Latest news with #Asia
Sustainability Times
12 minutes ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'China Achieves Unthinkable Feat': This Bold Extraction of 99.9% Ultra-Pure Rubidium from Salt Lake Brine Stuns the World
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Chinese scientists have developed a method to extract 99.9% pure rubidium chloride from low-grade brine, marking a significant breakthrough. from low-grade brine, marking a significant breakthrough. 🇨🇳 This achievement reduces China's reliance on foreign imports, particularly from Canada, strengthening its strategic mineral supply chain . . 💡 The new process involves innovative techniques like ore washing , rubidium leaching, and solvent extraction, offering substantial cost savings. , rubidium leaching, and solvent extraction, offering substantial cost savings. 🌍 China's advancement in rubidium extraction underscores its commitment to technological innovation and industrial resilience amid global competition. In a groundbreaking development, Chinese scientists have unveiled a novel method for extracting ultra-pure rubidium chloride from brine containing trace amounts of the metal. This achievement is a significant milestone for China's critical minerals supply, potentially reducing the country's dependency on foreign imports. As the world's largest consumer of rubidium, China has been reliant on countries like Canada for the majority of its imports. The breakthrough, reported by the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, showcases China's growing expertise in strategic mineral extraction, promising a more self-sufficient future in high-tech and defense applications. The Significance of 99.9% Pure Rubidium The Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes (ISL), a division of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced this remarkable achievement. Researchers succeeded in producing rubidium chloride with an astounding 99.9% purity from potassium chloride material, which contained a mere 0.001% rubidium. Previously, this ultra-low concentration was deemed commercially unviable, but the new process has changed that perception entirely. Rubidium is a soft alkali metal with critical applications across multiple sectors. It plays a vital role in high-tech fields, including atomic clocks, perovskite solar cells, aerospace systems, and specialized glass. The importance of rubidium is underscored by its use in ultra-precise atomic clocks, which lose less than one second over 3.7 million years. Additionally, its applications extend to medical research, particularly in imaging tumor cells. Despite holding some of the world's largest rubidium reserves, China has faced challenges in domestic development, primarily because over 97% of its rubidium is locked in low-grade hard rock deposits that are difficult and costly to process. Only a small fraction of rubidium is found in more accessible forms, such as salt lake brine, predominantly in Qinghai province and Tibet. This breakthrough could mark a turning point in China's rubidium industry. 'Biggest Wind Turbine Ever': China Smashes All Records With This Colossal Machine—But a Hidden Flaw Threatens the Whole Project A First for China: Reducing Dependency In 2021, China imported over 19,500 tons of rubidium concentrate, with a dependency rate of 66.3% on external sources like Canada and Zimbabwe. The addition of rubidium to the United States' critical minerals list in 2022 heightened the geopolitical stakes surrounding mineral access. He Xinyu, in China Mining Magazine, emphasized the need for China to bolster resource security through technological innovation and diplomatic engagement. The ISL's electrochemical separation group addressed the scientific and engineering challenges of rubidium extraction. They developed a high-fidelity model to trace rubidium's distribution during potassium salt processing, identifying the reasons for rubidium's resistance to enrichment. This model not only optimizes rubidium concentration but also has potential applications in resource mapping and separation techniques. The integrated process devised by ISL encompasses ore washing, rubidium leaching, enrichment, solvent extraction, and purification. This system has been successfully tested using potassium chloride from Qinghai's Qarhan Salt Lake, one of China's largest inland salt lakes, consistently yielding 99.9% pure rubidium chloride from low-grade feedstock, which was previously considered unusable. 'China Leaves West in the Dust': Its Small Nuclear Reactor Leap Puts Beijing Years Ahead in the Future of Clean Energy Impact on Costs and Industrial Resilience Beyond its technological significance, this innovative process could result in substantial cost savings. A 2022 cost analysis by ISL scientist Gao Dandan's team found that rubidium chloride produced through this method could be manufactured at just one-third of its current market price. This economic advantage could strengthen China's industrial resilience amid growing global competition for strategic minerals. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation, CAS, and Qinghai provincial authorities, this development signifies a crucial step in China's pursuit of self-reliance in strategic mineral resources. By enhancing its capacity to produce rubidium internally, China is better positioned to withstand external pressures and maintain its lead in high-tech sectors. This breakthrough not only underlines China's commitment to technological advancement but also its determination to secure essential resources. As the global demand for strategic minerals intensifies, China's innovative approach could set a precedent for other nations seeking to bolster their mineral independence. China's Massive Nuclear Laser Project Exposed by U.S. Satellite—This Shocking Military Development Could Tip the Balance of Power The Future of Strategic Mineral Extraction The success of China's new rubidium extraction method is a testament to the country's growing capabilities in strategic minerals. As technological advancements continue to unfold, the implications for global mineral supply chains are profound. China's achievement could inspire similar innovations in other countries, potentially reshaping the landscape of mineral extraction worldwide. The Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes' approach to overcoming challenges in rubidium extraction reflects a broader trend of leveraging scientific research to enhance resource security. By reducing dependency on foreign sources, China is strengthening its position in the high-tech and defense sectors, ensuring a more stable and sustainable future for its industries. As the world grapples with the complexities of mineral supply chains, China's breakthrough prompts an open-ended question: How will other nations respond to the increasing need for strategic mineral self-reliance in the face of evolving global dynamics? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.7/5 (23)
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
QIAGEN's New QIAcuity dPCR IVD Pact With GENCURIX May Boost Its Stock
QIAGEN N.V. QGEN has announced a new partnership with South Korea-based GENCURIX, Inc. to develop oncology assays for use on the QIAcuityDx digital PCR (dPCR) platform. The molecular diagnostics company is the first development partner under QIAGEN's QIAcuityDx Partnering Program, designed to enable the generation of a broad menu of in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) assays on the QIAcuityDx Four platform, increasing access to digital PCR diagnostics. The latest development is expected to significantly boost the company's Precision Diagnostics business under the Diagnostic Solutions product group. Shares of QIAGEN stayed flat in the aftermarket following the announcement of the news yesterday. The collaboration with GENCURIX represents the first step in building a robust and innovative assay ecosystem for the QIAcuityDx platform, backed by QIAGEN's distribution capabilities and technical support. Accordingly, market sentiment surrounding QGEN stock should stay positive, driven by the news. QIAGEN has a market capitalization of $10.35 billion. The company has an earnings yield of 5%, well above the industry's -29.3% yield. In the trailing four quarters, it delivered an average earnings surprise of 4.9%. The QIAcuityDx Partnering Program aims to support third-party assay development on QIAcuityDx. A member of the QIAcuity family of dPCR systems, the platform had more than 2,700 cumulative placements since its launch by the end of 2024. These menu initiatives for clinical applications will leverage this installed base and build on the 2024 milestone of launching more than 130 new assays for QIAcuity for research applications, complemented by the extensive menu of custom assays available on QIAGEN's GeneGlobe platform. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Under this first partnership, GENCURIX will apply its proven expertise in complex, multiplex IVD assay development to create oncology tests. GENCURIX will begin developing multiple oncology assays and pursue IVD regulatory approvals. As the legal manufacturer of the assays, GENCURIX will be fully responsible for obtaining and maintaining all necessary regulatory approvals and certifications. Upon approval, the assays will be marketed through QIAGEN's global commercial infrastructure as part of the QIAcuityDx Partnering Program, ensuring streamlined access for laboratories worldwide. Per a research report, the global IVD market was valued at $108.30 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.6% through 2030. The growing demand for accurate, rapid and personalized diagnostic solutions globally is fueling the market's growth. The expansion is also supported by the integration of digital health, AI and data analytics into diagnostic platforms, helping enhance test accuracy and clinical decision-making. Last week, the company announced a new global collaboration with Incyte to develop a novel diagnostic panel to support the latter's extensive portfolio of investigational therapies for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), a group of rare blood cancers. Under the agreement terms, QIAGEN will develop a multimodal panel using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology for detecting clinically relevant gene alterations in hematological malignancies. Over the past year, QGEN shares have risen 8.1% against the industry's 16.1% decline. QIAGEN currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other top-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Phibro Animal Health PAHC, Hims & Hers Health HIMS and Cencora COR. While Phibro Animal Health sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, Hims & Hers Health and Cencora each carry a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Estimates for Phibro Animal Health's fiscal 2025 earnings per share have jumped 5.2% to $2.04 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have rallied 35.1% in the past year compared with the industry's 7.7% growth. Its earnings yield of 8.5% compares comfortably with the industry's 0.5% yield. PAHC's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 30.6%. Hims & Hers Health shares have surged 172.8% in the past year. Estimates for the company's 2025 earnings per share have jumped 2.8% to 73 cents in the past 30 days. HIMS' earnings beat estimates twice in the trailing four quarters, matched in one and missed on another occasion, the average surprise being 19.6%. In the last reported quarter, it posted an earnings surprise of 66.7%. Estimates for Cencora's fiscal 2025 earnings per share have increased 0.4% to $15.75 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have jumped 25.9% in the past year against the industry's 16.2% fall. COR's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 6%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 8.3%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report QIAGEN N.V. (QGEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cencora, Inc. (COR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (HIMS) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists unite with AI to record dreams
Dreaming is a fascinating state where creativity runs wild, crafting vivid, cinematic scenes that can feel as real as everyday life—until you wake up and they vanish into memory or disappear from your recollection altogether. But what if there were a way to capture, record, and playback your dreams in the real world? At ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories in Kyoto, Japan, a group of scientists unveiled a complex system that uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and AI to 'record' people's dreams and play them back in a rough, estimated form. The experiment focused on closely observing the brain's electrical and blood flow activity in a select group of volunteers as they slept. To achieve this, researchers combined an electroencephalogram (EEG) with an fMRI machine, allowing participants to spend several nights sleeping while their brain activity was recorded. During the REM stage of sleep—when brain activity surges and dreams unfold—participants were gently awakened and asked to recount their dreams. This process was repeated hundreds of times, creating a rich database that linked distinct brain-scan patterns to specific dream imagery. Using this carefully constructed database, scientists employed deep learning algorithms to attempt to reconstruct visual content while the volunteers slept. During the tests, the system achieved approximately 60% accuracy, rising to over 70% on more specific categories like people or objects. Professor Yukiyasu Kamitani stated, 'We were able to reveal dream content from brain activity during sleep, which was consistent with the subjects' verbal reports.' The idea of watching your dreams play out like a vintage film is undeniably captivating, but the implications for neuroscience and mental health are equally remarkable. In the future, this innovative approach could be harnessed to explore emotional and cognitive patterns in various mental health conditions, providing a non-verbal and impartial glimpse into the subconscious. As the technology advances, it holds the potential to deepen our understanding of both human consciousness and the subconscious mind. However, while the technology is still in its early stages, the results it produces are often blurry and indistinct. Key elements such as colour, motion, narrative structure, and emotion remain largely elusive for now. Currently, dreams can only be captured in retrospect, after the subject has awakened, rather than in real-time. Dr. Mark Stokes points out that "all of this would have to be done within individual subjects," meaning that a universal classifier capable of interpreting anyone's dreams is not feasible. In essence, a dream-reading machine is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Nonetheless, this experiment represents a significant leap forward in the field of "oneirography," which involves the recording and documentation of dreams. As advancements in fMRI, EEG, and AI continue, the boundary between our internal mental experiences and external observation is starting to blur. "Scientists unite with AI to record dreams" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Inmispace Announces Plans for Corporate Workshop on Breath, Leadership and Resilience in Singapore
