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The Star
a day ago
- Science
- The Star
One of China's largest rivers faces flood risk from torrents of water and ice
Dangerous torrents of water and ice that could decimate several coastal cities are a worrying threat hanging over the Yellow River, China's second-largest waterway. Researchers have found that global warming is leading to the formation of massive blocks of ice that could break apart at any moment, thereby increasing the flood risk in a geographical region already highly prone to flooding. Located in China, the Yellow River is over 5,400km long and is one of the world's largest rivers. Considered the cradle of Chinese civilisation, it is also known as "China's Sorrow' due to its impressive and deadly floods, which have been ravaging the region for over two centuries. And the risk of flooding could increase in the coming decades due to a specific phenomenon exacerbated by climate change, according to research conducted by scientists from the University of Bern (Switzerland) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing, China), and published in the journal Science Advances. Based on data and statistical models compiled over the past 160 years, the study authors found that ice jams (accumulations of natural materials carried by water) are likely to increase the risk of flooding in the Yellow River. More specifically, these ice jams are related to blocks of ice formed near the river's source (the Tibetan plateau) that break up when temperatures rise in early spring, but which have gradually moved downstream over time due to global warming. The water then migrates to the colder currents of the river and freezes, creating an ice "traffic jam' that threatens to collapse, releasing torrents of ice and water." Our findings show that ice-jam floods are strongly influenced by large-scale atmospheric teleconnections, including the Arctic Oscillation, Siberian High and Ural Blocking, which regulate regional thermal contrasts and cold-air intrusions," the researchers write. Although these potential floods seem to be more likely to occur in coastal areas, they could have devastating consequences for nearby ecosystems and infrastructure, according to the study authors. They particularly emphasise the increased risk of flooding for several coastal cities in China (notably Binzhou, Dongying and Shandong) and the resulting water shortages. "Our study bridges historical and future perspectives, emphasising the need for adaptive flood management as climate change shifts hydrological risks worldwide," the scientists conclude. – AFP Relaxnews
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
China's 2-watt satellite laser outperforms Starlink with 1 Gbps speed from 36,000 km — is this a breakthrough for communication or a warning shot in space warfare?
The space race just got a powerful upgrade—not with rockets, but with light. A Chinese satellite, floating 36,000 kilometers above Earth, has stunned the world by using a 2-watt laser to send data at speeds five times faster than Starlink. No weapons, no destruction—just a major breakthrough in space-based communication. Synopsis Chinese satellite laser communication has taken a big leap in space technology. A satellite from China sent data to Earth using just a 2-watt laser from 36,000 km in space, reaching speeds five times faster than Starlink. While rumors claimed it "pulverized" Starlink, the truth is there was no attack, only a record-breaking data test. Scientists used a smart system to beat Earth's atmosphere and send the signal clearly. Chinese satellite laser breaks communication records from 36,000 km in space- In July 2025, Chinese scientists accomplished a breakthrough in satellite communication, successfully transmitting data from a satellite using a 2-watt laser beam over a staggering distance of 36,000 kilometers—the height of geostationary orbit. The test, conducted by a team from Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, achieved a downlink speed of 1 Gbps, far surpassing typical speeds delivered by SpaceX's Starlink network. ADVERTISEMENT This development sparked global headlines, with some sources falsely claiming China had 'pulverized' Starlink satellites. In truth, no Starlink satellite was targeted or damaged. The experiment was purely focused on next-generation optical communication, not an act of warfare or sabotage. The original story that went viral on social media platforms suggested that a Chinese satellite had fired a powerful laser and 'destroyed' or 'damaged' Starlink satellites. This claim is completely inaccurate. In reality, the laser used was non-destructive and designed for communication, not combat. The 2-watt laser beam, operating in the near-infrared spectrum, was aimed at a ground station to demonstrate the ability to transmit high-speed data through the Earth's atmosphere. The feat was especially impressive given the challenges posed by atmospheric turbulence, diffraction, and weak signal strength over such long distances. The Chinese research team