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SCMP

We have put together stories from our coverage on science from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. China plans to build ‘Three Gorges dam in space’ to harness solar power
A senior Chinese scientist has revealed an ambitious plan to use super heavy rockets to build solar power stations in space, calling it “another Three Gorges Dam project above the Earth”.
2. Cambodia’s China-backed canal on Mekong seen to put ‘fragile ecosystems’ at risk
A Chinese-backed canal in Cambodia is likely to put “fragile” ecosystems at risk, researchers in China and Britain have warned, calling for better mitigation efforts.
3. Chinese rice tastes better than it did 16 years ago, research team finds

Taste tests by the China National Rice Research Institute found that the quality of the Asian rice grown in China – including its appearance and texture – had improved since 2009.
4. China’s Mars mission leaves US for space dust with Nasa at least 4 years behind
China’s lead in the race to bring rocks back from Mars has grown by a big margin, as Nasa’s updated timeline for the return of samples collected by its Perseverance rover puts it at least four years behind.
5. Could lymph node surgery be the answer for treating Alzheimer’s disease?
A new surgical treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is showing promise in a clinical trial under way in Chinese hospitals.
6. China’s energy weapon fires thousands of blasts in tests and survives: study
China has overcome a significant technical hurdle in the development of a compact yet extremely powerful directed energy weapon.
7. China’s ancient tiny cat fossil could belong to the smallest feline ever found

Chinese scientists have found the fossilised remains of what could be the smallest cat ever discovered – in the same cave where a family of 20 people lived around 30,000 years ago.


Chinese black hole-hunting scientist Dai Liang quits US for Shanghai post

China unveils world’s first superfast quantum memory, paving way for practical computing

China proposes nuclear-powered floating island to reshape global shipping

Chinese satellite company releases images of Nvidia, Apple HQs

Science

Solar stations in space, tiny cat fossil found, Cambodia canal risks: 7 science highlights

A Long March-5 rocket is seen at the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China. The much larger Long March-9, a reusable heavy-lift rocket, will be used to realise plans for the solar power station in space. Photo: Xinhua 

A farmer carries harvested rice in Daoxiang Village of Suihua City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Photo: Xinhua

An artist’s impression of the tiny species leopard cat whose remains were uncovered in Anhui province, eastern China. Illustration: X/@HodariNundu

New discoveries raise China’s lithium reserves to second largest in the world

Lithium is key component in electric car batteries. Photo: AFP

Spodumene ore is an important source of lithium. Photo: Shutterstock 

Yoon impeachment blame game, Singapore’s Yale-NUS shutdown stirs ire: 7 Asia highlights

An effigy of President Yoon Suk-yeol is displayed by pro-impeachment protesters near his residence in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Park Chan-kyong

Pro-impeachment protesters camp out near Yoon Suk-yeol’s residence in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Park Chan-kyong

Philippine marines during a joint visit, board and seizure (VBS) exercise with their US and South Korean counterparts in Cavite province, west of Manila in October 2024, as part of the annual Philippines-US joint marines exercise dubbed Kamandag (Venom). Photo: AFP

Despite the college closing, there have been efforts to keep the spirit of Yale-NUS alive through an alumni network. Photo: AFP

A supporter of former prime minister Najib Razak waits outside the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: AP

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meets soldiers during a visit to a military training base in North Korea last March. Photo: AP

US president-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on Brics members. Photo: Reuters

Younger Japanese are turning their backs on grind culture. Photo: Reuters

China’s car dealers face price war, BYD beats Tesla in fourth quarter: 7 EV reads

People walk past various Chinese-made electric cars for sale inside a shopping centre in Beijing on January 9, 2024. Photo: AP

The BYD logo at the Beijing Auto Show. Photo: AFP

EVs sit at a charging station in Beijing on December 26. Photo: Xinhua

China has recalled thousands of Tesla vehicles to resolve observed safety issues. Photo: Reuters

News

China

Asia

Southeast Asia

From better-tasting Chinese rice to harnessing solar power in space, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting


From better-tasting Chinese rice to harnessing solar power in space, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.


SCMP Highlights

Solar stations in space, tiny cat fossil found, Cambodia canal risks: 7 science highlights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From better-tasting Chinese rice to harnessing solar power in space, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting

1. China plans to build ‘Three Gorges dam in space’ to harness solar power

From better-tasting Chinese rice to harnessing solar power in space, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting