Latest news with #PekingUniversity
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
China student, first in family to attend Peking University, receives grand ancestral ceremony
A Chinese student has captivated the nation after being admitted to the prestigious Peking University, where his ancestral clan held a grand celebration to honour him as the family's first such student in a century. Li Guoyao, from Wenzhou, Zhejiang province in southeastern China, was admitted to the university's Strengthening Basic Disciplines programme, where he will major in biology and basic psychology. He is reportedly the first person in his clan in a century to attend a top-tier university. Li Guoyao scored impressive marks in China's national college entrance examination. Photo: Weibo He scored 691 in China's national college entrance exam, or 'gaokao', and has become a beacon of hope and pride for his village, especially given his modest background. 'His father was laying bricks on construction sites to pay for his education, and his mother earned just 2,800 yuan (US$400) a month stocking shelves at a supermarket. This kid truly earned it through his own hard work!' one emotional neighbour said. Another villager told of Li's discipline. The grand ancestral ceremony included a convoy of flower-decorated luxury cars. Photo: Weibo He always used an old phone passed down from his father to complete practice questions, spent weekends in the village library hand-copying exam papers, and never attended a single private tutoring session throughout secondary school.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Taking Drugs Like Ozempic? Study Explains
A new study has shown that patients who stop taking anti-obesity medications (AOMs) like Ozempic tend to regain the weight they lost, Science Alert reported. A study by Peking University researchers analysed 11 previous trials involving 2,466 participants to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-obesity medications (AOMs). The study included glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 drugs) like Ozempic and Wegovy, which work by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar. The researchers found that while AOMs were effective in helping participants lose weight during treatment, the weight tended to come back once the course of the drugs was stopped. "Significant weight regain occurred eight weeks after discontinuation of AOMs and was sustained through 20 weeks. Different weight regain was observed in subjects with different characteristics," author Han Wu said. The study found that GLP-1 medications, in particular, showed significant weight regain after treatment discontinuation. Participants who used these medications regained an average of 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) approximately 20 weeks after stopping treatment. Notably, the research also revealed a pattern where individuals who lost more weight during treatment tended to regain more weight afterwards, suggesting that the amount of weight lost is a predictor of subsequent weight regain. To isolate the effects of stopping anti-obesity medications, researchers controlled for factors like exercise levels and diabetes status. However, the underlying reasons for weight regain after treatment stoppage remain unclear. Future studies may investigate these mechanisms further, but weight loss may alter the body's physiology in ways that make maintaining a healthy weight more challenging. This potential "rewiring" of the body could contribute to the difficulty in sustaining weight loss after stopping treatment. Weight regain after treatment isn't just unique to weight-loss medications. It's also been observed with surgical treatments like gastric bypasses and vertical banded gastroplasty. Rise Of Ozempic Ozempic, a drug developed by Novo Nordisk, was approved in 2017 for type 2 diabetes management but has surged in popularity for its weight-loss side effects. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, enhances insulin production, slows digestion, and suppresses appetite, leading to significant weight loss. Its off-label use for obesity, amplified by social media and celebrity endorsements like Elon Musk and Oprah, transformed it into a cultural phenomenon, generating $21 billion in 2023 sales. The demand for Ozempic has surged, leading to shortages and increased costs. Side effects like nausea, muscle loss, and severe gastrointestinal issues affect some users, with weight often returning post-treatment.
Economic Times
3 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
3 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.
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
What Factors Influence a Patient's Success on GLP-1s?
