Archaeologists Opened a Chinese Lord’s 2,600-Year-Old Tomb—and Discovered Dozens of “Deactivated” Metallic Artifacts
Why were dozens of bronze artifacts discovered within an ancient Chinese tomb "deactivated" at the time of their placement?
China
Convicted Harvard Scientist Rebuilds Career in China Through Controversial Brain-Computer Interface Lab
A former Harvard professor convicted of concealing ties to a Chinese talent program now leads a state-backed brain-computer interface lab in China.
146,000-Year-Old Tool Discovery Reveals Unexpected Adaptations to Harsh Ice Age Life
Ice Age tools dating back 146,000 years, discovered in an ancient Chinese cave, reveal surprising human adaptations to a harsh environment.
Bronze Age Artifact Made from ‘Space Metal’ Unearthed at a Sacrificial Site is Confirmed as the Oldest of Its Kind
A curious Bronze Age artifact unearthed at a ceremonial site in southwestern China has now been identified as the earliest known and the largest of its kind, according to newly published research.
The U.S.-Iran Conflict Has Had an Unexpected Impact on China’s View of American Power
China may be drawing a different lesson from the U.S.-Iran war as analysts warn against underestimating American military power.
China Advances in BCI Race with 50+ Human Implants, Real-Time Chinese Speech Decoding
A global race to develop a competitive brain-computer interface is heating up between the United States and China.
This Ancient Chinese Mind-Body Exercise Has a Major Heart Health Benefit, New Study Finds
Recent clinical trials show that baduanjin, a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise, can lower blood pressure as much as brisk walking.
“This Isn’t Folklore; It’s Pharmacology”: Centuries-Old Traditional Medicine Could Be a Game-Changer for Hair Loss
Scientists say new research shows a centuries-old traditional Chinese herbal medicine could be a game-changer in fighting hair loss.
Droughts and Floods Weakened the Tang Dynasty Before Its Collapse, Researchers Say
New research suggests that environmental stress played an important role in weakening the Tang dynasty before its eventual collapse.
Self-Powered Soft Robots from China Could Transform Deep-Sea, Space, and Wearable Technology
New research from Zhejiang University could reshape the future of robotics and wearable technology by enabling machines to power themselves using nothing more than ambient motion.
An Unexpected Discovery in Lunar Soil Samples Could Solve a Magnetic Moon Mystery
Scientists have made a surprise discovery in lunar soil samples that could help unravel the mystery behind the Moon’s magnetic anomalies.
Scientists Confirm Discovery of Massive Crater in China, Revealing Scale of Ancient Impacts Was “Far Greater than Previously Recorded”
A recently discovered impact crater in China is among the best-preserved ever found, offering insight into how space rocks shaped our planet.
Social Media Influencers in China Now Need Credentials to Discuss Expert Topics
China has introduced a rule requiring online influencers to hold formal qualifications when discussing topics such as medicine, law, education, and finance.
“The Silent Strain We See Today Could Lead to Tomorrow’s Disasters”: India’s Sinking Cities Put Millions of Lives at Risk
India’s largest cities are sinking, which may lead to a future catastrophe with millions of lives and thousands of buildings at risk.
12,000-Year-Old Evidence Reveals Smoke-Drying Mummies Preceded Egypt’s Pyramids
A new study suggests that the people of ancient southern China and Southeast Asia practiced mummification by curing bodies over low, smoky fires.
China Says It Wants to Kill an Asteroid
According to China's space agency, the government is preparing to test a direct method of planetary defense by sending a spacecraft to collide with an asteroid.
Humanoid Robots Take the Field in China’s First “Robot Olympics”
It's official: the intersection of robotics and competitive sports has arrived with China's three-day World Humanoid Robot Games, an event dubbed the "Robot Olympics."
A Nuclear Reactor on the Moon? U.S. Races to Deploy Nuclear Power in Space Amid China-Russia Push
A newly surfaced NASA directive reveals a fast-tracked effort by the United States to deploy a nuclear reactor on the Moon and Mars.
Chinese Researchers Develop Breakthrough System to Extract Water and Fuel from Lunar Soil
New research reveals a process that could allow astronauts to harvest water from lunar soil during future missions on the Moon.
Chang’e-6 Returns First Samples from Far Side of the Moon, Revealing Deep Lunar Secrets
Earth’s Moon always presents us on the surface with the same face, yet its mysterious far side features many significant differences.
Global BCI Race Heats Up as China Unveils New Policies to Accelerate Brain-Tech in Healthcare
China has unveiled new policies to accelerate the development and adoption of brain-computer interface technology for medical purposes.
“Save NASA”: Scientists Protest Deep Cuts to Agency’s Science Programs
In our analysis this week, we look at how NASA's proposed budget would slash the agency's science division by nearly 50%.
Neuralink Hits 7 Users as Global Brain Implant Count Remains Under 100
Elon Musk’s Neuralink company has officially implanted its N1 brain-computer interfaces in seven individuals.
Bacteria Found on China’s Tiangong Space Station Shows Unique Adaptations for Space Survival, Study Shows
A strain of bacteria found aboard the Tiangong space station in 2023 appears to be a variety never previously identified on Earth.
China Unveils New Non-Nuclear Hydrogen Bomb, Adding Heat to Taiwan Tensions
As tension between China and Taiwan grows daily, China’s recent development of a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb has added a new layer of uncertainty.
