Latest news with #EastChinaNormalUniversity
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Xinhua Silk Road: Over 200 Dehua white porcelain masterpieces showcased in Shanghai for cultural promotion
BEIJING, July 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "Pure by Nature: The Art of Blanc de Chine", a major exhibition showcasing over 200 white porcelain masterpieces made in Dehua, east China's Fujian Province, opened Friday at the China Art Museum (Shanghai Art Museum), marking the largest Dehua porcelain exhibition in Shanghai in recent years and also a key cultural event of the 36th Shanghai Tourism Festival. Curated by Zhang Xiaoling, dean of the College of Fine Arts, East China Normal University, the exhibition systematically explores the historical legacy and contemporary innovation of Dehua porcelain through three distinct sections. The "vitality through innovation" section presents classic works by modern masters alongside comparative pieces, highlighting the evolution of this ceramic tradition. The "echoes of history" features a chronological display centered around an installation inspired by the "Taixing" shipwreck, exhibiting precious historical Dehua ceramics from Quanzhou Museum. The "vessels of the future" showcases experimental works that transcend traditional forms and subjects. Notable exhibits include the iconic Dehua porcelain tripod ("Shi Bo He Ding"), making its second trip to Shanghai after the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, and the groundbreaking polychrome sculpture "wish-fulfilling Buddha", celebrated for its extraordinary craftsmanship. Zhang Xiaoling emphasized that the exhibition reveals the spiritual essence of Dehua porcelain while examining its global significance through the lens of its historical role along the Maritime Silk Road. The show also explores its potential in contemporary cultural sectors. Through Dehua porcelain, the show presents a modern interpretation of traditional Chinese cultural values, explained Xiang Liping, curator at the China Art Museum. With centuries of porcelain-making tradition, Dehua white porcelain served as important cultural exports along ancient trade routes. Shanghai, a cradle of modern Chinese culture, has developed into a major hub for the marketing, research, and collection of Dehua white porcelain. During the opening ceremony, the museum launched a "painting on porcelain" public education initiative, featuring live demonstrations by five Dehua intangible cultural heritage masters. The exhibition period will include porcelain painting workshops, thematic lectures, expert-guided tours, and specially developed cultural merchandise. This collaborative exhibition between cultural institutions from Shanghai and Fujian represents a significant effort to promote the creative revitalization of China's outstanding traditional culture, aiming to deepen regional cultural exchange and enrich public cultural experiences. Original link: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
NDTV
24-06-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Ancient Humans Nearly Went Extinct With Only 1,280 People Left, Study Finds
Humans have been around on Earth for thousands of years, but there was a period when humanity was almost wiped out of existence. Around 900,000 years ago, the global population reached a precarious low of only 1,280 reproducing individuals and stayed like this for 117,000 years, according to a study. The study published in the journal Science is based on a computer model developed by a group of scientists based in China, Italy and the United States. The findings show that human ancestors in Africa were on the precipice of extinction, well before our species, Homo sapiens, also known as modern humans, emerged. For the study, researchers analysed genetic information from 3,154 present-day human genomes using a statistical method. It showed that 98.7 per cent of human ancestors were lost, with the findings corroborated by the gap in the fossil record, which possibly led to the emergence of a new hominin species that was a common ancestor to modern humans and the Neanderthals. "This bottleneck is congruent with a substantial chronological gap in the available African and Eurasian fossil record," the study highlighted. What led to population collapse? Though the exact cause of the sudden population drop is unknown, scientists posit that Africa's climate is to blame for it. The continent became much colder and drier during what's known as the mid-Pleistocene transition. The glacial periods became longer and more intense, leading to a drop in temperature and very dry climatic conditions. Senior author Yi-Hsuan Pan said their findings about humanity's close shave with extinction "opens a new field in human evolution". "It evokes many questions, such as the places where these individuals lived, how they overcame the catastrophic climate changes, and whether natural selection during the bottleneck has accelerated the evolution of human brain," said Mr Yi-Hsuan Pan, an evolutionary and functional genomicist at East China Normal University. Despite the scary numbers, humanity bounced back and has now crossed the eight billion mark as of 2025.
