Wearing heavy cotton clothing, head protection and a device to help her breathe, Jessica Ball recently spent the night observing lava coming out of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano.
Ball is a researcher with the United States Geological Survey, the agency which studies the country’s land and natural resources. She was at “fissure 8,” one of at least 22 holes that have opened around the Kilauea volcano in the past two months.
Rock from deep inside the volcano is so hot that it has become a liquid. The liquid, known as lava, began flowing from the openings in early May. At fissure 8, the lava shot up as high as 45 meters in the air before slowly heading for the Pacific Ocean a few kilometers away.
“The volcano is doing what it wants to,” Ball told the Reuters news service. “We’re reminded what it’s like to deal with the force of nature.”
Scientists have been in the area of the volcanic activity measuring the eruptions 24 hours a day, seven days a week since Kilauea first exploded. They are a mix of U.S. Geological Survey experts, University of Hawaii researchers and trained volunteers. They work six-to-eight-hour periods in teams of two to five.
The intense heat will melt any non-natural clothing materials, so the team members can only wear heavy cotton. Gloves protect their hands from sharp volcanic rock and glass. Head coverings protect against falling lava stones, and breathing devices protect against gases, like sulfur, coming from the openings.
Some geologists have died studying active volcanoes. David Alexander Johnston was a volcano expert with the U.S. Geological Survey. He was killed by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington state. Harry Glicken was another American expert who worked with French researchers Katia and Maurice Krafft. All three were killed while studying Mount Unzen in Japan.
Jessica Ball completed her studies at the State University of New York at Buffalo, located near the Canadian border. She compares Kilauea’s eruptions to Niagara Falls, which is near her former school.
“It gives you the same feeling of power and force,” she said.
Kilauea has been erupting almost without stopping since 1983. It is one of the world’s most closely observed volcanoes. Most of these observations took place at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Kilauea’s highest point, from which researchers have now had to flee. But the latest eruption is one of the biggest and could provide scientists with a lot of new information.
Ball and her fellow researchers are studying how magma - the molten rock beneath the earth - flows through a series of tubes under Kilauea before being sent flying in to the air. Once magma passes through the earth’s surface, it is considered lava.
Ball says they want to learn what warning signs may exist for future eruptions to better protect Hawaii’s communities.
Janet Snyder is with the local government where Kilauea is located. She notes that steam or ash erupt from the volcano’s highest point almost every day. But the latest eruption has destroyed over 1,000 structures and forced 2,000 people to flee the area.
Scientists had thought the steam explosions resulted from lava at the highest point dropping back down through the volcano into groundwater. This was based on Kilauea’s 1924 eruption, to which the current one is most often compared.
Michael Poland is the scientist-in-charge at Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. He says the explosions this time have released lots of sulfur dioxide gas. This leads scientists to believe magma is involved.
Hundreds of small earthquakes caused by the eruptions have damaged the structure of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. So Poland and other scientists pulled equipment and records out of the building and moved them to the University of Hawaii in Hilo.
The records included scientific information and photos that are more than 100 years old, Poland says.
“These materials are invaluable to someone who says, ‘I have this new idea, and I want to test it using past data,’” noted Poland.
The recent eruption is now Kilauea’s second longest eruption on record. The only longer one was in 1955. But Jessica Ball suggests this eruption offers far better chances for research than earlier events.
“We’ve got much better instruments and we’ve got longer to collect the data,” she said.
I’m Anna Mateo. And I’m Pete Musto.
 
