Global Media Highlights in May and June

THE CONVERSATION

Headline: The story behind the ‘Moko’ drums, sacred musical instruments from the Alor-Pantar archipelago

Published on: 22 April 2025

Summary: The Conversation published an article by Dr Francesco Perono Cacciafoco, Associate Professor at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr Perono Cacciafoco and his student Shiyue Wu explored Indonesia’s sacred Moko drums. Their study shows these drums are used in rituals and were once local currency for bride-price payments. 

DIALOGUE EARTH

Headline: US-China tariff spat could raise Brazil deforestation risk

Published on: 25 April 2025

Summary: The US-China trade dispute, marked by tariffs over 200% and retaliatory measures, weakened the US’s position in the Chinese market and boosted expectations for increased Brazilian agribusiness exports, particularly soy, corn, cotton, beef, and chicken.

Brazil, already strong in these sectors and anticipating a record grain harvest, stands to benefit. However, environmentalists warn that this growth could intensify deforestation in the Amazon, where 90% of forest loss is linked to pasture expansion.

According to Dr Niklas Weins at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, rising demand may also prompt small and medium producers to illegally expand their land, often leading to violence and encroachment on indigenous lands.

DONGA BUSINESS REVIEW

Headline: 1개 기업에 4000개 사내 스타트업 둬 직원 자율성 북돋아 기업가적 혁신 촉진 (4,000 in-house startups per company to encourage employee autonomy and promote entrepreneurial innovation)

Published in: May 2025 Issue 1

Summary: Dr Changhee Kim, Dr Jinzhao Qu, and Professor Lei Liang at XJTLU’s HeXie Management Research Centre and College of Industry-Entrepreneurs published an article on Donga Business Review. The article explored Korea’s talent crisis by comparing it to China’s proactive, government-led talent acquisition strategies. It highlights how these policies have influenced human resource trends in Chinese companies.

THE HINDU

Headline: The science of AI and the AI of science

Published on: 1 May 2025

Summary: The Hindu published an article about artificial intelligence (AI) and interviewed Professor Lixian Qian and Dr Jia Zhai, both at XJTLU’s International Business School Suzhou.

Professor Qian’s research focuses on using AI in autonomous vehicles to better understand road environments, predict object movement, and avoid accidents. He highlighted that while AI is already integrated, more real-world testing using AI is needed to uncover potential issues.

The article also distinguishes between machine learning (ML) and AI: ML identifies patterns in data, while AI encompasses broader, human-like problem-solving abilities. Dr Zhai explained how ML can detect financial fraud by spotting behaviour that deviates from a user’s normal patterns.

CHINA GLOBAL TELEVISION NETWORK (CGTN)

Headline: What was the outcome of the IAEA joint meeting in Vienna?

Published on: 1 May 2025

Summary: CGTN covered the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) joint meeting in Vienna between China, Russia, Iran, and more. Dr Mohsen Solhdoost, Assistant Professor at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said that the meeting helped resolve technical issues and build trust.

THE COOL DOWN

Headline: Scientists develop game-changing new technology to prevent disastrous fires and explosions: ‘This could save lives’

Published on: 5 May 2025 

Summary: In a new study published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, researchers at XJTLU have developed new technology to detect dangerous gas leaks in lithium-ion batteries. The lead author of the study is Liangdan Zhao, a PhD student at XJTLU’s School of Science. 

VALOR ECONOMICO

Headline: Um olhar para o Sul Global (A look at the Global South)

Published on: 9 May 2025

Summary: The Summit Valor Brazil-China took place in Shanghai from April 23-25. Dr Niklas Weins at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences brought 15 students to the Summit to help them look beyond China’s ties with the West and focus more on the collaboration between developing countries in the Global South.

MSN

Headline: Brain molecule provides new insights into light sensitivity

Published on: 22 May 2025

Summary: Scientists in the UK, Australia and China have identified a brain molecule called NEAT1 that appears to play a central role in triggering light sensitivity (photophobia), a common and debilitating symptom of migraines.

Their findings, published in The Journal of Headache and Pain, highlight how this molecule affects the brain’s pain response, contributing to the uncomfortable reaction to light that’s common during migraines. The study’s first author is Zhuoan Huang, a PhD student at XJTLU and the University of Liverpool.

THE ISLAND

Headline: A new blueprint for reptile conservation: Sri Lanka’s Agamid hotspots revealed

Published on: 27 May 2025

Summary: The Island published an article about new research led by Iresha Wijerathne and co-authored by Professor Eben Goodale XJTLU’s School of Science, which mapped Sri Lanka’s threatened agamid lizard hotspots. The study found that many key habitats lie outside protected areas, highlighting the need for stronger conservation strategies. 

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN (SCI-AM)

Headline: AI found a ‘magic potion’ that can bring dead batteries back to life

Published on: 2 June 2025

Summary: Researchers at Fudan University, China, used an AI model to develop a new “electrolyte injection” that can revive worn-out lithium-ion batteries, restoring up to 96% capacity even after thousands of cycles.

However, practical use still faces challenges like adapting the method to full battery packs safely. Dr Chenguang Liu at XJTLU’s School of Robotics noted that while the approach is promising, more testing is needed to ensure safety and compatibility.

EARTH.COM

Headline: Massive ‘super-Earth’ discovered in the habitable zone of its star, possibly supporting life

Published on: 7 June 2025

Summary: Earth.com reported the discovery of Kepler-725c, a hidden super-Earth found using transit timing variations. For years, scientists have combed the skies for signs of distant planets and potential life. The international team included researchers from XJTLU, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics, China, and Hamburg Observatory, Germany. 

CHANNEL NEWS ASIA (CNA)

Headline: Why are some Chinese youth calling themselves ‘rat people’, and what issues does it surface?

Published on: 8 June 2025

Summary: CNA published an article describing China’s “rat people” trend, where young people adopt a withdrawn and nocturnal lifestyle.

Dr Xianwen Kuang, Senior Associate Professor at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said this reflects deep frustration among youth who see little reward for their efforts. Yuan Yuan, Lecturer at XJTLU’s Chinese Cultural Teaching Department, added it’s not laziness but a way to reject hustle culture and cope through humour and self-mockery.

DESIGNBOOM

Headline: Design Shanghai 2025 returns with over 600 human-centric designs

Published on: 9 June 2025

Summary: Design Shanghai 2025 ran from 4 to 7 June at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. “Sandpaper”, an exhibition presented by XJTLU’s Design School, reflects values such as sustainability, material exploration, wellbeing, and the artisanal resurgence.

SCIENCES PO

Headline: Back to frozen earth: Permafrost in social theory and beyond

Published on: 17 June 2025

Summary: From 17 to 18 June, Sciences Po organised a conference themed “Back to frozen earth: Permafrost in social theory and beyond”.

Dr Alessandra Cappelletti, Associate Professor at XJTLU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, virtually joined the panel called “The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its thawing permafrost: how local epistemologies and indigenous practices are incorporated into NGO and government engagement”.

By Xinmin Han

Edited by Patricia Pieterse

Editorial support of Kimberly Marvelle