Metro
21-06-2025
- Science
- Metro
Human population nearly went extinct – with just 1,280 people left
Hiyah Zaidi Published June 20, 2025 12:50pm Link is copied Comments Humans have been around for a while, but we haven't always been an abundant species. In fact, ancient humanity was almost wiped out around 900,000 years ago and the global population dwindled to a mere 1,280 reproducing individuals, a study claims. And the researchers also claim that they stayed like this for 117,000 years. So, what is going on? (Picture: Getty) The study, which is published in the journal Science, reveals human ancestors in Africa almost faced extinction, and the research suggests there was a drastic reduction in the population of our ancestors well before our species, Homo sapiens, also known as modern humans, emerged. The information is based on a new computer model developed by a group of scientists based in China, Italy and the United States (Picture: Getty) The researchers used a statistical method and gathered genetic information from 3,154 present-day human genomes. They found that around 98.7% of human ancestors were lost. The researchers say that the population crash matches with a gap in the fossil record. They say this could have led to a new hominin species that was a common ancestor of modern humans, or Homo sapiens, and Neanderthals (Picture: Getty) Senior author Dr Yi-Hsuan Pan, an evolutionary and functional genomicist at East China Normal University, said: 'The novel finding opens a new field in human evolution because it evokes many questions, such as the places where these individuals lived, how they overcame the catastrophic climate changes, and whether natural selection during the bottleneck has accelerated the evolution of the human brain' (Picture: Getty) The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought that the near-extinction has been blamed on Africa's climate getting much colder and drier. Dr Pan said: 'The novel finding opens a new field in human evolution by raising many new questions. 'Where did these individuals live? How did they overcome catastrophic climate change? And did natural selection during the bottleneck affect their evolution? All this remains to be answered' (Picture: Getty) It's fine to say 900,000 years ago, but in what period of human evolution did this happen? The researchers say that the signature of this bottleneck can be seen in the genetics of people with non-African heritage. Therefore, it would have been hundreds of thousands of years before humans migrated outside of Africa. The researchers estimated that there would have been an effective population size of around 1,280 individuals between 930,000 and 813,000 years ago. But, this doesn't mean this was the entire population, only this number successfully bred and passed on their genes to the next generation (Picture: Getty) The bottleneck also coincided with dramatic changes in climate during what's known as the mid-Pleistocene transition. At this time, glacial periods became longer and more intense, leading to a drop in temperature and very dry climatic conditions. However, the researchers also suggested that the control of fire, as well as the climate shifting to be more hospitable for human life, may have led to a later rapid population increase around 813,000 years ago (Picture: Getty)
The Advertiser
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Australia holds cards as global lithium shortage looms
Despite undergoing an expected tenfold explosion over the next five years, international lithium production is destined to fall short of soaring universal demand for electric vehicles. The highly sought after alkali metal has become "as important as gasoline in the industrial revolution", according to Shanghai academic Qifan Xia. "While lithium reserves are substantial around the world, they are distributed unevenly across different countries," he explains. "So we were interested if the major EV markets can be self-sufficient." In fact, the world's biggest lithium markets - China, Europe and the United States - account for 80 per cent of global EV sales but simply won't be able, by 2030, to meet their own demands. For the planet's leading lithium producers - Australia and Chile - the future is therefore lucrative. Dr Xia and his team at East China Normal University estimate the economic superpower will need up to 1.3 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent - a standard measure of lithium content - to meet its new electric vehicle quota. Europe could require 792,000 tons and the US 692,000. Based on existing and proposed mining projects for all three, China might be able to produce somewhere between 804,000 and 1.1 million tons of equivalent by 2030. Production in Europe could reach 325,000 tons and in the USA, between 229,000 and 610,000 tons. The predictions suggest even the most ambitious plans to expand domestic mining would fall short, even if projects begin quickly. Europe would face the largest gap, with modelling showing it would rely heavily on imports. The researchers also warn that increased imports by one region would directly reduce access for others, exacerbating supply constraints and straining international trade relations. In one scenario they calculated, an increase of 77 per cent in Chinese imports would mean imports to the US would drop by 84 per cent and to Europe by 78 per cent. Most of Australia's lithium is produced from hard-rock spodumene, in contrast to other major producers like Argentina, Chile and China, which produce it mainly from salt lakes. A 2023 estimate suggested Australian production will hit a cap of 1.2 million tonnes of equivalent by 2030 and it will remain the top producer but with a smaller proportion of the world's production. It is currently the biggest producer of lithium by weight, with most extraction undertaken in Western Australia including at the worlds largest hard-rock mine, Greenbushes. Dr Xia says other means of avoiding a