Latest news with #Chengdu
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Scanned the Brains of Hardcore Gooners and Found Something Ominous
Watching a whole bunch of smut has some major side effects — and no, we're not just talking about stained bedsheets. In a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, researchers at the Chengdu Medical College in China found that people who watch a lot of pornography had lower cognitive performance and showed signs of neurological arousal akin to opioid addiction. It's new data in a swirling debate over whether watching porn — or how much — affects cognition, emotional regulation, and our relationships. The battle has raged on for years in academic journals, but has gained increasing prominence as a divisive political and social issue in recent years (complicating matters further, there's a broad medical consensus that masturbation is healthy.) The Chengdu researchers are squarely in the "porn sucks" category with this study. Using an experimental cohort of 21 heterosexual, mostly male college students — 16 who said in a survey they only watch adult content on occasion, and five who were described as having a "severe" internet porn addiction — the team used a brain imaging technique to measure how the habit was affecting cognition. Known as functional near-infrared spectroscopy or fNIRS, this imaging method looks at brain activity by shining a near-infrared light through the scalp and seeing how much of its light is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the brain. Using a fitted fNIRS cap and additional instruments that recorded facial expressions and vital signs, the researchers looked at the brain and body feedback coming from those 21 college students while they watched a 10-minute-long X-rated clip. Before and after the viewing session — in which the participants were asked to not masturbate, we should note — the students performed tests designed to measure cognitive function. The brain readings of the two groups turned out to be vastly different. The occasional porn watchers exhibited stronger neural connectivity in brain regions related to language, movement, and sensory processing. And the "gooners," to use cultural parlance for people who are seriously hooked on erotica, had heightened connectivity in regions related to executive function, addiction, and emotional regulation. The gooner squad also showed higher emotional and physiological arousal than their less-porn-watching counterparts, and their facial expressions when watching the clip showed a wide variety of emotions ranging from happiness to anger — though strangely, the study also found they appeared more "numb" than the lower-frequency group. In sum, the study suggests, the effects were similar to opioid users who experience intense calm, euphoria, and blurry perception. Physiologically, there were similarities between both groups during the viewing sessions — but the changes exhibited were often more dramatic in the gooners. Both groups had lowered heart rates during the session, but the effect was more pronounced in the more dedicated smut consumers. The same was true for the lowered cognitive performance both groups showed post-porn, which declined more steeply in the high-frequency porn watchers. These results aren't entirely surprising. A 2021 study found that problematic porn watchers suffer deficits in everything from working memory and decision-making to inhibition control and attention span; a 2014 paper found reductions in gray matter volume associated with consuming adult content. Though there will obviously need to be more and larger studies to figure out what's going on physically and neurologically with gooners, this research seems to demystify porn's effects on frequent watchers — not to mention an interesting new datapoint in the debate over the seriousness of porn addiction, too. More on porn: Government Website Caught Hosting "Gay Impregnation" Content
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
The Temple House, Chengdu, China, hotel review
