Chinese scientists report they have developed a drone that can rapidly split apart into multiple smaller drones as necessary. Photo: Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Chinese scientists create swarming drones that can rapidly multiply mid-air

Once this new device reaches the target airspace it can split in the blink of an eye into two, three or even six smaller drones, depending on battle needs.

1 hour ago

Gut bacteria could play a role in eye disease, China-UK study finds

Scientists focused on a gene known to cause inherited retinal degenerations and found link to the gut.

Scientists focused on a gene known to cause inherited retinal degenerations and found link to the gut.

18 Mar 2024 - 6:00PM

Chinese team’s ultra-black coating could make camera images better

Material can absorb more than 99 per cent of light in a range of wavelengths, scientists say.

Material can absorb more than 99 per cent of light in a range of wavelengths, scientists say.

18 Mar 2024 - 4:50PM

China is spending billions on a national computing network. Its data chief says why

Liu Liehong lays out the case for full integration of the country’s computing power in its ‘Eastern Data and Western Computing’ mega project.

Liu Liehong lays out the case for full integration of the country’s computing power in its ‘Eastern Data and Western Computing’ mega project.

17 Mar 2024 - 10:34PM

Chinese scientists propose a new theory of sex determination

Researchers have come up with a new hypothesis for how gender is determined after studying a patient with chimerism.

Researchers have come up with a new hypothesis for how gender is determined after studying a patient with chimerism.

18 Mar 2024 - 3:55AM

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Scientists are using Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, to track the spread of invasive species such as the American bullfrog with the help of AI. Photo: Shutterstock

Chinese scientists are using social media to battle ecological threats

Ecologists are tracking invasive species across China by monitoring videos and images posted online.

17 Mar 2024 - 4:00PM

Why a cancer-causing stomach bacteria is infecting fewer people in China

It was thought around half the people in China were infected but new study cites a much lower figure.

It was thought around half the people in China were infected but new study cites a much lower figure.

17 Mar 2024 - 10:00AM

China names new chief of SpaceX rival after predecessor stripped of title

Chen Mingbo is appointed head of CASC, which positions itself as competitor of Elon Musk’s company, taking over from Wu Yansheng, who has not attended major company meetings since losing his political advisory body seat in December.

Chen Mingbo is appointed head of CASC, which positions itself as competitor of Elon Musk’s company, taking over from Wu Yansheng, who has not attended major company meetings since losing his political advisory body seat in December.

16 Mar 2024 - 7:00PM

China can win EV battery race if industry, academia cooperate: leading scientist

Chen Liquan, the ‘father of the Chinese lithium battery’, shares his strategy to compete with the West to develop next-generation technology that will charge faster, perform better and shake up electric vehicle market.

Chen Liquan, the ‘father of the Chinese lithium battery’, shares his strategy to compete with the West to develop next-generation technology that will charge faster, perform better and shake up electric vehicle market.

16 Mar 2024 - 4:00PM

Anyone for lobster? China utilises LNG cold energy to develop high-end seafood

Trial project in Shenzhen cultivates high-value marine species, such as grouper, lobster and abalone, using cold energy from liquefied natural gas amid China’s push to reduce reliance on seafood imports.

Trial project in Shenzhen cultivates high-value marine species, such as grouper, lobster and abalone, using cold energy from liquefied natural gas amid China’s push to reduce reliance on seafood imports.

16 Mar 2024 - 12:00PM

Tencent’s latest AI tool animates static images with simple prompts

Follow-Your-Click, developed with researchers from universities in Hong Kong and Beijing, turns images and simple text prompts into short video clips amid Sora hype.

Follow-Your-Click, developed with researchers from universities in Hong Kong and Beijing, turns images and simple text prompts into short video clips amid Sora hype.

15 Mar 2024 - 9:10PM

Chinese patient receives world’s first gene-edited pig liver transplant

Brain-dead human subject shows no signs of rejection 96 hours after receiving animal organ in ‘first of its kind’ operation that could help alleviate global shortage of donor livers.

Brain-dead human subject shows no signs of rejection 96 hours after receiving animal organ in ‘first of its kind’ operation that could help alleviate global shortage of donor livers.

15 Mar 2024 - 7:47PM

How the toy that stumped Einstein is inspiring a Chinese search for clean energy

Simple physics behind vintage ‘drinking bird’ has led to a ‘substantial renewable energy opportunity’, researchers say.

Simple physics behind vintage ‘drinking bird’ has led to a ‘substantial renewable energy opportunity’, researchers say.

15 Mar 2024 - 5:48PM

Moon miss: Chinese satellites fail to reach planned orbit for lunar test

‘The satellites have not been inserted into their designated orbit, and work is under way to address this problem,’ Chinese state media says.

‘The satellites have not been inserted into their designated orbit, and work is under way to address this problem,’ Chinese state media says.

15 Mar 2024 - 2:43PM

China and other emitters can cut methane emissions if they want to: IEA report

Technology exists to curb the greenhouse gas but despite its potent warming potential, levels increased slightly last year.

Technology exists to curb the greenhouse gas but despite its potent warming potential, levels increased slightly last year.

15 Mar 2024 - 10:00AM

Is China feeling the pressure? A look into ‘unprecedented’ science, tech drive

As Chinese scientists are urged to ramp up efforts to lead global science and technology, some experts warn it may not work.

As Chinese scientists are urged to ramp up efforts to lead global science and technology, some experts warn it may not work.

15 Mar 2024 - 8:54AM

China plans to build a giant rail gun to launch hypersonic planes into space

It was a project that Nasa abandoned. Now China is determined to make electromagnetic hypersonic space launches a reality.

It was a project that Nasa abandoned. Now China is determined to make electromagnetic hypersonic space launches a reality.

14 Mar 2024 - 10:12PM

China has 12½ times more robots in its workforce than experts expected: report

‘Only a matter of time’ before Chinese robotics companies catch up to leading-edge technology, according to a US think tank.

‘Only a matter of time’ before Chinese robotics companies catch up to leading-edge technology, according to a US think tank.

14 Mar 2024 - 6:00PM

Hotter world could see China lose 3% of GDP by 2050: climate study

More frequent and intense global heatwaves will disrupt supply chains and trigger domino effect of GDP loss among major economies, new study says.

More frequent and intense global heatwaves will disrupt supply chains and trigger domino effect of GDP loss among major economies, new study says.

14 Mar 2024 - 11:08AM

China’s Xi wants market-ready scientific research – and singles out 2 provinces

President Xi Jinping reiterated his support for China’s development of hi-tech research and manufacturing, calling for more patents to be commercialised and turned into viable, popular products.

President Xi Jinping reiterated his support for China’s development of hi-tech research and manufacturing, calling for more patents to be commercialised and turned into viable, popular products.

14 Mar 2024 - 11:27AM