分类： science

The 13th Shanghai Master Forum on Science, hosted at Fudan University, featured an enthralling lecture by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Didier Queloz. The Swiss scientist, renowned for his co-discovery of the first exoplanet in 1995, took the audience on a journey through the mysteries of astrophysics and the search for life beyond Earth. Queloz, who made the groundbreaking discovery alongside his advisor Michel Mayor, emphasized that the exploration of exoplanets is not about finding an alternative home for humanity but rather about deepening our understanding of the universe. ‘Earth is our shared home, and the goal of this research is to live peacefully here,’ he stated. The forum highlighted the transformative impact of Queloz’s work on astronomy and the ongoing quest to uncover whether life exists elsewhere in the cosmos.

In the arid deserts of Dunhuang, Gansu province, a remarkable transformation is underway. Once barren and saline-alkali soil, deemed unsuitable for agriculture, now yields bountiful cotton crops, thanks to decades of scientific innovation. Local technician He Shengbing proudly refers to the 1,000-kilogram cotton bales as ‘golden eggs laid by what was once dead land.’

For years, nearly 95% of Dunhuang’s 25,000 hectares of farmland suffered from high salinity, low organic matter, and extreme alkalinity, making it nearly impossible for crops to thrive. However, through the efforts of researchers from China Agricultural University and local agronomists, the region has seen a dramatic turnaround.

Since May, Dunhuang has served as a pilot base for saline-alkali land management. Professor Hu Shuwen’s team developed a comprehensive soil improvement plan, combining organic fertilizers, biobased soil conditioners, microbial agents, and pH regulators. These are delivered through a precise drip irrigation system, which not only conserves water but also reduces soil salinity.

‘We’re not changing the cotton. We’re changing the earth it grows in,’ explained Yang Xu, a graduate student on Hu’s team. The drip irrigation system, with its tiny holes spaced every 30 centimeters, delivers water and nutrients directly to the roots, creating a ‘wet bulb’ effect that protects plants from salt buildup.

The results are undeniable. The organic content of the topsoil has increased to 1.35%, salt concentration has dropped to 0.12%, and cotton yields have risen by up to 20%. Additionally, the region saves 20% of its agricultural water annually.

Dunhuang’s success has garnered international recognition. Its ‘Five-in-One’ model, which unites the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, research institutes, local governments, enterprises, and farmers’ cooperatives, was highlighted at the Global Conference on Scientific Utilization and Development of Saline Soil as a replicable example of sustainable land management in arid regions.

With plans to invest 17 million yuan ($2.4 million) in 2025 to expand the program, Dunhuang is proving that even the harshest land can flourish with the right care. ‘Every drop counts here,’ Yang said. ‘We’re proving that even the harshest land can bloom with the right care.’

A groundbreaking discovery by Chinese and international scientists has shed light on the enigmatic ‘knee’ structure in the energy spectrum of cosmic rays. This phenomenon, characterized by a sharp decline in particle numbers at higher energies, has puzzled researchers for over seven decades. The breakthrough came through data from China’s Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), which identified powerful jets from black holes as the source of ultra-high-energy gamma rays in five ‘microquasar’ systems. These findings, published in the journals National Science Review and Science Bulletin, reveal that cosmic rays from these sources can reach energies exceeding 10 peta-electronvolts, surpassing the ‘knee’ threshold. The research, conducted by teams from the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing University, the University of Science and Technology of China, and Italy’s Sapienza University of Rome, marks a significant advancement in understanding cosmic ray origins. LHAASO’s multi-parameter measurement capabilities enabled the collection of high-purity proton samples, allowing for unprecedented precision in mapping the proton energy spectrum. The discovery of a distinct ‘high-energy component’ suggests the existence of multiple cosmic accelerators in the Milky Way, each with unique energy limits. Cao Zhen, LHAASO’s chief scientist, emphasized the importance of continued observations to identify more sources and study the energy spectra of different cosmic-ray nuclei. This research not only deepens our understanding of black hole systems as natural accelerators but also holds potential for improving the design of future man-made particle accelerators. Located in Daocheng county, Sichuan province, LHAASO has become a global leader in cosmic ray research since its operation began in July 2019, reshaping scientific understanding of extreme cosmic processes.

In a high-profile case that has drawn significant attention, Yunqing Jian, a 33-year-old Chinese plant scientist at the University of Michigan, pleaded guilty on November 12, 2025, to charges of smuggling and making false statements to the FBI. Jian, who was arrested in June 2025 along with another Chinese scientist, was accused of smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a crop-damaging fungus, into the United States. Under her plea agreement, Jian was sentenced to time served and is expected to be deported. In a statement to the court, she claimed her research was aimed at protecting crops from disease.

Fusarium graminearum, a well-known pathogen, poses significant risks to crops such as wheat, corn, and barley, causing Fusarium head blight, or scab. This disease can reduce crop yields by up to 45% in severe cases and has been responsible for substantial economic losses in the U.S., estimated at over $1 billion annually. The fungus also produces mycotoxins, which can harm both humans and livestock, leading to gastrointestinal damage, immune system issues, and nervous system inflammation.

The case has highlighted the strict regulations surrounding the import and movement of plant pathogens in the U.S., governed by the Plant Protection Act of 2000. Scientists must obtain permits from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to transport such pathogens, a process that can take up to six months. The goal is to prevent the introduction of new genetic material that could exacerbate crop damage.

