China deploys prototype detectors to locate neutrinos in South China Sea
Chinese scientists have deployed prototype detectors in the South China Sea to explore building a large underwater observatory to detect neutrinos, tiny particles from space.
Last month, equipment including sensitive detector units and an LED light source for calibration was deployed at a depth of 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) using the submersible Shenhai Yongshi, or Deep-Sea Warrior, according to the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) in Beijing.
The detectors, now linked to China's national underwater scientific observation network for power and data transmission, are positioned in the darkness to detect faint flashes of light caused by passing neutrinos, according to the institute's statement on Wednesday via WeChat, the South China Morning Post reported.
All of this is part of a bid to construct the High-energy Underwater Neutrino Telescope (HUNT), which aims to become the world's largest underwater neutrino observatory. The project will feature over 55,000 detectors suspended along thousands of strings, covering 30 cubic kilometers (7.2 cubic miles) of ocean.
The stable operation of the prototype detectors is a meaningful milestone in the preliminary research for the HUNT project, according to the institute. When completed, the project is expected to place China among the leaders in neutrino astronomy, SCMP adds.
IHEP researcher Chen Mingjun explained that in addition to its astronomical significance, HUNT is expected to offer a valuable research platform for marine science.
Due to the nature of cosmic rays, which are composed of highly energetic particles, their direction of motion is constantly deflected by interstellar magnetic fields, making it difficult to observe their origin directly.
According to Chen, observing high-energy neutrinos, which can travel vast distances without being affected by magnetic fields or matter, provides an effective way to uncover the processes and sources behind these highly energetic particles. He also added that this approach could significantly advance humanity's understanding of the cosmic phenomena.
Due to limitations in detection technology and financial resources, current international experiments, developed over decades, are constrained in their ability to detect high-energy neutrino sources. The effective volume of their detectors ranges from 1 to 8 cubic kilometers, which may not be sufficient for identifying sources, particularly those from galaxies.
The detectors were now deployed with help from China's first deep-sea research vessel, Tansuo 3, and the Shenhai Yongshi, a 4,500-meter-class manned submersible owned by the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ySa9dDmPboM
The detector prototypes were developed in collaboration between the Ocean University of China, IHEP, and the Institute of Acoustics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Furthermore, the deployed detectors have also been successfully linked to the South China Sea Seabed Scientific Observation Network, another key national scientific project led by the Institute of Acoustics.
IHEP also highlighted the South China Sea as the only viable location in China for the telescope because of its vast expanse. However, the South China Sea is not the only potential site for HUNT. Last spring, researchers deployed prototype detectors at a depth of 1,300 meters in Siberia's Lake Baikal, where they conducted on-site testing with Russian scientists working on the Baikal-GVD neutrino experiment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Science news this week: 'Dragon Man's' identity and the universe's 'missing matter'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. This week's science news reveals the identity of the mysterious "Dragon Man," while also finding clues to the universe's "missing matter." In 1933, a Chinese laborer in Harbin City discovered a human-like skull with a huge cranium, broad nose and big eyes. Just under 90 years later, experts gave this curious specimen a new species name — Homo longi, or "Dragon Man" — due to its unusual shape and size. But this classification has not gone unchallenged, with many scientists saying this skull belongs not to a new species, but instead to an ancient group of humans called Denisovans. Now, a pair of new studies claim to have finally put the mystery to bed. Another mystery that we came one step closer to solving this week is where the universe's "missing" matter is hiding. Ordinary or "baryonic" aryonic matter, which is composed of particles like protons and neutrons, makes up just 5% of the universe, but scientists have been able to observe only about half as much of it as they expected. To find the missing matter, researchers search for clues by studying short, extragalactic flashes known as fast radio bursts, which light up the intergalactic space that lies between them and Earth — and they may have just found