science

‘A Needle in a Haystack’: How a New Study Could Revolutionize Parkinson’s Treatment

Your questions, answered. In-depth interviews with the minds and makers shaping today’s China.

Q & A

Five years ago, Wu Kaimin was worried her dissertation proposal might not be approved. Now, her research could fundamentally alter how doctors treat Parkinson’s.

He Qitong

China’s Antarctic Outpost Swaps Fossil Fuels for Hydrogen, Wind

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

The renewable energy system ensures stable power in Antarctica’s extreme conditions, and is estimated to cut fossil fuel use by more than 100 tons annually.

Learning to Fly: How a Jurassic Fossil Decodes the History of Flight

Paleontologist Wang Min on the luck, science, and persistence behind a groundbreaking find.

Jiang Xinyi

Meet China’s ‘Six Little Dragons’

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

The Hangzhou-based firms have upended China’s tech scene — and sent governments across China scrambling for their own champions.

Liu Yuanju

New China-Led Study Links Pesticides to Massive Ecological Damage

The study, involving experts from multiple countries, reveals the harmful effects of pesticide use on non-target species, and urges urgent policy shifts toward eco-friendly alternatives.

Fan Yiying

New Fossil in China Pushes Bird Origins Back 20 Million Years

The fossil, dating back 172 million years, may reshape our understanding of bird evolution and early flight.

In a First, Chinese Scientists ‘Heal’ Lithium Batteries

In a paper published Wednesday, Chinese scientists claim to be able to extend the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries by “an order of magnitude.”

Li Xin

Xs and Whys: China's Top Math Coach Looks Back

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

A Chinese national team head coach talks on the triumphs and recent travails of the popular mathematics competition in China.

The Paper

Jay Chou’s Hits Are Now Crawling Into Science — As Spider Names

Instead of traditional naming based on traits or location, a Chinese arachnologist turned to Jay Chou’s discography, naming 16 species after his hits.

Ding Rui

The Fish That Spun, Flipped, and Laid Eggs Aboard China’s Space Station

Four zebrafish spent 43 days in orbit aboard the Tiangong space station, breaking records and advancing space biology. In 2025, China will send more.

China Develops Groundbreaking New Breast Cancer Treatment

Trials suggest the new therapy can improve treatment outcomes for triple-negative breast cancer by over 12%.

Chinese Astronauts Break Record for Longest Space Walk

The Shenzhou-19 crew members completed a nine-hour extravehicular activity on Tuesday, breaking a record set by NASA in 2001.

Chinese Scientists Recognized in Prestigious ‘Nature’s 10’ List

China featured heavily in the renowned journal’s rundown of the 10 individuals who shaped science in 2024.

Copy Right: The Painstaking Method and Magic of Mastering a Replica

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

Across the country, museums are commissioning recreations of ancient artifacts. But beyond simple replicas, these efforts aim to revive the techniques and craftsmanship that shaped China’s cultural legacy.

Wu Haiyun

China’s Glass Whisperer

Zhang Minghui blew his chance to attend one of China’s top universities. Now, he’s building experimental devices for the country’s space program.

These Cranes Were Symbols of Fidelity. Now, Science Disagrees.

New genetic analysis reveals complex mating behaviors in black-necked cranes, challenging folklore that portrays them as lifelong, inseparable partners.

China to Launch Latest Crewed Space Mission

Shenzhou-19 will carry a new crew to China’s Tiangong space station, where they will perform a series of scientific experiments.

Chinese Scientists Find Molecular Water in Lunar Soil for the First Time 

Research has revealed the presence of water and ammonium in lunar soil samples collected by China’s 2020 Chang’e-5 mission, offering exciting prospects for lunar resource utilization and exploration.

Is this Light-Up Fiber the Future of Smart Clothing?

Invented by a doctoral student, it has the potential to revolutionize e-textiles.

How China Conquered the Dark Side of the Moon

China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe has made history by bringing back the first ever samples from the far side of the Moon. This is how the groundbreaking mission took shape.