Renowned physicist Chen Ning Yang, a Nobel Prize laureate and one of the most influential figures in modern physics, passed away in Beijing on Saturday at the age of 103. Tsinghua University, where Yang both studied and taught, confirmed his death in a statement, attributing it to an unspecified illness. The university hailed Yang as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, emphasizing his groundbreaking contributions to the field of physics and his significant role in advancing China’s scientific and educational landscape. Yang, along with Tsung-Dao Lee, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957 for their groundbreaking work on parity laws, which led to pivotal discoveries in elementary particle physics. This achievement marked them as the first Chinese-born physicists to receive the prestigious award. In his Nobel Banquet speech, Yang reflected on his dual heritage, expressing pride in his Chinese roots while acknowledging his deep connection to Western scientific traditions. He famously stated, ‘I am heavy with an awareness of the fact that I am in more than one sense a product of both the Chinese and Western cultures, in harmony and in conflict.’ Yang’s legacy also includes the development of the Yang–Mills theory, a cornerstone of modern physics, which he co-authored with American physicist Robert Mills. Born in 1922 on the Tsinghua University campus, where his father was a mathematics professor, Yang pursued his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Tsinghua before earning his doctorate at the University of Chicago in 1946. He was profoundly influenced by Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi, a fellow Nobel laureate. Yang’s academic career spanned prestigious institutions, including the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he served as a distinguished Professor-at-large and made generous donations, including his Nobel Prize. In 2015, Yang renounced his U.S. citizenship, a decision he described as difficult but necessary, reflecting on the opportunities the country had provided him. He is survived by three children.
分类： science
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Chinese Nobel laureate and physicist Chen Ning Yang dies aged 103
Chen Ning Yang, a towering figure in the world of physics and a Nobel Prize laureate, has passed away at the age of 103, as reported by Chinese state media. The cause of death was cited as illness in an obituary released by CCTV. Yang, alongside fellow physicist Lee Tsung-Dao, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957 for their groundbreaking work on parity laws, which significantly advanced the understanding of elementary particles, the fundamental components of matter. Born in 1922 in Anhui province, China, Yang grew up on the campus of Tsinghua University, where his father was a mathematics professor. From a young age, Yang harbored ambitions of winning the Nobel Prize, a dream he realized at the age of 35. His academic journey took him from National Southwest Associated University in Kunming, where he earned his science degree in 1942, to Tsinghua University for his master’s, and eventually to the University of Chicago on a fellowship. There, he studied under Enrico Fermi, the inventor of the world’s first nuclear reactor. Yang’s career spanned various areas of physics, with a particular focus on statistical mechanics and symmetry principles. His contributions to the field were recognized with numerous accolades, including the Albert Einstein Commemorative Award in 1957 and an honorary doctorate from Princeton University in 1958. Yang’s personal life saw him marry twice, first to Chih Li Tu, with whom he had three children, and later to Weng Fan, whom he described as his ‘final blessing from God.’
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Australian rainforests no longer a carbon sink: study
A groundbreaking study published in Nature has revealed that Australia’s tropical rainforests are now emitting more carbon dioxide than they absorb, marking a significant shift in their ecological role. This alarming trend, linked directly to climate change, positions these rainforests as the first of their kind globally to transition from carbon sinks to net carbon emitters. The research, led by Hannah Carle of Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, underscores the escalating vulnerability of these ecosystems to extreme temperatures, atmospheric dryness, and prolonged droughts. The study, which analyzed nearly five decades of data from Queensland’s rainforests, found that increased tree mortality has outpaced growth, resulting in a net release of carbon into the atmosphere. This contradicts the expected response of enhanced plant growth under higher carbon dioxide levels. The findings have profound implications for global emissions reduction strategies, which rely heavily on the carbon-absorbing capacity of forests. Carle warned that current climate models may overestimate the ability of tropical forests to offset fossil fuel emissions, especially as cyclones, exacerbated by climate change, further diminish their carbon sink potential. The study calls for urgent global monitoring of other tropical forests to assess similar risks. Despite its ecological challenges, Australia remains a leading exporter of gas and thermal coal, with per capita carbon emissions among the highest worldwide. The research highlights the pressing need for accelerated climate action to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals of limiting global warming to safer levels.
