Fish named after Blackpink’s Jennie; China’s 6G smart city: 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. Chinese scientists love Blackpink’s Jennie so much they named a fish after herA popular K-pop star has found an unlikely place in the scientific record after researchers in China named a newly discovered fish species after her.2. Chinese tech makes desalinating seawater cheaper than producing bottled waterThe researchers developed a method to weave nanoparticles into a three-dimensional photothermal evaporation material, significantly boosting the efficiency of converting solar energy to drive desalination. Photo: ShutterstockDesalination has always been an energy-hungry way of turning salt water into fresh water, making it largely the preserve of wealthy countries with abundant fossil fuel reserves. Yet, an outdoor demonstration prototype in China has managed to exhibit year-long stability with zero utility energy costs, thanks to a new type of photothermal material.3. China builds record-breaking 100-metre observation tower in South China SeaThe tower is designed to collect more detailed data about atmospheric conditions. Photo: HandoutChina has built the tallest environmental observation tower in the South China Sea, the country’s meteorological administration has said.4. Cancer-on-a-chip pioneer Chen Weiqiang returns to China from New York UniversityChen Weiqiang, formerly a tenured professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering at New York University (NYU), has joined the school of biomedical engineering at Nanjing University as a distinguished professor.5. In China’s 6G smart city, every wall and pipe can be a sensorChina’s 6G engineers have built a special metasurface system that can bounce wireless signals around like a precision mirror to fill in dead spots, while still sensing people moving about – just like a radar.6. ‘Unhealthy environment’: Arctic researcher Li Xueke leaves the US for Hong KongFor climate scientist Li Xueke, the decision to leave the University of Pennsylvania for Hong Kong was a pivot to the front lines of the global green economy. As climate change turns the Arctic into a seasonally navigable ocean, Li’s research on critical new shipping routes could shed light on the economic impacts of a warming planet.7. China ‘on track to surpass United States’ in goals for human, planet health: UNAccording to UN data on its Sustainable Development Goals, China has achieved “no poverty” and quality education while the US has achieved the target for industry, innovation and infrastructure. Photo: AFPChina is “on track to surpass the United States” in its efforts to eradicate poverty and protect the planet, according to a new report from the United Nations.Further Reading