overcame the limitations of traditional laser communications by using a combined system of adaptive optics (AO) and mode diversity reception (MDR). This system is referred to as AO-MDR synergy. Here's how it worked: Adaptive optics corrected distortions in the laser beam caused by atmospheric interference. Mode diversity reception captured and decoded the distorted signal using multiple overlapping modes to preserve data integrity. Despite the beam being only 2 watts in power—less than what many home lightbulbs use—it achieved data speeds of 1 Gbps, about five times faster than Starlink's average satellite internet speeds. ADVERTISEMENT Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, uses thousands of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver internet service globally. While Starlink can reach download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 250 Mbps for most users, the Chinese geostationary satellite reached 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) using a fraction of the energy. The key difference lies in the communication method. Starlink primarily uses radio waves, while China's satellite used laser-based optical communication, which allows for higher bandwidth, less signal interference, and greater data integrity—especially over long distances. ADVERTISEMENT While this particular experiment was peaceful and scientific, it's important to note that China is also actively developing directed-energy weapons (DEWs), including high-powered lasers and microwave systems. These could eventually have anti-satellite (ASAT) applications. China's military has proposed concepts such as submarine-launched laser platforms, which could stealthily target and disable satellites from under the ocean surface. These systems could use retractable masts equipped with high-energy lasers capable of blinding or damaging satellite sensors or communication payloads. ADVERTISEMENT According to U.S. Space Force assessments, China is on track to field fully operational space-based or ground-based laser weapons by the late 2020s, raising concerns among Western defense analysts and policymakers. General Chance Saltzman, head of the U.S. Space Force, has repeatedly warned that China is developing a full suite of counterspace capabilities. These include: ADVERTISEMENT Kinetic ASAT weapons (missiles that can physically destroy satellites) (missiles that can physically destroy satellites) Electronic jammers (used to disrupt satellite signals) (used to disrupt satellite signals) Cyberattacks on space infrastructure on space infrastructure And now, directed-energy weapons, like high-powered lasers While the recent Chinese test was not part of any known military program, it does show that China's capabilities in satellite laser technology are progressing rapidly, and could eventually be repurposed for strategic or defense purposes. The success of China's 2-watt laser satellite test signals a paradigm shift in space communication technology. If laser-based optical communications can be scaled and secured, they could dramatically reduce the need for massive low-Earth-orbit satellite constellations like Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, or OneWeb. However, the dual-use nature of this technology—meaning it can serve both civilian and military functions—raises alarms in global defense circles. While this test was a scientific milestone, it also highlights the increasingly blurred line between space innovation and space weaponization. Key Point Details Laser power 2 watts Satellite altitude 36,000 km (geostationary orbit) Achieved data speed 1 Gbps (gigabit per second) Technology used Adaptive Optics + Mode Diversity Reception (AO‑MDR) Damage caused None — no Starlink satellites were affected Compared to Starlink About 5× faster than typical Starlink speeds (radio-based) Potential for military use Yes — future use in directed-energy weapons is plausible U.S. Space Force response Warning issued on rising Chinese space weapon capabilities Contrary to misleading headlines, China did not fire a weapon at Starlink. The recent laser experiment was a landmark achievement in space-to-ground data transmission, proving that low-power lasers can outperform traditional communication satellites under the right conditions. But this advancement also casts a spotlight on the rapid militarization of space, as countries race not just for faster data speeds—but also for dominance in orbit. For now, it's a technological triumph. But in the near future, these capabilities could dramatically reshape both global communications and defense strategies in space. Q1: Did the Chinese satellite laser really destroy Starlink? A: No, it only tested fast space communication—no damage was done. Q2: How fast was the Chinese satellite laser data transmission? A: It hit 1 Gbps, five times faster than Starlink. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
China's 2-watt satellite laser outperforms Starlink with 1 Gbps speed from 36,000 km — is this a breakthrough for communication or a warning shot in space warfare?
