Global Scientists Discuss the Role of Big Data in Advancing UN Goals

Global scientists met in Beijing to discuss how big data can advance the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to speed up progress.

Sep 08, 2025

China's Brain Chip Tech Achieves Tumor Localization Breakthrough

A Chinese-led team has reported a breakthrough in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology after completing the first-ever clinical trial to precisely locate deep-seated brain tumors using implanted microelectrode arrays. In the world's first trial of its kind, conducted by the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, a glioma patient experiencing speech difficulties due to tumor compression showed significant improvement in language ability after surgery guided by BCI technology. The core innovation lies in the BCI device, called "NeuroDepth," which provides real-time navigation for tumor boundary detection, enabling accurate resection while protecting healthy tissue. Unlike traditional electrodes that capture only surface signals, NeuroDepth can record activity from the cortex to deep brain regions and monitor neurotransmitters, offering more detailed data. "It has broken through the limitation of traditional neural electrodes, which could only detect signals from cortical based tumors," said Wang Mixia, an associate researcher of the Aerospace Information Research Institute. "Our electrodes can capture neural signals across the entire brain, from the cortex to subcortical regions and even deep brain structures. They are capable of not only detecting neuro-electrophysiological signals but also monitoring neurotransmitter signals, providing more precise information," Wang said. Researchers say the technology could advance treatment of gliomas and brain metastases, which are difficult to remove due to unclear boundaries. They also plan to expand applications, including BCIs to restore vision and hearing, and endovascular interfaces to support motor recovery in paralyzed patients.

Sep 01, 2025

Chinese Researchers Develop Satellite-based Method to Quantify Global Landfill Methane Emissions

BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have achieved a breakthrough in monitoring methane emissions from landfills, paving the way for more effective global emission reduction strategies. The study was published on Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Jul 31, 2025

China's Xixia Imperial Tombs Inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Backed by Scientific Support

The Xixia Imperial Tombs in northwest China were officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 11, 2025, during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris. This designation marks China's 60th World Heritage site and underscores the site's exceptional value in understanding the Tangut people, the Xixia Dynasty (Western Xia, 1038–1227), and the formation of China's unified multi-ethnic nation.

Jul 22, 2025

Rare Archives Unveil History of China's Airborne Remote Sensing Innovation

BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Over 400 archival items illuminating China's journey to become a global force in airborne remote sensing are going on public display in Beijing, showcasing four decades of innovation spearheaded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Jul 02, 2025

Remote-sensing Satellite Model Designed to Calculate Coal-fired Power Plant Emissions

A Chinese research team has developed a new remote-sensing satellite model, which has for the first time achieved the high-precision, dynamic calculation of CO2 emissions from large coal-fired power plants, providing a new solution for global carbon emissions monitoring.

Jun 23, 2025

Space Tech Lights Path for Innovation at Chengdu Forum, Charts New Course for Belt & Road Sustainability

Chengdu, China – June 11, 2025 – The "Space Information Science and Technology for Building the Innovation Road" Forum opened today in Chengdu, injecting powerful technological momentum into the sustainable development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Convened during the second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange and organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the forum gathered global experts to bridge scientific cooperation and showcase cutting-edge applications of big data for global sustainability.

Jun 13, 2025

Smarter Sensing: One Chip for the Wide Vacuum Range

A research team from the Aerospace Information Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has proposed a breakthrough in vacuum sensing. Their study (DOI: 10.1038/s41378-025-00937-z), published on May 21, 2025, in Microsystems & Nanoengineering, details a novel micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based sensor that integrates mode-localization and traditional resonance mechanisms on a single chip. Designed to toggle between modes depending on pressure levels, the sensor provides high resolution and stability across a wide pressure range. This design not only improves measurement performance but also reduces sensor size and dependency on gas types—key for harsh environments.

Jun 13, 2025

South African Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Visits AIR to Deepen Cooperation in Space Information Technologies

A high-level South African delegation led by Professor Blade Nzimande, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), visited the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) to explore new approaches of collaboration in space technology and its applications. The 23-member delegation included senior DSTI officials as well as representatives from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and other key institutions.

Jun 11, 2025

China Successfully Tests New-gen Satellite-to-ground Data Transmission Technology

​China has made a significant breakthrough in building a high-speed "data highway" between satellites and the ground. According to the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a new-generation high-throughput satellite-to-ground data transmission system has been successfully tested, an official announcement showed on Monday.

May 27, 2025

Chinese Scientist Pinpoints Source of Africa's Second-Longest River

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese scientist has used satellite remote-sensing technology to pinpoint the source of Africa's second-longest river, the Congo River, and measured its length at 5,260 kilometers, longer than previous estimates.

May 21, 2025

Chinese Scientists Unveil Dataset for Global Cropland Water-Use Efficiency

BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have released a long-term, high-resolution dataset that tracks global cropland water-use efficiency from 2001 to 2020. Published in the journal Scientific Data, the dataset provides annual water-use efficiency estimates for croplands worldwide at a spatial resolution of one kilometer. It is expected to serve as a valuable tool for advancing sustainable agricultural water management.

May 21, 2025

International Day of Plant Health: Plant Health Matters

May 12 marks the International Day of Plant Health, a United Nations initiative to raise awareness about how vital healthy plants are to life on Earth. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), up to 40 percent of global crops are lost annually due to plant pests and diseases. This not only threatens food security, but also weakens ecosystems and hampers climate resilience.

May 12, 2025

Digital Earth Symposium Opens in Chongqing with Focus on SDGs

The 14th International Symposium on Digital Earth opened on Monday in Chongqing, drawing nearly 700 delegates from 30 countries and regions to discuss how digital technologies can help accelerate progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Apr 25, 2025

China Focus: China Strengthens Space Technology Cooperation with Global South Nations

BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- In the second week of April, Lusaka became a hub of agricultural innovation as technicians from Southern African countries gathered for a unique three-day training session. Unlike typical workshops, this one provided a customized experience. Participants brought data from their own countries and practiced on the satellite remote sensing agricultural monitoring platform developed by Chinese scientists, tailoring their learning to fit local needs. This exemplified China's increasing collaboration with Global South countries in space technology -- not merely through memorandums or broad agreements, but by translating cutting-edge innovation into tangible, real-world applications.

Apr 25, 2025