some. Although very few long-term studies of psilocybin — the main psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms — as a treatment for depression have been conducted to date, new research presented this week at the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference suggests it can alleviate depression for at least five years after a single dose. The researchers found that 67% of study participants who had suffered from depression half a decade earlier remained in remission after a single psychedelic therapy session, while also reporting less anxiety and less difficulty functioning on a daily basis. Discover more health news —Iron deficiency in pregnancy can cause 'male' mice to develop female organs —The brain might have a hidden 'off switch' for binge drinking —Ketamine may treat depression by 'flattening the brain's hierarchies,' small study suggests The world is awash with the color purple — lavender flowers, amethyst gemstones, plums, eggplants and purple emperor butterflies. But if you look closely at the visible-light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, you'll notice that purple is absent. So does that mean the color doesn't really exist? Not necessarily. —If you enjoyed this, sign up for our Life's Little Mysteries newsletter Asking artificial intelligence reasoning models questions on topics like algebra or philosophy caused carbon dioxide emissions to spike significantly. Specialized large language models (LLMs), such as Anthropic's Claude, OpenAI's o3 and DeepSeek's R1, dedicate more time and computing power to producing more accurate responses than their predecessors, but a new study finds the cost could come at up to 50 times more carbon emissions than their more basic equivalents. While the study's findings aren't definitive — emissions may vary depending on the hardware used and the energy grids used to supply their power — the researchers hope their work should prompt AI users to think before deploying the more advanced technology. Read more planet technology news —This EV battery fully recharges in just 18 seconds — and it just got the green light for mass production —Hurricanes and sandstorms can be forecast 5,000 times faster thanks to new Microsoft AI model —China pits rival humanoids against each other in world's first 'robot boxing tournament' —14,000-year-old ice age 'puppies' were actually wolf sisters that dined on woolly rhino for last meal —Nobel laureate raises questions about AI-generated image of black hole spinning at the heart of our galaxy —Enslaved Africans led a decade-long rebellion 1,200 years ago in Iraq, new evidence suggests —Covering poop lagoons with a tarp could cut 80% of methane emissions from dairy farms —Satellite coated in ultra-dark 'Vantablack' paint will launch into space next year to help combat major issue The Colorado River snakes through seven U.S. and two Mexican states, and supplies some 40 million people, including those in Phoenix and Las Vegas, with their water needs. But as supplies of this surface water reach record lows, more and more people have been pumping groundwater from far below the surface. Stark new satellite data reveal that the Colorado River basin has lost huge amounts of groundwater over the last few decades, with some research suggesting that this groundwater could run out by the end of the century. But is that really the case? And if so, what could be done to prevent that happening? —How to see the groundbreaking space photos from the world's largest camera [Astronomy] —Instead of 'de-extincting' dire wolves, scientists should use gene editing to protect living, endangered species [Opinion] —Crows: Facts about the clever birds that live all over the world [Fact file] —Best thermal binoculars: Observe nocturnal wildlife after dark [Buying guide] —Watch David Attenborough's 'Ocean' from anywhere in the world with this NordVPN deal — and grab an Amazon voucher just in time for Prime Day [Deal] A massive eruption at Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano sent giant plumes of ash spewing more than 6 miles (10 kilometers) into the skies on Tuesday (June 17), followed by a second eruption just a day later. This incredible mushroom-shaped cloud could be seen over 95 miles (150 km) away, and was accompanied by rumbling, lightning and thunder, typical of explosive eruptions that spew enormous amounts of material — much of which showered over nearby villages. Warning signs at Lewoboti Laki-laki prompted officials to raise the eruption alert to the highest level on Tuesday, according to a statement, and fortunately at time of writing there have been no reports of casualties. Want more science news? Follow our Live Science WhatsApp Channel for the latest discoveries as they happen. It's the best way to get our expert reporting on the go, but if you don't use WhatsApp we're also on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Flipboard, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky and LinkedIn.
