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Latest news on research and breakthroughs by Chinese scientists, as the country ramps up investment in science and innovation as part of its ambitions to become a world-leading power by 2035, and other developments worldwide.
last updated:
16 October, 2024
LATEST China Science NEWS

Chinese satellite posed no danger but gave US observers ‘spectacular’ light show

Experts believe a fireball spotted over the US on Saturday was the remains of a Gaojing Superview 1-02, one of a cluster of satellites launched by China in December 2016. Photo: CCTV

Chinese EV industry’s lithium demand fuels research into ‘low-quality’ sources

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Researchers in China have written a paper examining the effectiveness of innovations in extracting lithium from challenging sources, including salt lakes. Photo: Shutterstock

China-born biologist Wang Cunyu returns from decades in US to head institute

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Wang Cunyu, a member of the US National Academy of Medicine, left China for the US in 1990. He has returned to develop Peking University’s Institute of Advanced Clinical Medicine. Photo: Handout

Chinese village’s sinkhole nightmare continues with kitchen floor collapse

The gaping sinkhole that appeared in the middle of Hu Yuzhen’s kitchen floor in a village in Guizou province, southwest China on December 9. Photo: Weibo / 红星新闻

Chinese scientists look at desert ant to create ultra-thin light sensor chip

Photoreceptor cells in desert ants’ eyes helps them to find their way across barren deserts without landmarks. Photo: Shutterstock
MORE China Science NEWS
Experts believe a fireball spotted over the US on Saturday was the remains of a Gaojing Superview 1-02, one of a cluster of satellites launched by China in December 2016. Photo: CCTV
China's space programme

Chinese satellite posed no danger but gave US observers ‘spectacular’ light show

Experts identify fireball as a small, defunct device that was decommissioned 2 years ago, similar to other space debris that falls to Earth.

Chinese EV industry’s lithium demand fuels research into ‘low-quality’ sources

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Scientists

China-born biologist Wang Cunyu returns from decades in US to head institute

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China technology

Chinese scientists look at desert ant to create ultra-thin light sensor chip

Thin, crystalline films inspired by polarisation vision of desert ants helps team to beat bulkiness challenge, Science Advances paper says.

Photoreceptor cells in desert ants’ eyes helps them to find their way across barren deserts without landmarks. Photo: Shutterstock

Open Questions | How Chinese science and technology have influenced the West … and vice versa

Historian Han Qi on why the exchange of scientific knowledge is so important – from astronomy and salt wells to high-speed trains.

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Climate change

The new aerial radar penetrating the icy depths of China’s glaciers

Airborne technology is helping to map the terrain and water reserves in the Qilian Mountains.

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History

Chinese classicists fight to save Greek, Roman works from conspiracy theorists

Supporters of the so-called pseudo-history argue that much of classical Greek literature, including the works of Aristotle, were faked.

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Theories that ancient Greek and Roman culture was faked are increasingly popular in some corners of the Chinese internet. Photo: AP
Durians in China

Scientists find key nutrient missing in China-grown durian

A study of the popular, pungent fruit grown in Hainan has discovered some stark differences with their Thai counterparts.

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Scientists say they’ve found simple way to turn diamonds into flexible membrane

It’s expected to speed up ‘arrival of diamond era’ in electronics, photonics and more, according to team from Hong Kong and mainland China.

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China's space programme

How China’s lunar find could fill ‘billion-year gap’ in magnetic field studies

Rocks brought back indicate lunar magnetic field may have shot up about 2.8 billion years ago, Chinese study in Nature says.

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A view of the lunar surface as taken by the Chang’e-6 probe in June. Photo: EPA-EFE
China's space programme

How the launch of China’s GuoWang satellites differs from its US Starlink rival

Details have emerged on the key distinctions between China’s recent internet satellite launch and SpaceX’s constellation.