Chinese satellite laser communication has taken a big leap in space technology. A satellite from China sent data to Earth using just a 2-watt laser from 36,000 km in space, reaching speeds five times faster than Starlink. While rumors claimed it "pulverized" Starlink, the truth is there was no attack, only a record-breaking data test. Scientists used a smart system to beat Earth's atmosphere and send the signal clearly. The space race just got a powerful upgrade—not with rockets, but with light. A Chinese satellite, floating 36,000 kilometers above Earth, has stunned the world by using a 2-watt laser to send data at speeds five times faster than Starlink. No weapons, no destruction—just a major breakthrough in space-based communication. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads No Starlink satellites were harmed — debunking the viral headline How China achieved record-breaking satellite data speeds with just 2 watts? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Adaptive optics corrected distortions in the laser beam caused by atmospheric interference. Mode diversity reception captured and decoded the distorted signal using multiple overlapping modes to preserve data integrity. Comparing Chinese laser satellite performance to Starlink internet speeds Understanding the real military context of China's laser technologies What the U.S. space force says about rising threats in orbit? Kinetic ASAT weapons (missiles that can physically destroy satellites) (missiles that can physically destroy satellites) Electronic jammers (used to disrupt satellite signals) (used to disrupt satellite signals) Cyberattacks on space infrastructure on space infrastructure And now, directed-energy weapons, like high-powered lasers Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The bigger picture: New era of satellite communications and space warfare Key facts you need to know about the Chinese satellite laser test: Key Point Details Laser power 2 watts Satellite altitude 36,000 km (geostationary orbit) Achieved data speed 1 Gbps (gigabit per second) Technology used Adaptive Optics + Mode Diversity Reception (AO‑MDR) Damage caused None — no Starlink satellites were affected Compared to Starlink About 5× faster than typical Starlink speeds (radio-based) Potential for military use Yes — future use in directed-energy weapons is plausible U.S. Space Force response Warning issued on rising Chinese space weapon capabilities Fot a laser strike, but a laser leap FAQs: In July 2025, Chinese scientists accomplished a breakthrough in satellite communication, successfully transmitting data from a satellite using a 2-watt laser beam over a staggering distance of 36,000 kilometers—the height of geostationary orbit. The test, conducted by a team from Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, achieved a downlink speed of 1 Gbps, far surpassing typical speeds delivered by SpaceX's Starlink development sparked global headlines, with some sources falsely claiming China had 'pulverized' Starlink satellites. In truth, no Starlink satellite was targeted or damaged. The experiment was purely focused on next-generation optical communication, not an act of warfare or original story that went viral on social media platforms suggested that a Chinese satellite had fired a powerful laser and 'destroyed' or 'damaged' Starlink satellites. This claim is completely inaccurate. In reality, the laser used was non-destructive and designed for communication, not 2-watt laser beam, operating in the near-infrared spectrum, was aimed at a ground station to demonstrate the ability to transmit high-speed data through the Earth's atmosphere. The feat was especially impressive given the challenges posed by atmospheric turbulence, diffraction, and weak signal strength over such long Chinese research team overcame the limitations of traditional laser communications by using a combined system of adaptive optics (AO) and mode diversity reception (MDR). This system is referred to as AO-MDR synergy. Here's how it worked:Despite the beam being only 2 watts in power—less than what many home lightbulbs use—it achieved data speeds of 1 Gbps, about five times faster than Starlink's average satellite internet operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, uses thousands of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver internet service globally. While Starlink can reach download speeds ranging fromfor most users, the Chinese geostationary satellite reachedusing a fraction of the key difference lies in the communication method. Starlink primarily uses radio waves, while China's satellite used laser-based optical communication, which allows for higher bandwidth, less signal interference, and greater data integrity—especially over long this particular experiment was peaceful and scientific, it's important to note that China is also actively developing directed-energy weapons (DEWs), including high-powered lasers and microwave systems. These could eventually have anti-satellite (ASAT) military has proposed concepts such as submarine-launched laser platforms, which could stealthily target and disable satellites from under the ocean surface. These systems could use retractable masts equipped with high-energy lasers capable of blinding or damaging satellite sensors or communication to U.S. Space Force assessments, China is on track to field fully operational space-based or ground-based laser weapons by the late 2020s, raising concerns among Western defense analysts and Chance Saltzman, head of the U.S. Space Force, has repeatedly warned that China is developing a full suite of counterspace capabilities. These include:While the recent Chinese test was not part of any known military program, it does show that China's capabilities in satellite laser technology are progressing rapidly, and could eventually be repurposed for strategic or defense success of China's 2-watt laser satellite test signals a paradigm shift in space communication technology. If laser-based optical communications can be scaled and secured, they could dramatically reduce the need for massive low-Earth-orbit satellite constellations like Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, or the dual-use nature of this technology—meaning it can serve both civilian and military functions—raises alarms in global defense circles. While this test was a scientific milestone, it also highlights the increasingly blurred line between space innovation and space to misleading headlines, China did not fire a weapon at Starlink. The recent laser experiment was a landmark achievement in space-to-ground data transmission, proving that low-power lasers can outperform traditional communication satellites under the right this advancement also casts a spotlight on the rapid militarization of space, as countries race not just for faster data speeds—but also for dominance in now, it's a technological triumph. But in the near future, these capabilities could dramatically reshape both global communications and defense strategies in it only tested fast space communication—no damage was hit 1 Gbps, five times faster than Starlink.
