China’s versatile spacecraft makes multiple science, technology breakthroughs

China has released the second batch of science and technology results collected from the first spacecraft of the country's Innovation X satellite series, which achieved multiple national and international firsts such as the first solar transition zone image, as well as the brightest Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) ever recorded, the Global Times learned from developers on […]

Chinese supreme court issues latest judicial interpretation for illegally occupying forest land

As August 15 marks the first National Ecological Day and to further strengthen the judicial protection of forest resources, the Chinese Supreme People's Court issued a document on Monday, which comprehensively regulates the conviction and sentencing standards and relevant legal application issues of crimes involving destruction of forest resources, clarifying the conviction and sentencing standards […]

China establishes world's largest language resource repository

China has established the world's largest language resource repository, consisting of over 120 languages and dialects that are being used in the world's most populous country, the Chinese Ministry of Education said Wednesday. Speaking at a news conference held in Anyang, Central China's Henan Province, Tian Lixin, director of the Language and Information Management Department […]

North Korea’s first intl commercial flight in 3 years lands in Beijing, welcomed as ‘positive sign’ for border reopening

North Korea's first international commercial flight in three years landed in Beijing on Tuesday morning, the Global Times learned from flight information provider VariFlight.  Air Koryo flight JS151 from Pyongyang was believed to have arrived at Beijing Capital Airport at 9:17 am, according to a screenshot provided by VariFlight on Tuesday.  It was North Korean flag […]

Mind’s healing powers put to the test in new book

In a wide-ranging and compelling new book, science journalist Jo Marchant explores whether the mind can heal the body. The question is polarizing: Conventional doctors dismiss the power of the mind as New Age hooey, while alternative medicine advocates are quick to claim miracle cures for whatever ails you. The murky middle ground between these […]

Green was this ancient snake’s signature color

An ancient snakeskin preserves the bright green coloration of its wearer, researchers report March 31 in Current Biology. In the early 20th century, miners discovered the fossilized remains of an 11.2-million- to 8.7-million-year-old snake in northeastern Spain. Modern researchers have managed to reconstruct the snake’s coloration, thanks to the presence of skeletons of the animal’s […]

Pieces of Homo naledi story continue to puzzle

ATLANTA — Homo naledi, a rock star among fossil species in the human genus, has made an encore. Its return highlighted debate over whether this hominid was a distinct Homo species that purposefully disposed of at least some of its dead. H. naledi made worldwide headlines last year when researchers announced the discovery of an […]

Evidence conflicts on iron’s role in Parkinson’s disease

Iron, says aging expert Naftali Raz, is like the Force. It can be good or bad, depending on the context. When that context is the human brain, though, scientists wrangle over whether iron is a dark force for evil or a bright source of support. Some iron is absolutely essential for the brain. On that, […]

This week in Zika: First mouse study proof that Zika causes microcephaly

In case there were any lingering doubts, three new studies published May 11 could cement the theory that Zika virus infection in utero causes birth defects. One shows that mice engineered to be susceptible to Zika can pass the virus to offspring via the placenta. In these pregnant mice, which have severely crippled immune systems, […]