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The Long March-5B rocket blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China’s Hainan province, carrying the first 10 satellites in the GuoWang constellation. Photo: Xinhua/Yang Guanyu
Mental health

Autism affects about 1 in 127 people, global study finds

Autism prevalence varies significantly by region, with Japan having the highest in the world.

SCMP Highlights

7 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and experts who moved to China in 2024

From a Nobel-winning laser scientist to an award-winning mathematician, here are some experts who made the move.

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US-China relations

Opinion | US-China science pact renewal a ray of hope amid techno-nationalism

The pact sustains targeted collaboration, but it also risks reinforcing emerging scientific blocs, potentially reshaping the global research landscape.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Wellness

Snake gut secrets unlocked by new study may help treat human diseases

Research on how pythons regenerate their guts may open door to treatment for Crohn’s and coeliac diseases, colorectal cancer, even diabetes.

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The mechanisms pythons use to regrow their intestines may provide insight on treatments for human gastrointestinal diseases, a new study shows. Photo: Dreamstime/TNS
China technology

China’s neutrino facility at final stage on path to measure ghost particles

The Juno facility in Guangdong has started filling with ultrapure water at 100 tonnes per hour, on track to collect data from August: IHEP.

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SCMP Highlights

‘Dream bullets’, hypersonic gliders: 12 China science breakthroughs in 2024

From a giant sphere for tracking neutrinos to a first trace of lunar water, here are some of the major science developments of the year.

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Russia

‘China is in a good phase’: award-winning neuroscientist on why he left Europe

Nikos Logothetis from the International Centre for Primate Brain Research in Shanghai becomes first non-Russian to receive the award.

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Nikos Logothetis was director of cognitive processes at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Germany before moving to China. Photo: Getty Images
United States

New York man finds mastodon jaw while gardening in backyard

Mastodons, which were distant cousins of mammoths and modern-day elephants, went extinct around 13,000 years ago.

China's space programme

Editorial | Science the winner as Chinese astronauts spacewalk to record

Hi-tech advances in spacesuits resulting from previous missions helped make the nine-hour feat possible.

China

A liver acid could be an anti-ageing ‘elixir’, Chinese scientists say

Researchers find naturally occurring acid induces pseudo-starvation effects, resulting in anti-ageing effects in animals.

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The findings of a study led by Xiamen University have put a spotlight on a type of bile known as LCA that can produce effects resulting in regeneration in animals. Image: Shutterstock

Zuchongzhi 3.0 quantum computer rivals Google’s Willow, say Chinese scientists

Like Google’s quantum chip, the Chinese processor boasts 105 qubits with high precision and stability, according to new paper.

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The Zuchongzhi 3.0 processor. Photo: CCTV
Disease

Farm breeds pigs for human kidney transplant; it’s a blessing, patient says

The US’ long waiting list for transplants could be shortened with the use of genetically modified animal organs. This farm is key to process.

Archaeology and palaeontology

Mysterious terracotta commander offers clues to China’s ancient Qin dynasty army

Rare statue of high-ranking officer is helping archeologists piece together military structure of the first empire in China.

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SCMP Highlights

PLA’s electronic war ‘kill list’, powerful laser cutter: 7 science highlights

From clues to the next pandemic to Chinese scientists leaving the US, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

A Chinese report has revealed a list of US Navy targets that are likely to be hit in a potential electronic warfare scenario. Photo: AFP/US Navy
China's space programme

Chinese astronauts complete world record-breaking spacewalk at 9 hours

Shenzhou-19 crew members Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong installed space protection devices and conducted maintenance outside Tiangong.

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Shenzhou-19 astronaut Song Lingdong waves during the record-breaking nine-hour spacewalk in a screen image captured at the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese culture

Opinion | China’s scientific breakthroughs can lead to linguistic ones too

While English is used in most global scientific exchanges, publishing more papers in Chinese could facilitate linguistic innovation and inclusion.

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Chinese scientists may have invented new way to generate power from the ocean

Hydrogel particles were made into absorbent composite beads and the results showed ‘significant potential’, team says.

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