looming lithium crisis might include adopting battery technologies that use less or no lithium, or shifting consumer focus to promoting public transport. "Our study showed that without immediate action to expand mining, diversify suppliers and rethink how we manage demand, the world risks delays in meeting critical climate and energy goals," he said. Despite undergoing an expected tenfold explosion over the next five years, international lithium production is destined to fall short of soaring universal demand for electric vehicles. The highly sought after alkali metal has become "as important as gasoline in the industrial revolution", according to Shanghai academic Qifan Xia. "While lithium reserves are substantial around the world, they are distributed unevenly across different countries," he explains. "So we were interested if the major EV markets can be self-sufficient." In fact, the world's biggest lithium markets - China, Europe and the United States - account for 80 per cent of global EV sales but simply won't be able, by 2030, to meet their own demands. For the planet's leading lithium producers - Australia and Chile - the future is therefore lucrative. Dr Xia and his team at East China Normal University estimate the economic superpower will need up to 1.3 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent - a standard measure of lithium content - to meet its new electric vehicle quota. Europe could require 792,000 tons and the US 692,000. Based on existing and proposed mining projects for all three, China might be able to produce somewhere between 804,000 and 1.1 million tons of equivalent by 2030. Production in Europe could reach 325,000 tons and in the USA, between 229,000 and 610,000 tons. The predictions suggest even the most ambitious plans to expand domestic mining would fall short, even if projects begin quickly. Europe would face the largest gap, with modelling showing it would rely heavily on imports. The researchers also warn that increased imports by one region would directly reduce access for others, exacerbating supply constraints and straining international trade relations. In one scenario they calculated, an increase of 77 per cent in Chinese imports would mean imports to the US would drop by 84 per cent and to Europe by 78 per cent. Most of Australia's lithium is produced from hard-rock spodumene, in contrast to other major producers like Argentina, Chile and China, which produce it mainly from salt lakes. A 2023 estimate suggested Australian production will hit a cap of 1.2 million tonnes of equivalent by 2030 and it will remain the top producer but with a smaller proportion of the world's production. It is currently the biggest producer of lithium by weight, with most extraction undertaken in Western Australia including at the worlds largest hard-rock mine, Greenbushes. Dr Xia says other means of avoiding a looming lithium crisis might include adopting battery technologies that use less or no lithium, or shifting consumer focus to promoting public transport. "Our study showed that without immediate action to expand mining, diversify suppliers and rethink how we manage demand, the world risks delays in meeting critical climate and energy goals," he said. Despite undergoing an expected tenfold explosion over the next five years, international lithium production is destined to fall short of soaring universal demand for electric vehicles. The highly sought after alkali metal has become "as important as gasoline in the industrial revolution", according to Shanghai academic Qifan Xia. "While lithium reserves are substantial around the world, they are distributed unevenly across different countries," he explains. "So we were interested if the major EV markets can be self-sufficient." In fact, the world's biggest lithium markets - China, Europe and the United States - account for 80 per cent of global EV sales but simply won't be able, by 2030, to meet their own demands. For the planet's leading lithium producers - Australia and Chile - the future is therefore lucrative. Dr Xia and his team at East China Normal University estimate the economic superpower will need up to 1.3 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent - a standard measure of lithium content - to meet its new electric vehicle quota. Europe could require 792,000 tons and the US 692,000. Based on existing and proposed mining projects for all three, China might be able to produce somewhere between 804,000 and 1.1 million tons of equivalent by 2030. Production in Europe could reach 325,000 tons and in the USA, between 229,000 and 610,000 tons. The predictions suggest even the most ambitious plans to expand domestic mining would fall short, even if projects begin quickly. Europe would face the largest gap, with modelling showing it would rely heavily on imports. The researchers also warn that increased imports by one region would directly reduce access for others, exacerbating supply constraints and straining international trade relations. In one scenario they calculated, an increase of 77 per cent in Chinese imports would mean imports to the US would drop by 84 per cent and to Europe by 78 per cent. Most of Australia's lithium is produced from hard-rock spodumene, in contrast to other major producers like Argentina, Chile and China, which produce it mainly from salt lakes. A 2023 estimate suggested Australian production will hit a cap of 1.2 million tonnes of equivalent by 2030 and it will remain the top producer but with a smaller proportion of the world's production. It is currently the biggest producer of lithium by weight, with most extraction undertaken in Western Australia including at the worlds largest hard-rock mine, Greenbushes. Dr Xia says other means of avoiding a looming lithium crisis might include adopting battery technologies that use less or no lithium, or shifting consumer focus to promoting public transport. "Our study showed that without immediate action to expand mining, diversify suppliers