Guangdong aim for ice hockey gold medal at National Games

Ice hockey competitions for the 2024 Chinese National Winter Games kicked off on Thursday in Hulun Buir in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with Team Guangdong, debutants at the National Winter Games, aiming for the gold medal. 

The team, representing South China's Guangdong Province where ice and snow is rarely seen, have been labeled hot favorites for the title as the 23-player squad boasts 11 players from the national team. 

Riding on these players' rich experience, they saw off Shanghai 4-2 in their National Winter Games starter on Thursday. 

"Our goal is to win the championship for sure," Yu Baiwei, captain of Guangdong and China's national team, told the Global Times after the win, before noting the team is taking every game with a down to earth attitude.

"We take each game as it comes, aiming to win the next one and perform well in every period and minute. We focus on the process and pay attention to details."

The 34-year-old defender, who scored a goal in the six-goal thriller, also gave credit to the young Shanghai team, whose oldest player Lu Shuang is only 27. Shanghai won the national women's ice hockey championship in 2020.

"They showed great determination and aggression, demonstrating speed and skills with the puck," Yu told the Global Times. "It's great to see more young talent stepping up, as it strengthens the depth of the sport." 

Yu said she hoped to entice more new blood into the sport.

"As an older player, it's not about passing on the legacy, it's about leading and facilitating the rapid growth of young players," Yu told the Global Times. "If I can use my energy and enthusiasm to benefit others, I think it's enough."

The women's ice hockey competition, featuring seven teams, will be played in a round-robin way that runs until July 22. The gold medal for women's ice hockey will be the first gold medal at the 2024 National Winter Games.

It is rare for ice hockey events at the National Winter Games to be held in the summer.

"It allows more people to witness the charm of ice and snow during the summer. It's our first experience participating in such an event during this season," Yu said. "I hope more people can watch our games, fall in love with ice hockey, and even engage in the sport."

Team Guangdong will face tough challenges from rival teams such as China's winter sports powerhouses Heilongjiang and Beijing, led by Chinese national team members Zhang Mengying and Guan Yingying.

Other games on Thursday saw Heilongjiang beat Hebei 3-0 and Shaanxi defeat Sichuan 3-1.

The National Winter Games were originally scheduled to be held in 2020 in Hulun Buir but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They will be held from February 17 to 27 in 2024.

Spirit of harmony

"We advocate harmony and inclusiveness, and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations…" Six young individuals, representing different countries, ethnicities and cultures, echoed the Hehe World Initiative during the recently concluded 2023 Global Forum on Hehe Culture. 

Experts at the event told the Global Times that Hehe culture embodies the idea of the harmonious coexistence of man and nature. 

It recognizes the conditions and space for the development of all entities, respecting the collective progress of nations and ethnicities for the common well-being of humanity. 

The first "he" in Hehe means harmony, peace, and balance, while the second "he" means convergence, unity, and cooperation.

In the long history of Chinese Hehe culture, Tiantai county in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, stands out as a vital hub. 

The essence of Hehe culture emerged 1,300 years ago on Tiantai Mountain, embracing the concept of unity among Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

Although the Hehe culture is a concept proposed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, ancient Chinese's wisdom about harmony has existed since ancient China. 

The two words of "he" have appeared separately in oracle bone inscriptions and bronze inscriptions. 

The first systematic theoretical exposition of Hehe culture was realized by Shi Bo, a thinker during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046BC-771BC). 

Based on the theory of the harmony of the five elements, he defined the concept of Hehe, thus he can be regarded as the founder of Chinese Hehe culture.

Tiantai Buddhism

To truly grasp the essence of Hehe culture, one cannot overlook the Guoqing Temple, one of the birthplaces of Tiantai Buddhism, an East Asian Buddhist school of Mahayana Buddhism that developed in the 6th century in China.

Situated in Tiantai county, Guoqing Temple was built during the Sui Dynasty (581-618), and it played a crucial role in the transmission of Chinese Tiantai Buddhism, emphasizing the dual cultivation of contemplating and illuminating the mind to perceive nature.

When walking to the Guoqing Temple, one can see the temple was surrounded by mountains and hundred-year-old ancient trees. 