Location Backing onto one of the best luxury shopping complexes in the Jinjiang district of Chengdu, The Temple House hotel (part of The House Collective) is centrally located and a great base for exploring this vibrant city. A few hundred feet from the hotel are the boutiques that draw shoppers from across China and beyond, including the Gucci boutique which attracts the world's third-highest sales, and a traditional house transformed into a Louis Vuitton shop and café, plus mega shopping centres and social media-famous cafés. The hotel blends ancient Chinese traditionalism with ultra modernity. The vibe Through a restored siheyuan courtyard, originally built during the Qing dynasty and lit up by lanterns that hang from a towering tree, the reception area has a library on one side and exudes a peaceful atmosphere. This is carried through into the spa and Mi Xun Teahouse, the Michelin-starred and Michelin Green-starred vegetarian restaurant. There are several more buildings that make up the hotel with the guest rooms and suites in super modern tower blocks and decorated in a contemporary, minimalist style with modern art on the walls, in contrast to the old Chinese part of the hotel. The service Young, friendly, English-speaking staff greet guests at reception and cheerfully help with luggage, delivering suitcases to rooms. The food service is also friendly and casual, with a warm, familiar demeanour that feels like you are chatting with old friends. Our server at the onsite cocktail bar recalled our names and was happy to recommend cocktails. Bed and bath Rooms are luxurious with minimalist, modern decor and contrasting black, white and wooden accents. The rooms look out across the metropolis of Chengdu, with a view of tower blocks, bright lights and temples, which is dazzling especially at night through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Black-walled bathrooms are kitted out with Bamford toiletries to be enjoyed under the walk-in waterfall showers or whilst soaking in the free-standing tub. The minibar has complimentary snacks and soft drinks, plus affordable bottles of wine. The bedroom is meditatively simple in its decor – think crisp white sheets on extra-large beds – although we won't judge you for simply channel-surfing on the flat screen TV. Food and drink The Mi Xun Teahouse holds a Michelin Green Star for sustainability. The vegetarian restaurant has inventive set menus at affordable prices with dishes such as meaty kung pao mushrooms, spicy Sichuan lotus root and dishes that won't make you miss the lack of meat on the menu. Tea is a big feature too, with refreshing and uplifting teas to accompany all courses. Tivano is an Italian restaurant that holds regular guest pop-up dinners. The menu includes inventive and homely pasta, pizza and much more, along with an extensive curated wine and cocktails list. The atmosphere is convivial, with friendly wait staff, plenty of drinks and even a room for kids to play so the adults can enjoy home-cooked Italian classics. Jing bar is a Jazz-age inspired drinking den serving up a menu of classic and creative cocktails and tipples, from a Singapore sling to a Sichuan mule. DJs keep the vibe ticking over in this stylish retro speakeasy. Elsewhere, breakfast is served in the Temple Café with Chinese and Western options, all washed down with great coffee. Facilities After a workout in the modern gym on the Technogym machines, turn up the temperature in t he sauna and steam rooms. The 25-metre subterranean pool is atmospheric with amazing skylights reminiscent of ripples when a stone is dropped in water. Walk through a secretive old courtyard with welcoming alcoves to relax in after a treatment at the Mi Xun Spa. Choose from a range of massages and treatments, such as facials, plus the signature bamboo massage, which uses bamboo canes to provide a targeted and relaxing treatment. Guests can select the scent of their massage oil depending on their mood, whether seeking deep relaxation or a more invigorating experience. Finish up with a tea from the Mi Xun Teahouse. Disability access Public areas are wheelchair accessible, as are some rooms. Pet policy No pets allowed. Check in/check out Check in from 2pm; check out by 12 noon. Family-friendly? There is a sophisticated feeling to the hotel, but families are welcome. The Italian restaurant has a child-friendly play area. At a glance Best thing: The library in the old courtyard. Perfect for: City explorers looking for the perfect, serene base.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
The Temple House, Chengdu hotel review
