China-US team’s ‘gold factory’ relic; next-gen diabetes care: 7 science highlights

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 breakthrough unlocks low-cost, high-margin sustainable aviation fuelChinese researchers have developed a catalyst that converts synthesis gas into sustainable jet fuel – an advance that could boost production, help meet net-zero carbon goals and yield a gross profit margin above 50 per cent.2. Landmark China trial achieves 84% efficacy treating cancer with waste water techThe nano-carbon iron injection halts tumour growth in 16 patients, induces shrinkage in two, with a Phase II trial now under way with 52 others.3. China tests a Dune-like iron-harvesting crawler robot in the Taklamakan DesertChinese scientists have extracted iron from the sands of the country’s largest desert using a magnetic separator. Photo: HandoutChinese researchers have built a self-propelled crawler robot that harvests iron from sand and have tested the device in the dunes of the vast Taklamakan Desert – an area the size of Germany – in northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.4. Chinese desalination plant cuts 60% energy use, turns brine into industrial saltA large desalination plant on Bohai Bay has achieved an energy efficiency breakthrough, slashing electricity consumption by more than half while converting millions of tonnes of toxic waste brine into high-value chemical salt.5. Leading Chinese mathematicians unite behind use of AI in researchShing-Tung Yau is spearheading the initiative. Photo: HandoutLeading China’s mathematicians joined forces in Beijing to launch an alliance aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into mathematical research.6. China-US astronomy team may have found possible relic of a recent ‘gold factory’A mysterious glow of high-energy light in our Milky Way galaxy could be the remains of an extremely rare cosmic “gold factory”, according to a new study by Chinese and US researchers.7. China team says all-in-one mini artificial pancreas is next-gen diabetes careAccording to the International Diabetes Federation, about 589 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes. Photo: ShutterstockChinese scientists have created a wearable all-in-one device combining a glucose sensor and insulin micropump that they say paves the way for a fully autonomous mini artificial pancreas, although it has so far only been tested on mice.Most Read123