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South and East Asia identified as hotspots of global warming related impacts on male fertility

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BEIJING, May 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A major new study has shown that South and East Asia dominate patterns of global warming related decline in male fertility with the strongest and most consistent evidence coming from India, Pakistan and the southern parts of China.

The effects of increased environmental temperatures on male reproductive health include declining sperm concentration and motility and increased sperm DNA fragmentation, or genetic damage that can hinder fertilisation and embryo development.

Male related factors account for around 50 per cent of infertility cases around the world and the impact of rising ambient heat on semen parameters raises serious implications across wide areas of Asia where total fertility rates are in serious decline.

Outcomes of the study undertaken by the Taiwan IVF Group and Ton Yen General Hospital, Taiwan (China) in collaboration with Stanford University (USA) are being presented at the 2026 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) in Beijing.

Research principal and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University, Dr Jack Yu Jen Huang, MD, PhD, FACOG said: “Given the temperature sensitivity of spermatogenesis, even modest increases in ambient temperature could have cumulative, population-level effects over time.

“As global warming accelerates, male reproductive health may represent an emerging climate sensitive public health concern.”

The testes function optimally at temperatures lower than the internal body heat level, and previous studies have shown elevated scrotal or ambient temperatures can impair sperm production.

The latest research explored global patterns to reveal comparative data across regions. It is based on a systematic review of international studies on temperature exposure and semen parameter trends between 2000 and 2024. Artificial intelligence algorithms and machine learning tools were applied to extract key variables including geographic regions and semen outcomes.

Dr Huang said studies examining occupational heat exposure alone were excluded from the analysis as they reflected localised, job-specific conditions rather than broader climatic trends.

“Our findings therefore represent population level climate associated temperature effects including consistent seasonal variations showing poor semen quality parameters in warmer periods.”

The global patterns on temperature associated lower sperm concentration and motility show South and East Asia as major hot spots of concern followed by the Middle East, Europe and North America.

“South and East Asia are likely more affected due to a combination of factors including higher baseline ambient temperatures and rapid urbanisation that contribute to greater cumulative heat stress on spermatogenesis,” Dr Huang explained.

“With ongoing global warming, chronic heat exposure may increasingly impact male reproductive health.”

Dr Huang said potential approaches to address the issue include:

increasing public awareness of heat exposure and reproductive health;encouraging protective behaviours;expanding research integrating climate and reproductive health data; andexploring clinical and lifestyle interventions to mitigate heat-related effects.

The research team was assisted by research intern Jeffrey Zi Kang Huang from Taipei American School, particularly in the application of artificial intelligence in biomedical research including AI-assisted data analysis and pattern recognition across global datasets.

“Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies will be important to better define causality and guide interventions,” he added.

The ASPIRE Congress is being held at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing. More than 3,000 scientists, clinicians, nurses and counsellors in assisted reproduction from around the world are attending the Congress.

For further information, go to https://www.aspire2026.com

 

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SOURCE ASPIRE

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Seatrium and Karpowership Sign Contract for a Series of Whale Class Powership Conversion and Integration Projects

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Seatrium Limited and its strategic partner, floating power leader Karpowership, have strengthened their longstanding collaboration with the award of a contract for the development, major conversion and integration of Karpowership’s third-generation hydrogen-ready Whale Class Powerships, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to delivering reliable, flexible and sustainable energy solutions to meet growing global electricity demand.

Under the contract, Seatrium will undertake the major conversion work and integration of five Whale Class Powerships. Seatrium’s scope of work encompasses equipment integration, mechanical completion and pre-commissioning works. Engineering activities are currently underway – both parties are working closely to advance the project’s execution phase progressively, with the first vessel in the series targeted for arrival in Seatrium Tuas Boulevard Yard in December 2027.

Powerships are floating power plants equipped with hydrogen-ready multi-fuel generation systems and integrated onboard substations that connect directly to national electricity grids. Leveraging Karpowership’s plug-and-play design, they can begin generating electricity in as little as 30 days. The next-generation Whale Class offers Karpowership’s highest capacity, engineered to deploy up to 600 MW of immediate, grid-ready power using an ultra-efficient footprint optimised for seamless, continuous fuel supply.

By combining advanced power generation technologies with maritime engineering excellence, these vessels will enhance energy security while providing the flexibility to support diverse market requirements.