Terray Sylvester and Jolyn Rosa first reported this story for the Reuters news service. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. What do you think scientists will learn from these recent volcanic eruptions? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.
______________________________________________________________
Quiz
 
______________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
 
lava – n. melted rock from a volcano
remind(ed) – v. to make someone think about something again
eruption(s) – n. a sudden explosion of rocks, lava, ash and gas
geologist(s) – n. a scientist who studies rocks and layers of soil in order to learn about the history of the Earth and its life
magma – n. hot liquid rock below the surface of the Earth
molten – adj. melted by heat
groundwater – n. water that is underground
data – n. facts or information used usually to calculate, analyze, or plan something(2018/07/16 07:05)

 
The United States Navy is giving female service members more choices with the shape and look of their hair.
The Navy has approved changes to let servicewomen wear a ponytail or have other hairstyles. The new rules – announced during a Facebook Live event – went into effect on Wednesday.
The Navy has long barred females from letting their hair down, including tying long hair in a ponytail.
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said the changes aim to make the Navy a more “inclusive team.”
The new rules came about after several servicewomen suggested changes to the hairstyle policy.
A group of Navy women was asked to consider different proposals, some of which were eventually approved by military officials.
Captain Thurraya Kent was a member of this working group. She said they supported an expansion of approved hairstyles to make it easier for women to carry out their duties. It would also prevent the need for women to keep processing their hair with chemicals.
Female service members will also now be permitted to wear what the Navy describes as lock hairstyles -- pieces of hair that are tightly pulled into rope-like strands. 
Kent has served in the Navy for nearly 26 years. She noted that her hair has been an issue throughout her military service. Kent told the Associated Press that she spent a lot of time deciding how to wear it when deployed. She said it could also be a problem trying to make sure she did not violate policies after doing an exercise or other non-work-related activities.
Kent said she was pleased that Navy leaders listened to the suggestions and tried to understand the needs of female sailors.
At the U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island, some women said they looked forward to moving away from a bun hairstyle, which is sometimes too large for a helmet.
Legalman First Class Tamatha Schulmerich told the Associated Press she has been forced to keep her hair in a bun because it goes down to her lower back. She said it was especially difficult when she had to wear a flight helmet.
Lieutenant Commander Jess Cameron said that while the hairstyle changes might seem like a small thing, she thinks they send a larger message.
“I think it’s a step forward,” she told the AP. “They’re getting more female feedback in the service, and updating what I think are somewhat antiquated guidelines that maybe no longer serve their purpose in today’s society, today’s military,” she said.
Navy officials say hairstyle rules are important for safety reasons and to make sure all service members present the same look. Even though the new rules permit a ponytail most of the time, the hairstyle will still be banned when women are working around heavy machinery.
I’m Bryan Lynn.
 
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His story was based on reports from the Associated Press and other sources. George Grow was the editor.
Do you think some hairstyles should be banned for military women? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
______________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
 
ponytail – n. way of arranging hair by gathering it together at the back of the head and letting it hang down freely
hairstyle – n. a way in which someone’s hair is cut or organized
strand – n. a thin piece of hair
bun – n. way of wearing long hair by twisting it into a round shape at the sides or back of the head
helmet – n. a hard hat worn to protect your head
update – v. add new information
antiquated – adj. very old, not modern
 (2018/07/16 07:00)