Location Backing onto one of the best luxury shopping complexes in the Jinjiang district of Chengdu, The Temple House hotel (part of The House Collective) is centrally located and a great base for exploring this vibrant city. A few hundred feet from the hotel are the boutiques that draw shoppers from across China and beyond, including the Gucci boutique which attracts the world's third-highest sales, and a traditional house transformed into a Louis Vuitton shop and café, plus mega shopping centres and social media-famous cafés. The hotel blends ancient Chinese traditionalism with ultra modernity. The vibe Through a restored siheyuan courtyard, originally built during the Qing dynasty and lit up by lanterns that hang from a towering tree, the reception area has a library on one side and exudes a peaceful atmosphere. This is carried through into the spa and Mi Xun Teahouse, the Michelin-starred and Michelin Green-starred vegetarian restaurant. There are several more buildings that make up the hotel with the guest rooms and suites in super modern tower blocks and decorated in a contemporary, minimalist style with modern art on the walls, in contrast to the old Chinese part of the hotel. The service Young, friendly, English-speaking staff greet guests at reception and cheerfully help with luggage, delivering suitcases to rooms. The food service is also friendly and casual, with a warm, familiar demeanour that feels like you are chatting with old friends. Our server at the onsite cocktail bar recalled our names and was happy to recommend cocktails. Bed and bath Rooms are luxurious with minimalist, modern decor and contrasting black, white and wooden accents. The rooms look out across the metropolis of Chengdu, with a view of tower blocks, bright lights and temples, which is dazzling especially at night through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Black-walled bathrooms are kitted out with Bamford toiletries to be enjoyed under the walk-in waterfall showers or whilst soaking in the free-standing tub. The minibar has complimentary snacks and soft drinks, plus affordable bottles of wine. The bedroom is meditatively simple in its decor – think crisp white sheets on extra-large beds – although we won't judge you for simply channel-surfing on the flat screen TV. Food and drink The Mi Xun Teahouse holds a Michelin Green Star for sustainability. The vegetarian restaurant has inventive set menus at affordable prices with dishes such as meaty kung pao mushrooms, spicy Sichuan lotus root and dishes that won't make you miss the lack of meat on the menu. Tea is a big feature too, with refreshing and uplifting teas to accompany all courses. Tivano is an Italian restaurant that holds regular guest pop-up dinners. The menu includes inventive and homely pasta, pizza and much more, along with an extensive curated wine and cocktails list. The atmosphere is convivial, with friendly wait staff, plenty of drinks and even a room for kids to play so the adults can enjoy home-cooked Italian classics. Jing bar is a Jazz-age inspired drinking den serving up a menu of classic and creative cocktails and tipples, from a Singapore sling to a Sichuan mule. DJs keep the vibe ticking over in this stylish retro speakeasy. Elsewhere, breakfast is served in the Temple Café with Chinese and Western options, all washed down with great coffee. Facilities After a workout in the modern gym on the Technogym machines, turn up the temperature in t he sauna and steam rooms. The 25-metre subterranean pool is atmospheric with amazing skylights reminiscent of ripples when a stone is dropped in water. Walk through a secretive old courtyard with welcoming alcoves to relax in after a treatment at the Mi Xun Spa. Choose from a range of massages and treatments, such as facials, plus the signature bamboo massage, which uses bamboo canes to provide a targeted and relaxing treatment. Guests can select the scent of their massage oil depending on their mood, whether seeking deep relaxation or a more invigorating experience. Finish up with a tea from the Mi Xun Teahouse. Disability access Public areas are wheelchair accessible, as are some rooms. Pet policy No pets allowed. Check in/check out Check in from 2pm; check out by 12 noon. Family-friendly? There is a sophisticated feeling to the hotel, but families are welcome. The Italian restaurant has a child-friendly play area. At a glance Best thing: The library in the old courtyard. Perfect for: City explorers looking for the perfect, serene base.
