> Why do ginkgo tree berries stink?
銀杏果到底為啥這么臭，原因找到了！

As late autumn approaches, it's time to enjoy the golden ginkgo trees! But just as you go closer to take a photo, a very pungent smell hits your nose. Why are ginkgos so smelly?
隨著深秋臨近，又到了欣賞金色銀杏葉的季節！但每每想要走近拍照，卻總有一股非常刺鼻的氣味撲鼻而來，銀杏果為啥這么臭呢？

Ginkgo trees can be either male or female. The female trees produce fruit while the male trees don’t.
銀杏樹為雌雄異株植物，開花同時結果的是雌株，而只開花但不結果的為雄株。

The small orange-colored “fruit” is, in fact, ginkgo seeds, which have several layers. The fresh outer layer has butyric acid, the main source of the smell.
銀杏果有好幾層外皮，新鮮的外果皮含有丁酸——也是它臭味的主要來源。

When the fruit decays, the smell becomes stronger, which tends to keep animals and insects away from eating the seeds. What a great way for the tree to protect its seeds!
果皮腐爛時臭味也會變得更強——臭味讓動物敬而遠之，銀杏果也就避免被吃掉的命運，這也是一種自我保護機制。

Also, some animals interested in the smell may take the seeds away, enabling the seeds to grow in a bigger space elsewhere.
當然，也有一些對銀杏果氣味感興趣的動物，它們會讓銀杏種子在其他地方落地生根。

Clearly, ginkgo trees fail to keep humans away since the fruit often appears in dishes, especially in Asian countries.
顯然，銀杏樹并不能讓人類遠離它，銀杏果（白果）經常出現在菜肴中，尤其是在亞洲國家。

However, the seeds can be toxic, and their bitter taste is a sign of this. It’s advised that only a few cooked seeds should be eaten at a time.
然而，這些種子可能是有微毒的，它們的苦味就是一個標志，因此建議切莫過量食用且要煮熟。

> Assessment finds China's overseas pandas being kept in healthy condition
旅外大熊貓有多少？情況如何？解讀來了……

Since the 1990s, China has conducted giant panda conservation and research with 26 institutions from 20 countries to jointly protect the species, including the US and Russia. As a result, they have successfully bred 68 panda cubs.
上世紀90年代以來，我國先后與美國、俄羅斯等20個國家的26個機構開展了大熊貓保護合作研究，成功繁育了68只大熊貓幼仔。

The administration added that the collaborative research and conservation between China and other nations has led to several achievements, including the successful breeding of panda cubs and the publication of scientific findings.
國家林草局有關負責人補充說，中國與其他國家的合作研究和保護已經取得了一些成就，包括大熊貓幼崽的成功繁殖和一些科學發現的發表。

Over the years, international partners in panda conservation have tackled various technological challenges in areas such as panda breeding, disease prevention and releasing them into the wild, the administration said.
該機構表示，多年來，大熊貓國際合作伙伴在大熊貓保護繁育、疾病防治、放歸自然等領域聯合攻克了一系列技術難題。

To ensure the health and safety of pandas living abroad, the administration regularly conducts exchanges and dispatches expert groups for on-site inspections and assessments of all overseas cooperating institutions.
為保證旅外大熊貓的健康和安全，國家林草局定期開展交流，派出專家組前往所有境外合作機構開展實地檢查評估。

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese experts provided online guidance to ensure the smooth reproduction of pandas living in countries such as Singapore and South Korea, it said.
在新冠疫情期間，國內專家還通過線上指導交流，成功推進了旅居新加坡、韓國等國家的大熊貓順利產仔。

The overseas institutions that have partnerships with China generally meet the requirements in terms of venue construction, feeding, care and disease prevention measures, the result showed.
實地檢查評估顯示，各境外合作機構在場館建設、飼養護理、疾病防治措施等方面總體符合要求。

The result also said that some elderly pandas with health issues have received appropriate medical care.
評估還表明，一些存在健康問題的老年大熊貓得到了適當的醫療照顧。

The repatriation of pandas delayed due to the COVID-19 is being organized and giant pandas such as Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji, the giant panda family in the United States, are expected to return to China this year.
受疫情影響而推遲回國的大熊貓接返工作正有序推進，備受公眾關注的旅美大熊貓“美香”“添添”“小奇跡”預計將在年內回到中國。

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