Farmers combat Fusarium graminearum through integrated management strategies, including the use of fungicides, crop rotation, and planting resistant crop varieties. Researchers are also developing predictive models to forecast scab outbreaks, helping farmers apply fungicides at optimal times to minimize damage.

Jian’s case underscores the delicate balance between scientific research and biosecurity, raising questions about the ethical and legal responsibilities of scientists working with potentially harmful pathogens.

A groundbreaking study conducted by Chinese and German researchers has unveiled the critical relationship between groundwater balance and plant water-use efficiency in desert ecosystems. Published in the journal *Water Resources Research*, the research provides essential insights for ecological restoration and desertification control. The study, led by Zhang Zhishan from the Northwest Institute of Eco-environment and Resources (NIEER) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasizes that vegetation restoration in arid drylands is a viable strategy to prevent desertification. Drylands, characterized by low rainfall and high evapotranspiration, often face a negative water balance, making water the primary limiting factor for plant survival. Groundwater, a vital resource in desert ecosystems, plays a pivotal role in plant growth and the sustainability of ecological restoration efforts. The research was conducted at the Shapotou desert research station in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, using 12 Lysimeter units to measure evapotranspiration and quantify water balance components from 2019 to 2023. The findings revealed that groundwater recharge transforms soil water storage, increasing actual evapotranspiration and seepage. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems exhibited higher evapotranspiration rates, and semi-shrubs were identified as crucial for plant configuration strategies. Zhang highlighted that vegetation reconstruction, coupled with appropriate plant configuration methods, is key to ensuring long-term ecological sustainability and combating desertification.

A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the realm of biodiversity as Chinese scientists identified a new weasel species in the Dafengding National Nature Reserve, located in Sichuan province, Southwest China. The species, named Mustela mopbie, was confirmed through a collaborative effort by researchers from the Institute of Zoology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China West Normal University, and Sichuan University. The findings were published in the esteemed international journal, Journal of Systematics and Evolution, this month. The discovery was made during a small mammal biodiversity survey conducted in July and August 2024, where three specimens were collected. By integrating genomic and morphological data, the team confirmed the uniqueness of this species. Mustela mopbie is characterized by its small size and ability to navigate narrow crevices and burrows to hunt insects and small rodents. This discovery sheds light on species differentiation within the Genus Mustela and offers new insights into how small carnivores adapt to diverse environments through genetic variation. The study underscores the ecological significance of the Hengduan Mountains region, particularly the areas surrounding the Sichuan Basin, in global biodiversity conservation efforts.

In a groundbreaking discovery, China’s Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) has unveiled a pivotal mechanism behind the formation of high-energy cosmic rays. The research, led by an international team of scientists, reveals that black holes, particularly those in binary systems, act as powerful particle accelerators, contributing significantly to the production of cosmic rays in the Milky Way. This finding not only addresses a long-standing mystery in astrophysics but also deepens our understanding of extreme physical processes in black hole systems. Cosmic rays, primarily composed of protons, are charged particles originating from outer space. Their origin has been a central question in modern astrophysics for decades. The LHAASO team focused on the ‘knee’ region of the cosmic ray energy spectrum, a critical turning point around 3 PeV (peta-electron volt), which has puzzled researchers for nearly 70 years. The study identified microquasars—black hole systems that accrete material from companion stars—as the likely sources of this phenomenon. These microquasars generate relativistic jets, which accelerate particles to ultra-high energies. For instance, the microquasar SS 433 was found to produce proton energies exceeding 1 PeV, equivalent to the energy released by 400 trillion hydrogen bombs per second. Similarly, gamma rays from the microquasar V4641 Sgr reached 0.8 PeV, suggesting parent particle energies surpassing 10 PeV. The findings, published in *National Science Review* and *Science Bulletin*, highlight the role of black holes as cosmic particle accelerators. Located in Sichuan Province at an elevation of 4,410 meters, LHAASO’s advanced equipment enabled precise measurements of cosmic ray energy spectra, revealing unexpected structures. This discovery not only resolves the ‘knee’ mystery but also provides crucial evidence for understanding the origins of cosmic rays. LHAASO, designed and operated by Chinese scientists, has positioned China at the forefront of high-energy cosmic ray research, contributing to global advancements in astrophysics.

A groundbreaking DNA analysis of horse bones unearthed from the mausoleum of Emperor Wen of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) has revealed significant evidence of cultural and trade exchanges between the dynasty and Central Asia over two millennia ago. The study, published in the journal Archaeology and Cultural Relics in September, identified two distinct mitochondrial haplogroups in the horses buried alongside the emperor. One belonged to haplogroup G, commonly found in Central Asia, while the other was of haplogroup Q, typical of East Asia, indicating different maternal origins. This discovery provides the first genetic confirmation of the presence of both Central Asian and local horse breeds in the imperial court during Emperor Wen’s reign. The mausoleum, known as the Baling Mausoleum, is located in Xi’an, Shaanxi province. Hu Songmei, a key contributor to the study, emphasized the importance of this finding, noting that it predates Zhang Qian’s official mission to the Western Regions and offers new insights into early Han Dynasty interactions with Eurasia. The horses, believed to be military steeds, were buried in pits symbolizing government institutions, reflecting the emperor’s emphasis on military preparedness and martial strength. The study also highlights the broader cultural and political significance of the mausoleum, which was designed to mirror the emperor’s governance and daily life.