zr≤wnowa┐yµ potrzeby cz│owieka i £rodowiska.
The United Nations Population Fund is responsible for studying population growth. It released the report about the subject earlier this month. The report is called the State of the World Population, Two-Thousand-One. It examines the links among environmental conditions, population growth and efforts to help poor people in developing countries.
Fundusz Ludno£ciowy Narod≤w Zjednoczonych odpowiada za badania dotycz╣ce wzrostu ludno£ci. Na pocz╣tku miesi╣ca opublikowa│ raport na ten temat. Raport nosi tytu│ State of the World Population, Two-Thousand-One. Bada on zwi╣zki miΩdzy warunkami £rodowiskowymi, wzrostem ludno£ci i wysi│kami na rzecz pomocy ubogim ludziom w krajach rozwijaj╣cych siΩ.
The worldÆs population is now more than six-thousand-million people. That number has increased by one-hundred percent since Nineteen-Sixty. The population is expected to increase to more than nine-thousand-million by the year Two-Thousand-Fifty.
Ludno£µ £wiata wynosi obecnie ponad 6 mld os≤b. Liczba ta wzros│a o 100% od 1960 roku. Oczekuje siΩ, ze ludzko£µ wzro£nie do ponad 9 mln do roku 2050.
The report says about two-thousand-million people lack food security. Water supplies and agricultural lands are heavily used. In fifty years, experts say more than four-thousand million people will be living in countries that can not meet peopleÆs daily needs.
Raport twierdzi, ┐e oko│o 2 mld ludzi brakuje bezpiecze±stwa ┐ywno£ciowego. År≤d│a wody i tereny rolnicze s╣ w znacznym stopniu wykorzystane. W ci╣gu 50 lat, jak twierdz╣ eksperci, ponad 4 mld os≤b bΩdzie ┐yµ w krajach, kt≤re nie mog╣ zaspokoiµ codziennych potrzeb ludzi.
The report says all of the expected growth in world population will take place in developing countries. The forty-nine least developed countries are expected to increase by almost two-hundred percent in fifty years.
Raport m≤wi, ┐e ca│y oczekiwany wzrost ludno£ci bΩdzie mia│ miejsce w krajach rozwijaj╣cych siΩ. Oczekuje siΩ, ┐e 49 najmniej rozwiniΩtych kraj≤w wzro£nie w ci╣gu 50 lat o co najmniej 200%.
Yet, the U-N agency says people in the richest countries use much more of the worldÆs resources than people in developing countries. It says a child born today in the United States, France or Japan will do more harm to the environment during his lifetime than as many as fifty children born in developing countries.
Jednak agencja ONZ twierdzi, ┐e ludzie w najbogatszych krajach zu┐ywaj╣ wiΩcej £wiatowych zasob≤w ni┐ ludzie w krajach rozwijaj╣cych siΩ. M≤wi, ┐e dziecko urodzone dzisiaj w Stanach Zjednoczonych , Francji czy Japonii przyniesie w ci╣gu ┐ycia wiΩcej szkody £rodowisku naturalnemu ni┐ a┐ pietna£cioro dzieci urodzonych w krajach rozwijaj╣cych siΩ.
The U-N Population Fund says international policies need to be put into effect to improve poor conditions, increase social development and ease pressure on the environment. It also says women need more control over their lives. It says empowering women would lead to smaller families and slower population growth. The U-N Population Fund says these measures would help improve the well being of growing populations while protecting the natural world.
Fundusz Ludno£ciowy Narod≤w Zjednoczonych twierdzi, ┐e nale┐y wdro┐yµ miΩdzynarodow╣ politykΩ, aby poprawiµ marne warunki, zwiΩkszyµ rozw≤j spo│eczny i os│abiµ nacisk na £rodowisko naturalne. M≤wi tak┐e, ┐e kobiety musz╣ uzyskaµ wiΩcej kontroli nad swoim ┐yciem. Twierdzi, ┐e umo┐liwienie kobietom podejmowania decyzji doprowadzi│oby do zmniejszenia rodzin i spowolnienia wzrostu ludno£ci. Fundusz Ludno£ciowy Narod≤w Zjednoczonych wyra┐a opiniΩ, ┐e kroki te pomog│yby w poprawieniu dobrobytu rosn╣cych populacji, chroni╣c £wiat przyrody.
This VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT was written by Cynthia Kirk.
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ENVIRONMENT REPORT - November 30, 2001: Solar Energy in San Francisco
By Mario Ritter
spec0041a1130.mp3
This is the VOA Special English Environment Report.
Voters in San Francisco, California have approved a plan to increase the use of renewable energy. The energy proposal won seventy-three percent of a vote held earlier this month.
Wyborcy w San Francisco, w Kalifornii, przyjΩli plan zwiΩkszenia wykorzystania odnawialnej energii. Propozycja dotycz╣ca energii zdoby│a 73% procent g│os≤w oddanych w pierwszych dniach miesi╣ca.
The plan calls for San Francisco to spend one-hundred-million dollars to build devices that gather energy from the sun and wind. Unlike coal and oil, solar and wind energy are renewable resources that will never disappear. The measure will make San Francisco the largest producer of solar energy of any city in the United States.
Plan zwraca siΩ do San Francisco w sprawie wydania 100 mln dolar≤w na budowΩ urz╣dze±, kt≤re gromadz╣ energiΩ s│oneczn╣ i wiatrow╣. W przeciwie±stwie do wΩgla i ropy naftowej, energia s│oneczna i wiatrowa s╣ zasobami odnawialnymi, kt≤re nigdy nie znikn╣. To posuniΩcie uczyni San Francisco najwiΩkszym producentem energii s│onecznej spo£r≤d wszystkich miast w Stanach Zjednoczonych.
The measure calls for San Francisco to place devices to gather sunlight on the rooftops of all buildings and schools owned by the city. These solar panels turn sunlight directly into electricity.
Projekt zwraca siΩ do San Francisco o umieszczenie urz╣dze±, kt≤re gromadz╣ £wiat│o s│oneczne, na dachach wszystkich budynk≤w i szk≤│ znajduj╣cych siΩ we w│adaniu miasta. Te panele s│oneczne zamieniaj╣ £wiat│o s│oneczne bezpo£rednio w energie elektryczn╣.
Supporters of the measure expect solar energy to supply between ten and twenty megawatts of electricity for the area within one year. One megawatt is enough to provide power for about eight-hundred American homes. The measure will also permit machines that gather wind energy to be built in the San Francisco Bay area. These wind turbines would produce about thirty megawatts of power.
Wspieraj╣cy ten projekt oczekuj╣, ┐e energia s│oneczna dostarczy temu rejonowi miΩdzy 10 a 20 megawat≤w energii w ci╣gu roku. Jeden megawat wystarcza, aby zapewniµ energiΩ dla oko│o 800 ameryka±skich dom≤w. Projekt pozwoli tak┐e zbudowaµ maszyny gromadz╣ce energiΩ wiatrow╣ w rejonie zatoki San Fracisco. Te turbiny wiatrowe wyprodukuj╣ oko│o 30 megawat≤w energii.
The environmental group, Greenpeace, is pleased with the measure. Danny Kennedy, a Greenpeace official, says the vote is historic. He says the United States will now become a leader in solar energy. Environmental groups support solar power as a clean energy resource. Businesses in San Francisco also supported the measure.
Grupa ochrony £rodowiska Greenpeace jest zadowolona z tego projektu. Danny Kennedy, oficjel Greenpeace, m≤wi, ┐e g│osowanie ma historyczny charakter. Twierdzi, ┐e Stany Zjednoczone stana siΩ teraz liderem na polu energii s│onecznej. Grupy £rodowiskowe wspieraj╣ energiΩ s│oneczn╣ jako czyste ƒr≤d│o energii. Firmy w San Francisco tak┐e wspar│y to przedsiΩwziΩcie.