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One of world’s oldest dinosaurs discovered in Argentina
In a groundbreaking discovery, Argentinian scientists have unearthed the fossilized remains of one of the world’s oldest dinosaur species in the Andes Mountains. The find, announced by the CONICET research agency, includes a nearly complete skeleton of a small long-necked reptile named Huayracursor Jaguensis. The fossil was discovered at an altitude of 3,000 meters in Argentina’s northwest region. The team recovered part of the dinosaur’s skull, a complete vertebral column extending to the tail, and nearly intact forelimbs and hindlimbs. Published in the prestigious journal Nature, the discovery is expected to provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of dinosaurs. Agustin Martinelli, one of the study’s authors, estimates that the Huayracursor roamed the Earth between 230 and 225 million years ago, placing it at the end of the Triassic period. This era marked the emergence of the first dinosaurs and the ancestors of mammals. Despite belonging to a lineage of herbivorous dinosaurs that later evolved into long-necked giants, the Huayracursor Jaguensis was relatively small, measuring about two meters in length and weighing approximately 18 kilograms. The discovery underscores the significance of the Triassic period in the evolution of life on Earth and highlights Argentina’s rich paleontological heritage.
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Nobel laureate Philippe Aghion says creative upbringing shaped his vision of innovation and freedom
PARIS (AP) — Philippe Aghion, the distinguished French economist and recent Nobel laureate, attributed his groundbreaking insights into innovation and economic growth to his family’s creative legacy. On Monday, Aghion, who shared the 2023 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences with Joel Mokyr of Northwestern University and Peter Howitt of Brown University, paid tribute to his mother, Gaby Aghion, the visionary founder of the iconic fashion house Chloé. In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press from his Parisian apartment in the Latin Quarter, the 69-year-old professor highlighted how his mother revolutionized the fashion industry by introducing luxury ready-to-wear, a concept that offered women a more liberated and practical alternative to traditional haute couture. ‘I grew up with innovators. My mother invented luxury ready-to-wear,’ Aghion remarked, emphasizing her pioneering role in shaping modern fashion. He also reminisced about his childhood, surrounded by influential artists, including the legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld, who once assisted him with his German homework. Aghion’s research, which redefined the understanding of how technological advancements fuel economic prosperity, continues to be inspired by the themes of freedom and creativity that permeated his upbringing. His apartment, adorned with books on art and liberty, serves as a testament to the enduring influence of these values on his academic pursuits.
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Farmer finds car-sized Nasa probe in Texas field
In an unexpected turn of events, a farmer in Edmonson, Texas, stumbled upon a NASA research probe the size of a car in his field. The probe, which had gone missing during a mission, veered off its intended trajectory and crash-landed on October 2. The incident has sparked widespread interest, as such occurrences are rare and often shrouded in mystery. NASA officials have since confirmed the discovery and are investigating the cause of the deviation. The probe, designed for advanced scientific research, was on a critical mission to gather data on atmospheric conditions. The crash landing has raised questions about the safety protocols and tracking mechanisms employed by the space agency. Meanwhile, the farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed both surprise and concern over the unexpected visitor. Local authorities have cordoned off the area to ensure public safety and facilitate NASA’s recovery efforts. This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of space exploration and the challenges faced by scientists and engineers in ensuring mission success.
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Rare wildflowers blanket Atacama desert
The Atacama Desert in Chile, renowned for its extreme aridity and status as one of the clearest places on Earth for stargazing, has undergone a stunning transformation. Typically a barren landscape, the desert has been blanketed by a vibrant carpet of wildflowers, a phenomenon triggered by unusually heavy rainfall during the southern hemisphere’s winter months. This rare event, which occurs only every few years, has brought dormant seeds to life, creating a breathtaking display of over 200 species of wildflowers, some of which are endemic to the region. The desert, which usually receives less than 15mm of rain annually, saw more than 12mm in August alone, with most of it falling in a single day. Additionally, a rare snowfall occurred in June, further contributing to the unique conditions. According to Chile’s National Forest Corporation (CONAF), this year’s bloom, which began in late August, will reach its peak in the coming weeks. This is the second consecutive year the phenomenon has occurred, following similar conditions in 2024. The Atacama’s wildflower bloom not only highlights the resilience of nature but also underscores the impact of climatic variations on even the most extreme environments.
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Scientist’s off-grid hike interrupted by news of Nobel Prize win
In a remarkable twist of fate, Dr. Fred Ramsdell, a prominent US immunologist, discovered he had won the Nobel Prize in Medicine while on a remote hiking trip in Montana’s grizzly bear territory. The news reached him not through a direct call from the Nobel Committee but via a flood of text messages to his wife, Laura O’Neill, who was accompanying him on the adventure. Dr. Ramsdell, who had his phone on airplane mode, initially dismissed the announcement, only to be convinced by the overwhelming evidence of over 200 congratulatory messages. The award recognizes his groundbreaking research, conducted alongside two other scientists, into how the immune system combats infections. The trio will share a prize fund of 11 million Swedish kronor (£870,000). After receiving the messages, the couple drove to a nearby town to secure a phone signal, allowing Dr. Ramsdell to finally connect with the Nobel Committee nearly 20 hours after their initial attempts. Dr. Thomas Perlmann, Secretary-General of the Nobel Assembly, described this as the most challenging winner contact since 2016. Dr. Ramsdell’s lab, Sonoma Biotherapeutics, humorously noted that he was “living his best life” off-grid during the ordeal. This incident adds to the Nobel Prize’s history of quirky winner announcements, including economist Paul Milgrom’s missed call in 2020 and novelist Doris Lessing’s blunt reaction in 2007.