and rethink how we manage demand, the world risks delays in meeting critical climate and energy goals," he said. Despite undergoing an expected tenfold explosion over the next five years, international lithium production is destined to fall short of soaring universal demand for electric vehicles. The highly sought after alkali metal has become "as important as gasoline in the industrial revolution", according to Shanghai academic Qifan Xia. "While lithium reserves are substantial around the world, they are distributed unevenly across different countries," he explains. "So we were interested if the major EV markets can be self-sufficient." In fact, the world's biggest lithium markets - China, Europe and the United States - account for 80 per cent of global EV sales but simply won't be able, by 2030, to meet their own demands. For the planet's leading lithium producers - Australia and Chile - the future is therefore lucrative. Dr Xia and his team at East China Normal University estimate the economic superpower will need up to 1.3 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent - a standard measure of lithium content - to meet its new electric vehicle quota. Europe could require 792,000 tons and the US 692,000. Based on existing and proposed mining projects for all three, China might be able to produce somewhere between 804,000 and 1.1 million tons of equivalent by 2030. Production in Europe could reach 325,000 tons and in the USA, between 229,000 and 610,000 tons. The predictions suggest even the most ambitious plans to expand domestic mining would fall short, even if projects begin quickly. Europe would face the largest gap, with modelling showing it would rely heavily on imports. The researchers also warn that increased imports by one region would directly reduce access for others, exacerbating supply constraints and straining international trade relations. In one scenario they calculated, an increase of 77 per cent in Chinese imports would mean imports to the US would drop by 84 per cent and to Europe by 78 per cent. Most of Australia's lithium is produced from hard-rock spodumene, in contrast to other major producers like Argentina, Chile and China, which produce it mainly from salt lakes. A 2023 estimate suggested Australian production will hit a cap of 1.2 million tonnes of equivalent by 2030 and it will remain the top producer but with a smaller proportion of the world's production. It is currently the biggest producer of lithium by weight, with most extraction undertaken in Western Australia including at the worlds largest hard-rock mine, Greenbushes. Dr Xia says other means of avoiding a looming lithium crisis might include adopting battery technologies that use less or no lithium, or shifting consumer focus to promoting public transport. "Our study showed that without immediate action to expand mining, diversify suppliers and rethink how we manage demand, the world risks delays in meeting critical climate and energy goals," he said.
Perth Now
14-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Australia holds cards as global lithium shortage looms
Despite undergoing an expected tenfold explosion over the next five years, international lithium production is destined to fall short of soaring universal demand for electric vehicles. The highly sought after alkali metal has become "as important as gasoline in the industrial revolution", according to Shanghai academic Qifan Xia. "While lithium reserves are substantial around the world, they are distributed unevenly across different countries," he explains. "So we were interested if the major EV markets can be self-sufficient." In fact, the world's biggest lithium markets - China, Europe and the United States - account for 80 per cent of global EV sales but simply won't be able, by 2030, to meet their own demands. For the planet's leading lithium producers - Australia and Chile - the future is therefore lucrative. Dr Xia and his team at East China Normal University estimate the economic superpower will need up to 1.3 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent - a standard measure of lithium content - to meet its new electric vehicle quota. Europe could require 792,000 tons and the US 692,000. Based on existing and proposed mining projects for all three, China might be able to produce somewhere between 804,000 and 1.1 million tons of equivalent by 2030. Production in Europe could reach 325,000 tons and in the USA, between 229,000 and 610,000 tons. The predictions suggest even the most ambitious plans to expand domestic mining would fall short, even if projects begin quickly. Europe would face the largest gap, with modelling showing it would rely heavily on imports. The researchers also warn that increased imports by one region would directly reduce access for others, exacerbating supply constraints and straining international trade relations. In one scenario they calculated, an increase of 77 per cent in Chinese imports would mean imports to the US would drop by 84 per cent and to Europe by 78 per cent. Most of Australia's lithium is produced from hard-rock spodumene, in contrast to other major producers like Argentina, Chile and China, which produce it mainly from salt lakes. A 2023 estimate suggested Australian production will hit a cap of 1.2 million tonnes of equivalent by 2030 and it will remain the top producer but with a smaller proportion of the world's production. It is currently the biggest producer of lithium by weight, with most extraction undertaken in Western Australia including at the worlds largest hard-rock mine, Greenbushes. Dr Xia says other means of avoiding a looming lithium crisis might include adopting battery technologies that use less or no lithium, or shifting consumer focus to promoting public transport. "Our study showed that without immediate action to expand mining, diversify suppliers and rethink how we manage demand, the world risks delays in meeting critical climate and energy goals," he said.