Many experts and some lawmakers believe solar and wind energy may help the United States reduce oil imports. Yet solar and wind energy currently make up less than one-tenth of one percent of the total energy used in the United States.
Wielu ekspert≤w i niekt≤rzy parlamentarzy£ci s╣dz╣, ┐e energia s│oneczna i wiatrowa pomo┐e Stanom Zjednoczonym zredukowaµ import ropy naftowej. Jednak w tej chwili energia s│oneczna i wiatrowa daje mniej ni┐ 0,1% ca│ej energii zu┐ywanej w Stanach Zjednoczonych.
The United States produces almost half of the worldÆs solar energy panels. However, most of these devices are exported. The United States buys only about fifteen percent of the solar panels sold on the world market.
Stany Zjednoczone produkuj╣ niemal po│owΩ £wiatowej produkcji paneli dla energii s│onecznej. Jednak wiΩkszo£µ tych urz╣dze± jest eksportowana. Stany Zjednoczone kupuj╣ jedynie ok. 15% paneli s│onecznych sprzedawanych na £wiatowym rynku.
Experts say San FranciscoÆs effort to increase solar energy may become important in the future. Lower prices for solar technology may lead to a greater acceptance of solar power. In California, power failures and high energy prices have caused people to support renewable energy resources. Experts say other American cities may follow San FranciscoÆs example.
Eksperci twierdz╣, ┐e starania san Francisco o zwiΩkszenie energii s│onecznej mo┐e siΩ staµ istotne w przysz│o£ci. Ni┐sze ceny technologii s│onecznej mog╣ doprowadziµ do wiΩkszej akceptacji energii s│onecznej. W Kalifonii awarie energetyczne i wysokie ceny energii spowodowa│y, ┐e ludzie zaczΩli popieraµ odnawialne ƒr≤d│a energii. Specjali£ci uwa┐aj╣, ┐e inne ameryka±skie miasta mog╣ p≤j£µ w £lad za przyk│adem San Francisco.
This VOA Special English Environment Report was written by Mario Ritter.
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DEVELOPMENT REPORT - December 3, 2001: World Bank-IMF Aid to Poor Nations
By Jill Moss
spec0041a1203.mp3
This is the VOA Special English Development Report.
The leaders of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank have promised to help poor countries whose economies have been hurt by the terrorist attacks in the United States. The two groups held their yearly meeting in Ottawa, Canada last month.
Liderzy MiΩdzynarodowego Funduszu Walutowego o Banku £wiatowego obiecali pom≤c ubogim krajom, kt≤rych gospodarki zosta│y dotkniΩte terrorystycznymi atakami w Stanach Zjednoczonych. Obie grupy odby│y w ubieg│ym miesi╣cu doroczne spotkanie w Ottawie, w Kanadzie.
I-M-F Managing Director Horst Koehler and World Bank President James Wolfensohn announced the added assistance in a joint statement. They said that many developing countries will likely need additional international aid because of the economic effects of the attacks. They said their organizations plan to extend current loans and provide more moderate debt-relief terms to many developing countries.
Dyrektor Zarz╣dzaj╣cy MFW Horst Koehler i prezes Banku £wiatowego James Wolfensohn og│osili we wsp≤lnym o£wiadczeniu dodatkow╣ pomoc. Stwierdzili, ┐e wiele kraj≤w rozwijaj╣cych siΩ bΩdzie prawdopodobnie potrzebowaµ dodatkowej pomocy miΩdzynarodowej z powodu ekonomicznych skutk≤w atak≤w. Powiedzieli, ┐e ich organizacje planuj╣ rozszerzenie bie┐╣cych po┐yczek i dostarczenie wiΩcej ...
Economic exerts fear the September eleventh terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington will worsen economic problems in developing countries. They are especially concerned about Pakistan and Turkey. Both nations have played an important part in the American-led fight against terrorism. Economists believe PakistanÆs increasing refugee crisis and a drop in exports could create political problems for that government.
