Japanese Theater, Nobel Prize in Medicine, Overweight, Superlatives

On Today’s program, Ashley Thompson and Mario Ritter, Jr. host the show. Ashley tells listeners what they are going to hear.
(00:52) First, Jill Robbins reports on a theater exchange between two island nations: Japan and Britain. A central London playhouse and a theater from Osaka, Japan, are working together to prove any cultural differences between the two are only on the surface. The companies are gaining valuable knowledge about the other country’s culture. learningenglis...
(4:03) Next, Mario reports on this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The Nobel committee awarded Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun to recognize their discovery of small RNA molecules that play a big part in genetic change over time and in the case of disease. The discover of microRNA has been important to recent research. It has also been central to the development of mRNA vaccines, such as the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Last year’s Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded for those vaccines. learningenglis...
(10:39) After that, John Russell and Ashley report on the problem of overweight in the U.S. Body weight continues to be a big public health issue. New government research suggests that the condition of having far too much fat stored in the body - severe obesity - has increased greatly over the past 10 years. The government recently said 10 percent of Americans are “severely obese.” That group is most in danger of heart disease and other health problems. learningenglis...
(17:23)Following the report, Ashley talks with John about important vocabulary in the story. John says “prevalent” is possibly the most important word because it appears a lot in reporting on health issues and disease.
Then, there is a promotional message for Let’s Learn English with Anna.
(19:47) Finally, on Lesson of the Day, Jill and Andrew Smith talk about superlatives as they appear in Let’s Learn English, Lesson 30. Anna uses the superlative while talking to Pete at a fish market. Jill and Andrew explain the superlative form, “the best,” “the worst,” for example, and how English speakers use them. They also make a special not about the importance of the definite article “the.” Also, learn the use of the word “the” with comparative adjectives that is tricky. And, of course, there is singing. Be sure to listen for it! learningenglis...
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