Latest news with #JunjieZhang
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Wire
Ant Group Launches Major Campaign Against Health Misinformation via AI Healthcare App AQ Amid Wider Healthcare Push
HANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ant Group has rolled out a major initiative through its AI healthcare app AQ to combat health misinformation in China, with a special focus on protecting seniors. A new AI-powered section for identifying fraudulent medical ads and health misinformation is now live in the AQ app. Users can quickly verify whether a medical ad is trustworthy by uploading a photo, typing in text, or making a one-click voice call. The process is designed to be smooth, simple, and especially user-friendly for the elderly. To further ensure reliable access to healthcare knowledge, Ant Group has teamed up with more than 300 renowned physicians across China to develop AI Doctor Agents within AQ, offering credible, authoritative medical advice. In addition, through Ant Group's online consultation platform more than 200,000 doctors are available to provide real-time, person-to-person medical consultations via AQ. According to research from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, more than 40% of elderly people in China have fallen victim to scams involving fake health products, while 3 in 10 have been misled by medical misinformation. Beyond digital tools, Ant Group also plans to organize thousands of in-person education sessions nationwide to raise awareness among seniors, protecting them from medical misinformation. 'In the age of AI, we are dedicated to combating false medical advertising and health misinformation with AQ, thus making healthcare more accessible and people's lives healthier,' said Junjie Zhang, Vice President of Ant Group and Head of Healthcare Business. AQ, officially launched in June 2025 after public testing began in September 2024, has already attracted 100 million users. The app is powered by Ant Group's Healthcare Large Model, built on more than a decade of healthcare expertise. With advanced medical reasoning and multimodal interaction capabilities, the model has consistently ranked first in both the HealthBench and MedBench evaluations. Through ongoing initiatives, Ant Group aims to support a more trustworthy and inclusive healthcare environment in China—improving the efficiency of limited medical resources and advancing medical inclusion for all. About Ant Group Ant Group is a global digital technology provider and the operator of Alipay, a leading internet services platform in China, connecting over one billion users to more than 10,000 types of consumer services from partners. Through innovative products and solutions powered by AI, blockchain and other technologies, Ant Group supports partners across industries to thrive through digital transformation in an ecosystem for inclusive and sustainable development. For more information, visit
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers make concerning discovery after examining blood samples from birds: 'We need to find out more about the sources'
As we gain more knowledge about the substances that make up our world, it gets easier to identify toxins that damage humans and wildlife. Unfortunately, we're finding these harmful substances in unexpected places and quantities, with negative impacts on our long-term health. One recent study, reported by Norwegian SciTech News, revealed that harmful PFAS are found in higher concentrations than we ever knew in China's birds — and the implications stretch worldwide. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology examined blood and liver samples from Chinese wading birds as well as shellfish from the areas where the birds feed. They were looking for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as "forever chemicals" because they take up to 1,000 years to break down naturally. The researchers already knew they would find PFAS in the birds, as these toxins have accumulated in all kinds of wildlife and even the human body. However, they were shocked by the quantities. "The biggest increase is in the livers of wading birds. We found up to 180 times more PFAS than previously," said postdoctoral fellow and lead author Junjie Zhang, per Norwegian SciTech News. PFAS have been linked to numerous health effects, including multiple forms of cancer, liver damage, cholesterol disorders, fertility problems, hormone disorders, developmental disorders in children, and immune system problems. Unfortunately, because of the way they build up in the environment and food sources, higher levels of PFAS in wildlife are likely to translate to higher levels in humans, especially when found in water sources where people drink and fish. The study didn't just identify a higher concentration of PFAS; it also piloted a new testing method developed by study co-author Lara Cioni called the "Total Oxidizable Precursor assay." This test shows some of the subgroups of PFAS that have been a primary focus and identifies substances that break down into them. Looking at the whole chain — both the toxic products and their previously lesser-known origins — gave researchers a fuller picture of where the toxins were coming from, which is vital information for prevention. "We need to find out more about the sources, but also about the effects PFAS have on wading birds, other animals and humans," said professor Veerle Jaspers of the Department of Chemistry at NTNU, per Norwegian SciTech News. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Bloomberg