Eksperci ekonomiczni obawiaj╣ siΩ, ┐e ataki z 11 wrze£nia w Nowym Jorku i Waszyngtonie zaostrz╣ ekonomiczne problemy w krajach rozwijaj╣cych siΩ. Obawiaj╣ siΩ szczeg≤lnie o Pakistan i TurcjΩ. Oba kraje odgrywa│y istotn╣ rolΩ w prowadzonej przez Amerykan≤w walce przeciw terroryzmowi. Ekonomi£ci s╣dz╣, ┐e rosn╣cy w Pakistanie kryzys uchodƒc≤w i spadek eksportu mo┐e przysporzyµ temu rz╣dowi politycznych k│opot≤w.
Mister Koehler and Mister Wolfensohn say that poor countries will be affected in several ways as the world economy slows. For example, international travel has decreased because of increased security concerns. They say areas that were popular for travelers will likely feel the effects of the terrorist attacks the most. These include areas in the Caribbean, Eastern and South Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. Private investments in developing markets have also decreased. Also, the slowing world economy has led to weaker exports and a drop in the price of goods, such as coffee, cotton and copper.
Pan Koehler i pan Wolfensohn utrzymuj╣, ┐e ubogie kraje zostana dotkniΩte na wiele sposob≤w, gdy┐ gospodarka £wiatowa zwalnia. Na przyk│ad, podr≤┐e miΩdzynarodowe zmniejszy│y siΩ z powodu wzrostu obaw o bezpiecze±stwo. M≤wi╣, ┐e obszary, kt≤re by│y popularne w£r≤d podr≤┐uj╣cych, prawdopodobnie najbardziej odczuj╣ skutki terrorystycznych atak≤w. Obejmuj╣ one obszary na Karaibach, w po│udniowej Afryce, po│udniowej Azji i na Bliskim Wschodzie. Inwestycje prywatne na rozwijaj╣cych siΩ rynkach tak┐e spad│y. Wreszcie tak┐e, zwalniaj╣ca gospodarka £wiatowa spowodowa│a s│abszy eksport i spadek cen d≤br takich, jak kawa, bawe│na i miedƒ.
Mister Koehler and Mister Wolfensohn believe the number of poor people in the world will also increase because of the terrorist attacks. The World Bank says farmers in Africa and parts of Latin American will be affected the most. It estimates that about ten-million more people will be forced to live on less than one American dollar a day.
Pan Koehler i p Wolfensohn s╣dz╣, ┐e na skutek terrorystycznych atak≤w zwiΩkszy siΩ liczba ubogich ludzi na £wiecie. Bank îwiatowy twierdzi, ┐e rolnicy w Afryce i niekt≤rych czΩ£ciach Ameryki úaci±skiej zostan╣ dotkniΩci najbardziej. Szacuje on, ┐e oko│o 10 mln os≤b zostanie zmuszonych do ┐ycia za mniej ni┐ jeden ameryka±ski dolar dziennie.
Finally, the statement said that rich countries have a responsibility to help developing countries. Both organizations urged industrial countries to increase the amount of money given to I-MF and World Bank efforts in the developing world.
Na koniec o£wiadczenie stwierdza, ┐e bogate kraje odpowiadaj╣ za pomoc dla kraj≤w rozwijaj╣cych siΩ. Obie organizacje nak│aniaj╣ kraje przemys│owe to zwiΩkszenia ilo£ci pieniΩdzy przekazywanych na starania MFW i Bî w £wiecie kraj≤w rozwijaj╣cych siΩ.
This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Jill Moss.
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DEVELOPMENT REPORT û December 10, 2001: Mutated Gene Protects Against Malaria
By Jill Moss
spec0041a1210.mp3
This is the VOA Special English Development Report.
