分类： science

Chinese researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in plant biology by identifying a fundamental mechanism that governs the function of plant stem cells. This breakthrough, published in the prestigious journal Science, reveals how mechanical properties of plant cell walls regulate stem cell activity—a finding with profound implications for future crop improvement strategies.

The research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences demonstrated that the cell wall, traditionally considered a static structural component, dynamically participates in plant development. They discovered that pectin, the primary cell wall component, exhibits a bimodal distribution in stem cell regions at plant shoot tips. Mature cell walls maintain rigidity through highly methylesterified pectin, while newly formed walls during cell division remain soft and flexible due to de-methylesterified pectin.

Central to this process is the identification of PME5, a key enzyme that softens pectin through precise regulation. The researchers uncovered a sophisticated nuclear sequestration mechanism where PME5 messenger RNA remains confined within the nucleus until cell division occurs. During division, nuclear disassembly releases the mRNA, enabling immediate translation into the PME5 enzyme that targets new cell walls at exactly the right time and location.

This decade-long research project revealed that this regulatory mechanism is not unique to PME5 but shared by several related enzymes. The bimodal wall pattern was observed across diverse crop species, indicating it represents a fundamental aspect of plant growth architecture. The findings provide both theoretical foundation and technological pathway for programming stem cell activity to optimize plant structures, potentially leading to enhanced crop yields, improved quality, and greater resilience against environmental stresses.

The discovery opens new avenues for agricultural innovation, offering scientists the ability to potentially design plants with larger grains, increased tillers, and bigger fruits. This advancement holds significant promise for addressing global food security challenges by enabling more precise control over crop development processes.

Two exceptional Chinese scientists have secured positions on Nature magazine’s highly selective “Nature’s 10” list for 2025, recognizing individuals driving transformative developments in global scientific research. Liang Wenfeng, founder of AI research company DeepSeek, and geoscientist Du Mengran join eight other international innovators on this year’s roster of scientific influencers.

Liang Wenfeng’s inclusion comes as recognition for his groundbreaking work in advancing large-scale artificial intelligence models that are fundamentally reshaping research methodologies and innovation ecosystems worldwide. His contributions represent China’s growing influence in the AI revolution that is transforming scientific discovery across disciplines.

Meanwhile, Du Mengran has been honored for her pioneering achievements in deep-sea exploration, pushing the boundaries of oceanographic research and expanding our understanding of marine ecosystems and geological processes. Her work exemplifies China’s expanding capabilities in deep-sea technology and marine science.

Nature’s editorial team emphasized that the selection is neither a prize nor a ranking system, but rather a curated exploration of significant scientific developments and the key individuals—often working within larger research teams—who have played pivotal roles in advancing these stories. The list serves as a barometer of where science is heading and who is helping to shape its trajectory.

The dual recognition underscores China’s increasingly prominent role in global scientific advancement, particularly in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence and deep-sea exploration. Both scientists represent the country’s growing contribution to addressing complex scientific challenges and driving innovation at the international level.

In a remarkable conservation success story, retired ornithologist Liu Yinzeng recounts his historic discovery that rescued the crested ibis from near-certain extinction. Now 88, the dedicated scientist has relocated from Beijing to Yangxian, Shaanxi province—the very location where his breakthrough finding occurred over four decades ago.

Each morning, Dr. Liu conducts his cherished ritual: driving his electric buggy to nearby wetlands to observe the thriving crested ibis population. “I’ve counted carefully many times,” he notes with evident pride, “and now one out of every ten egrets you see here in Yangxian is actually a crested ibis.”

The turning point came in May 1981 when Dr. Liu, then with the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Zoology, discovered the world’s last seven surviving crested ibises—two adult pairs and three chicks—after an exhaustive three-year search spanning 50,000 kilometers across China. He had nearly concluded the species was extinct, having prepared a research paper to that effect.

The breakthrough emerged unexpectedly when a hunter presented three feathers that Dr. Liu’s expertise confirmed belonged to the sought-after species. With additional funding secured, he shifted strategy in Yangxian, mobilizing local communities by projecting images of the bird on cinema screens before film screenings.

The critical lead arrived from hunter He Choudan, whose detailed description matched the crested ibis despite an unusual high-altitude sighting. Dr. Liu immediately investigated and, while descending a hillside at dusk, spotted a bird with distinctive red feathers beneath its wings—the telltale sign of a crested ibis. Though excitement caused a fall that momentarily lost the bird, three days of persistent searching culminated in the historic discovery of the seven remaining birds.