Observer
19-07-2025
- Science
- Observer
This dinosaur probably tweeted more than it roared
Since the 1930s, dinosaurs have rumbled, snarled and roared on film. But the fossilised inspirations for these cinematic characters have preserved little evidence for any such dramatic voices. In a paper published last week in the journal PeerJ, researchers announced the discovery of a fossilised herbivorous dinosaur from China preserving a surprisingly birdlike throat. It provides a clue that the origins of birdsong might go as far back as the beginning of dinosaurs themselves. The 2-foot-long dinosaur, which the researchers named Pulaosaurus, was discovered in 163-million-year-old rocks in northeastern China, said Xing Xu, a palaeontologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing and an author of the paper. The largely complete skeleton offers a strong anatomical view into the fleet-footed, beaked animal, an early member of the family that later produced 'duck-billed' hadrosaurs and horned dinosaurs. The Jurassic period formation that produced Pulaosaurus is also the source of other dinosaur discoveries like the feathered proto-bird Anchiornis, the tiny, batlike Yi qi and the feathered herbivorous dinosaur Tianyulong. Unlike those animals, Pulaosaurus is not preserved with obvious soft tissues that could help better explain its living appearance. 'On some parts of the fossil, we thought we'd found very thin filaments, but we can't confirm that,' Xu said. Pulaosaurus, a 163-million-year-old, two-foot-long dinosaur found in northeastern China. The team did note interesting formations in the stomach region of the fossil but hasn't determined what those are. 'They could be stomach contents — food eaten by this dinosaur, or organs, or maybe even eggs within the body,' Xu said. The most interesting remains were found within the throat. In vertebrates, vocal organs play an important role in protecting the airway and helping produce everything from simple hisses and grunts to speech. In most living reptiles, these tissues are composed of cartilage, and can produce simple bellows, grunts, groans and chirps. Modern birds have vocal organs made up partially of delicate bones, allowing them to make much more complicated sounds — including, in some cases, mimicking human speech. The anatomy of dinosaur vocal organs has long been a mystery. 'Even when you have a dinosaur skeleton preserved, you don't always have these isolated bones preserved with other skull elements,' Xu said. 'They're very thin bones, very delicate and hard to preserve.' The first report of a non-bird dinosaur with fossilised vocal organs — the armoured ankylosaur Pinacosaurus, which lived millions of years after Pulaousaurus — arrived only in 2023. While Pinacosaurus lacked the distinct voice box seen in birds, the researchers concluded, its bony larynx was large and mobile enough to possibly help produce birdlike noises. Pulaousaurus seems to have had a similar vocal setup, Xu said, albeit one that was less developed. Pulaousaurus and Pinacosaurus belong to dinosaur families separated from each other by millennia of evolution. Each is also distant from the lineage that produced modern birds. While it's possible that they evolved independently in different lineages, Xu said, the presence of similar vocal organs in distinct groups suggests that birdlike vocals might have emerged with dinosaurs' earliest ancestors, over 230 million years ago. For now, the more complex vocal machinery found in everything from parrots to penguins — specifically their voice box, the syrinx — remains unknown in non-bird dinosaurs. But they might turn up one day in a well-preserved fossil, Xu said. It's even possible that they already have and were simply misidentified, as the tiny, delicate bones are easy to miss. 'We hope that in the future we can find more specialised structures relating to sound so we can do research on how dinosaurs produced their voices,' Xu said. So what did Pulaousaurus sound like? Did it twitter, squeak, or chirp like a baby crocodile? 'We don't know,' Xu said. 'It could be some strange noise. It's hard to predict.'
