CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter August,August , 2020
20 20
In recent months we've been hearing aboutviruses and practically nothing else. A vast
majority of the information we get aboutviruses, is predominantly negative and formany decades scientists had concentrated on
their destructive nature, largely dismissing
their useful attributes.
But how much do we really know aboutviruses and their role? Are they here only to
wreak havoc on us? Are they needed at all?
Only in recent years we have learned thatviruses are not mere mindless assassins that
often kill their host, consequently dying
alongside them. The latest studies reveal thatviruses actively communicate with each otherand employ sophisticated strategies tooverwhelm their victims' immune system. By
sending tiny strands of proteins as messages,
they can form alliances with different familiesof viruses, based on their specific "talents". For
example, one virus strain can be good atentering the cell wall of a bacterium, but will
be immediately killed by the bacterium'sElla
immune response. To successfully attack
thecell, the virus will pair up with a different
strain capable of switching off the immune
Janis then decide the most optimal timing forsystem
the attack, and whether to outright kill thehost or just invade and start replicating in theorganism.
All this sounds quite scary, but the goodnews is that viruses often use this tactic toestablish a healthy balance of bacterial colonies
in a given environment by carefully
manipulating
thehost’sDNAandcommunicating with each other. They deservemuch credit for keeping us in good health, byforming a symbiosis with us, ensuring that we
don’t fall ill from bacterial infections. One
example of that positive impact is the health ofour digestive system.

Our intestines are full of good and badbacteria that digest food and process
generated food waste. If any bacterial colony
becomes dominant, it may lead to debilitating
illnesses, such as Crohn's disease. Viruses act
to prevent these bacterial imbalances bykilling off those bacteria that become
overabundant in our body.
Our very existence on this planet isdirectly dependant on viral behaviour andinfluence on us and our DNA. Whether welike it or not, we have to put up with them.

Article by Marek
NET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
…. Try our lessons on the net!
Read on! : https://www.sciencealert.com/not-allviruses-are-bad-for-you-here-are-some-that-canhave-a-protective-effectJoshua Says: “The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that
we will make one.” This is a quote from John C. Maxwell. I wonder if in thisnotion we might find the cause of why so many Japanese people havedifficulty expressing themselves openly and clearly in English. Have years of“exam hell” and conformity to the educational status quo here left people infear of freely and confidently adopting English as a natural second language?
Junko Says: People in most nations are still exposed to Corona Virus infection
and their activities at work, school and in their private and social life continue tobe limited. But this is also a great chance to build up English skills in preparation
for a future career. If you find someone that you think English can help provide
future opportunities for, please suggest to them to start studying with us. There
will be a substantial benefit for you and your friend if you do!
Marek Says: The summer is in full swing and we all seek salvation in A/C,
but I myself love the heat and sunshine, which I was deprived of for over a
decade, living the UK. British holiday-goers are prepared to risk contracting
Covid-19, if they can have a week’s break in Spain. It seems like a small priceto pay... when you wait 10 months for the sun to arrive in the Isles.
Mandcy dit: Un episode de canicule s'est abbatu dernièrement en France et auJapon. Quels sont donc les secrets des français pour résister aux fortes températures?
Par exemple, les francais boivent toutes leurs boissons avec beaucoup de glaçons, ils
ajoutent aussi de la menthe et des fruits dans leur bouteille d'eau. Ils utilisent de plus
un brumisateur d'eau type Volvic ou Evian pour asperger leur visage et enfin etsurtout, ils vont à la plage pour bronzer. Alors tous à vos serviettes.
ACROSS
2 violent, needless disturbance4 secure against
5 causing loss of strength and vitality
8 joining together
11 insignificant
4
13 organisms that slightly differ fromothers of the same type17 as a result
19 beneficial relationship between twospecies
20 almost, nearly
13DOWN
1 in control or most influential
3 more than enough6 greater in number or influence
7 influencing, controlling18
9 characteristics that distinguish
10 reproducing, making an exact copy
12 single or non-cell organism
19
14 without restriction, delay orhesitation
15 overpower
16 best, most favored18 great in size or amount

1235678910111214161720(print version here)

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

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Crossroads Writers’ Corner - a place for you to get creative and get “published!”
Here’s part 2 of Natsuki Fukui’s tale “The Professor”
The professor – Part 2I arrived at his office 10 minutes earlier than the appointed time so that when the professor
came, I would make a good impression. I knocked and opened the door; the professor was not there.
But I instantly noticed the pungent smell that filled the room. The first thing that came into view was thepiles of books and papers stacked up everywhere in the room. Those soaring paper towers which almost
touched the ceiling were staggering enough, but as I looked around the room my eyes captured unpleasantgobs of unknown stuff which I could barely discern. I zigzagged to avoid stepping on the papers scattered on
the floor and tried to get closer to the gobs. When I got close enough to tell what they were, I could not
believe my eyes. They consisted of left-over food, used dishes and cups, crumpled cans and bottles and otherdisgusting garbage. His table was encrusted with crumbs from the food he had eaten and there were snackbags beneath his desk on the floor which had already expired. He must have been accumulating garbage foryears. I was utterly shocked and the glamorous image that I had had of the professor completely shattered. I
stood there half paralyzed for about 5 minutes and came to the realization that if I stayed there and worked
for him in that crazy environment, I might lose my mind. I had no option but to run away from that room. I
scuttled into my dorm room and quickly wrote an apologetic email to the professor. I made up the excuse that
due to a family emergency, I was unable to work for him. I thought I would have to keep recalling thehorrifying experience if I continued taking his classes, so I dropped out of his class right after sending the email.
I talked to one of my friends who took his class about my experience. It was then that I found out he wasnotorious for not being able to clean up. She also told methat he was basically kicked out of the school he previously
worked for because he was causing too many problems.
When he left that school, the room was in such bad
condition that it needed to be renovated. It is rumoredthat he was charged for the work and it set him backover $5,000. I was incredibly lucky I didn’t end up
working in that mess. I should have noticed that there
was something odd about the job and that the pay was
too good to be true when I looked at the flyer, but I was
too dumb to realize. The next time I look for a job, I had
better make sure to get outside information before Iapply......
THE END
B I L L I O N A I R EHAC U S T O M A R YIMBESBVSD O N A T E DLITEDEOOV A R I O U SCSURCOUBSACENBE
P H I L A N T H R O P I C
NVSQYINDETUOTARAE Q U I V A L E N TRF O U N D A T I O NAITTTS I B L I N G SIHUAE V E N T U A L L YTLDE M I G R A T E D
F O U N D E DACROSS

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution

1 a hundred times richer than a millionaire
4 usual or normal
7 given to a charity or a good cause
8 of many different kinds
13 relating to the support and promotion ofhuman welfare
14 the same as
15 an institution usually supporting
education or the arts
16 brothers and/or sisters
17 after a long delay
18 leave your own country to live inanother one
19 established

DOWN
2 provide for and care for children
3 modest or low position
5 unmistakably, clearly6 getting something back to its original
condition
7 all of the offspring from the same
blood-line
9 change or replace with another10 fairly large
11 left by will after one's death
12 provided time, energy or money to help
with development or growth

Don’t forget… Our SPECIAL 1+1 Campaign offer! Up to 50% off!!
See our notice board, or ask Junko in our office, for the details.