Following the discovery, Dr. Liu and colleagues implemented round-the-clock protection, particularly during March-June breeding seasons. The Yangxian government issued emergency protections prohibiting hunting, land reclamation, and deforestation within the birds’ habitat, with local residents making “tremendous sacrifices” to support conservation efforts.

From those seven birds, the population has rebounded to over 7,000 crested ibises in China as of late 2024, with Yangxian remaining the species’ stronghold—a living testament to dedicated scientific perseverance and community-supported conservation.

Over 100 leading researchers convened in Beijing on December 8, 2025, for the second Yuyuantan Conference on Research Integrity, addressing critical challenges in artificial intelligence adoption within academic circles. The gathering marked the release of the comprehensive Guideline on the Boundaries of AI-Generated Content Usage in Academic Publishing 3.0, establishing unprecedented standards for ethical AI implementation throughout research processes.

The newly unveiled framework provides detailed protocols across all stages of academic work, from literature review to post-publication practices. While endorsing AI assistance for reference collection, categorization, and conclusion summarization, the guideline mandates rigorous human verification of all AI-generated content. It specifically addresses the risks of fabricated citations, outdated references, and algorithmic hallucinations, requiring researchers to maintain ultimate accountability for all published content.

Academician Tan Tieniu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences emphasized the fundamental principle of researcher responsibility during his keynote address. ‘We must clarify researchers’ primary accountability as AI users and standardize disclosure requirements for AI utilization in academic papers,’ stated Tan, who also serves as Secretary of the Communist Party of China Nanjing University Committee. He advocated for expanded AI training programs and international collaborative governance to establish universal norms and advance Chinese technological standards globally.

The timing of these developments coincides with revealing data from Elsevier’s Research of the Future report, which surveyed over 3,200 researchers across 113 countries. The study identifies Chinese researchers as the world’s most active AI adopters, with 69% reporting utilization compared to the global average of 58%. Approximately 66% of Chinese respondents expressed confidence in AI’s potential to enhance research quality.

Gemma Hersh, Elsevier’s Senior Vice-President for Primary Research, acknowledged China’s leadership in both technological innovation and research quality improvement. ‘China has always published substantial research, but the last decade has witnessed remarkable quality enhancement—a significant achievement potentially accelerated by AI adoption,’ Hersh noted. She highlighted transparency and traceability as universal needs within the research community, with Elsevier developing supportive tools including Scopus AI, ScienceDirect AI, and the upcoming Leap Space platform.

Associate Professor Geng Peng of Tianjin Foreign Studies University’s School of Communication praised the guidelines for establishing clear boundaries, research norms, and disciplinary evaluation criteria. The framework provides explicit guidance for researchers to utilize AIGC tools as scientific assistants while maintaining academic integrity and human oversight throughout the research lifecycle.

Paleontologists have made a significant discovery in Southwest China’s Sichuan province, unearthing a remarkable collection of prehistoric footprints dating back approximately 200 million years. The fossilized tracks, located on a rock wall in Dujiangyan city, were initially spotted by an observant hiker last month before being formally authenticated by a scientific team.

Led by Associate Professor Xing Lida from China University of Geosciences (Beijing), the research team confirmed the presence of more than 20 distinct vertebrate footprints representing multiple species from the Late Triassic period. This groundbreaking finding marks the first documented occurrence of dinosaur footprints in the Dujiangyan region.

The assemblage includes diverse track types, ranging from theropod impressions of varying sizes—attributed to carnivorous dinosaurs—to distinctive chirotherian-type tracks characterized by their hand-like appearance, typically associated with early archosaur reptiles.

Professor Xing emphasized the site’s exceptional scientific value, noting that “at least four distinct stratigraphic layers preserve these footprints, indicating sustained dinosaur activity in this area over an extended geological timeframe.”

Complementing the fossilized tracks, researchers discovered petrified wood specimens nearby, including both fallen logs and upright stumps preserved in their original positions. These botanical remains provide crucial contextual information about the Triassic ecosystem that once thrived in this region.

Jiang Shan, a researcher at Zigong Dinosaur Museum, highlighted the discovery’s importance for understanding dinosaur evolution in East Asia, stating that these well-preserved impressions offer invaluable insights into the early diversification and behavioral patterns of dinosaurs in what is now modern China.

In a groundbreaking archaeological breakthrough, French Egyptologists have unearthed a remarkable collection of 225 ancient funerary figurines within a royal tomb at the Tanis necropolis in Egypt’s Nile Delta. The discovery, made by a team led by renowned Egyptologist Frédéric Payraudeau in early October, represents the first such find in the Tanis burial grounds since 1946.

