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　　Most schools forbid chewing gum, but in a few years they might consider changing that rule．Why? Scientists are finding evidence that gum chewing may be good for your health．It may even help improve your test scores．

　　This exciting research is just beginning．And in the meantime, companies are also experimenting with adding vitamins, minerals, medicines, and other substances that could give gum the power to cure headaches and fight everything from serious diseases to bad breath．

　　Other researchers are finding that gum might work better than a pill to deliver medicines and other substances into the bloodstream．That's because the lining(膜)of our cheeks can absorb certain substances more quickly than our stomachs and intestines(肠)can．

　　That discovery could help other researchers develop medicine-containing gums that fight colds, ease headaches, battle nervousness, and more．Scientists might even create antimicrobial(抗菌的)gums that cure bad breath．

　　Those projects may take years, but gum scientists have already had at least one recent success：They've created a gum that could help us stay awake．

　　Researchers have produced a gum called Stay Alert．Each stick has as much caffeine as a cup of coffee．It can take an hour for the caffeine in coffee to have its full effect, but the caffeine in Stay Alert hits in just a few minutes．

　　The gum is easy to transport and it's stable in cold and hot climates．Unlike a pill, it doesn't require water to swallow．Those qualities make it easy for soldiers to use．

　　For now, Stay Alert is available only to the military(军队)．The manufacturer may one day offer it for sale to the public．People who work at night, such as truck drivers and medical personnel who ride in ambulances, might benefit from a product like Stay Alert．

阅读理解

　　Most schools forbid chewing gum, but in a few years they might consider changing that rule．Why? Scientists are finding evidence that gum chewing may be good for your health．It may even help improve your test scores．

　　This exciting research is just beginning．And in the meantime, companies are also experimenting with adding vitamins, minerals, medicines, and other substances that could give gum the power to cure headaches and fight everything from serious diseases to bad breath．

　　Other researchers are finding that gum might work better than a pill to deliver medicines and other substances into the bloodstream．That’s because the lining(膜)of our cheeks can absorb certain substances more quickly than our stomachs and intestines(肠)can．

　　That discovery could help other researchers develop medicine-containing gums that fight colds, ease headaches, battle nervousness, and more．Scientists might even create antimicrobial(抗菌的)gums that cure bad breath．

　　Those projects may take years, but gum scientists have already had at least one recent success：They’ve created a gum that could help us stay awake．

　　Researchers have produced a gum called Stay Alert．Each stick has as much caffeine as a cup of coffee．It can take an hour for the caffeine in coffee to have its full effect, but the caffeine in Stay Alert hits in just a few minutes．

　　The gum is easy to transport and it’s stable in cold and hot climates．Unlike a pill, it doesn’t require water to swallow．Those qualities make it easy for soldiers to use．

　　For now, Stay Alert is available only to the military(军队)．The manufacturer may one day offer it for sale to the public．People who work at night, such as truck drivers and medical personnel who ride in ambulances, might benefit from a product like Stay Alert．

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　　City officials in South Jakarta must now cycle when performing their duties．in a move to help combat pollution and global warming．“They can own a car and drive to work, but they must cycle when traveling to do their work”, South Jakarta city spokesman Ahmad Sotar said,“This is compulsory．Cycling will not only reduce pollution and global warming, but also promote good health．”He added,“The official can also get to know their residents better since now they can cycle through the narrow alleyways to reach their home．They can’t do so if they drive”．

　　South Jakarta, the second－largest of five cities making up greater Jakarta , covers an area of 145 square kilometers and has 2.5 million residents．Over 200 officials in 10 sub-districts and 65 villages have been told about the new rule．Supporting the move, Meruyuny Village chief Selamat Aryadi said cycling would keep officials fit．“I don’t mind buying a bike．But there must be some exceptions．What will happen if there is a big fire or landslide which I need to attend urgently?I may be late for everything,”he said with a quiet laugh．“I think if it is raining heavily it makes more sense for me to drive．I just hope 1 won’t get caught,”he added．

　　Sotar said the officials do not have to cycle to attend to emergency calls．“But it is no excuse to say they are too old and sick to cycle．That means they are also too old and sick to perform their duties so they should be replaced,”he said：“We will ask the residents to be our eyes and ears and tell us if the officials cycle or drive．”Sotar said．