Latest news with #Xue
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pregnant mothers' high blood pressure linked to this increased risk in children
Pregnant mothers experiencing high blood pressure may have to worry about another potential health risk to their children, researchers warned on Monday. The condition, also known as gestational hypertension, has previously been linked to premature births and stillbirths that are tied to a decrease in blood flow through the placenta. Now, researchers at University of Iowa Health Care have found it is also associated with an increased risk for seizure in kids. "The connection between high blood pressure in pregnant moms and seizures in children from these pregnancies had been postulated before, but never examined on a large scale, and never modeled in an animal,' Dr. Baojian Xue, a senior research scientist in pediatrics at the university, commented on the research. 'With these new mouse models and this new connection between gestational hypertension and seizures, we can now perhaps come up with new childhood anti-seizure therapies," he wrote. Xue was the first author of the National Institutes of Health-funded study, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. To reach these conclusions, they utilized clinical databases and studies in lab mice, including the records of more than 246 million patients from across the U.S. The study found that children born to mothers with high blood pressure during their pregnancy had significantly higher rates of seizures compared to those with normal blood pressure. In mice, testing confirmed that exposure to gestational hypertension in the womb increased seizure sensitivity and death due to seizures. Of their subjects, male offspring showed greater vulnerability to the medical condition. They also found that brain inflammation played a 'significant role' in the process of disease, saying it may play such a role in human children. Gestational hypertension impacts nearly 16 percent of American pregnancies. Mothers are also at a higher risk of seizures, stroke, temporary kidney failure, and liver and blood clotting problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Most people with high blood pressure will deliver healthy babies when the condition is caught early in pregnancy. However, the more severe the condition is, the more at risk mothers are for serious complications, the clinic notes. That can include preeclampsia, when high blood pressure develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Eclampsia occurs when a pregnant woman has seizures due to untreated or under-treated preeclampsia. But this study – the first large-scale evidence connecting gestational hypertension to heightened seizure risk in offspring – may offer new pathways for further research. The impact of brain inflammation could be targeted to prevent seizures in children exposed to gestational hypertension. Notably, this research was released the same day as another study from Columbia University that found low levels of arsenic in drinking water were also linked to preterm birth and lower birthweight. "This study is unique because you have an association drawn from analyses of large clinical databases, but then we go on to prove the association with animal models,' Dr. Vinit Mahajan, professor of ophthalmology at Stanford University and a co-author on the study, explained. 'We were even able to reduce seizures in mice offspring with anti-inflammatory drugs based on what we learned from the model.'
CNBC
06-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
The world could be facing another 'China shock,' but it comes with a silver-lining: Cooler inflation
SINGAPORE -- Vincent Xue runs an online grocery retail business, offering fresh produce, canned food, packaged easy-to-cook ingredients to cost-conscious local consumers in Singapore. Xue's Nasdaq-listed Webuy Global sources primarily from suppliers in China. Since late last year, one third of his suppliers, saddled with excess inventory in China, have offered steep his company discounts of up to 70%. "Chinese domestic markets are too competitive, some larger F&B manufacturers were struggling to destock their inventories as weak consumer demand drags," he said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC. Xue has also gotten busier this year after sealing a partnership with Chinese e-commerce platform Pinduoduo that has been making inroads into the Southeast Asian country. "There will be about 5-6 containers loaded with Pinduoduo's orders coming in every week," Xue said, and Webuy Global will support the last-mile delivery to customers. At a time when steep tariffs are deterring Chinese exports to the U.S., while domestic consumption remains a worry, overcapacity has led Chinese producer prices to stay in deflationary territory for more than two years. Consumer inflation has remained near zero. Still, the country is doubling down on manufacturing, and this production overdrive is rippling through global markets, stirring anxiety in Asia that a flood of cheap imports could squeeze local industries, experts said. "Every economy around the world is concerned about being swamped by Chinese exports ... many of them [have] started to put up barriers to importing from China," said Eswar Prasad, senior professor of trade policy and economics at Cornell University. But for inflation-worn economies, economists say the influx of low-cost Chinese goods comes with a silver-lining: lower costs for consumers. That in turn could offer central banks some relief as they juggle lowering living costs while reviving growth on the back of rising trade tensions. For markets with limited manufacturing bases, such as Australia, cheap Chinese imports could ease the cost-of-living crisis and help bring down inflationary pressure, said Nick Marro, principal economist at Economist Intelligence Unit. Emerging growth risks and subdued inflation may pave the way for more rate cuts across Asia, according to Nomura, which expects central banks in the region to further decouple from the Fed and deliver additional easing. The investment bank predicts Reserve Bank of India to deliver additional rate cuts of 100 basis points during rest of the year, central banks in Philippines and Thailand to cut rates by 75 basis points each, while Australia and Indonesia could lower rates by 50 basis points, and South Korea by a quarter-percentage-point. In Singapore, the rise in costs of living was among the hot-button issues during the city-state's election campaigning in the lead up to the polls held last month. Core inflation in Singapore could surprise at the lower end of the MAS forecast range, economists at Nomura said, citing the impact of influx of cheap Chinese imports. Singapore is not alone in witnessing the disinflationary impact as low-cost Chinese goods flood in. "Disinflationary forces are likely to permeate across Asia," added Nomura economists, anticipating Asian nations to feel the impact from "China shock" accelerating in the coming months. Asian economies were already wary of China's excess capacity, with several countries imposing anti-dumping duties to safeguard local manufacturing production, even before the roll-out of Trump's sweeping tariffs. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the world economy experienced the so-called "China shock," when a surge in cheap China-made imports helped keep inflation low while costing local manufacturing jobs. A sequel of sorts appears to be under way as Beijing focuses on exports to offset the drag in domestic consumption. Chinese exports to the ASEAN bloc rose 11.5% year on year in the first four months this year, as shipments to the U.S. shrank 2.5%, according to China's official customs data. In April alone, China's shipments to ASEAN surged 20.8%, as exports to U.S. plunged over 21% year on year. These goods often arrive at a discount. Economists at Goldman Sachs estimate Chinese products imported by Japan in the past two years to have become about 15% cheaper compared to products from other countries. India, Vietnam and Indonesia have imposed various protectionist measures to provide some relief for domestic producers from intense price competition, particularly in sectors facing overcapacity and cheap imports. While for a large number of countries an influx of Chinese goods is a trade-off between lower inflation and the adverse impact on local production, countries such as Thailand could be facing a double-edged sword. Thailand will likely be the hardest-hit by "China shock," even sliding into a deflation this year, Nomura economists predict, while India, Indonesia and the Philippines will also see inflation falling below central banks' targets.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Groundbreaking new contact lens lets people see even in dark
Scientists have created contact lenses that enable wearers to see in the dark using infrared vision, an invention that could lead to advances in emergency and rescue operations. Unlike traditional night vision goggles, these lenses don't require a power source and enable wearers to see infrared and visible light simultaneously, according to a new study published in the journal Cell. 'Our research opens up the potential for non-invasive wearable devices to give people super-vision,' study senior author Tian Xue from the University of Science and Technology of China, said. The lens uses tiny nanoparticles that absorb infrared light and convert it into wavelengths that are visible to mammalian eyes. These particles specifically enable detection of 'near-infrared light', which has a wavelength range of 800-1600 nanometres. This is just beyond what mammals perceive, which is a fraction of the wavelengths corresponding to visible light, typically in the 400-700 nm range. Previous research in mice showed that these particles enabled infrared vision when injected into the retina but the Chinese scientists set out to design a less invasive option. To develop the new lenses, they combined the nanoparticles with flexible, non-toxic polymers used in standard soft contact lenses. Researchers then tested the lenses in both humans and mice. They found that when given a choice of a dark box and an infrared-illuminated box, contact lens-wearing mice chose the dark box, whereas those without the eye gear showed no preference. The pupils of contact-wearing mice also constricted in the presence of infrared light and scans of their brains showed infrared light causing their visual processing centres to light up. In humans, participants wearing the lens could accurately detect flashing Morse code-like infrared signals. 'It's totally clear cut: without the contact lenses, the subject cannot see anything, but when they put them on, they can clearly see the flickering of the infrared light,' Dr Xue said. 'We also found that when the subject closes their eyes, they are even better able to receive this flickering information, because near-infrared light penetrates the eyelid more effectively than visible light.' Currently, the lenses are only able to detect infrared radiation from an LED light source. The researchers are working to increase the particles' sensitivity so they can detect lower levels of infrared light. 'In the future, by working together with materials scientists and optical experts, we hope to make a contact lens with more precise spatial resolution and higher sensitivity,' Dr Xue said. 'This technology has a wide range of practical applications, including infrared information encoding and transmission, enhanced vision in poor visibility conditions like foggy or dusty conditions, and integration into smart devices for rescue and emergencies.'
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Global Times: Ancient village in Guangdong Province being transformed by literature, tourism
05/15/2025, Beijing, China // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // In South China's Guangdong Province lies an ancient Hakka village called 'China's First Village of Writers,' also known as the Writers' Village. It is the place that gave the renowned Chinese writer Xue Mo endless creative inspiration over the past decade. After settling down in the village in 2010, Xue kept exploring new frontiers in literary creation with his works going to the globe. The Writers' Village's prototype is a small literary community formed by a number of well-known writers in 2007. Attracted by the livable environment and convenient transportation, they chose to settle in the nearly 300-year-old Hakka village in the town of Zhangmutou Town in Dongguan and devoted themselves to writing. In 2010, the local government established the brand of the Writers' Village, putting money and effort into improving the literature creation environment in order to attract more writers. It was not until recently that the Writers' Village transformed from a conceptual idea into a physical space. The Global Times has learned from Cai Zengyu, an official from the Cultural, Sports, and Tourism Office of Zhangmutou Town that 30 million yuan ($4.15 million) has been invested into renovating a 20,000-square-meter cluster of buildings in the Guancang community in Zhangmutou Town since 2023. The Writers' Village now features five main zones separately for artistic creation, cultural performances, public communication, leisure tourism, and scenic experiences. Cai said that the local government has implemented supportive policies including housing and creative grants, as well as a 9-million-yuan investment in third-party operational management to provide better service to writers. Thriving literary creation The improvement of writing environment has enabled the Writers' Village to becomg one of China's most prolific literary bases. Dongguan is a place where it has inspired him with endless creativity, Xue Mo, vice chairman from the Writers Association of Northwest China's Gansu Province and a deputy head of the Writers' Village, told the Global Times. As one of the first batch writers to take up residence in 2010, Xue said many of his important works were finished in Zhangmutou Town of the city in the past 10 years. Xue noted that Dongguan provides the perfect writing ecosystem - natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, and strong government support. 'This is a blessed land for writers,' he said. Novelist Chen Chongzheng was another writer attracted by the village's atmosphere. He told the Global Times that he conceived and completed the short story Against the Wind in the village. The story blends the atmosphere of both urban and rural life. 'My inspiration came directly from the Writers' Village because it is exactly where the tranquility of the countryside meets the convenience of city living,' he said. Chen said the village not only provides writers with a spiritual haven, but also brings the public closer to the literary community, breaking down the barrier of 'literary elitism.' 'Integrating creative work with rural life exactly echoes the traditional Chinese practice of caifeng (literary fieldwork) - the idea that literature originates from the people and serves the people,' he said. As of April 2025, a total of 97 writers have settled in the village, including 65 national-level writers and critics, as well as nine former members of the China Writers Association, according to Cai. Cai said the number of published literary works of the writers has reached nearly 700. Over 500 of these works have received awards above the municipal level, including eight Lu Xun Literature Awards, one of the most prestigious literary awards in China. 'Dongguan is a city largely made up of migrants from all over China, each bringing their own accents, memories, and views on life. These differences inevitably lead to clashes, exchanges, and integration,' said Xie Youshun, professor of the Chinese Department in Sun Yat-Sen University. Xie emphasized that the dynamic process holds great value for literary story-telling, which may explain why so many writers have gathered in Zhangmutou. 'The gathering speaks to their attraction to this new way of life, which itself is a rich vein of material waiting to be explored in literature,' Xie noted. Booming cultural tourism The thriving literary output has drawn attention to the village, promoting economic growth in Zhangmutou Town. Through the 'literature plus' business model, such as 'literature + film and television,' 'literature + tourism' and 'literature + cultural souvenirs,' Zhangmutou Town found its way to boost local economy. For example, the village has collaborated with 18 top-tier media groups such as iQiyi, Huayi Brothers and Tencent Pictures to explore digital, audio, and film adaptations of writers' works. By partnering with travel platforms such as China Travel Service and Mafengwo, the Writers' Village has linked nearby cultural and natural attractions to create themed travel experiences like educational tours and family trips and other tourism items. Literary-themed local specialties, such as 'Inspiration Water' (a loquat-flavored beverage) and 'Wenzhang Zui' (a literary-themed liquor), along with calendars and music boxes, have also been launched for visitors to buy at supermarkets, hotels, bookstores, and restaurants in the village. The article first appeared in the Global Times: Company: Global Times Contact Person: Anna Li Email: [email protected] Website: City: Beijing