There were small bridges and a flowing river surrounding the temple, which gave visitors a sense of calm. 

Stepping on the cobblestone floor with a historical texture and entering the temple, some pilgrims kneel down devoutly with their hands clasped together. 

A sweet fragrance lingers in the incense burner. 

Along with the melodious bells and low chanting sounds coming from the main hall, all fatigue disappears immediately. 

Amid the golden autumn, the rice that was donated by the locals as respect to the monks in the temple is basking in the temple yard. 

One of the managers working in the temple told the Global Times that every year (except during the pandemic), numerous tourists from both China and abroad, especially from South Korea and Japan, visit the Guoqing Temple. 

He explained that since the Tang (618-907) and Song dynasties (960 - 1279), the temple has been revered as the ancestral home of Tiantai Buddhism for both Japanese and Korean practitioners.

Adhering to the "harmonious coexistence" philosophy, this 4A-level scenic spot remains open to the public for free. 

At the foot of the temple, the sight of farmers diligently cultivating fields amid the surrounding mountains and streams exemplifies a harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

In a world marked by continuous conflicts and contradictions, as well as a time of fusion and exchange, being in this environment allows people to have a deeper understanding of the value of "harmony."

Inheritance of Hehe spirit

"Hehe Erxian," the charming duo of two Chinese immortals, one holding a food container and the other carrying lotus flowers, symbolizes the pursuit of a spirit that harmonizes the body and mind, interpersonal relationships, and the connection between heaven and humanity. 

These legendary figures - Hanshan and Shide - have become the epitome of Chinese "harmony culture," conveying a unique spirit.

Hanshan, a poet who resided on Tiantai Mountain in Tang Dynasty (618-907), left a legacy of around 600 poems, emphasizing the unique realm of harmonizing the body and mind, the unity of heaven and humanity, and interpersonal harmony. 

This distinctive realm, translated by American poet Gary Snyder, profoundly influenced the "Beat Generation" in the US.

The influence of "Hehe Erxian" in folk culture is evident in a cultural park themed on the "Hehe" concept in Tiantai county. 

One folk museum in the cultural park houses thousands of artifacts related to the two immortals including cultural and artistic items, crafts, rare collections, and historical materials, showcasing the omnipresence of the harmony culture in Tiantai's traditions.

In an art museum showcasing "Yigenteng," an intangible cultural heritage craft with a history of 400 years, the intricate intertwining and connecting of vine-shaped structures symbolizes people's pursuit of enduring happiness and complete harmony.

This cultural park, mainly transformed from old factories, has gathered over 3,000 items related to harmony culture and historical materials. The park attracts approximately 80,000 visitors each year. 

It has evolved into a comprehensive cultural industry park incorporating wedding celebrations, educational tours, and cultural innovation. 

The park shows that the spirit of harmony, while rooted in tradition, has been endowed with modern values. 

The beauty of harmony is now visibly integrated into the urban development of Taizhou, where landmarks of harmony connect with the city's cultural temperament. 

The coexistence of people and the city, which embodies the spirit of "harmony," has truly become the urban ethos of Taizhou.

Spain: Ambassador meets with NCPA president, seeking cooperation

Spanish Ambassador to China Rafael Dezcallar met with the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) President Wang Ning on July 15 to facilitate in-depth exchanges of cultural and art organizations between China and Spain.

This year marks the 50th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain. Both countries have long illustrious histories and rich cultures. Wang said, "The NCPA has always maintained close cooperation with Spanish organizations and artists since the center was built, with fruitful achievements in the introduction of imported performances, the organization of international tours, and in institutional cooperation."

At the event, the NCPA invited Spanish guitar artists along with the China NCPA Orchestra to perform the classic works by Chinese and Spanish composers, which celebrate friendly relations. 

"The NCPA hopes to plan various cultural exchange events with the Spanish Embassy to promote dialogue and exchanges with global civilizations as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain," Wang said. 

Ambassador Dezcallar expressed his great appreciation for the NCPA's efforts in the promotion of cultural exchanges between China and Spain. 