African and Italian scientists have discovered strong evidence that a changed gene for red blood cells protects against the disease malaria. The changed or mutated gene produces a form of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
Afryka±scy i w│oscy naukowcy odkryli mocne dowody, ┐e zmieniony gen czerwonych cia│ek krwi chroni przed malari╣. Zmieniony lub zmutowany gen produkuje pewn╣ formΩ hemoglobiny. Hemoglobina jest cz╣steczk╣ w czerwonych cia│kach krwi, kt≤ra transportuje tlen do wszystkich czΩ£ci cia│a.
Researchers have found that one in ten people in the west African country of Burkina Faso have the mutated gene, called hemoglobin-C. They hope this discovery could lead to new drugs to fight malaria. As many as five-hundred-million people around the world suffer from the disease each year. Mosquito insects infect people with the malaria parasite. The organism feeds on hemoglobin in human blood.
Badacze wykryli, ┐e jedna na dziesiΩµ os≤b w zachodnioafryka±skim kraju Burkina Faso ma zmutowany gen, nazywany hemoglobin╣-C. Maj╣ nadziejΩ, ┐e odkrycie mo┐e przynie£µ nowe leki zwalczanaj╣ce malariΩ. Nie mniej ni┐ 500 mln ludzi na ca│ym £wiecie cierpi na tΩ chorobΩ ka┐dego roku. Komary zara┐aj╣ ludzi paso┐ytem malarii. Organizm ten ┐ywi siΩ hemoglobin╣ w ludzkiej krwi.
David Modiano of the University of Rome supervised the study of more than four-thousand people in Burkina Faso. He says it is not clear why the mutated gene protects against malaria. But he says the level of protection depends on whether people have one or two copies of the gene. Researchers found that people with one copy of the gene are twenty-six percent less likely to get sick with malaria. Those with two copies -- one from each parent -- have a ninety-three percent reduction in risk. The research was reported in the publication Nature.
David Modiano z uniwersytetu w Rzymie nadzorowa│ badanie ponad 4 tys. os≤b w Burkina Faso. M≤wi, ┐e nie jest jasne, dlaczego zmutowany tgen chroni przed malari╣. Ale twierdzi, ┐e poziom ochrony zale┐y od tego, czy ludzie maj╣ jeden czy te┐ dwa egzemplarze tego genu. Badacze odkryli, ┐e osoby z jednym egzemplarzem genu s╣ o 26% mniej nara┐one na zachorowanie na malariΩ. U tych z dwoma egzemplarzami - po jednym od ka┐dego z rodzic≤w - ryzyko jest zmniejszone o 93%. O badaniach doniesiono w publikacji Nature.
There are other mutant forms of hemoglobin that help protect against malaria. For example, scientists have long known that hemoglobin-S protects Africans from the disease. However, people who carry two copies of the hemoglobin-S gene usually die at a young age from a painful blood disease called sickle cell anemia.
Istniej╣ inne zmutowane formy hemoglobiny, kt≤re pomagaj╣ w ochronie przed malari╣. Dla przyk│adu, naukowcy od dawna wiedzieli, ┐e hemoglobina-S chroni Afrykan≤w przed t╣ chorob╣. Jednak ludzie, kt≤rzy maj╣ dwie kopie hemoglobiny-S zwykle umieraj╣ w m│odym wieku z powodu bolesnej choroby krwi nazywanej anemi╣ sierpowat╣. ???
Thomas Wellems is a researcher at the National Institutes of Health near Washington, D-C. Last year, he also discovered that hemoglobin-C protects against the severe form of malaria. The study was carried out in the west African country of Mali. However, Mister Wellems says the Burkina Faso research provides stronger evidence that the hemoglobin-C gene prevents all forms of the disease.
Thomas Wellems jest badaczem w narodowym Instytucie Zdrowia w pobli┐u Waszyngtonu. W ubieg│ym roku on tak┐e odkry│, ┐e hemoglobina-C chroni przed t╣ ostr╣ form╣ malarii. Studium zosta│o przeprowadzone w zachodnioafryka±skim kraju Mali. Jednak p. Wellems twierdzi, ┐e badanie z Burkina Faso dostarcza mocniejszych dowod≤w, ┐e gen hemoglobiny-C chroni przed wszystkimi formami malarii.