Inmispace Announces Plans for Corporate Workshop on Breath, Leadership & Resilience in Singapore SINGAPORE, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inmispace, a global wellness company specializing in subconscious healing, breathwork, and emotional regulation, has announced plans to deliver a corporate workshop in Singapore. The upcoming session is designed to help professionals strengthen leadership performance, reduce burnout, and build long-term resilience—using the power of the breath and the subconscious mind. The company has delivered similar programs across London and Europe—empowering senior leaders, fast-growth teams, and high-pressure industries with practical tools for emotional clarity and peak performance. Led by Inmispace's founder, Pei Chan, the workshop introduces techniques drawn from Transformational Breath® and Rapid Transformational Therapy®, supporting professionals in shifting from reactive to responsive leadership. The company's methodology blends modern science practices to help teams regulate the nervous system, enhance decision-making, and manage stress in high-stakes environments. Key focus areas covered in past sessions include: The Power Pivot – Tools for navigating leadership transitions with confidence Breathe to Lead – Breath-based strategies to stay grounded during negotiations and meetings Unlock the Unconscious – Identifying and shifting stress-driven habits at the root level 'Breathwork is often the missing piece in leadership development,' says Chan. 'When breath is shallow, decisions tend to be reactive. This workshop is about equipping professionals with the tools to lead from a place of calm, clarity, and inner strength.' Inmispace has worked with leaders across sectors including fintech, consulting, healthcare, and fashion, with many clients describing the work as 'deeply grounding' and 'career-transforming.' The announcement comes ahead of the launch of My Breath Journal, Inmispace's upcoming wellness tool, designed to guide professionals through daily breath practices in a practical, approachable format. The journal is expected to be released later this summer. About InmispaceInmispace is a global wellness brand dedicated to subconscious healing, emotional regulation, and nervous system mastery. Their signature sessions combine powerful breathwork practices with modern therapeutic techniques, providing high-performing individuals and teams with a path to peak performance grounded in inner peace. Companies or event organizers interested in bringing Inmispace Founder Pei Chan in for corporate engagements or media features are invited to contact her team directly. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: Media Contact: Sabrina Stocker info@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited Announces Completion of Debt Conversion of $1,670,207
Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - June 19, 2025) - St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited (TSX: SAU) ("St. Augustine" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated June 2, 2025, it has completed its previously announced debt settlement (the "Debt Settlement") transaction with Queensberry Mining and Development Corp. (the "Creditor"). Pursuant to the Debt Settlement, the Company issued an aggregate of 25,306,166 common shares in the capital of the Company, at a deemed price of $0.066 per common share, in consideration for the settlement of a total of CAD $1,670,207 in connection with certain funds advanced to the Company by the Creditor. The Debt Conversion is a "related party transaction" for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on an exemption from the minority approval and formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 due to the fact that the value of the transaction does not represent greater than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company. About St. Augustine St. Augustine (SAU.T) is a TSX-listed mining company focused on the development of the King-king Copper-Gold Project. The Project is one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world and is listed as a top three-priority mining project by the Philippine government. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This announcement includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. While we consider these assumptions to be reasonable based on currently available information, they may prove to be incorrect. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking information is also subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's current expectations, including changes in market conditions, governmental or regulatory developments and general economic conditions. Other risks and uncertainties related to the Company are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2025 and filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR+ website at Forward-looking information contained in this announcement is based on our current estimates, expectations and projections, which we believe are reasonable as of the current date. You should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely on this information as of any other date. While we may elect to, we are under no obligation and do not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required by applicable securities law. For more Information: Lenna Mae LeopoldoInvestor and Public Relations ContactT: +6382 225 0884E: lleopoldo@ ST. AUGUSTINE CORPORATEHEADQUARTERSNo. 21, Greenwood LaneSingapore, 286949 To view the source version of this press release, please visit