"I hope that we can enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries through cultural exchanges and mutual visits," Dezcallar stressed.

Did Biden ‘neglect’ Indonesia and ASEAN? The truth is darker: Global Times editorial

The 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings are scheduled from Monday to Thursday in Jakarta, Indonesia. Countries such as China, the US, Japan and South Korea will attend. According to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, "there are plenty [of agendas], but the focus is on the economy." This is a prominent feature of this year's ASEAN series of summits.

Continuously promoting regional economic development and win-win cooperation is a common aspiration of China and ASEAN. In this regard, there are many common languages. The pattern of China and ASEAN being each other's largest trading partners has been further consolidated. Immediately following the ASEAN Summit, the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit will be held in Nanning, capital of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. These are significant and positive events for China and ASEAN's focus on regional economic cooperation.

Those who have some understanding of international events of the past two years know well that any multilateral occasion with participation of both China and the US tends to draw strong comparisons. This time is no exception.

A few days ago, the US government announced that President Joe Biden will be absent from the summit and that Vice President Kamala Harris will attend in his place. Given that President Biden is scheduled to attend the G20 Summit in India shortly and then visit another ASEAN member, Vietnam, it gives the impression that Biden intentionally 'skipped' the ASEAN Summit hosted by Indonesia, which appears somewhat abrupt.

It is worth noting that various parties have different interpretations of Biden's absence, and the information revealed is rich and thought-provoking. As the host, Indonesia tactfully expressed disappointment at Biden's absence, which is understandable. Some held the view that "it is a signal to outgoing President Jokowi that Indonesia is simply not on the Administration's radar." Others say that this is the US' overall neglect of ASEAN and has "caused some frustration." The most widely circulated narrative in the US and Western media is that Biden's absence may cause Indonesia or ASEAN to "turn to China" or "find it difficult to resist China's maritime expansionary behavior." It can be seen that the mainstream perspective of the US in viewing ASEAN is to regard it as a sphere of influence it competes with China.

We believe that the Biden administration by no means intends to neglect Indonesia and ASEAN. On the contrary, it actually "takes them seriously"; but the real reason for attaching importance to Indonesia and ASEAN is not above board, and it is not consistent with ASEAN's actual interests and wishes, or even runs counter to them. Washington's lack of interest in the ASEAN Summit's focus on economic and trade cooperation is unequivocal. 

Even if Biden attends the summit, it is conceivable that what he brings to the summit will be repeated geopolitical and security rhetoric, such as the so-called "freedom of navigation in the South China Sea" or "disputes over islands and reefs in the South China Sea." It will cause division on multilateral occasions and sow dissension, which is incompatible with the atmosphere of unity and cooperation at the summit. If these words are to be uttered by Harris, the negative impact may be relatively small. Therefore, Biden's absence is not a pity, even less of a loss for the ASEAN summit.

Why did Biden choose Vietnam over Indonesia? There are reasons. Since Washington did not do a good job in roping in ASEAN, it started to "split" it from within ASEAN. Additionally, Biden and Harris have been circling around China for the past year, so their intentions are quite obvious. It is easier for the US to pursue unilateral actions in bilateral settings than in multilateral platforms. But for ASEAN member countries that have been targeted by the US, it is necessary to keep an extra eye on the situation.

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times exposed Washington's true intentions. The article stated that while the Biden administration insists its approach "is not about forcing countries to choose, according to their interviews, "Washington has publicly and privately pressured ASEAN members to turn down China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, reduce their economic and technological dependence on Beijing, and cancel their military partnerships with the People's Liberation Army. Does this not compel nations to choose sides? Washington's attempt to form a small clique is hurting rather than helping ASEAN's security concerns, according to even the US media.

Simply put, the US is currently the nation most difficult for ASEAN to deal with. There are more instances of it in the region, but the potential and practical advantages of development collaboration are dwindling as the risks rise. Every ASEAN meeting is essentially a testing ground for true and false multilateralism. It is not difficult to distinguish between those who come with genuine cooperation and win-win intentions and those who come with firewood and gasoline. ASEAN countries are well aware of this. If Washington picks the wrong course, the likelihood that it will fail increases along with the intensity of its frustration.

Nuke dump adding to racism, exclusionism in Japan a great shame

Editor's Note:

Despite widespread opposition both domestically and internationally, the first phase of dumping nuclear-contaminated wastewater from Fukushima concluded on September 11. The commencement of the second phase is potentially scheduled for late September. This move has significantly impacted the populations of the Pacific region. However, when China expressed legitimate concerns, it faced criticism from some US and Western media. Why does Japan insist on this course of action despite opposition? How should people view relevant countries' legitimate concerns? Global Times (GT) reporter Ma Ruiqian discussed these issues with Komei Hosokawa (Hosokawa), emeritus professor at Kyoto Seika University, board director of the Takagi Fund for Citizen Science and secretariat member of the Citizens Commission on Nuclear Energy (CCNE). This is the second installment of the series.

GT: Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) recently admitted that about 66 percent of the nuclear-contaminated water in the storage tanks exceeds the standard for radioactive substances. Were you shocked by this news? 

Hosokawa:
 This is a well-known fact that TEPCO and the government of Japan don't like to be the focus of public attention. There are two important aspects to consider. First, looking back, TEPCO had not disclosed this very important fact even to the ministerial councils until it was shockingly revealed by the Kyodo News scoop in August 2018. Second, looking ahead, TEPCO claims they can "re-purify" the water exceeding the regulatory limits by sending it through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) again and repeating the process if necessary, but practically they have not verified it yet. They have done only a very limited amount of trials. Thus, we do not really know if the two-thirds of the radioactive water in storage can be decontaminated to meet the regulatory limits for discharge. 

GT: The Japanese government has not adopted alternative methods to handle nuclear-contaminated water and is instead insisting on discharging it into the ocean. What do you think are the reasons? 

Hosokawa:
 The Japanese government said the ocean release was the cheapest and the fastest way when compared to other methods. The cost and length of operation figures they used for comparison have now turned out to be extremely underestimated (3.4 billion yen vs. the current estimate of at least 120 billion yen; 7.5 years vs.the current estimate of 30-40 years, which could be much longer).

There seem to be two main reasons why the Japanese government insists on ocean release. First, in the event of another nuclear accident in Japan, they want radioactive discharge to the sea to be allowed from the beginning, without the trouble and cost of storage they had to deal with in Fukushima. Second, the Japanese government wants to start up the reprocessing plant in Rokkasho, Aomori (currently under construction and yet to be approved by the regulator, Nuclear Regulation Authority). Operation of the reprocessing plant will inevitably involve a huge amount of tritium discharge to the sea. Obviously, the Japanese government wants to avoid any controversy surrounding this issue. They want to say "it was OK in Fukushima!"  

GT: How do you view the Japanese government's decision to proceed with ocean discharges despite domestic and international opposition? 

Hosokawa:
 Quite simply, the decision and the process leading to it have been undemocratic. The current administration holds the absolute majority in both houses of the parliament, and quite often skips troublesome deliberations. To make the matter worse, the nuclear energy issue is administered almost exclusively by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) with only a small role played by the environment, health and fishery ministries. The political weakness of major media outlets makes the situation even worse.

GT: Reflecting on your supervised documentary Fukushima 10 Years Later: Voices from the Continuing Nuclear Disaster, how do you view the psychological, physiological and economic impact of Japan's actions on fisherfolk?

Hosokawa:
 The agony the fishery community had to go through in the last 12 years has been intense and terrible. Now TEPCO and the Japanese government have broken their promise again, the community's distrust of politics may be irreparable. As I depicted in the documentary, the local fisherfolk continuously carry out radiation monitoring of all the fish species they catch and abide by a voluntary limit of 50Bq/kg for radioactive cesium, twice as strict as the Japanese government's regulation of 100Bq/kg. Their hard work and endurance were thought little of by the Japanese government.  

However, given the enormous economic loss since 2011, it is also a harsh reality that the local fishing industries need official financial support. That may explain, at least partially, why the national, prefectural and local fishery unions do not very much resist the rude push from the Japanese government, while the individual union members are furious and feel insulted. 

