Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a scientific experiment that explores the potential of robots as effective tools to help children reduce anxiety in social reading situations, particularly focusing on "reading anxiety" that affects learning outcomes for children aged 8-11 [5][7][24]. Group 1: Experiment Design and Methodology - The experiment involved 52 children aged 8-11, who participated in three reading sessions: reading alone, reading to a person, and reading to a robot, with the order randomized [9][12]. - Researchers utilized three objective physiological indicators to measure anxiety: voice jitter, facial temperature, and heart rate variability (HRV) [14][15][17]. - The reading materials were scientifically selected to be of moderate difficulty and suitable for approximately 5 minutes of reading, with feedback provided after each page read [18]. Group 2: Findings and Results - Analysis showed that children exhibited significantly less voice jitter when reading to the robot compared to reading to a human, indicating lower anxiety levels [20][21]. - Heart rate variability analysis revealed that while both social situations increased heart rate regularity, reading to a human resulted in a more pronounced stress response than reading to a robot [21][23]. - Children reported feeling less judged and more supported when reading to the robot, expressing that it helped them feel more relaxed and less anxious [22]. Group 3: Implications and Future Directions - The study suggests that social robots can provide emotional value in educational settings without replacing human interaction, serving as practice partners for various activities [24]. - The research opens avenues for further exploration into the long-term benefits of robotic companions in education and their potential to enhance learning experiences [24].

新加坡《海峡时报》 6 月 29 日文章，原题：离开主人，宠物是否会更幸福 不少人热衷于养宠物，因为它 能给人类带来诸多益处。撸猫撸狗能让我们身心愉悦，养育它们能让主人更有责任感，甚至有助于促进 我们与他人的关系。但从动物视角来看，情况或许迥然不同。尽管宠物比野生动物更长寿，但这不代表 它们生活质量更高。被投喂加工食品、缺乏运动会导致宠物肥胖，孤独感常伴其左右。更有甚者，部分 昂贵品种会因为商业繁殖和近亲繁殖而饱受折磨。 离开主人后，宠物会不会更幸福？当我听到腊肠犬瓦莱丽的故事时，想到了这个问题。瓦莱丽在南澳大 利亚州跟随主人露营时逃进了丛林，独自生活近18个月后，于2025年4月被重新捕获。听起来像个主人 与忠犬历尽艰辛、久别重逢的感人故事，但如果切换一下视角，以瓦莱丽为主角来讲述会怎样呢？瓦莱 丽抓住机会离家出走，开始了一段崭新的冒险之旅。它不再需要乖乖听话，而是运用腊肠犬天生的判断 力来躲避天敌、填饱肚子。它在荒岛上并没有消瘦，相反，它的肌肉更结实了——瓦莱丽真的长大了， 不再适合被笼养。不少案例都表明，有的宠物在野外会更幸福。例如，在美国，最初作为宠物进口的25 种鹦鹉已在23个州形成了自给自足、自由 ...