As one of the biggest topics of the last decade, sustainability has become the beacon (灯塔) of hope to protect the planet. From supermarkets taking action on plastic packaging to the zero waste movement that can be practised from your kitchen, changes made by individuals and organizations across the globe have had an impact on the way we think, shop and live.

So what does that mean for the world of technology? You'd be forgiven for thinking that the words "sustainable" and "technology" don't usually go hand in hand. E-waste is, after all, one of the planet's biggest contributing waste streams. Not only that, but the materials that go into technology products are also part of the problem.

But with a challenge comes an opportunity, and there's already some brilliant progress happening — great news for those of us wanting to be more sustainable with our technology. Firstly renewed products are having its moment. While consumers would previously turn their noses up at the idea of a second-hand device, there's been a huge surge in demand for renewed technology products. The second major step in tackling the problem of e-waste is a change in attitudes from owning a product to subscribing for one. A subscription for a smartphone might sound like a foreign concept, but it's already gaining momentum. At the forefront of this movement is a London-based technology startup, which offers a subscription service for the latest smartphones. As customers aren't paying to own the phone at the end of their contract, the monthly price is significantly lower than average.

Studies show that extending a phone's lifespan from one to four years can decrease its environmental impact by about 40%. So the next time it comes to refreshing your device — whether a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet or something else——consider the more environmentally friendly options that are at your fingertips.

Many people believe that working to the maximum is the secret to success, but research has found that moderation (适度) also gets results on the job.

In a study led by Ellen Langer of Harvard University, researchers asked people to translate sentences into a new made-up language. Subjects who practiced the language moderately beforehand made fewer errors than those who practiced extensively or not at all. High levels of knowledge can make people too attached to traditional ways of viewing problems across fields — the arts, sciences, and politics. High conscientiousness is related to lower job performance, especially in simple jobs where it doesn't pay to be a perfectionist.

How long we stay on the clock and how we spend that time are under careful examination in many workplaces. The young banker who eats lunch at his desk is probably seen as a, while his colleagues who chat over a relaxed conference-room meal get dirty looks from the corner office. "People from cultures that value relationships more than ours does are shocked by the thought of eating alone in front of a computer", says Art Markman, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas, Austin. Social interaction has been shown to lift mood (情绪) and get people thinking in new directions and in ways that could help improve any post-lunch effort.

Markman also promotes off-task time. "Part of being a good thinker is experiencing things that are seemingly unrelated to what you are working on at the moment but give you fresh ideas about your work," he says. "Also, there is a lot of research showing that a positive mood leads to higher levels of productivity and creativity. So, when people do things to increase their life satisfaction, they also make themselves more effective at work. "

With almost all big employers in the United States now using artificial intelligence (Al) and automation in their hiring processes, the public is considering some urgent questions: How can you prevent discrimination in hiring when a machine is keeping the discrimination? What kind of methods might help?

Some 83% of employers, including 99% of Fortune 500 companies, now use some form of automated tools as part of their hiring process, said the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) chairwoman Charlotte Burrows at a hearing on Tuesday. She said everyone needs to speak up on the debate over these technologies. The risks are simply too high to leave this topic just to the experts.

Last year, the EEOC issued some guidance around the use of cutting-edge hiring tools, noting many of their shortcomings. The agency found that resume(简历)scanners that prioritize keywords and programs that evaluate a candidate's facial expressions and speech patterns in video interviews can create discrimination. Take, for example, a video interview that analyzes an applicant's speech patterns to determine their ability to solve problems. A person with a speech problem might score low and automatically be screened out. The problem will be for the EEOC to root out discrimination― stop it from taking place.

The EEOC is considering the most appropriate ways to handle the problem. It's agreed that inspections are necessary to ensure that the software used by companies avoids intentional or unintentional discrimination. But who would conduct those inspections is a more challenging question. Each option presents risks, Burrows pointed out. A third party may turn a blind eye to its clients, while a government-led inspection could potentially stop innovation.

In previous remarks, Burrows has noted the great potential that AI decision-making tools have to improve the lives of Americans, but only when used properly. "We must work to ensure that these new technologies do not become a high-tech pathway to discrimination," she said.

Most people feel that dreams are unique to humans, but many dog owners will likely disagree. They have noticed that their dogs at various times during the sleep may shake legs, snort (哼) and sometimes growl (低声吼叫) which gives the impression that they are dreaming. These things may wonder us about whether dogs dream.

Scientists confirm that dogs probably do dream. It turns out that dog brains and human brains have many similarities during sleep cycles. Researchers used special machines to measure electrical activity in a dog's brain and a human's brain. Scientists already knew that when humans dream, a certain part of the brain is active during sleep. Researchers discovered that the same part of the brain is active in sleeping dogs. Scientists have other data that back up these findings.

