Latest news with #Peking University
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
China GLP-1 drug study suggests slim chance weight stays off after treatment
A Chinese analysis of prescription anti-obesity medications has added to evidence that people who use popular GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic to shed pounds face the prospect of 'significant' weight rebound once they stop using them – challenges similar to those presented by more traditional slimming strategies. Patients saw 'significant weight' return eight weeks after anti-obesity medications (AOMs) were stopped, which continued after 20 weeks, the team from Peking University People's Hospital wrote in an article published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Medicine on Tuesday. 'Weight regain is common in various weight-loss strategies and it is necessary to establish long-term anti-obesity treatment in clinical practice,' the researchers said. Worldwide, 2½ billion adults were overweight in 2022 and 890 million of them were obese, according to the World Health Organization 01:20 China approves popular weight-loss drug Wegovy produced by Danish firm Novo Nordisk China approves popular weight-loss drug Wegovy produced by Danish firm Novo Nordisk
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
New SUPER-Viagra pill is stronger and could have fewer side effects, scientists find
SCIENTISTS are developing a new super-Viagra that is stronger than the little blue pill at just a tenth of the dose. Experimental drug simenafil was tested on 706 men by a team at the Peking University First Hospital in China. 1 Results showed that 12 weeks of treatment improved men's erectile function by an average of 12.3 per cent. The scientists said original Viagra, known as sildenafil, caused an approximately 11.8 per cent improvement in studies and other brands are less effective. The real catch is that the dose is tiny in comparison, they added – just 5mg compared to a standard 50mg dose of Viagra. This could make it cheaper or reduce the risk of side effects. The drugs are called PDE5 inhibitors and work by blocking an enzyme that restricts blood flow to the penis, causing it to relax and function normally for sex. Unwanted side effects might include headaches, sickness, hot flushes, indigestion, a stuffy nose or feeling dizzy. 'Effective at low doses' Writing in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, study author Dr Hui Jiang said: 'Owing to these adverse events, novel and alternative therapies are needed for patients with erectile dysfunction. 'The results so far show oral simenafil was effective and well-tolerated in male patients. 'Therefore, we believe that it will provide an additional reliable treatment option. 'Overall, the evaluation indicated that simenafil was as effective as other PDE5 inhibitors even at very low doses. 'It showed that intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire and overall satisfaction increased.' Erectile dysfunction is common and becomes more likely with age, illness and weight gain. What is Erectile Dysfunction? At least half of men are expected to suffer once they get into middle and old age. NHS doctors last year prescribed record amounts of bedroom-boosting drugs like Viagra, dishing out 4.7million prescriptions at a cost of £17.6million.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Economists urge Chinese local govts to target consumption to drive growth
BEIJING, July 18 (Reuters) - Chinese economists urged local governments to focus on consumption to support economic growth over the next five years, as trade tensions weigh on exports and expose vulnerabilities in the economy. Liu Qiao, Dean of the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University, told a media event on Thursday that certain provinces could look at consumption growth or the increase of household disposable income to drive their economies. "I think this would send a message. China needs to have a different growth approach, and it's time to give it a try," said Liu, who is also policy adviser to Beijing. Local governments have long used infrastructure investment and land sales to grow their economies, but both now face constraints. Commerce minister Wang Wentao said on Friday that China faces a complex situation during the next five years. "We will roll out targeted measures as the situation evolves, to further spur the momentum of goods consumption and release the potential of services consumption," he said at a press conference. Wang estimated China's annual retail sales would surpass 50 trillion yuan ($6.97 trillion) by the end of 2025. Government advisers have been stepping up calls to make the household sector's contribution to the economy a priority in Beijing's 2026-2030 five-year plan. Top leaders are currently gathering proposals and the plan is expected to be approved by parliament in March. The world's second-biggest economy grew 5.3% in the first half of the year despite concerns about sweeping U.S. tariffs. But economists are worried about deepening deflationary pressure. "Deflationary pressure is the biggest concern of the Chinese economy and China's policy in the short term," said Yan Se, deputy director of the Economic Policy Research Institute at Peking University. Yan said that while monetary policy could offer a quick solution, the key was to improve people's welfare. "Why don't we raise the salary? Why don't we raise the unemployment insurance? That will help not only to fight the deflationary pressures, but also help the Chinese economy to transition from a traditional manufacturing sector driven growth into a new quality productive force driven economic growth." ($1 = 7.1772 Chinese yuan renminbi)
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Lunar lava tubes on Earth? China completes underground moon simulation test area (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. China has taken a new step in its long-term planning for lunar exploration with the completion of a "simulated moon underground space." Researchers have established a practice area in a volcanic lava cave in a forest region near Jingbo Lake in Mudanjiang City, located in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang. The move is in response to research suggesting that lava tube systems are present on the moon and Mars and could provide shielding from those worlds' harsh radiation environments. "The underground volcanic lava pipes by the Jingbo Lake are the most similar environment on Earth to the underground space of the moon. I hope our forward-looking research can serve China's lunar exploration program," Li Jiaqi, a researcher at Peking University, told China Central Television (CCTV). Experimental robots are already being used to test conducting autonomous exploration and multi-functional operations in the simulated lunar environment. Related Stories: — Hopping robot will hunt for moon water on China's Chang'e 7 lunar mission in 2026 — China returns samples from the moon's far side in historic 1st (video) — The moon: Everything you need to know about Earth's companion "Compared with traditional lunar roving vehicles and exploration robots, it has stronger environmental adaptability and flexibility," said Li Xianglong, a doctoral student from the Harbin Institute of Technology. "When exploring the underground space of the moon for the future, it can possess more precise perception, decision-making and operation capabilities." Students also set up seismometers in the area to serve as a reference for future lunar experiments. China's Chang'e 7 mission to the lunar south pole, set to launch sometime in 2026, will carry a seismograph to study the moon's interior and detect moonquakes, caused by tidal forces from Earth, and temperature changes affecting the lunar surface. China plans to establish an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in the 2030s. Solve the daily Crossword