The meticulously arranged green figurines, known as ushabti, were designed to serve the deceased in the afterlife. What makes this discovery particularly extraordinary is that more than half of these ancient artifacts depict female figures—a rare occurrence in Egyptian archaeology. The figurines were found carefully positioned in a star formation around a trapezoidal pit with additional horizontal rows at the bottom.

The excavation team worked tirelessly for ten days to carefully extract all 225 artifacts, even continuing through the night with special lighting to preserve the integrity of the discovery. The royal symbols inscribed on the figurines have finally resolved a long-standing archaeological mystery, confirming the tomb’s occupant as Pharaoh Shoshenq III, who ruled Egypt from approximately 830 to 791 BC.

Egyptian authorities, including Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Archaeology, have hailed the discovery as a decisive breakthrough that confirms the Tanis archaeological site still holds numerous undiscovered secrets. The findings also reveal previously unknown patterns within the burial chamber, providing valuable new insights into ancient Egyptian burial practices during this historical period.

In a significant ceremony held in Beijing on Friday, China’s newly elected academicians pledged their commitment to advancing scientific innovation and accelerating the transformation of research into practical applications. The event marked the formal induction of 144 new domestic members and 51 international members into the nation’s prestigious academies.

Leadership from both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) emphasized the dual nature of the academician title as both honor and profound responsibility. CAS President Hou Jianguo challenged the new members to contribute to achieving high-level self-reliance in science and technology, positioning their work within the broader context of national rejuvenation goals.

CAE President Li Xiaohong highlighted the strategic alignment of the election process with national needs, particularly emphasizing the role of scientific innovation in developing new quality productive forces. The selection criteria prioritized candidates whose expertise addresses China’s most pressing strategic requirements.

Several newly elected academicians shared their perspectives on their expanded responsibilities. Professor Peng Chengzhi from the University of Science and Technology of China’s Quantum Physics Division described the appointment as representing “national trust and public expectation,” committing to align personal research goals with national development objectives.

Tsinghua University chemistry professor Li Jun emphasized the practical application of theoretical science, using rare earth elements—which he termed “industrial vitamins”—as an example of how resource advantages must transform into technological prowess for strategic sectors including renewable energy and semiconductor manufacturing.

Zhejiang University’s neuroscience expert Hu Hailan stressed the human-centered nature of life sciences, stating that scientific research ultimately serves human well-being, particularly in protecting mental health.

Representing private enterprise, Huang Xianbo, chief engineer at advanced materials supplier Kingfa, highlighted the importance of industry-academia collaboration in converting technological achievements into productive forces, especially in cutting-edge research areas aligned with national strategy.

The expanded academician roster reinforces China’s systematic approach to building scientific capacity, with members expected to play crucial roles in strategic research consultation and advancing the nation’s technological ambitions.

In a significant ceremony held in Beijing on Friday, 71 newly elected members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) formally received their certificates and committed to advancing scientific innovation and transforming research into practical applications. The event marked a pivotal moment in China’s scientific landscape, emphasizing the critical role of engineering excellence in national development.

CAE President Li Xiaohong addressed the gathering, highlighting how this year’s academician selection process specifically aligned with national strategic priorities. ‘This election cycle emphasized driving the development of new quality productive forces through technological innovation, in keeping with contemporary requirements,’ Li stated. He encouraged the new academicians to take leadership roles in scientific innovation, contribute to strategic national research, and serve as exemplary figures in advancing China’s journey toward high-quality scientific self-reliance.

The new members represent diverse engineering disciplines and shared their specialized commitments. Zhang Pengju from the Civil, Hydraulic and Architecture Engineering Division pledged to ‘promote the spirit of scientists and break through key core technologies,’ focusing on transforming engineering science into practical solutions that improve living environments in grassland regions and promote green urban-rural transformation.

Lu Zhanyuan from the Agriculture Division emphasized the honor as recognition for all technological workers in frontier regions. He outlined pressing challenges including ‘ensuring food security, promoting green agricultural development, and overcoming bottlenecks in agricultural development in northern China’s farming-pastoral ecotone.’ Lu committed to focusing on farmland protection, water conservation, seed industry revitalization, and cultivating young scientific talents.

A notable breakthrough in this year’s election was the inclusion of three researchers from private enterprises, signaling China’s commitment to cross-sector collaboration. Huang Xianbo, chief engineer at global advanced materials supplier Kingfa and member of the Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Division, noted that ‘the primary concern for researchers in private enterprises is transitioning technological achievements into productive forces.’ He pledged enhanced cooperation with university and research institute scientists to conduct cutting-edge research, contributing to China’s development as a science and technology powerhouse.

The ceremony followed last month’s announcement by both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering of their expanded ranks, adding 144 new domestic academicians and 51 international members.