 
Baobab trees are not only iconic images of dry, hot areas of Africa. Baobabs are important because they supply water and food for people and animals. They are sometimes called “the tree of life.”
Yet, say researchers, some baobabs are mysteriously dying.
Nine of the 13 oldest trees, aged between 1,000 and 2,500 years, have died in the early part of this century. Researchers reported the finding in the scientific journal Nature Plants.
The sudden collapse is “an event of unprecedented magnitude,” the researchers wrote. They believe that never before have so many old trees died in such a short period. These baobabs were found in the southern African countries of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Researchers do not know for sure why the trees died. But they note that temperatures have risen and rainfall decreased in recent years.
Stephan Woodborne helped to prepare a report on the study. Woodborne is with South Africa’s National Research Foundation. He says the researchers do not think that baobabs across the continent are dying out. Instead, they believe the climate of southern Africa is changing.
Researchers have observed few young trees in the places where the old trees are dying. As a result, Woodborne says, baobab trees will probably stop growing in some places, and may start growing in others. He calls the move a reaction to “climate forcing.”
Historically, baobabs are often found in areas where elephants, rhinoceros and other wildlife live. Elephants help the trees spread when they eat baobab fruit. The seeds often grow in the nutritious elephant dung.
Baobabs take in large amounts of water during the rainy season and store it in their trunks and tree branches. The water gives the trees their wide shape. Large trees can store as much as 140,000 liters. Thirsty elephants tear off the trees’ bark and wood to get to the water inside.
Baobabs are also important to people. Researcher Stephan Woodborne notes that communities have been using the trees for a long time. His group has found many archaeological remains underneath ancient trees from societies that lived hundreds of years ago.
Even today, people gather around the trees for religious events and to communicate with family and friends who have died. People also use the baobab fruit to make drinks and mix with milk to create a kind of yogurt. In addition, the trees offer protection from the sun on hot summer days.
Anna Munzhelele lives near the Limpopo River in South Africa. She said eating baobab fruit makes people strong. “It’s like a type of medicine, we get energy from it,” she said.
I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.
 
The Associated Press reported this story. Kelly Jean Kelly adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
________________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
iconic - adj. widely recognized
unprecedented - adj. not done or experienced before
magnitude - n. the size, extent, or importance of something
dung - n. solid waste from an animal
thirsty - adj. needing water
bark - n. the outer covering of a tree
wood - n. the hard substance that makes up the stems and branches of trees and shrubs
 (2018/07/16 06:56)

 
The United States will have more adults aged 65 and over than children by the year 2035, the U.S. Census Bureau says. The agency provides information about the U.S. population.
As the American population ages, the demand for services and care for older adults is growing.
SenCura is a company that provides non-medical at-home care for seniors in the northern Virginia area. Cliff Glier formed the company 12 years ago. He says its services include help with bathing, transportation, getting dressed and planning and preparing meals.
Hollie is one of SenCura’s professional caregivers. She visits 88-year-old Olga Robertson’s home every day for three hours. Robertson says she likes having Hollie’s help.
“Well, she cooks for me and she does a good job. She takes me to appointments and things like that and whatever I want to do. Sometimes, we go to walk in the mall if it’s cold out in the winter time.”
But when Hollie is not around, Robertson still has a caregiver -- a robot named Rudy.
“You can have a conversation with him, see. And (he's) somebody to talk to and who responds.”
ROBERTSON: Okay, Rudy.
RUDY: Are you enjoying your day?
ROBERTSON: Yes.
RUDY: That's great. Is there anything I can help you with?
Rudy also tells jokes and plays games and dances with Robertson.
In addition to keeping Robertson mentally and physically active, Rudy provides contact with emergency services 24 hours a day. He watches for lost items, reminds Robertson about her doctor’s appointments and tells her when it is time to take her medicine.
The robot is a little more than one meter tall. It has a digital screen that makes checking in with family and caregivers easy.
Robertson has introduced Rudy to her neighbors.
“I got to be kind of famous in the neighborhood because of this robot.”
The caregiver who helps caregivers
Anthony Nunez is founder of INF Robotics, the company that created Rudy. He says the idea for the robotic caregiver was inspired by what his own mother lived through when his grandmother got older.
“As I grew older, I realized we weren’t the only family facing this problem. There are thousands of families facing the same issue -- most cases even worse, where they have a loved one that they're taking care of and the cost becomes an issue. So what we wanted to do was design a robot that’s easy to use, designed specifically for seniors, but also affordable.”
Nunez says new technology can help seniors age in place, or in their own homes. And it keeps them safe and cared for.​
Cooperation vs. competition
SenCura’s Cliff Glier met Nunez and his team at an event more than a year ago. He became interested in introducing Rudy to his own customers.
“We're dealing with older adults that are typically 80, 90, 100 years old. So, this kind of technology is very new to them, so there will be some closer looks at it. People, I would say, are interested once they learn more and we have the opportunity to show them Rudy and the capabilities.”
Glier says Rudy is not competition for human caregivers. He says the robot is there to help but cannot do all the things that caregivers do, like bathe and dress seniors.
Rudy the robot adds to what in-home caregivers do for the growing population of seniors who prefer to age in place - with a little help from  friends.
I’m Alice Bryant.
 