Many people dream that they are trying to move but cannot. Interestingly, part of that experience is not a dream. When people sleep, the brain produces a chemical that causes the dreamer to become temporarily paralyzed (使麻痹). Researchers think this happens so that people cannot physically act out dreams while they are sleeping. Dog brains make the same chemical. In one study during which this chemical was blocked, sleeping test dogs performed physical activities, such as standing up, sniffing around the room for imaginary rabbits, or chasing imaginary balls.

Because of these similarities, researchers believe that the content of a dog's dream might come from the same source as a human's dream. "People's dreams are usually based on things they did that day," says Dr. Samantha Hudspith. "So we have reasons to believe that dogs dream about the things they've done that day. Of course, there will never be a way to prove this. Dogs cannot describe their dreams the way that humans can."

A Dutch company has announced that it will start making the world's first production car fitted with solar panels. The company will have solar panels in its roof, hood(引攀盖) and trunk(后备厢) that recharge the electric battery.

The car will be able to drive around 388 miles without stopping to recharge, and will have an additional range of up to 44 miles a day from the solar panels. For comparison, that's slightly more than the best known electric automobile (374 miles).

Each hour in the sun will add up to six miles of charge to the battery. The solar range will not only give an added drip feed of miles for long journeys but also means you'll spend less time at charging points—or may not even need them at all.

The car has much in common with its previous model that was revealed two years ago, but is able to do more with a smaller battery, says company CEO and co-founder Lex Hoefsloot. "The powertrain(动力总成) is the most efficient in the world, " he claims, adding that the car's shape and four in-wheel motors enable a smaller battery to provide the same range. "That's how we've been able to get to 1, 575 kilograms. If you look at other cars that offer similar range, they're all about 40% heavier. "

The whole concept of the car is based around improving efficiency and cutting charging time. It has a maximum speed of just 100 miles per hour, while its 0 to 100 miles per hour is a slow 10 seconds, something that Hoefsloot admits is down to a focus on range. It's expensive too: One will cost you € 250. 000-slightly more than a luxury sports car. The company hopes to launch a "people's model" by 2025, which will be sold for around €30. 000.

At the end of 2018, the Beidou Navigation Satellite System （BDS北斗卫星导航系统） started to provide global services. "This marked Beidou's entering a 'global era' from its 'regional era',  " BDS Spokesman Ran Chengqi said at a news conference.

Now with two more Beidou satellites launched on Dec. 16th, 2019, BDS has 53 satellites in orbit-more than US government's Global Positioning System（GPS）, which has 31 active satellites. That launch means the core of Beidou's third-generation network is now in place. It is expected to greatly improve the system's ability to serve users worldwide.

A signal receiver on Earth-your smart phone, for example, measures its distance from at least three satellites by recording the amount of time it takes to receive their signals. Then it can calculate its location. With so many satellites, BDS can provide a more accurate calculation. While GPS calculates locations to within a few meters, BDS reduces the error to centimeters. This high-precision service is useful for land surveying, mapping, agriculture and automated driving.

China is willing to share BDS with the world. According to Ran, BDS products have been exported to more than 120 countries and regions. "The Beidou system will always stick to the development idea of 'China's Beidou, the world's Beidou and the first-class Beidou', serving the world and benefiting mankind, " Ran told reporters after the latest launch. He added that future plans call for a smarter and more accessible system with Beidou as its core, to come online by 2035.

Windows are hard. They are particularly hard in northern countries like Sweden, where during winter the days are short and the sun is very low in the sky. Window design in cold climate is a technical balancing act. You want it big to get the light, but you want it small to minimize the heat loss. But there is so much more that windows have to do for our social and emotional well-being.

A recent study published in Buildings and Cities looks at the many roles that windows play and the way people use them, exploring daylight, the visual connection to the outside and the role of windows in the home during the day and night. Windows do much more than just provide light and air: "Windows represent an enjoyment of the home and fulfil much more than physical needs. They must allow sufficient personal control over fresh and cool air, sound, sunlight, street lighting and privacy. "

The study authors, Kiran Maini Gerhardsson and Thorbjorn Laike, interviewed occupants living in multi-family dwellings. Windows turned out to be very important for occupant comfort, for visual connection to the outside. But they also had to be able to be screened for privacy; sometimes these conflicted. Sometimes the sill height was important. One occupant, Dmitry was going to add some frosted film to the bottom of his window. "I don't want to see the faces of others when I'm sitting down, but when I'm standing and see their faces, I can wave to them," he said.

Interviewees preferred daylight to artificial light for many reasons, including as a time indicator, and "because it varies, increases room brightness and improves mood". Our bodies need the change from red to blue and back to red.

