Latest news with #ZhejiangUniversity
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Your Ear Wax Might Hold Clues to Early Parkinson's, Study Finds
The earlier Parkinson's disease is spotted, the better – for patients, their loved ones, and scientists working toward treatments or a cure. Now, a new study has found that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in earwax could carry chemical signals of the neurological disease. The work builds on earlier findings suggesting that Parkinson's subtly alters body odor, through changes in sebum, the oily substance that naturally moisturizes our hair and skin. The problem with trying to analyze sebum on the skin is that its exposure to air and the external environment makes it less reliable for clinical testing. Scientists led by a team from Zhejiang University wanted to take a look at ear wax – which is better protected. Related: Caffeine Flips a Cellular Switch That May Slow Aging, Scientists Discover "Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for Parkinson's disease treatment," write the researchers in their published paper. "This study proposes a diagnostic model… that analyzes VOCs from ear canal secretions." Scientists think those VOCs can be altered by inflammation, cell stress, and neurodegeneration in the brain. With the right tests, the team hypothesized that subtle signals for Parkinson's could show up in the ears. The researchers took ear canal swabs from 209 study participants, 108 of whom had been given a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. By charting differences in earwax composition between people with and without Parkinson's, four VOCs stood out: ethylbenzene, 4-ethyltoluene, pentanal, and 2-pentadecyl-1,3-dioxolane. These could potentially be used to identify Parkinson's in the future, acting as a foundation around which tests can be developed. First, though, this same analysis needs to be run on larger groups of people over longer periods of time. The team then also trained an AI dataset using the same VOC data, producing a tool called an artificial intelligence olfactory system (AIO) that achieved a 94.4 percent accuracy rate in identifying people from the study with Parkinson's – a promising start, but only on a small sample of people so far. "The AIO based analytical system underscores its potential for use in bedside medical diagnostic devices, aiding in earlier and more effective treatment for Parkinson's disease patients," write the researchers. Current methods of diagnosing Parkinson's can involve a combination of clinical assessments and brain scans. The new research could potentially lead to a simple ear swab test that could make this diagnostic screening process quicker, cheaper, and capable of picking up Parkinson's earlier. The findings could also help ongoing study to understand how Parkinson's gets started and how it might be stopped. Identified VOC changes could possibly be used as a chemical fingerprint, identifying other changes happening because of – or perhaps leading to – the disease. "The next step is to conduct further research at different stages of the disease, in multiple research centers and among multiple ethnic groups, in order to determine whether this method has greater practical application value," says biochemist Hao Dong, from the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The research has been published in Analytical Chemistry. An Early Warning Sign of Dementia Risk May Be Keeping You Up at Night, Study Says Caffeine Flips a Cellular Switch That May Slow Aging, Scientists Discover People Are Trying Nicotine Gum For Long Covid – Could It Treat Brain Fog?
Mint
3 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Exclusive one-hour swimming lesson with London Olympics star, including meet-and-greet, to cost $14,000
A one-hour swimming lesson with famous Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui was sold at an online auction for $14,000. The money will go to a local charity. The auction, held on June 18, became very popular on Chinese social media. A tech company from Hangzhou won the bid after 19 roundswith all money going to charity. The class will allow up to seven children, aged 6 to 12, who already know basic swimming. The package includes a swimming class with Fu, a meet-and-greet, group photos and autographed souvenirs, according to the South China Morning Post. Fu, 29, became well known in 2016 after a lively and honest interview at the London Olympics. She remains one of China's most loved sports stars, especially for her cheerful personality. After finishing the 100m backstroke semi-final, Chinese swimmer Fu was surprised to hear her score. It was her best ever. 'Did I swim that fast? I'm quite satisfied,' she said. When asked if she would try to swim faster in the final, Fu replied, 'No. I'm happy with this score.' She became famous for saying, 'I used all my prehistoric powers to swim.' Fu won the bronze medal in the final at the London Olympics and still holds the Chinese record in the event. Her honest and funny reaction went viral, with many memes created. People across China loved her natural and cheerful attitude. The retired Chinese swimming star will teach a special class for children on July 2 in Hangzhou. Though she left competitive sports, Fu recently earned her master's degree from Beijing Sport University and now works as a sports instructor at Zhejiang University. The company hopes it will inspire kids to enjoy sports and follow their dreams. The donation will support the Zhejiang Provincial Love Fund. Brooklyn Nets star D'Angelo Russell recently visited China to promote his new shoe, the DLO 1, and fans turned up in huge numbers. During his Beijing stop on May 20, basketball lovers paid around $320 for a meet-and-greet experience at a busy mall. Fans got selfies, autographs and even a chance to ask Russell questions during a live podcast. While many were excited, some online users felt the price was too high, calling it 'daylight robbery'. Still, the massive turnout proved how popular Russell is in China. Even he seemed surprised by how warmly fans welcomed him during the tour.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
An hour swimming class with China star Fu Yuanhui auctioned for US$14,000 for charity
A one-hour swimming class with top Chinese athlete Fu Yuanhui has been auctioned for 100,001 yuan (US$14,000), with the proceeds donated to a local charity. Advertisement The auction, which garnered significant attention on mainland China's social media, took place on June 18 on a leading platform, according to Elephant News. Zhejiang Ruoque Group, a hi-tech firm based in Hangzhou, secured the winning bid after 19 rounds of competitive bidding for the exclusive package, which includes a one-hour swimming lesson taught by Fu, as well as meet-and-greet activities like group photos and her autograph on souvenirs. At 29, Fu is an elite swimming star who enjoys immense popularity in China. She gained widespread fame in 2016 for her naturally animated and expressive demeanour during an interview with state media at the London Olympics. Fu graduated last year from Beijing Sport University with a master's degree and was hired by the prestigious Zhejiang University as a sports instructor. Photo: Baidu After competing in the 100m backstroke semi-final, Fu was informed by a reporter of her impressive score, which astonished her, as it was the best result she had achieved. 'Did I swim that fast? I am quite satisfied,' Fu exclaimed.
