Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by troubles with social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. It first appears during infancy or childhood, and generally follows a steady course without remission. The number of people affected is estimated at 1–2 per 1,000 people worldwide. To this day, there has been no effective therapy for autism.A research team headed by Prof. LUO Jianhong, vice president of ZJU, published an article entitled “Gamma Oscil...

On March 4, Dr. YANG Shu, a research professor at ZJU's College of Electrical Engineering was featured on China Central Television (CCTV) news for her efforts to innovate energy-efficient power devices.Headlined "Post-90s PhD Supervisor YANG Shu: Pouring Efforts into Research and Creating Environmentally-friendly and Energy-saving Devices", the news footage highlighted the significance of Yang's research as well as her decision to return to China after her postdoctoral stu...

Miss DU Yushen, an MD candidate from Zhejiang University, has published a research article on Science tackling vaccine challenge. In the article, the authors presented a systematic approach for vaccine development that eliminates interferon (IFN)–modulating functions genome-wide while maintaining virus replication fitness. The approach, which attenuates the virus and promotes immune responses concurrently, is broadly applicable for vaccine development against other pathogens. This research ...

On February 28, Prof. ZOU Xiaodong, secretary of the Party Committee of Zhejiang University, led a delegation to visit the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).The ZJU delegation met with CUHK leaderships including Vice Chancellor and President Tuan Sung-chi, Vice-President Fok Tai-fai, and Associate Vice-President Wong Suk-ying.The two sides exchanged a multitude of ideas on research, education, and HR management, while agreeing to further promote reciprocal development based on complementary...

On March 1, a delegation from the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology (Fakultas Ilmu dan Teknologi Kebumian, FITB) of the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB) visited the Ocean College of Zhejiang University, furthering cooperation in summer school and scientific research.“ZJU gives prominence to its role and function in ‘Belt and Road’ development. The Ocean College is working to foster cooperation with universities along the Belt and Road. We regard ITB as one of our most importa...

On the podium, Professor ZHUANG Biaozhong shakes a rectangular plastic box which contains six dice. When he opens the box, all the six dice are arranged in order showing the same faces.He then goes on to perform a magic trick with a steel ring and a chain. After the steel ring passes through the chain, a knot is tied on the ring by the chain. “That reflects the ‘Moment of Momentum’ principle, essentially an application of mechanics,” Zhuang explains.Zhuang Biaozhong, an 84-year-old prof...

The thick pelt that helps polar bears to survive frigid Arctic winters has inspired a warm, sturdy fiber. Inspired by the microstructure and thermal insulation function of the polar bear hair, a research team led by Professor BAI Hao with ZJU’s College of Chemical and Biological Engineering has used a freeze-spinning technique to continuously fabricate silk fibroin solution into a fiber with aligned porous microstructure.A bunny covered in fabric that mimics a polar bear's furThe ...

Credit: Asian Development BankSince the advent of the Industrial Revolution, human activities have accelerated the consumption of fossil fuels and deforestation, thereby contributing to a significant atmospheric change.Intimately related to that are global warming, rising sea levels, reduction in biodiversity and frequent occurrences of extreme climates. At present, scientists are more fully aware that climate change may well exert a potential and unpredictable impact on the ecological system th...

Just as there is no identical leaf in the world, there is no identical cell, either. Science renders it possible for us to “read” every single cell in a living creature.A research team led by Professor GUO Guoji with ZJU's Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine published their research findings in the February 22 issue of Cell. The team developed Microwell-seq, a high-throughput and low-cost scRNA-seq platform using simple, inexpensive devices. Using Microwell-seq, they a...

According to the World Health Organization, depression is a common illness worldwide, with more than 300 million people affected. It can cause the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school and in the family. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.Professor of Neurobiology HU Hailan has been doing impactful research into how emotional and social behaviors are encoded and regulated in the brain. On February 15, her team made a new breakthrough with tw...