CNA
7 days ago
- Business
- CNA
There's more to Chengdu than just pandas: How to have a chic getaway in this Sichuan city
At first glance, Chengdu seems to run entirely on the panda economy and to some extent, it does. As the capital of Sichuan province and home to major panda conservation and research centres, the city has fully embraced its status as the spiritual home of China's most beloved furball. No wonder the city is overflowing with panda-themed everything. From panda-shaped ice cream to black-and-white bubble tea, exclusive merch (even from collectible chain Pop Mart) and plushies galore. It is cute, kitsch and completely unavoidable. But Chengdu has also been quietly upping its style game. In recent years, luxury fashion houses like Bottega Veneta, Loewe and Dior have launched striking flagships and exclusive concepts. Louis Vuitton, for example, opened its third China Maison here, featuring The Hall – its first restaurant in China – inside the century-old Guangdong Hall. This understated cool is embodied by locals: designer handbags slung over relaxed silhouettes, vintage touches and sneakers with attitude. No wonder coveted French label and champion of quiet luxury Lemaire recently opened its inaugural store in China at the unique Taikoo Li development, which features the adaptive reuse of Qing dynasty courtyard houses and traditional architecture for luxury retail and F&B concepts. To immerse in this heritage-meets-contemporary vibe, check into The Temple House, arguably the most distinctive of Swire Hotels' three House Collective properties, alongside hotels in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Designed by architectural firm Make Architects and adjacent to Taikoo Li, Temple House, which features 100 hotel rooms and 42 serviced apartments, is part of the city government's conservation project to preserve the heritage buildings in the vicinity. Named after the 1,600-year-old Daci Temple on whose grounds it now stands, the hotel draws on a rich past. This storied sanctuary has welcomed emperors, poets and seekers of wisdom including the monk Xuanzang, whose epic pilgrimage inspired Journey to the West. Today, the main temple complex still stands in the middle of Taikoo Li, offering an interesting counterpoint to the sleek storefronts and buzzy eateries surrounding it. This essence of cultural depth is echoed in The Temple House, which thoughtfully incorporates its reverence for history with a modern, minimalist sensibility. The entrance is set in a painstakingly restored hundred-year-old Qing Dynasty Chinese courtyard building, once home to scholars who had travelled to study in Chengdu. It is a humble, historic entryway that sets the tone for the hotel's quietly memorable hospitality. Checking into my chic Deluxe Temple Suite, a blend of dark timber accents and sunlit tones of white and oak, I am welcomed with playful local touches – a dessert platter styled like hotpot, freshly brewed tea and a cuddly panda plushie for company. If Taikoo Li is where Chengdu shows off its polished, Prada-wearing side, then Dong Jiao Memory Cultural and Creative Park is its artsy counterpart who listens to vinyl and thrift shops for upcycled secondhand finds. Just two metro stops or a 15 minute drive from The Temple House, this former factory site has been transformed into a sprawling creative park, while still preserving its industrial facade. Sprawling factories have been transformed into indie retail outlets, cool cafes like popular chain Manner and bubble tea joints abound and there are art installations, galleries and live music gigs to uncover. This is also where the Xiaohongshu-famous brick wall bearing the Chinese characters Chengdu is located. Get in line to snap a selfie but know everyone takes their sweet time perfecting their shot. Of course, no trip to Chengdu is complete without feasting on its signature culinary highlights, chief among them, the obligatory communal, tongue-numbing Sichuan hotpot. For an over-the-top experience, head to The Way of the Dragon, a theatrical hotpot restaurant tucked along Kuan Zhai Alley, one of the city's best-preserved historic streets, now buzzing with shops, street snacks and teahouses. It's a full-blown spectacle, with servers presenting platters of meats, mushrooms and offal (if you dare) on dragon- or boat-shaped vessels. There is also a nightly show with classic Sichuan acts including musical recitals, kung fu demonstrations and the crowd-pleasing bian lian (face changing) opera performance. After all that spice and spectacle, Chengdu's teahouse culture, popular among locals as a place for relaxation and socialising, is a welcome palate cleanser. The Temple House's Mi Xun Teahouse – also where the hotel's excellent spa is located – is situated within a standalone courtyard building next to the hotel and elevates this concept to an artform. The Michelin Green Star teahouse offers a refined vegan menu inspired by the healthful dishes once served at Daci Temple with delicious meatless versions of Sichuan specialties such as dan dan mian noodles and mapo tofu. Both were layered with such bold, satisfying flavours that not a single soul at the table missed the meat. The menu also celebrates the seasons with elegant, farm-to-table dishes crafted from locally sourced produce, offering a lighter perspective to Sichuanese cuisine. Naturally, there is a broad selection of tea varieties to pair with the food. Alternatively, head sommelier Cederic Yao will happily share his recommendations for highly rated and rare Chinese