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
A ‘big, beautiful deal', America's aerospace ‘revolution' and other commentary
Iran-Israel war: A 'Big, Beautiful Deal' 'Proponents of an American strike believe that we have no realistic choice other than to help Israel do as thorough a job as possible in setting back Iran's nuclear ambitions,' contends The New York Times' Bret Stephens. True, after Trump drops bunker busters on the Fordow nuclear site, the question is 'what comes afterward.' But the president can follow that up with 'a diplomatic bunker buster on Tehran': lifting economic sanctions and forcing the Israelis to stop the bombings. 'Nobody, perhaps even President Trump himself, knows for sure whether the United States will wind up joining Israel in launching military strikes on Iran.' But 'there's a big, beautiful deal to be struck here. For all sides.' Tech watch: America's Aerospace 'Revolution' Advertisement 'From LAX to coastal San Diego,' dozens of new firms are 'embracing the country's emerging 'hard tech' revolution,' cheers Joel Kotkin at UnHerd. Including around 40 spinoffs of SpaceX, they make everything — largely for aerospace — 'from drones to engines, drilling systems to satellites.' Together, they can 'restore' America's 'blue-collar prosperity.' Given the 'military implications' of these products, these firms embrace a 'Right-wing patriotism' and so threaten to change corporate culture. Yet 'the biggest pool of money' is not from the Defense Department but the 'burgeoning space industry.' And the 'technology looks set to dominate our century. For if those robots and satellites are all impressive enough in theory, they could yet be used as a geopolitical battering ram' — with US innovators as 'riposte to Chinese central planning.' Libertarian: Czechs to the Rescue in Ukraine 'Through online fundraisers organized by community platforms like 'Gift for Putin,' 'Team for Ukraine,' or 'Just Retribution,' Czech citizens have donated millions of dollars toward' arms for Ukraine, marvels Miroslav Hanušniak at Reason. These include much-needed rifle magazines, howitzer shells, a Black Hawk helicopter and 'more than $11.5 million toward the direct purchase of First Person View drones.' Czechs 'show no signs of slowing down. New initiatives continue to emerge, finding creative ways to support the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.' In neighboring Slovakia, citizens defied their Russian-leaning 'government's stance and joined the fundraising efforts, contributing millions.' It's a reminder that 'real power and meaningful change do not always come from parliaments.' Advertisement Defense beat: Space — Aukus' Final Frontier 'It's time for Aukus,' the Australia, US and UK alliance, 'to grow,' argues Scott Morrison at The Wall Street Journal, and Trump 'is the right person for the job.' Aukus 'enables Australia's acquisition of its first nuclear-powered sub fleet' and 'facilitates cooperation on advanced military capabilities,' notes the former Australian prime minister. But 'if our nations are serious about deterrence, then we must prepare for new theaters of geopolitical competition' — particularly space. Aukus should be expanded to consolidate 'cooperation across launch systems, satellite architecture, cybersecurity, data integration and industrial innovation.' It must ensure that space 'is secured by free nations, not our enemies. American and Australia have stood shoulder to shoulder on land, at sea and in the skies. Now we must do the same in orbit.' Hispanic pastor: Riots Hurt Protesters' Cause Advertisement 'Once more, the streets of Los Angeles are filled with chaos' because of 'modern-day anarchists,' blasts Samuel Rodriguez for The Hill. Blame it on Team Biden's border 'failure,' which 'permitted millions to enter our country without any real verification process.' Now 'the majority of these riots are being led, organized, and amplified by Antifa factions and ultra-left progressive groups whose mission is not reform but total revolution.' These thugs are 'protesting the deportation of individuals who are violent criminals, rapists, murderers, or pedophiles.' 'There is a legitimate space for expressing concern over the deportation of longstanding immigrants who have lived here peacefully,' but 'these riots hurt and did not help their cause. This lawlessness is antithetical to everything the immigrant rights movement hopes to achieve.' — Compiled by The Post Editorial Board
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
China's Fungus—A Biological Weapons Attack on America's Food Supply?