GT: Currently, some regions have suspended the import of Japanese seafood products. Besides this, what do you think other countries and regions can do during the planned 30-40 years of water discharges?

Hosokawa:
 There should be interventions, based on the established international laws, such as the London Convention's radioactive waste dumping protocol and the UNCLOS which firmly upholds the precautionary principle in the protection of marine environment. 

GT: There is a phenomenon where Japan discharges water, and China receives criticism. Faced with Japan's unreasonable discharge of nuclear-contaminated water, why can't China express legitimate concerns?

Hosokawa:
 Although it is true that there are certain political elements in the strong position taken by the Chinese government, the concerns on environmental and health reasons are legitimate. It should also be understood that Chinese experts' proposal of taking up the evaporation method (ie releasing tritium into the air, but keeping non-volatile radionuclides contained) is radiologically safer and more reasonable than Japan's way of dumping all the residual radionuclides into the sea. CCNE recommends mortar solidification in concrete pits, which is even safer than evaporation.

Japan's LDP administration is apparently exploiting anti-China sentiment in order to divert public attention from the environmental focus of the radioactive discharge issue. It is a great shame that it has become a new addition to the already growing racism and exclusionism in the country.

GT: People in neighboring countries around the Pacific have been at the forefront of opposing Japan's ocean dumping plan. In your opinion, why have we been unable to stop Japan from releasing contaminated water into the ocean?

Hosokawa:
 Japan's foreign affairs ministry seems to be working hard to divide the Pacific countries, mainly by offering additional development aid. However, that civil society organizations and local councils maintain firm opposition to Japan's discharge plan. So far exchange of information and ideas between the civil society sectors of Japan and the Pacific countries has been insufficient. The Japanese government can activate the existing diplomatic and economic ties. It's urgently critical to relay the voices of the Pacific peoples' concern to Japanese society, media and the decision makers.

GT: Experts believe that the US tolerates Japan's ocean dumping of nuclear-contaminated water fundamentally as a trade-off, using the global marine environment and the health of all humanity in exchange for US geopolitical interests. How do you evaluate this trade-off? Is it worth it?

Hosokawa:
 I am no expert in geopolitics, but I see the US-China rivalry is surely a big factor in the US attitude on the Fukushima water issue. Bureaucrats and technocrats in Japanese government are inclined too much to conform to the overwhelming power of the US and to forget about Japan's own geopolitical interests, such as Japan's inherent position as a maritime country and its indispensable friendship with the neighboring Asia-Pacific states.

China to accelerate R&D in 6G, optical communication, quantum communication to support industry digitalization: MIIT

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) vowed to accelerate the research and development of core technologies in 6G, optical communication and quantum communication to support the country's industry digitalization. 

Zhao Zhiguo, spokesperson for MIIT, said during a press conference held on Thursday that China's information communication industry saw stable growth in the first quarter of 2023 as revenue for businesses in the sector - including internet data centers, cloud computing and internet of things - increased by 24.5 percent year-on-year.  

China's telecommunications revenue hit 425.2 billion in the first three months of 2023, up 7.7 percent year-on-year, and the business volume also saw an 18 percent year-on-year increase, said Zhao.  

By the end of March, China had built 2.64 million 5G base stations across the country, and the number of 5G mobile phone users passed 620 million as the 5G network kept expanding to rural areas as well as city management, intelligent traffic and mobile payment, MIIT data showed.  

For the next step, the MIIT vowed to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies for 6G, optical communication and quantum communication, as well as enhancing the research and development of cutting-edge areas including artificial intelligence and block chain. It will also further secure the stability of industrial chains and supply chains. 

In addition, MIIT will expand the 5G and broadband network for information consumption and residential livelihoods to support industry digitalization.

DPP's plan to 'resume' cross-Straits exchanges is 'pie in the sky'

The island of Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" recently released a "plan" to "resume" cross-Straits tourism and exchanges, but such a plan is a "pie in the sky" as it actually imposes stricter restrictions for exchanges, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Friday. 
Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" announced on Thursday that it will "loosen restrictions" on business travelers from the Chinese mainland. Tour groups from the mainland are allowed to visit the island but with a maximum of 2,000 people per day. The resumption of group tours will begin in a month but no specific date was given, according to media on the island. 