17-04-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Chinese Tea Chain CEO Becomes a Billionaire at 30 After US IPO
A 30-year-old Chinese entrepreneur has become an unlikely billionaire with the listing of his sprawling tea shop chain in the US, even as tensions between the two nations stoke an economic decoupling and market volatility. With the US IPO market at a near standstill and some analysts questioning whether Chinese stocks will be booted from American exchanges, Junjie Zhang's Chagee Holdings Ltd. is set to list on the Nasdaq on Thursday. The initial public offering raised $411 million and priced at the top end of the range, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be named because they weren't authorized to speak publicly.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chinese tea brand Chagee targets $5.1 billion valuation in US IPO amid choppy market conditions
(Reuters) -Chinese tea chain Chagee said on Thursday it was targeting a valuation of up to $5.1 billion in its New York initial public offering, braving choppy market conditions. Market volatility stemming from uncertainty over U.S. trade policy has tempered IPO market activity as companies adopt a wait-and-see approach before proceeding with their stock market debuts. Shanghai-based Chagee is seeking up to $411 million by offering nearly 14.7 million American depositary shares priced between $26 and $28 each. The IPO also comes at a time when the world's two biggest economies are locked in an escalating trade war, prolonging macroeconomic uncertainty. While Chagee warned of some hit from the tariffs, it said "cross-border trade" was not its principal business. All of its products are manufactured in China. Chagee, which specializes in raw-leaf fresh milk tea, is the latest in a string of Chinese consumer brands to pursue offshore IPOs in recent months. Chinese IPOs on U.S. exchanges raised $1.15 billion in 2024, compared with $469.7 million in 2023, according to data compiled by LSEG. That amount was still far below the $12.85 billion raised in 2021. Cornerstone investors have indicated interest in purchasing Chagee's shares worth up to $205 million sold in the IPO. RAPID RISE Founded in 2017 by Junjie Zhang, Chagee opened its first store in Yunnan province and has since rapidly expanded across and beyond China. The tea brand generated 29.5 billion yuan ($4.03 billion) in sales last year, with over 6,000 teahouses worldwide at the end of 2024. Nearly all of its stores are set in China under a franchise scheme. Chagee plans on serving customers across 100 countries and selling 15 billion servings annually as it aggressively expands its global reach. In recent years, Chagee has expanded across Southeast Asia, entering Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Chagee will use IPO proceeds to expand its teahouse network in China and abroad, among other purposes. Chagee will list on the Nasdaq under the symbol "CHA". Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank and CICC are the lead underwriters for the offering. ($1 = 7.3140 Chinese yuan renminbi)
Reuters
10-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Chinese tea brand Chagee targets $5.1 billion valuation in US IPO amid choppy market conditions
April 10 (Reuters) - Chinese tea chain Chagee said on Thursday it was targeting a valuation of up to $5.1 billion in its New York initial public offering, braving choppy market conditions. Market volatility stemming from uncertainty over U.S. trade policy has tempered IPO market activity as companies adopt a wait-and-see approach before proceeding with their stock market debuts. here. Shanghai-based Chagee is seeking up to $411 million by offering nearly 14.7 million American depositary shares priced between $26 and $28 each. The IPO also comes at a time when the world's two biggest economies are locked in an escalating trade war, prolonging macroeconomic uncertainty. While Chagee warned of some hit from the tariffs, it said "cross-border trade" was not its principal business. All of its products are manufactured in China. Chagee, which specializes in raw-leaf fresh milk tea, is the latest in a string of Chinese consumer brands to pursue offshore IPOs in recent months. Chinese IPOs on U.S. exchanges raised $1.15 billion in 2024, compared with $469.7 million in 2023, according to data compiled by LSEG. That amount was still far below the $12.85 billion raised in 2021. Cornerstone investors have indicated interest in purchasing Chagee's shares worth up to $205 million sold in the IPO. RAPID RISE Founded in 2017 by Junjie Zhang, Chagee opened its first store in Yunnan province and has since rapidly expanded across and beyond China. The tea brand generated 29.5 billion yuan ($4.03 billion) in sales last year, with over 6,000 teahouses worldwide at the end of 2024. Nearly all of its stores are set in China under a franchise scheme. Chagee plans on serving customers across 100 countries and selling 15 billion servings annually as it aggressively expands its global reach. In recent years, Chagee has expanded across Southeast Asia, entering Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Chagee will use IPO proceeds to expand its teahouse network in China and abroad, among other purposes. Chagee will list on the Nasdaq under the symbol "CHA". Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank and CICC are the lead underwriters for the offering. ($1 = 7.3140 Chinese yuan renminbi)