Bangkok Post
19-07-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Chemotherapy can speed up cancer spread: study
HONG KONG — A team of Chinese scientists has found that the spread of cancer from original tumour sites to distant organs can be caused by chemotherapy triggering the awakening of dormant cancer cells. Their findings shed light on why breast cancer patients can experience cancer metastasis in organs like the lungs despite successful treatment of their primary tumours. The team also found that the use of specific drugs in combination with chemotherapy could be used to inhibit this process in mice, and a clinical trial is already under way in breast cancer patients. "We demonstrate that chemotherapeutic drugs, including doxorubicin and cisplatin, enhance proliferation and lung metastasis of dormant breast cancer cells," the team wrote in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Cancer Cell on July 3. "This study provides direct evidence of dormancy awakening and reveals a mechanism underlying [the] detrimental effect of chemotherapy on metastasis, highlighting potential strategies to improve cancer treatment." Researchers in the United States previously found that high doses of radiation therapy to treat cancer could paradoxically lead to the growth of metastatic tumours. Many patients who undergo chemotherapy to treat primary tumours, the original tumour site in the body where cancer cells first start to develop, can have cancer relapses in other organs even after complete primary tumour regression. This has led to research into whether chemotherapy can have a similar paradoxical effect, in which it both treats primary tumours and triggers cancer metastasis. "It is postulated that the reactivation, or awakening, of dormant disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) in distant organs results in metastatic relapse after the asymptomatic period," the team said. Studies have shown that disseminated cancer cells, which travel from primary tumours to sites in the body, can be found even during the early stages of primary cancer formation, according to a news release by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). These cells can stay in a dormant state for years, during which they do not grow and multiply, allowing them to evade chemotherapy. Researchers have previously identified molecular mechanisms that regulate metastatic relapse and disseminated cancer cell dormancy. However, it has not been clear whether metastasis results from the reactivation of dormant cells or the growth of rare, non-dormant disseminated cells. "Understanding the exogenous causes of DTC awakening will help disease management of cancer survivors, offering opportunities to prevent and interrupt metastatic relapse after initial therapies," the researchers said in their paper. To study this, the team led by Hu Guohong, a professor at CAS' Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, along with researchers from Fudan University and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, developed a cancer cell dormancy tracing approach. The team confirmed that chemotherapy-induced reactivation of dormant cells from breast cancer could lead to metastatic relapse in the lungs of mice. Their findings demonstrated that the "awakening of dormant DTCs, but not accumulation of pre-existing proliferative DTCs, is responsible for metastases induced by chemotherapy". Chemotherapy induces senescence - an accelerated state of ageing in which cells stop multiplying and release inflammation-causing chemicals - in specialised connective tissue called fibroblasts. The team found that senescent fibroblasts release proteins that cause immune cells called neutrophils to form weblike formations, called neutrophil extracellular traps, which change the environment in the lung into one that helps dormant cancer cells restart their growth. The remodelling of the extracellular matrix, a complex network of molecules that support and surround cells, also degrades tumour-suppressing factors. "We explored if chemotherapy-induced senescent fibroblasts could be a therapeutic target to improve the effect of chemotherapy on metastasis inhibition," the team said. The researchers discovered that combining senolytic drugs, which eliminate senescent cells, with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin reduced senescent fibroblasts in the lungs of mice. "Since the senolytics have shown acceptable safety profiles and benefits in clinics, this could be a promising strategy and warrant further clinical investigation," they said. The team said that, based on these study results, a phase II clinical trial was under way to explore the safety of combining the senolytic drugs dasatinib and quercetin with chemotherapy to treat triple-negative breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer is an invasive and aggressive form of the disease that cannot be treated with the usual hormone therapy used to help treat such cancers.
