分类： science

In a captivating lecture at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sir Paul Nurse inspired a new generation of researchers during his Beijing address on Tuesday. The renowned geneticist and President of Britain’s Royal Society engaged with over 300 students from China and abroad, delivering profound insights into the fundamental nature of life itself.

Dr. Nurse, who received the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries of protein molecules that control cell division, framed his presentation around historical scientific pioneers. He illuminated key biological concepts through the groundbreaking work of Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics, and Charles Darwin, architect of evolutionary theory through natural selection.

The distinguished scientist presented life as an extraordinarily complex information system that transcends mere chemical and physical processes. He emphasized that all terrestrial life shares a common ancestral origin, having evolved through meticulous natural selection processes over millennia.

During the interactive session, Nurse particularly highlighted the critical role young researchers play in advancing scientific frontiers. When addressing questions about unsolved scientific challenges, he redirected inquiry toward the audience, stating: ‘I would ask people like you rather than people like me for the answer to that question… because that’s where the answers are coming from.’

The British scientist expressed strong interest in fostering collaborative ties between Chinese and UK research communities, specifically mentioning potential partnerships in his specialized field of cell reproduction research. The event served as both an educational masterclass and a bridge-building initiative in international scientific cooperation.

In a significant archaeological breakthrough, researchers excavating the perimeter of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum in Shaanxi province have uncovered two ancient ceremonial chariots devoid of wheels. The discovery emerged during a 2025 excavation project covering 30 square meters within Pit No. 2 at the renowned mausoleum site museum.

The excavation team, led by project director Zhu Sihong from the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, revealed that the finding represents the first confirmed instance of wheel-less chariot burial in this section of the archaeological complex. Alongside the chariots, archaeologists recovered 15 pieces of sophisticated chariot and horse gear alongside nine ancient weapons.

According to Zhu, the absence of wheels suggests these vehicles served a symbolic rather than practical purpose within the emperor’s subterranean army. This discovery provides new insights into the funerary practices and spiritual beliefs of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-207 BC).

Pit No. 2, spanning approximately 6,000 square meters, is believed to contain over 1,300 terracotta figures including charioteers, cavalry units, and both kneeling and standing archers. Many of the best-preserved painted terracotta artifacts discovered to date originate from this section of the burial complex.

The Terracotta Army, first unearthed in 1974, represents one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Commissioned by China’s first emperor to accompany him in the afterlife, the site gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987. To date, thousands of life-sized clay soldiers and extensive weaponry have been recovered from three primary pits surrounding the main tomb, offering unprecedented understanding of Qin Dynasty military organization, artistic achievement, and social structure.

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is transporting visitors through 13.8 billion years of Earth’s history, with its most compelling exhibits revealing a startling transformation in the United Arab Emirates’ landscape. Fossil evidence demonstrates that the region now characterized by golden sand dunes and rocky mountains once hosted vast savannahs, grasslands, and massive river systems teeming with diverse wildlife.

According to Dr. Mark Jonathan Beech, acting geoscience section head at the museum, discoveries in Al Dhafra present incontrovertible evidence that Arabia was not always desert terrain. “Few would imagine Abu Dhabi’s western region once featured giant rivers, savannahs, grasslands, and trees,” Beech stated, noting that these fossils completely reshape our understanding of the region’s ecological history.

The geological timeline reveals even more dramatic changes. Approximately 100 million years ago, the UAE was submerged underwater, with marine remains still being discovered in mountain regions including Sharjah. The Hajar mountains formed mainly between 95-70 million years ago, with subsequent uplift events shaping Jebel Hafit as recently as 25-15 million years ago.

By 7 million years ago, Al Dhafra supported extensive river ecosystems that sustained elephants, giraffes, antelopes, crocodiles, turtles, and catfish. “It was like being on safari in East Africa,” Beech remarked, emphasizing the remarkable biodiversity that once flourished in what is now desert.

These fossil records provide more than historical curiosity—they serve as direct evidence of climate change and its devastating impact on species survival. “It shows that when the climate changes, animals become extinct,” Beech explained, highlighting the instructional value of paleontological findings for understanding contemporary environmental challenges.

The museum utilizes various visual tools, including climate spirals and an Arabia Climate journey, to illustrate climatic oscillations across millennia while documenting the accelerating global warming trend of the past 150-200 years.

Reflecting on the institution’s broader mission, Beech emphasized: “Our goal is to educate people to become better ambassadors of the future. We need to care for our planet and nature.” The museum’s fossil collections thus serve dual purposes—illuminating a forgotten green past while providing crucial insights for addressing current environmental crises.

A groundbreaking cancer treatment approach that forces malignant cells to reveal themselves to the body’s immune defenses has been developed by Chinese researchers, potentially overcoming the protective mechanisms that enable cancers to proliferate undetected. The innovative strategy, conceptualized as an ‘intratumoral vaccine,’ represents a significant advancement in immuno-oncology research.

The pioneering work emerged from a collaborative effort between Shenzhen Bay Laboratory and Peking University, spearheaded by principal investigators Chen Peng, Zhang Heng, and Xi Jianzhong. Their research, documented in the January 7 edition of Nature, outlines a sophisticated methodology that simultaneously dismantles cancer cells’ defensive barriers and marks them for immune recognition.