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
A Chinese cultural guardian holds heritage in his hands
A group of international students majoring in Chinese studies at Zhejiang University learn the steps of mounting and restoring Chinese paintings at Wu Jianjiang's workshop in Tianshi Township, Xianju County, Taizhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 30, 2025. (Xinhua) HANGZHOU (June 23): During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Ke Jiusi, a scholar and art connoisseur from the quiet hills of Xianju County in Zhejiang Province, east China, earned renown for his discerning eye and deep reverence for cultural relics. Serving as a trusted official at the imperial court, he catalogued, preserved and protected priceless works of art, laying foundations for China's enduring tradition of cultural preservation. More than seven centuries later, in the same land that once nurtured Ke's passion for heritage, another guardian carries that torch forward. For over 30 years, Wu Jianjiang, now 57, has worked as a restorer in Tianshi Township, rural Xianju, dedicating his life to breathing new life into broken relics, repairing faded paintings, and weathered manuscripts with precision, patience, and quiet devotion. Yet three decades ago, Wu nearly walked a very different path. In the 1980s, amid a nationwide martial arts fervor, 16-year-old Wu left home, drifting between schools and training centers, determined to master the discipline. By 27, he had built a name for himself. Years of practice had paid off, and he was offered a position in the city as a martial arts instructor, an opportunity many from mountain villages could only dream of. Yet a quiet crossroads emerged. 'The years I spent studying martial arts gradually drew me closer to traditional culture,' Wu recalled. 'I realized that back in my hometown, unlike martial arts, the preservation of cultural relics was a neglected tradition that needed urgent attention.' At the time, few in rural China understood cultural restoration. For Wu, choosing that path meant walking away from years of hard-earned success and returning to the countryside, with no promise he would ever leave again. 'When I told people I wanted to go back to my hometown and work on restoring cultural relics, some relatives and friends tried to talk me out of it,' Wu said. After all, a chance to leave the mountains often came only once. The more Wu immersed himself in rural life, the more he noticed what was absent. While martial arts flourished in schools and festivals, other traditions — calligraphy, painting, and artifact restoration — remained overlooked. 'Why should cultural heritage only thrive in big cities?' He posed the question. 'If we want culture to truly endure, it must live in the villages too, where so much of it began.' Wu drew quiet strength from his father. Though untrained in the arts, his father always supported Wu's curiosity and purpose. 'He didn't really understand the field, but he trusted me. That gave me the confidence I needed.' So he stepped, without hesitation, into an entirely unfamiliar world. Through a friend, Wu met Qian Lixin, a master of painting and calligraphy at the renowned Xiling Seal Engravers' Society, the oldest arts union in China and one of China's most important traditional stone seal engraving associations. Qian accepted him as his last formal disciple, opening the door to a centuries-old craft. From novice to mentor, Wu immersed himself in years of study and hands-on practice. Nearly three decades later, he is now a recognized name in the field. Over the years, he has restored more than 300 works, ranging from Ming and Qing dynasty (1368-1911) paintings to rare modern calligraphy and ancient manuscripts. Under his hands, the scars left by time and neglect are carefully mended; each artifact brought back to life with reverence. Mounting and restoring ancient paintings demand not only technical mastery but also the ability to adapt with the times. Wu understood early on that preserving this tradition required more than solitary dedication — it needed education, innovation, and connection to the community. In 2014, he founded a mounting and restoration institute in Tianshi Township, the very place where his journey began. 'It wasn't just sentiment,' Wu said. 'Tianshi is my ancestral home. It has beautiful scenery and deep cultural roots.' The community welcomed his return with quiet pride, viewing his efforts as a bridge to the region's artistic legacy and an inspiration to the younger generation. Three years later, the institute expanded into a full-fledged academy, with growing missions in training, preservation, and public engagement. To date, more than 1,300 students have trained under Wu. They range in age from teenagers to elders in their seventies, and many come from abroad. In April, a group of 25 international students majoring in Chinese studies at Zhejiang University, hailing from over ten countries, including Italy, Australia, and the Netherlands, visited Wu's academy. Inside the workshop, Wu demonstrated the intricate steps of mounting and restoring Chinese paintings, from preparing the paper to applying paste with calm precision. Each movement carried a rhythm that left visitors in quiet awe. Through hands-on exchange, a centuries-old Chinese tradition revealed its quiet strength to the world. 'In a time of mass production, what moved me most is the Chinese artisan's deep respect for materials and his extraordinary patience with time,' said Federico, a student from Italy. 