Zhu depicted the "plan" to "resume" cross-Straits exchanges as "a pie in the sky" created by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, as it claims to "resume" but actually refuses to lift the ban, and claims to "relax" but actually imposes stricter restrictions on cross-Strait exchanges.

The spokesperson noted that the DPP's so-called plan has set three ignominious records in the history of cross-Strait exchanges, as it imposes unprecedented restrictions on people from the island of Taiwan traveling to the mainland in group tours, unprecedented regulation of Taiwan's tourism industry, and unprecedented restrictions on companies on the island to invite mainland personnel to Taiwan for exhibitions and business exchanges.

Zhu said that the Chinese mainland has always opened its doors and warmly welcomed compatriots from the island of Taiwan to travel to the mainland without any limits on the number of people. It is absurd that the DPP now wants to control the number of cross-Straits tourists based on the so-called "principle of reciprocity" and require Taiwan's tourism associations to establish a mechanism to regulate the number of tourists to the mainland.

"People can't help but ask, since the lifting of martial law in Taiwan in 1987, people on the island have never encountered any obstacles when traveling to the mainland. Why are the DPP authorities so afraid of people coming to the mainland? Do they want to bring Taiwan back to the state of martial law?" said Zhu, noting that the DPP authorities are trying in vain to use the so-called "principle of reciprocity" as an excuse to shift blame and responsibility. 

The DPP's "plan" precisely regulates the exhibition booth area for companies on the island of Taiwan, and restricts the length of stay for mainland personnel in the island to one day. It also sets different quotas for invitation restrictions. The strictness and meticulousness of the restrictions on companies in the island and mainland personnel going to the island Taiwan are astonishing, said Zhu. 

The so-called plan is clearly a barrier disguised as "relaxation," said Zhu, noting that the DPP authorities have spared no effort to come up with absurd and unpopular measures to obstruct and restrict normal cross-Straits exchanges.

The desire for communication, cooperation, peace, and development is the common aspiration of the people on the island of Taiwan. The DPP authorities are trying to deceive and cover up their true intentions of obstructing exchanges and interactions between the island and the mainland with their so-called "plan," said Zhu.

We believe that compatriots in the island can see through their intentions and will not be deceived. We hope that compatriots on both sides can work together to promote the return of cross-Straits relations to the correct track of peaceful development and truly achieve the normalization and regularity of cross-Strait tourism and two-way exchanges, said Zhu.

Female burying beetle uses chemical cue to douse love life

For burying beetles, parenting is a real turnoff.

While caring for her newborn larvae, a mother burying beetle (Nicrophorus vespilloides) releases a chemical compound that limits her mate’s urge to breed. The antiaphrodisiac cue lets beetle dads focus on childcare before mating again, researchers report March 22 in Nature Communications.

“We were surprised to discover such a chemical communication system that helps to resolve — at least in part — conflicts between both parents,” says study coauthor Sandra Steiger, a behavioral ecologist at University of Ulm in Germany. “Communication plays a key role in effective parental care.”
Burying beetles lay their eggs on small dead animals. For about three days after hatching, larvae beg their parents for predigested food (nibbled from the carcass). Previous studies showed that beetle parents refrained from sexual activity — and that female beetles released a gas — during this period.

The researchers determined that this gas was a compound called methyl geranate. Mother beetles released the chemical while caring for a begging brood, producing more if they had more larvae. (Female beetles physically separated from their larvae produce little to no chemical cues.) Methyl geranate acted as a buzzkill for male beetles; as females produced more of the compound, males made fewer attempts to mate.
Methyl geranate probably benefits larvae by allowing attentive parenting, the researchers say. Mating attempts would distract from tending to needy larvae, which grow and survive better with parental care. The female “can give the signal to the male: ‘OK, now it’s time to focus on caring and forget about sex,’” says behavioral ecologist Stephen Trumbo of the University of Connecticut in Waterbury.

The antiaphrodisiac could benefit adult beetles, too. While caring for her young, a mother burying beetle undergoes a hormonal shift that makes her less fertile, the team found. Mating attempts during this time wouldn’t just be distracting, but also a waste of energy.