Longer treatment duration, not having diabetes, and using semaglutide were among the factors associated with better weight reduction over 12 months among patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists (RA), a cohort study suggested. 'Treatment responses differ among patients receiving GLP-1 RAs, and the weight fluctuations and associated factors following [their] use have not been adequately characterized,' Linong Ji, MD, of Peking University People's Hospital in Beijing, China, told Medscape Medical News . The findings, published online in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism , 'may provide novel insights into weight fluctuations after GLP-1 RA treatment in a real-world setting,' he said, potentially advancing the development of individualized strategies for patients. 'Corroborates Other Studies' Researchers conducted a real-world, single-center, retrospective study of 679 patients with overweight or obesity who initiated GLP-1 RA treatment between November 2022 and October 2024. At baseline, participants had a mean age of 37 years, and 31% were men. The mean BMI was 33.4, and 21% were diagnosed with diabetes. The GLP-1 RAs used in the study included semaglutide (Ozempic), liraglutide (Victoza), lixisenatide (Lyxumia), beinaglutide (Yishengtai), exenatide (Bydureon), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and PEG-loxenatide (Fulaimei). All were available for participants with both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and overweight/obesity. For participants with overweight/obesity but without T2D, only Ozempic or Victoza were routinely prescribed, with off-label documentation and informed consent. Weight measurements were collected during in-person clinic visits, and weight fluctuation curves were stratified into three phenotypes — Successful Weight Reduction, Remaining Stable, and Weight Regain. Subsequently, the association between potential influencing factors and weight fluctuations was estimated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Subgroup analyses were performed in participants with obesity, prediabetes, and in those using liraglutide or semaglutide. Researchers found significant differences in the duration of GLP-1 RA treatment across groups at the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. The Successful Weight Reduction group had a significantly longer duration of GLP-1 RA treatment than the Remaining Stable group and a longer duration at both the 6- and 12-month follow-ups than the Weight Regain group. Diabetes status also showed group differences. At both the 3- and 6-month follow-ups, the proportion of patients with T2D in the Successful Weight Reduction group was lower than in the Remaining Stable group. Types of GLP-1 RAs varied between groups, and at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups, the Successful Weight Reduction group was more likely to have initiated treatment with semaglutide than the Remaining Stable group. Patients with a longer duration of GLP-1 RA treatment (odds ratio [OR], 1.014) and higher Homeostasis Model Assessment of Beta-Cell Function levels (OR, 4.912) were more likely to achieve successful weight reduction at the 12-month follow-up. Nondiabetic status (OR, 2.176) and using semaglutide (OR, 2.138) were associated with successful weight reduction at the 6-month follow-up. In addition, a higher percentage of body fat in both men (OR, 3.990) and women (OR, 2.266) was associated with successful weight reduction. The weight regain group had a higher baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate than the Successful Weight Reduction group and the Remaining Stable group at 3-month follow-up, especially among participants with prediabetes. Ji said this finding surprised him. Patients with obesity often exhibit a state of renal hyperfiltration, characterized by elevated renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate, which can be reversed by weight reduction. The finding suggests that patients with renal hyperfiltration might be less likely to experience durable weight reduction, Ji said. 'However, few studies have revealed similar observations. Therefore, further validations and investigations are still needed for this finding.' Furthermore, the team found a positive nonlinear association of serum creatinine with successful weight reduction at 12 months — a finding that will also require additional investigations to examine the mechanism underlying the association. Overall, Ji concluded that while longer duration of GLP-1 RA treatment using semaglutide, nondiabetic status, and higher percentage of body fat might be associated with better weight reduction, 'basal metabolic rate, skeletal muscle mass, muscle mass of the abdomen and limbs, and serum creatinine were nonlinearly associated with the probability of successful weight reduction.' Randy Seeley, MD, Henry King Ransom Endowed Professor of Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and director of the National Institutes of Health-funded Michigan Nutrition Obesity Research Center, told Medscape Medical News , 'The main results of the study agree with what the field has already seen. Although it is a relatively small study, it corroborates other larger studies,' said Seeley, who was not involved in the study. This work was supported by the Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases-National Science and Technology Major Project. Ji reported receiving fees for lecture presentations and for consulting from AstraZeneca, Merck, Metabasis, MSD, Novartis, Eli Lilly and Company, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, and Takeda. Seeley reported that his lab has worked with both Novo and Lilly (and others trying to enter the space), and he has also served as a paid consultant for both of those companies (and others trying to enter the space).