International Business Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
Entertainment IP x Consumer Products: Evolving Global Licensing Strategies
Entertainment IP collaborations have evolved beyond traditional marketing initiatives, now representing a core growth strategy across sectors such as gaming, mobility, and food and beverage. By merging cultural relevance with product innovation, these partnerships are reshaping how brands connect with consumers across demographics and regions. An analysis of five notable collaborations, including three developed under the leadership of Cosmo Xue, a global authority in IP licensing and cross-industry brand partnerships, illustrates the changing dynamics and expanding influence of co-branded innovation. Segway x Transformers (2022–2024): Integrating Mobility with Fan Culture The partnership between Segway-Ninebot and Hasbro's Transformers introduced five limited-edition mobility products, including the Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Gokart PROs. Distributed across China, the United States, and Canada, the collaboration remained active through April 2024. The launch campaign delivered a 37% increase in Segway's online traffic and was featured by over 500 media outlets, including License Global and PR Newswire. Under Xue's strategic leadership, the collaboration contributed to Segway's repositioning from a mobility innovator to a lifestyle brand, demonstrating the expanding role of entertainment IP within the mobility sector. PUBG MOBILE x Venom (2024): Advancing Narrative Integration in Mobile Gaming In 2024, Tencent Games collaborated with Sony Pictures to integrate Venom into PUBG MOBILE through immersive in-game content and targeted social media promotions across North America and Southeast Asia. The initiative drove over 12 million video views across TikTok and YouTube within the first weeks of launch and recorded a significant increase in user engagement. Xue directed the global execution of the campaign, ensuring narrative consistency and regional market adaptation, an approach increasingly cited as a model for cross-industry IP licensing. Fortnite x Nike (2023): Expanding Brand Presence in Virtual Spaces Fortnite and Nike's 2023 collaboration introduced "Airphoria Island," a virtual experience featuring exclusive digital Air Max sneakers. The campaign attracted millions of players globally and was widely reported by outlets such as IGN, Hypebeast, and Business of Fashion. Nike's internal metrics showed a measurable rise in brand engagement among Gen Z audiences, underscoring the importance of virtual environments for future brand licensing strategies. McDonald's x Pokémon (2023): Sustaining Franchise Value Through Co-Branding A collaboration between McDonald's and Pokémon across key Asian markets combined themed Happy Meals with location-specific toys and collectibles. The campaign achieved a 20% uplift in product sell-through during its launch week and generated significant consumer engagement, particularly in Japan and Singapore. This initiative further demonstrated the commercial strength of nostalgia-driven IP licensing in the food and beverage sector. Honor of Kings x Meet Fresh (2025): Extending Gaming IP into Lifestyle Markets In early 2025, Tencent introduced a crossover campaign between Honor of Kings and Taiwanese dessert chain Meet Fresh, featuring themed packaging and in-store activations across North America. The month-long promotion generated over 40 million impressions and expanded the gaming IP's reach into new lifestyle consumer segments. Xue led the North American rollout, coordinating execution across cities and ensuring consistent brand alignment. Strategic Impact and Emerging Leadership As global demand for multi-platform brand experiences grows, IP licensing is becoming an increasingly sophisticated discipline requiring creative integration and operational expertise. Across multiple sectors and regions, Xue's role as a senior executive and strategic architect of high-impact collaborations has been recognized for setting new benchmarks within the industry. According to Xue, effective partnerships "build cohesive narratives that extend across content, product, and consumer experiences, ultimately creating value that endures beyond the initial activation." Xue's work exemplifies how strategic IP licensing has moved from a marketing adjunct to a core pillar of global brand development, influencing new standards for cross-sector co-branded innovation.（by ：Jon Stojan）