Doctor Modiano and Mister Wellems agree that scientists need to discover exactly how the mutant forms of hemoglobin protect against malaria. Once this is known, scientists can develop better ways of treating and preventing the disease.
Doktor Modiano i p. Wellems zgadzaj╣ siΩ, ┐e naukowcy musz╣ precyzyjnie wykryµ, jak zmutowane formy hemoglobiny chroni╣ przed malari╣. Gdy bΩdzie to wiadome, naukowcy mog╣ opracowaµ lepsze sposoby leczenia i zapobiegania tej chorobie.
This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Jill Moss.
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AGRICULTURE REPORT û December 4, 2001: Christmas Trees
By George Grow
spec0041a1204.mp3
This is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.
Many Americans are busy preparing for Christmas and the winter holiday season. Buying a Christmas tree is a holiday tradition for many Americans. One study found that almost eighty percent of American homes had a Christmas tree last year.
Wielu Amerykan≤w zajΩtych jest przygotowaniami do îwi╣t Bo┐ego Narodzenia i zimowego sezonu urlopowego. Kupowanie choinki jest £wi╣teczna tradycj╣ dla wielu Amerykan≤w. Pewne badanie pokaza│o, ┐e niemal 80% ameryka±skich dom≤w mia│o w ubieg│ym roku choinkΩ.
Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes. Perhaps the most famous is the huge Christmas tree near the White House in Washington, D-C.
Choinki dostΩpne s╣ we wszystkich kszta│tach i wielko£ciach. Mo┐e najbardziej s│ynna jest choinka ko│o Bia│ego Domu w Waszyngtonie.
The National Christmas Tree Association represents Christmas tree growers in the United States. It reports that almost forty percent of all Christmas trees in American homes are natural. The other sixty percent are artificial, or man-made, trees.
Narodowe Stowarzyszenie Choinkowe reprezentuje plantator≤w choinek w Stanach Zjednoczonych. Donosi ono, ┐e niemal 40% wszystkich choinek w ameryka±skich domach jest naturalnych. Pozosta│e 60% s╣ sztucznymi drzewkami.
Many people believe that Christmas trees come from forests. In fact, most trees are carefully grown on farms. Farmers plant and harvest Christmas trees as a crop, similar to fruits or vegetables.
Wiele os≤b s╣dzi, ┐e choinki pochodz╣ z las≤w. W rzeczywisto£ci wiΩkszo£µ drzewek jest starannie uprawiana na farmach. Farmerzy uprawiaj╣ i wycinaj╣ choinki podobnie do owoc≤w lub warzyw.
There are about fifteen-thousand Christmas tree farms in North America. There are Christmas tree farms in all fifty states and Canada. Currently, about four-hundred-thousand hectares of farmland is in production. The industry employs more than one-hundred-thousand people.
W Ameryce P≤│nocnej istnieje oko│o 15 tys. farm choinek. Farmy choinek istniej╣ we wszystkich 50 stanach i w Kanadzie. Obecnie pod produkcjΩ zajΩtych jest oko│o 400 tys. hektar≤w area│u. Przemys│ ten zatrudnia ponad 100 tys. ludzi.
About thirty-three-million natural Christmas trees are sold in North America each year. It can take as many as fifteen years to grow a tree to a height of two meters. However, the average growing time is seven years.
Ka┐dego roku sprzedawanych jest w Ameryce P≤│nocnej oko│o 30 mln choinek. Wyhodowanie drzewka do wysoko£ci oko│o 2 metr≤w mo┐e zaj╣µ a┐ 15 lat. Jednak przeciΩtny okres wzrostu to 7 lat.
Traditionally, farmers grow evergreen trees for Christmas trees. Scotch pine, white pine and Douglas fir are among the most popular. Evergreen trees produce cones. Most coniferous trees have both male and female cones. The female cones are called seed cones. They hold the seeds created by fertilization.