Trumbo says the study provides a rare glimpse into how male and female invertebrates coordinate childcare. “It can benefit both the male and female, because they’re going to achieve higher reproductive success if their mating behavior and parental behavior is well-coordinated and well-timed.”

Mini ‘wind farm’ could capture energy from microbes in motion

Fluid filled with lively, churning bacteria could one day become a small-scale power source.

New computer simulations indicate that a miniature wind farm‒like device could harvest the energy of chaotically swirling bacteria. That energy could be used to power micromachines or pump fluids through tiny channels. In the simulations, bacteria tended to spontaneously swim in an orderly fashion around an array of cylindrical turbines. These turbines then rotated steadily like windmills in a breeze, scientists report July 8 in Science Advances.
Previous research has harnessed the energy of the motion in such chaotic fluids using tiny, asymmetric gears, which spin as bacteria bump into their teeth. But the new result shows that a very simple system can serve the same purpose — a result that could make such devices easier to construct. “You don’t have to muck around with getting the teeth right; you just have a nice smooth cylinder,” says biophysicist and study coauthor Tyler Shendruk of the University of Oxford. The technique would sidestep the need to manufacture complicated microscopic gears.

“I think it’s quite surprising because previous work showed that you need to have a certain nonsymmetry in the system” to generate rotation, says physicist Igor Aronson of Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, who was not involved with the new work.

The researchers studied simulations of a liquid filled with many self-propelled particles, called a dense active fluid. These fluids can be made up of swimming bacteria or biological motors found inside cells — for instance, the proteins myosin and actin, which cause muscles to contract. Such fluids are normally turbulent, with swarms of particles generating rapidly and unpredictably changing flows. That makes it a challenge to harvest energy from the fluid. “It’s chaotic, so you can’t use it to do anything useful because it’s a random flow,” Shendruk says.
But when Shendruk and colleagues added a grid of cylindrical rotors, each a few hundredths of a millimeter in diameter, into their simulated fluid, they found that bacteria would spontaneously organize, like sailors all rowing in the same direction. The swimming bacteria produced a circular fluid flow that spun the rotors. That rotation could be used to generate electrical power in the same manner as windmills do, but in much smaller amounts that might be used to power tiny electronics. Each rotor might produce around a quadrillionth of a watt of electrical power, Shendruk estimates.
A single rotor on its own didn’t work as well: Its spin changed direction periodically as the chaotic fluid swirled around it. But with an array of rotors close together, the bacteria became steady synchronized swimmers squeezing through gaps between the rotors — and making each rotor consistently spin in the direction opposite to that of its neighbors.

The system should translate well from simulation to the real world, says Shendruk, and the researchers are already discussing the possibilities for constructing it. But, says applied mathematician Jörn Dunkel of MIT, the details of the real world are important. Whether the rotors would behave the same way in a real-life system where the rotors experience friction is uncertain. “The effect is there — I don’t doubt that. The question is how strong.”

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is hot

On Jupiter, the Great Red Spot is the hottest thing going. Temperatures over the ruddy oval, a storm that could engulf Earth, are hundreds of degrees warmer than neighboring parcels of air and higher than anywhere else on the planet, researchers report online July 27 in Nature. Heat from the storm might help explain why Jupiter is unusually toasty given its distance from the sun.

Astronomers have known for over 40 years that Jupiter’s upper atmosphere is surprisingly hot. Mid-latitude temperatures are about 530° Celsius, roughly 600 degrees warmer than they would be if the sun was the only source of heat. Warmth must come from inside the planet, but until now, researchers had not come up with a satisfactory explanation for how.
Active storms all around Jupiter could be injecting heat into the atmosphere, suggest James O’Donoghue, an astrophysicist at Boston University, and colleagues. Using observations from NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility in Hawaii, the researchers found that the temperature over the Great Red Spot is about 1,300° Celsius. Sound waves generated by turbulence might be heating the air above the storm, the researchers suggest. Similar heating (on a much smaller scale) has been seen on Earth, as air ripples over the Andes Mountains in South America.