Young researchers show their research on basic science at poster exhibition

Next-generation researchers from around the globe gathered this August at the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications (BIMSA) to share their work and exchange ideas.

Held from Aug 10 to 14 at BIMSA, the Undergraduate Poster Exhibition is part of the ongoing 2026 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS).

The exhibition brought together 48 promising students representing 26 elite universities across China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France to present their research in mathematics, physics, and theoretical computer science.

For the young scholars, the gathering offered a vital forum to test ideas and connect with a global academic audience.

"I decided to submit a poster for ICBS, because it's a bigger platform, and I had the chance to share my research to a wider audience," said Ye Guoran, a PhD student from the Northwestern University of China.

For undergraduate participants, the experience provided an invaluable opportunity to transcend traditional academic silos.

"My main focus is mathematical relativity. Here, I've seen more possibility for interdisciplinary research," said Song Jiaxin, an undergraduate student at China's Nankai University.

"Explaining my work to scholars from other different fields can help me step out of my own bubble. The most exciting moment is when you find a way through after struggling with a bottleneck for a long time," said Zhang Ronghang, an undergraduate at the Tsinghua University of China.

That sentiment was echoed by international attendees. Ye Xiaowei, a mathematics graduate student at Ecole Polytechnique of France, highlighted the mindset driving the cohort.

"Curiosity is the motivation. An open mind allows us to try different methods," said Ye.

Senior academics noted that fostering such collaborative dialogue is essential for early-career development. Sebastian Heller, a professor at BIMSA, underscored the core value of the session.

"People meet from all round the world, discuss what they learned and explain to others and get new ideas," said Heller.

The 2026 International Congress of Basic Science, which opened in Beijing on Aug 9, will run through Aug 21.

Young researchers show their research on basic science at poster exhibition

Fifty-three percent of U.S. voters feel they are worse off financially since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, compared with only 21 percent who said they are better off, according to a recent poll by the Financial Times.

The poll also showed clear partisan cleavages, with almost 80 percent of Democrats saying they are worse off under Trump, as opposed to 23 percent of Republicans who said the same.

Meanwhile, 64 percent of voters found that the U.S. economy is going in the wrong direction, while only 25 percent said it is going in the right direction.

Eighty-six percent of Democrats believe the economy is heading in the wrong direction, while the share among Republicans stands at 37 percent.

Overall, 55 percent of voters disapprove of the job Trump was doing as president, the poll found. They were especially dissatisfied with his handling of inflation and the cost of living, jobs and the economy, tariffs and trade and Iran.

The findings highlight the significant challenges facing Trump and the Republican Party ahead of November's midterm elections, as public dissatisfaction grew with the war in Iran, which has pushed up borrowing costs, petrol prices and the cost of living, said The Financial Times.

The online August poll reflected the opinions of 1,913 registered voters.

Poll shows most U.S. voters feel worse off financially since Trump took office