Tradycyjnie farmerzy uprawiaj╣ wiecznie zielone drzewka. Szkocka sosna, bia│a sosna i ... nale┐╣ do najbardziej popularnych. Wiecznie zielone drzewka produkuj╣ szyszki. WiΩkszo£µ szyszkodajnych rzew daje szyszki mΩskie i ┐e±skie. »e±skie szyszki nazywane s╣ szyszkami nasiennymi. Zawieraj╣ one nasiona tworzone przez przez zap│odnienie.
Farmers remove fertilized seeds from the seed cones and plant them. They grow into seedlings. Farmers care for the young trees until they are about three to five years old. Then farmers replant them in fields.
Farmerzy usuwaj╣ zap│odnione nasiona z nasiennych szyszek i zasadzaj╣ je. Wyrastaj╣ .... Farmerzy opiekuj╣ siΩ m│odymi drzewkami dop≤ki nie osi╣gn╣ 3 do 5 lat. Wtedy przesadzaja je na pola.
Farmers add fertilizer to the trees and remove unwanted plants. They cut the tops of the trees to control how fast the trees grow. Farmers cut other parts of the trees while they are growing. This gives the trees the traditional shape that people will like.
Farmerzy dodaj╣ nawozy i usuwaj╣ niepo┐╣dane ro£liny. îcinaj╣ czubki drzewek, aby kontrolowaµ szybko£µ wyrastania drzewka. Farmerzy £cinaj╣ inne czΩ£ci drzewek w trakcie ich wyrastania. Nadaje to drzewkom tradycyjny kszta│t, kt≤ry spodoba siΩ nabywcom.
For every Christmas tree that a farmer cuts down, he plants two or three seedlings in its place. This year, farmers planted more than seventy-three-million tree seedlings.
Na ka┐de drzewko, kt≤re farmer £cina, zasadzane s╣ na jego jego miejsce dwa lub trzy ... W tym roku farmerzy zasadzili ponad 73 mln ...
This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by George Grow.
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SCIENCE REPORT- December 12, 2001: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Decaf Coffee
By Nancy Steinbach
This is the VOA Special English Science Report.
Medical researchers say older women may be increasing their chances of developing the disease rheumatoid arthritis if they drink a lot of decaffeinated coffee. Caffeine is a substance naturally found in coffee. When caffeine is removed from coffee it is called decaffeinated coffee or ôdecaf.ö
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the bodyÆs defense system attacks the tissue surrounding the joints, the places where bones are joined. This causes swelling, pain and difficulty moving. The disease affects women more than men.
Researchers from the University of Alabama in Birmingham reported their study at the yearly meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in San Francisco, California. They studied more than thirty-one-thousand women between the ages of fifty-five and sixty-nine. The women were included in the Iowa WomenÆs Health Study from Nineteen-Eighty-Six through Nineteen-Ninety-Seven.
The researchers studied one-hundred-fifty-eight women who developed rheumatoid arthritis during that period. They also studied women who did not develop the disease.
Women who drank four or more cups of decaffeinated coffee a day were two times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than women who never drank decaf. The study also found that drinking tea decreased risk for the disease. The women who drank more than three cups of tea a day had a sixty percent lower chance of developing the disease than those who never drank tea. The researchers found that coffee with caffeine was not linked to the development of the disease.
Researchers from Boston University in Massachusetts reported about another study. It involved rheumatoid arthritis among sixty-four-thousand black women. The women were involved in the Black WomenÆs Health Study that began in Nineteen-Ninety-Five. The researchers found that drinking more than one cup of decaffeinated coffee a day seemed to increase by four times the chance of developing the disease. However, in this study, drinking tea seemed to increase the chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
The researchers said they believe these are the first studies to show a link between decaf coffee and rheumatoid arthritis. But they said people should not stop drinking decaf or tea until more studies are done.
This VOA Special English Science Report was written by Nancy Steinbach.