'That's the kind of human spirit we're missing in the industrial age.' Walking through the academy, visitors encountered a wall lined with before-and-after images of restored paintings. Each frame tells a story — not just of pigment and paper, but of time reclaimed. Wu remembers every piece. For each, he can recount its origin, its damage, and the choices made during restoration with the clarity of someone who has lived beside them. 'In some of the older scrolls, we can still see traces left by earlier restorers, subtle patches, new backings, brushwork slightly different in hand,' Wu said. 'It's like having a quiet conversation across time.' To Wu, restoration is more than a craft. It's a responsibility — a handover of history and a dialogue with ancestors. It is about repairing what was broken, preserving what was fading, and passing forward what once seemed lost. 'Traditional culture must be carried forward by someone,' Wu said. 'It can't remain only a memory. It must become a living craft for the next generation.' – Xinhua Arts and Culture China cultural relics
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Why earwax can predict if you're at risk of developing Parkinson's disease
Published: | Updated: Scientists have revealed that the wax in your ears could actually say a lot about your health. Researchers in China have identified key differences in the makeup of earwax in people with Parkinson's disease compared to people without the condition, suggesting the sticky stuff holds secrets that could flag a person's risk of eventually developing the condition. Scientists at Zhejiang University took earwax samples from 100 people with Parkinson's and 79 without. They chose earwax because much of it is made up of sebum, an oily substance that undergoes chemical changes in cases of Parkinson's, and releases distinct volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Parkinson's triggers neurodegeneration, inflammation, and oxidative stress, altering sebum's composition and creating a distinct odor. It also progressively damages the brain, causing tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. Over time, symptoms worsen to include sudden freezing, speech loss, swallowing problems -often leading to pneumonia - and falls, both common causes of death among people with Parkinson's. Four specific types of VOCs stood out among people with the condition, suggesting that earwax could potentially be an accessible indicator of Parkinson's, which would allow patients to avoid invasive diagnostic tests and spinal taps. Around 1million Americans and 10million people globally currently have the disease, with nearly 90,000 new cases diagnosed each year. As that number is projected to climb, early diagnosis is more important than ever. While there is no cure, medication regimens can be started early to treat symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. Researchers fed the VOC data from the samples of earwax into an algorithm that categorized subjects' Parkinson's status accurately 94 per cent of the time, demonstrating the potential for a fast, reliable diagnostic tool. The VOCs that stood out to researchers were all significant in differentiating between people with the condition and those without it, even after accounting for age and lifestyle factors. Two of the VOCS, Ethylbenzene & 4-Ethyltoluene, are compounds commonly found in plastics and petroleum products. Their presence suggests inflammation in the brain, which is a key driver of the breakdown of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine, while often thought of as a 'feel good' neurotransmitter, is a key chemical messenger that regulates movement control. As dopamine levels plummet while Parkinson's progresses, people become steadily more immobile. Another significant VOC was Pentanal, which is produced when fats break down. Elevated levels suggest cell damage, a hallmark of Parkinson's. The compound has been linked to an accumulation of protein clumps in patients' brains. And the VOC 2-Pentadecyl-1,3-dioxolane likely reflects issues with the metabolism of fats, which could have originated from microbiome changes in the skin of patients. It's unclear whether this VOC has any direct links to PD, but there is an expanding body of research pointing to a connection between PD and an imbalance in the gut microbiome. Soaring: Parkinson's death rates rose from 42 to 65 deaths per 100,000 from 1999–2017 Research suggests that VOCs are produced by the balance of good bacteria in the gut, which have also been associated with brain health. An imbalance allows harmful bacteria to flourish, leading to a proliferation of toxins that can cause inflammation in the brain. VOCs come from a wide array of toxic sources in the environment, from pesticides used to grow food, industrial chemicals in gasoline, and solvents in everyday items like dry cleaning chemicals and adhesives, to cleaning products, car emissions, and contaminated groundwater. Parkinson's is believed to be caused by a confluence of genetic and environmental factors. It is the world's fastest-growing brain disorder, and, according to NIH research, 'exposure to environmental toxicants is the principal reason.' In the US, deaths from Parkinson's disease have more than doubled in the past 20 years, with about 35,000 deaths in 2019 compared to 14,500 in 1999. While considering the clues that earwax can provide about Parkinson's development is new, investigating the role that VOCs play is not. A sweeping 2023 meta-analysis identified distinct VOCs present in the breath and skin oil in people with the disease compared to those without it. These compounds are specifically linked with oxidative stress, or a barrage of damage that cells endure before dying.