China’s Tianwen-2 Launches to Retrieve Samples from Mysterious Asteroid Kamo’oalewa
On May 28, China’s Tianwen-2 launched on a sample return mission to asteroid Kamo’oalewa, before heading out for a visit with the Comet 311P.
Can the U.S. Outpace China in AI and Stop a Chip War Over Taiwan? Experts Clash Over the High-Stakes Semiconductor Race
The U.S.-China chip war intensifies as nations grapple with export controls and strategic dominance in the global race for AI.
The Kessler Syndrome: Crisis in Space Intensifies as Thousands of Satellites Crowd Earth Orbit
This week we look at the "Kessler Syndrome," and how a chain reaction of orbital collisions could jeopardize infrastructure in space.
China Launches Three Astronauts to the Tiangong Space Station
China has launched three astronauts into space to head to the Chinese Tiangong space station to replace the existing crew onboard.
“They Will Act as Lighthouses in Space.” China Saves Off-Course Satellites Using Gravity Slingshot After Launch Failure
China rebounded from a failed March 2024 space mission by saving two off-orbit satellites through a novel navigation technique.
Chinese Quantum Satellite Makes Groundbreaking Ultra-Secure Transmission with South Africa
The first quantum satellite link was established between the Chinese quantum microsatellite Jinan-1 and a South African university.
China’s Experimental ‘Flying Train’ Edges Closer to Reality—Can Hyperloop Succeed Where Others Failed?
China’s experimental hyperloop T-Flight maglev train is advancing toward making record-breaking transportation speeds a reality.
New Senate Bill: Americans Using Chinese AI Products Could Face 20 Years in Prison and Stiff Fines
Newly proposed legislation would make it a federal crime for Americans to use Chinese AI products, resulting in hefty fines or even jail time.
New “Thermogalvanic” Cells Show 70% Increase in Cooling Power, Chinese Scientists Claim
Chinese scientists claim their newly designed "thermogalvanic" cells that use an electrochemical reaction for cooling are 70% more powerful.
Bone Powder Unearthed in Ancient Vessels Reveals New Clues About a Mysterious Early Chinese Culture
New research has revealed bone powder was a crucial substance as ancient China's Peiligang culture emerged from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
Is RedNote the New TikTok? Social Media Users Are Migrating to a New Chinese App as Potential Ban Looms
Is RedNote the new TikTok? The emerging platform is making waves on social media as a potential rival to TikTok's dominance.
As Supreme Court TikTok Ban Looms Near, New Research Highlights Growing Health Risks of Social Media for Kids
As the U.S. Supreme Court debates whether Congress can ban TikTok, new research sheds light on the potential health risks social media platforms pose to children.
Astrophotographer Captures Mysterious Blue Flash During Avalanche
A Chinese astrophotographer says his camera captured a mysterious blue flash of light during an avalanche on Mount Xiannairi in Sichuan
China Introduces New Cardless System That Allows Payments With a Swipe of the Hand
China has taken a step into the future with a new cardless method of payment that requires little more than a hand swipe.
China Just Activated the Most Powerful Advanced Hypergravity Machine Ever Built. Here’s What That Could Mean.
A new facility containing what has been described as “the world’s most advanced hypergravity machine” has just begun operation, according to Chinese state media.
The Oceans of Mars
This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...
This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...
On this week's episode, Kenna and Stephanie decide to take a dip in a Martian ocean and discuss China's Mars expedition, and its discovery. After watching a movie and discussing brain science, they then wrestle an ancient terror bird to the ground, and ruminate on this giant fossil discovery.
U.S. Advocates Urge White House Support for ‘RISE’ Initiative to Keep U.S. Ahead in ‘Edge Science’
A coalition of scientists and former intelligence officials is urging White House support for an initiative to advance U.S. research in cutting-edge and controversial fields.
How the Pentagon, NATO, and U.S. Foreign Relations Could be Reshaped by Trump’s Return
This week, we examine how the incoming administration’s policies will shape U.S. national defense and global issues.
Reverse The Polarity!
This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...
This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...
On this week's episode, Kenna and Stephanie get flipped upside down discussing Earth's magnetic field reversal. They then dive deep underwater to chat about a strange "Frankenstein" sea creature, and touch on a robotic finger developed in China.
China’s Classified Space Plane, Shenlong, Returns from Secretive 267-Day Mission in Space
China’s mysterious experimental spacecraft, Shenlong, has returned from space after completing its third orbital test, where it spent 268 days in space testing the country’s reusable space technology.
China Pushes Back as NATO Calls It an “Enabler of Russia’s War Against Ukraine”
This week, China pushes back after NATO characterized the country as an enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine.
China Aims to Set New World Standards for Brain-Machine Interfaces, Echoing Elon Musk’s Neuralink
China announced its efforts to develop standards for brain-computer implants (BCI) akin to Elon Musk's Neuralink.
What’s That? Look at What NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Just Spotted on the Far Side of the Moon
Look at what has turned up in new images of the far side of the Moon captured by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
US and Japan Sign Agreement to Build Hypersonic Missile Interceptors by 2030s
The United States and Japan have officially signed a cooperative agreement to develop a hypersonic missile interceptor by the 2030s.
Scientists Keep Finding Giant Sinkholes in China that Hide Ancient Forests, Unknown Wildlife, and Long Lost DNA
In the heart of China, massive sinkholes hide ancient forests teeming with life. A new study published in March finds that these forests contain long lost DNA.