Iran war highlights US defence gaps; mathematician returns to China: 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. Could Iran war confirm China’s prediction on US military’s hypersonic nightmare?On the same day the US and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, a research team led by Liao Longwen with the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology published a paper in the Chinese journal Tactical Missile Technology on the ability of US missile defence systems to intercept hypersonic weapons.2. China’s award-winning mathematician Wan Daqing leaves California for ChongqingWan Daqing, winner of China’s highest mathematics prize, retired from the University of California at Irvine (UCI) in July and returned to China to take up his new role in December, he confirmed in an email to the South China Morning Post.3. 75% cost cut: China unveils world’s first fixed-wing drone made of bamboo fibreThe bamboo-based unmanned aerial vehicle’s maiden flight took place in February, researchers said. Photo: XinhuaChinese researchers have developed a drone with wings made from bamboo, making it 20 per cent lighter and considerably cheaper than a carbon fibre device, according to state news agency Xinhua.