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. This month, three Chinese nationals were charged with smuggling biological agents into the United States. The attempts could be part of a biological weapons attack on America's farms and ranches. On June 3, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced that Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, had been charged with conspiracy, smuggling, false statements, and visa fraud. Jian was arrested for smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a "potential agroterrorism weapon" that causes "head blight." The fungal disease hits wheat, barley, maize, and rice and "is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year." In humans and livestock, head blight causes vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects. A tractor and planting implement creates a dust cloud while planting a wheat field in the fertile farm fields of Idaho. A tractor and planting implement creates a dust cloud while planting a wheat field in the fertile farm fields of Idaho. Getty Images Their actions, according to U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon, Jr., represented "the gravest national security concerns." Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit Field Office, said the pathogens "posed an imminent threat to public safety." Then on June 9, Michigan's Eastern District announced that it had charged Chinese citizen Chengxuan Han with smuggling "biological materials" and making false statements. The materials, it appears, related to round worms. So why were Jian, Liu, and Han importing pathogens? "Fusarium graminearum is a common pathogen affecting crops in China, and numerous Chinese research institutes, including the Institute of Rice Biology at Zhejiang University, have been actively studying it," Xiaoxu Sean Lin, a former lab director of the viral disease branch of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, told Newsweek. "The FBI confiscated samples labeled 'ARP9,' an actin-related gene known to influence chromatin remodeling and gene transcription. This suggests the samples were genetically modified strains of Fusarium graminearum." "This raises a critical biosafety question," Lin noted. "Were these modified strains designed to enhance infectivity or pesticide resistance?" The pair may have intended, Lin said, "to perform field testing with these modified fungal strains on university-owned agricultural land." And perhaps they were intending to develop one or more modified strains of head blight to be introduced on farmland or ranchland elsewhere. Zunyong Liu was affiliated with Zhejiang University, where he conducted research on Fusarium graminearum. That institution, Lin said, has a well-documented collaboration with the People's Liberation Army. As he pointed out, "China's military-civil fusion strategy makes it reasonable to speculate about military interest in these genetically modified pathogens, which are potentially related to biological warfare or agroterrorism." Lin said research on such organisms would require special permits from both the University of Michigan and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jian and Liu, as experienced researchers, would have known that. "If the intent was purely academic," Lin asked, "why did the researchers not pursue the legal, regulated channels for pathogen transfer?" The fact that Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu would risk their careers by smuggling a known pathogen is a factor suggesting malign intent, especially given their relations with the Communist Party—Jian is a member—and their probable connections with military research at their home institutions in China. U.S. Attorney Gorgon said Chengxuan Han's smuggling was part of "an alarming pattern." Brandon Weichert, author of Biohacked: China's Race to Control Life, agreed, telling Newsweek, "The twin incidents are unlikely to be coincidental and certainly part of a troubling series of pathogen transfers to and from Chinese research institutions in recent years." Lin believed Han's affiliation with Huazhong University of Science and Technology is a warning sign because that institution is also involved in military-civil fusion programs. "Questions about PLA involvement are warranted," Lin said. "Biological warfare is a strategic 'commanding height' in Chinese military doctrine." As Weichert told this publication, "These agents can be weapons of mass destruction and their introduction into the United States could very well have been preparation for a biological weapons attack." The Chinese attempts this year to smuggle pathogens may be only the latest incidents in a Chinese campaign to bring down American agriculture. China, I believe, has been trying to plant invasive species in America since at least 2020. That year, Americans in all 50 states received seeds unsolicited from China. Early this year, Temu, the online Chinese retailer, was caught sending seeds to the U.S. unsolicited. In one case, a Chinese party sent unsolicited both seeds and an unidentified liquid. "We can expect many more attempts at sabotaging our food supply both to damage our economy and cause chaos," Weichert said. Gordon G. Chang is the author of Plan Red: China's Project to Destroy America and The Coming Collapse of China. Follow him on X @GordonGChang. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