This novel approach addresses a critical limitation of existing immunotherapies. While current immune checkpoint blockade treatments attempt to release the biological brakes that restrain T-cells—the immune system’s specialized combat units—they frequently prove ineffective because cancers remain exceptionally adept at evasion. Clinical data indicates more than 60% of non-small cell lung cancer patients and over 70% of melanoma patients in China show minimal response to conventional checkpoint inhibitors.

The newly developed technique leverages the GlueTAC platform, originally established by Chen Peng’s team in 2021 as a generalized system for membrane target elimination. The centerpiece of this breakthrough is the iVAC molecule, which executes two coordinated functions: degrading the PD-L1 protein that cancers employ as an immunological shield, while concurrently delivering viral-antigen markers to tumor cell surfaces.

This dual-action mechanism essentially tricks the immune system into perceiving cancer cells as virus-infected entities, thereby activating dormant T-cells that already possess viral combat capabilities. The resultant immune response triggers a targeted assault on the identified tumor cells.

Experimental validation using both animal models and patient-derived organoids—miniature lab-grown human cancer replicas—has demonstrated promising efficacy across multiple cancer types, including colorectal, gastric, and hepatic malignancies. Research teams are currently advancing preparatory work for translational drug development.

Despite the encouraging results, researchers acknowledge the substantial journey ahead before clinical application. Zhang Heng estimates a three-to-five-year timeline before human trials might commence, noting the considerable financial investment required and inherent uncertainties of medical research. The team maintains an openly collaborative stance, hoping to accelerate development and ultimately benefit cancer patients worldwide.

China is poised to make a significant entry into the global academic publishing arena with the inaugural launch of Vita, a premier international journal dedicated to life sciences and biomedicine. Spearheaded by Westlake University in collaboration with Higher Education Press and the Life Science Open Alliance, this groundbreaking publication is scheduled for its digital debut in early 2026, followed by print issuance in June.

The journal’s nomenclature, derived from the Latin term for ‘life,’ embodies both its disciplinary focus and commitment to fostering borderless academic collaboration. According to Editor-in-Chief Li Dangsheng, the name reflects the publication’s vision of inclusive scientific discourse that transcends geographical boundaries.

Extensive preparatory measures are currently underway, including the establishment of an international serial number and formation of an expert advisory committee comprising nearly 100 distinguished scientists from across the globe. The inaugural edition, featuring original research articles currently undergoing final review, represents China’s strategic response to address the disparity between its rapidly advancing research capabilities in life sciences and the development of high-quality domestic publishing platforms.

Shi Yigong, President of Westlake University, emphasized the critical necessity for China to establish internationally recognized scientific publications that match its growing research prominence. ‘The creation of a world-class scientific journal led by China is not merely necessary but urgently required to complement our nation’s scientific advancement,’ Shi stated.

The publication will maintain rigorous academic standards through a dedicated professional editorial team, ensuring both the innovativeness and credibility of published research. This initiative marks a significant milestone in China’s broader efforts to enhance its influence within global scientific communities and establish leadership in academic publishing.

In a remarkable display of agricultural innovation, scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have transformed the winter landscape of China’s Taklimakan Desert into a thriving oasis of summer produce. At the forefront of this transformation is Ayimak village in Moyu county, Hotan prefecture, where advanced greenhouse technologies defy the harsh desert winter with vibrant displays of trellised watermelons, plump grapes, and exotic dragon fruits.

The groundbreaking initiative, part of a rural vitalization project dating back to 2015, has established what local villagers call ‘scientific fields’ – a cluster of technologically advanced greenhouses that have become a regional attraction. According to Wang Shi, the village’s Party committee first secretary, over 40 of the village’s 122 greenhouses are now managed by the CAS project team, providing stable employment for more than 100 villagers with average monthly incomes exceeding 3,000 yuan ($430).

Wang Xin from the CAS Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography explained the scientific advantages: ‘Compared to traditional open-field planting, our trellised watermelon method allows for higher density, greater yield and superior sunlight exposure. Southern Xinjiang’s abundant sunshine and heat resources provide ideal conditions for protected agriculture, which we’ve enhanced through advanced technology to significantly boost both yield and fruit sweetness.’

The research team has contracted eight greenhouses for pilot programs, testing various watermelon varieties to identify those best suited to local conditions. Wang Ping, another team member, has introduced over 50 fruit varieties including cherries, winter jujube, and pineapple, carefully selecting those most adaptable to the desert environment.

Through years of research, scientists have overcome significant challenges including soil salinization, compaction, and sand dust that previously limited fruit cultivation in southern Xinjiang. The project’s success has inspired local involvement, with villager Bayimai Abudouaini noting he has acquired valuable cultivation skills and hopes to rent his own greenhouse in the future.

The initiative aligns with regional development goals, as Xinjiang had established over 1.2 million protected agriculture units covering more than 44,600 hectares by 2023. According to Chinese Academy of Engineering academician Yu Jingquan, Northwest China’s abundant uncultivated land provides exceptional opportunities for expanding protected agriculture while reducing costs.

A joint work plan by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Xinjiang’s regional government projects that protected agriculture in southern Xinjiang will reach an annual output value exceeding 9 billion yuan by 2028, creating employment for over 200,000 rural residents. This scientific achievement demonstrates how technological innovation can transform challenging environments into productive agricultural centers, providing economic opportunities while ensuring food security.