Notes
vital 不可欠な;
enhance 高める, 向上させる;
orbit 軌道

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A new satellite, Earthcare, created by Europe and Japan, has been launched to explore how clouds affect the Earth’s climate. It carries four advanced tools to closely examine clouds and their impact on global warming. The satellite took 20 years and €850 million to develop. It will help improve our understanding of climate and weather by observing how clouds reflect sunlight or keep heat on Earth. The project is vital for enhancing climate models and understanding changes in the atmosphere. Earthcare is expected to provide significant insights but has a limited operational life due to its low orbit. (Read the original article at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyddezqrlmvo)
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Notes:
global recognition 世界的認知度;
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There are several well-known university ranking systems that help compare universities worldwide. These include the QS World University Rankings, which look at factors like academic reputation and international diversity. The Times Higher Education (THE) rankings focus on teaching, research, and international outlook. The Shanghai Ranking, or ARWU, mainly considers research performance, especially publications and awards. Lastly, the U.S. News & World Report emphasizes research reputation and performance.

In Japan, universities such as the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University often rank highly in these systems due to their strong research activities and global recognition. These rankings are useful for students and researchers to understand the global standing of universities, although they should also consider other factors when evaluating these institutions. Japanese universities are well-regarded especially in scientific fields and contribute significantly to global research.
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