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The before and after images showing glaciers vanishing before our eyes
When Matthias Huss first set foot on the Rhône Glacier in Switzerland 35 years ago, the ice was a mere stroll from his family’s parking spot. Today, the journey takes half an hour, and the glacier’s retreat is a poignant reminder of the rapid changes unfolding across the planet. Huss, now the director of Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland (GLAMOS), recalls the glacier’s former grandeur with a sense of loss. ‘Every time I go back, I remember how it used to be,’ he says. His story is not unique. Glaciers worldwide are shrinking at an alarming rate, with 2024 alone seeing a staggering loss of 450 billion tonnes of ice outside Greenland and Antarctica, according to the World Meteorological Organization. This equates to a colossal ice block measuring 7km in height, width, and depth—enough to fill 180 million Olympic swimming pools. Switzerland’s glaciers have been particularly hard-hit, losing a quarter of their ice in the past decade. Satellite images and ground photographs starkly illustrate the transformation. The Rhône Glacier, for instance, now features a lake where ice once stood. Similarly, the Clariden Glacier, once in equilibrium, has melted rapidly this century. Smaller glaciers, like the Pizol Glacier, have vanished entirely. ‘It definitely makes me sad,’ Huss admits. The Great Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps, has receded by 2.3km over 75 years, replaced by trees. While glaciers have naturally fluctuated over millennia, the accelerated retreat of the past 40 years is unequivocally linked to human-induced climate change. Burning fossil fuels has released vast amounts of CO2, warming the planet and destabilizing these icy giants. Even if global temperatures stabilize, glaciers will continue to retreat due to their delayed response to climate change. However, there is hope. Research published in *Science* suggests that limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels could preserve half the world’s mountain glaciers. Yet, current projections indicate a 2.7°C rise by the century’s end, risking the loss of three-quarters of glacial ice. The consequences are profound. Rising sea levels threaten coastal populations, while mountain communities dependent on glacial meltwater for agriculture, drinking water, and hydropower face dire challenges. In Asia’s high mountains, often called the Third Pole, 800 million people rely on glacial meltwater, particularly in the Indus River basin. ‘That’s where we see the biggest vulnerability,’ says Prof. Regine Hock of the University of Oslo. Despite the grim outlook, scientists emphasize the power of human action. ‘It’s sad,’ Hock reflects, ‘but it’s also empowering. If we decarbonize, we can preserve glaciers. We have it in our hands.’
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Study shows the world is far more ablaze now with damaging fires than in the 1980s
A groundbreaking study published in the journal *Science* has revealed that the frequency of the world’s most destructive wildfires has quadrupled since the 1980s, driven by human-induced climate change and the encroachment of urban areas into wildlands. The research, conducted by a team of international fire scientists from Australia, the United States, and Germany, shifts the focus from the traditional metric of acres burned to the economic and human toll of these disasters. By analyzing the 200 most damaging wildfires since 1980, the study found that these catastrophic events have increased by 4.4 times over the past four decades, with 43% occurring in the last ten years alone. The findings underscore a “climate-linked escalation of societally disastrous wildfires,” according to lead author Calum Cunningham, a pyrogeographer at the University of Tasmania. The study highlights that extreme fire weather conditions—hot, dry, and windy—are becoming more frequent due to the burning of fossil fuels, exacerbating the risk of devastating fires. Additionally, the expansion of urban areas into fire-prone regions, known as the wildland-urban interface, has further amplified the crisis. Cunningham emphasized that while wildfires are a natural phenomenon, human activities have significantly intensified their frequency and severity. The research also noted that economic data on wildfires is often inaccessible, complicating global assessments. However, by combining insurance data from Munich Re with the International Disaster Database, the team was able to provide a comprehensive analysis. Experts not involved in the study, such as Jacob Bendix of Syracuse University and Mike Flannigan of Thompson Rivers University, praised the research for its innovative approach and warned that the trend of increasing extreme fire weather poses a dire challenge for the future. The study calls for urgent action to mitigate climate change and improve wildfire preparedness to prevent further loss of life and economic devastation.