The authors conclude windows serve many functions that go beyond just light and air and should be designed accordingly. "There is much more to such experiences than the satisfaction of physical needs. Perceiving a room to be enough daylight, adequately pleasant and spacious seems to be equally essential, and a view of the world outside brings information to inhabit-ants. However, windows also need to prevent people outside from peering in moderate bright sunlight during the day. "

When faced with the decision to get out of bed or have a few more minutes of sleep, which do you choose? Believe it or not, that decision could make a world of difference in the rest of your day.

About 85 percent of Americans use an alarm clock to wake up in the mornings, according to sleep researcher Till Roen. And while there are no official numbers on snoozing(打盹), a quick survey of social media makes it clear that hitting the snooze button is a popular pastime(消遣).

As to how the snooze button will affect your day, scientists have mixed opinions. Some scientists think people who hit the snooze button in the mornings are actually clever, creative and happy while some said that hitting the snooze button will ruin your life, or at the very least your day. "I feel that hitting the snooze button has got to be one of the worst things that ever happened to human sleep, " researcher Jonathan Horowitz said. "The chances of you ‘snoozing' and actually experiencing a meaningful rest are close to zero. "

According to some sleep experts, when hitting the snooze button, you are in fact confusing your body and mind, and throwing yourself into a deep state of being sleepy. The body needs some time to wake up. Therefore, when returning to what will be a light sleep for a brief period of time, you are putting your body back into a sleep mode before waking it again. At that point your body won't know what it wants, resulting in a sort of half awaken state.

If you really want to take advantage of an alarm clock, the key is to form a healthy sleep cycle. Focus your efforts on getting enough sleep each night and waking up at the same time each day so that when your alarm goes off you feel rested.

Despite the countless differences between people's characters and careers, or their likes and their dislikes, it seems that we are all connected in this wonderful life by one thing: namely, seeking happiness.

Happiness means, naturally, different things to different people. For myself, happiness is synonymous（同义的）with horse riding, Cadbury's Creme Eggs and spending time with my friends. Some people are at their happiest at home, while others find their happiness through travelling far-off foreign lands. Happiness can be as simple as a surprise bunch of fresh flowers or a really strong coffee, just when you need it most. Sometimes, happiness comes from spending time with loved ones; for others, it's having a well-earned quiet night at home, with nothing but a comfortable bed for company.

Since it comes in so many shapes and sizes, it's sometimes easy to take happiness for granted.  It is especially true if it's been "one of those days". Maybe you overslept, missed the bus and had to walk to school in the rain, only to be told that you were late. Or perhaps, because of work, you had to cancel plans with friends, despite looking forward to seeing them for ages. Forgotten keys, delayed flights, an argument with your parents, illness or injury... all very frustrating, and understandably guaranteed to make you feel unhappy.

Luckily, there are a few simple, scientifically proven ways to make the glass seem half-full again. To start with, things like trying out cycling or walking instead of driving to work and listening to music are great moodboosters（情绪助推器）. Volunteering and getting involved with a charity are two ways in which you can become happier through helping others. Last, but certainly not least, try hugging your way to happiness; it's been suggested that we humans need a minimum（最少的）of five hugs a day. If you've been having a bad day, there's nothing better than a good old bear-hug.

Beijing, with co－host Zhangjiakou in neighboring Hebei Province, will host the 2022 Winter Olympics. That will benefit the capital as well as its residents (居民), so the below are something to be expected from the Winter Olympic Games.

Blue skies

It is highly expected that hosting the Winter Olympic Games will push Beijing to reduce pollution and improve the air quality more effectively.

Beijing began carrying out a five－year plan from 2013 that cost 130 billion US dollars to upgrade heating systems, cut car emissions (排放) and close heavy－polluting factories. Such efforts will not only be made in Beijing but in a neighboring Hebei and Tianjin as well, as suggested by a development action plan to integrate (结合) the three places. Hopefully, blue skies will become a regular feature even after the Games.

Transportation

Although Beijing is the host city of the 2022 Winter Games, Chongli county of Zhangjiakou will host some of the snow events.

The capital region is likely to benefit from investments in infrastructure (基础设施), including the Beijing－Zhangjiakou intercity railways, expansion of Beijing subway systems, upgraded highway networks and another regional airport.

Winter sports

Beijing's vision is to develop a winter sports market for more than 300 million people in northern China.

With a rich legacy left by the summer Olympics, China plans to reuse 11 of 12 venues built for the 2008 Olympics and only needs to build a new rink for speed skating, effectively easing possible problems of facilities (设施) being left idle after the Games.

Transformation (转变)

On the back of the Winter Olympics, the Beijing municipal government is looking at fostering sports－related industry as a new growth driver to power its economy.

The goal is to integrate the Winter Games with sustainable development plans for the wider region, focusing on clean energy, green technology, and improvement in ecology and air quality.

Tourism

The country's plan to develop a winter sports industry will enhance Zhangjiakou's reputation as a tourist destination by upgrading its transportation system and facilities, such as hotels and restaurants.