wines. Tip: When the weather is good, ask for a table in the red lantern-lit courtyard for an atmospheric meal. The Temple House is also home to Tivano, a Michelin-listed Italian spot led by chef Riccardo Baronchelli (ex-Mandarin Oriental Singapore), known for its open kitchen, wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas. Afterwards, head to cocktail bar Jing, where Boston Baijiu Bar alum Nick Lappen serves globally inspired drinks in a sultry, low-lit setting. Just beyond the hotel, alleys brim with eateries, including stalls selling the classic Chengdu snack of stewed rabbit heads. Locals swear by them but I chickened out. I had better luck at the one Michelin-starred Ma's Kitchen, a Chengdu institution that began as a humble eatery in 1923. It is famed for elevated versions of comfort dishes like kung pao prawns with eggplant, twice-cooked pork and cold chicken in green Sichuan pepper and every bite was wiped clean. Pro tip: they do not take reservations, so go early or expect a queue. For those who are game for a day trip that is off the well-trodden panda path, visit the Sanxingdui Museum, about an hour's drive away. This fascinating museum houses one of China's most intriguing archaeological finds - the remains of a mysterious Bronze Age civilisation that thrived over 3,000 years ago and then disappeared without a trace or any form of writing. A new extension by Chinese architecture firm CSWADI opened in 2023, more than doubling the exhibition space and bringing renewed attention to Sanxingdui's mind-boggling discoveries. There are a staggering array of artefacts including delicate gold sceptres, an intricate bronze tree of life, and countless ceremonial masks with wide, staring eyes and razor-sharp geometric features. These objects are so otherworldly they have sparked countless theories of time travel, alien contact or lost advanced civilisations. I was mesmerised by how strangely modern many of them appear. A stone stele had engravings that looked like they were made by laser and the masks looked like they belonged in a superhero movie. The piercing gazes of the bronze masks lingered in my mind long after I left the museum.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Keymed Biosciences Announces the Latest Clinical Trial Results of CM336 Published in the New England Journal of Medicine
CHENGDU, China, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Keymed Biosciences Inc. (HKEX: 02162) today announced that Prof. Jun Shi's research team from the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences) has recently published a research report titled "BCMA-Targeted T-Cell Engager for Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia after CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy" in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), which has reported for the first time globally the research data on a BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody treatment for patients with refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). The study results showed that two patients experienced rapid disease improvement after the administration of CM336, achieving partial remission on days 13 and 19, respectively. Hemoglobin levels returned to normal on days 17 and 21, respectively, while reticulocyte counts, lactate dehydrogenase, and indirect bilirubin levels significantly decreased. Before receiving treatment with CM336, both patients had undergone multiple treatment regimens, including glucocorticoids, splenectomy, anti-CD20 antibodies, BTK inhibitors, and CD19 CAR-T cell therapies, but their disease eventually recurred or progressed to refractory status. The latest assessment results after 6 months post-starting CM336 showed that both patients remained in sustained remission without immunosuppressive therapies or transfusions. No cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), or infection events occurred during the entire treatment and follow-up period. The overall study showed that CM336 had demonstrated positive efficacy signals in treating patients with relapsed/refractory AIHA who had previously received multiple therapies, with rapid disease control and sustained remission lasting over half a year, while also exhibiting good safety profile, potentially making it an innovative treatment option for development in this disease. About CM336CM336 is a BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody that can simultaneously target and identify and specifically bind both BCMA on the surface of target cells and the CD3 receptors on the surface of T cells to recruit immune T cells to the vicinity of the target cells, thereby inducing T-cell dependent cellular cytotoxicity (TDCC) to eliminate the target cells. As of the date of this announcement, the Phase II clinical study of CM336 for the treatment of primary light-chain amyloidosis has been approved by the Center for Drug Evaluation of the National Medical Products Administration and will commence clinical trials shortly. About Keymed BiosciencesKeymed Biosciences Inc. (HKEX: 02162) is a biotech company focused on the urgent unmet clinical needs, and committed to providing high-quality, affordable, innovative therapies for patients in China and overseas. Keymed was founded by medical and scientific experts who have strong experience in the transformation of scientific and technological achievements to commercialization at home and abroad. View original content: SOURCE Keymed Biosciences 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