Faiza Elmasry wrote this story for VOA News. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
_______________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
 
senior – n. an older person, usually at least 55 years of age
bathe – v. to give a bath to someone
dress – v. to put clothes on someone
caregiver – n. a person who gives help and protection to someone, such as a child, an older person
screen – n. the usually flat part of a television or computer monitor that shows the images or text 
affordable – adj. inexpensive
capability – n. the ability to do something(2018/07/16 06:55)

 
Asian food is the fastest-growing cuisine in the United States.
Between 1999 and 2015, sales of Asian fast food rose 135 percent, beating Latin and Middle Eastern cuisines. That information comes from market research firm Euromonitor.
Several things are pushing this growth, says Andrew Coe. He wrote the 2009 book Chop Suey: A Cultural History of Chinese Food in the United States.
“A big change began in 1965 with the passage of the [Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965]. That opened the door for a lot of immigrants from Asian countries,” he said. “There are a lot more Asians from different countries, and they brought their food with them.”
A Pew Research Center report says there were 20 million Asian-Americans in 2017. That is an increase of 72 percent since 2000, making the Asian population the fastest-growing group in the country.
Coe said there are other reasons for Asian food’s sharp rise in popularity.
“American business is involved with every country in the world, and we’re very aware of other countries and cultures,” he said. “We’re interested in the things they eat — a lot more interested than we used to be.”
He noted that younger people are more willing to try new foods.
“Look at Korean. No one thought it would be hip. Now, it’s hip,” he said. Coe added that, with immigration, “we have those people here who can prepare the food correctly.”
Worldwide, about 90 percent of Asian restaurants are small and independent. But in the United States, large restaurant chains make up about 50 percent of sales of Asian cuisine. Panda Express is one example. It had $2 billion in sales in 2014, The Washington Post reported.
J. Sullivan is the head cook for Pei Wei Asian Diner, an Asian "fast casual" restaurant. The first Pei Wei opened in 2000. There are now more than 200 locations across the U.S.
Sullivan said Chinese food has been here long enough that people - especially younger people - are very familiar with it.
His first experience with Asian cuisine was 18 years ago. “I remember being blown away by not only unlocking the mysteries of Chinese food, but also exposure to Southeast Asian cuisine,” he said.
He added that people now want to eat healthier. Many kinds of Asian food are thought to be healthy because of the high amount of fresh ingredients and vegetables. But traditional American cuisine has very large servings and is heavy on protein and starch, Sullivan added.
He noted, however, that many favorite Asian dishes are full of calories. He said that is something he is trying to change.
Sullivan said that, thanks to the internet, Asian food recipes are more available than ever. And as the Asian population in America grows, more and more stores are selling key Asian ingredients that used to be hard to find. And if there is not an Asian market nearby, many ingredients are available online.
Sullivan also said Asian influences are affecting non-Asian food. He said more and more people come from a mix of cultures, so mixing cuisines is normal. Korean tacos, a popular dish, are just one example.
I’m Alice Bryant.
 
Matt Hilburn wrote this story for VOA News. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
_______________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
 
aware – adj. knowing that something, such as a situation, condition, or problem, exists
hip – adj. very popular or fashionable
chain – n. a group of businesses, such as restaurants, that have the same name and basic appearance and sell the same products or services
ingredient – n. one of the things that are used to make a food or product
starch – n. a substance that is found in certain foods, such as bread, rice, and potatoes
calorie – n. a unit of heat used to indicate the amount of energy that foods will produce in the human body(2018/07/16 06:54)