Mr Alvin Gan, Executive Vice President, Repairs and Upgrades, Seatrium, said, “This significant milestone marks Seatrium’s first major conversion work and integration of Karpowership’s Whale Class Powerships. We are proud to support Karpowership’s drive to pioneer innovative floating power solutions and the next phase of its fleet development, bringing our capabilities in complex vessel integration and offshore engineering to the project. We thank Karpowership for the continued trust and look forward to advancing cutting-edge floating solutions that bolster energy resilience worldwide.”

Building on a strategic relationship established in 2018, Seatrium and Karpowership share an ambition to deepen their partnership and shape the next generation of energy infrastructure, strengthening energy resilience in Singapore and worldwide.

Mr Gokhan Kocak, Chief Technical Operations Officer, Karpowership, said, “Karpowership has transformed global power generation with its innovative Powership model, delivering fast-track and dependable electricity solutions to millions worldwide. The next-generation Whale Class Powerships demonstrate our continued commitment to innovation, operational excellence and energy security. We are pleased to build on our strong partnership with Seatrium, whose proven expertise in complex vessel integration make them an ideal partner.”

The contract marks the next step following an earlier Letter of Intent (LOI) signed in August 2025, solidifying the long-term partnership between the two companies. The LOI had provided for three FSRU conversions and the potential integration of up to six new-generation Powerships. Since 2018, Seatrium has successfully delivered seven FSRU conversion projects to Karpowership, with the eighth and ninth FSRU conversion projects secured this year.

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SOURCE Karpowership

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Scage Future Announces Effective Date for ADS Ratio Change

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NANJING, China, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Scage Future (“Scage Future” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: SCAG), a provider of new energy and zero-emission heavy-duty commercial vehicles and e-fuel solutions, today announced the effective date and new CUSIP number for the previously announced change in the ratio of its American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) to its ordinary shares (the “ADS Ratio”), from the current ADS Ratio of one (1) ADS to one (1) ordinary share to a new ADS Ratio of one (1) ADS to fifteen (15) ordinary shares (the “ADS Ratio Change”). The ADS Ratio Change will be effective on October 27, 2026 (the “Effective Date”).

For Scage Future’s ADS holders, the change in the ADS Ratio will have the same effect as a one-for-fifteen reverse ADS split. On the Effective Date, holders of ADSs will be entitled to receive one (1) new ADS for every fifteen (15) existing ADSs then held, and the exchange will occur automatically, with the then-held ADSs being cancelled and new ADSs being issued by Citibank, N.A., as the depositary bank for the Company’s ADS program (the “Depositary Bank”). Holders of ADSs will not be required to take any action in connection with the ADS Ratio Change.

No fractional new ADSs will be issued in connection with the change in the ADS Ratio. Instead, fractional entitlements to new ADSs will be aggregated and sold by the Depositary Bank, and the net cash proceeds from the sale of the fractional ADS entitlements (after deduction of fees, taxes and expenses) will be distributed to the applicable ADS holders by the Depositary Bank.

The change in the ADS Ratio will have no impact on Scage Future’s underlying ordinary shares, and no ordinary shares will be issued or cancelled in connection with the change in the ADS Ratio. Scage Future’s ADSs will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SCAG.” In connection with the ADS Ratio Change, the CUSIP number for the ADSs will change from 80590A105 to a new CUSIP number of 80590A204, effective as of the Effective Date.

As a result of the change in the ADS Ratio, the ADS trading price is expected to increase proportionally, although the Company can give no assurance that the ADS trading price after the change in the ADS Ratio will be equal to or greater than fifteen times the ADS trading price before the change.

About Scage Future

Scage Future is a leading zero-emission technology provider in China, dedicated to decarbonizing global commercial transportation through its portfolio of advanced heavy-duty NEV trucks and innovative e-fuel systems. Through strategic partnerships with top-tier vehicle manufacturers and a strong quality control framework, the Company delivers intelligent, high-performance NEVs addressing the transport needs across logistics, mining and port operations. The Company has a proven track record in the design, production, and testing of next-generation heavy-duty NEVs, including the Dragon II plug-in hybrid dump truck, Galaxy II plug-in hybrid truck, and autonomous tractor trailer.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the completion of the ADS Ratio Change on the Effective Date, the anticipated effects of the ADS Ratio Change on the trading price of the Company’s ADSs, and the Company’s expectations regarding the treatment of fractional ADS entitlements and the exchange of existing ADSs for new ADSs. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “assesses,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, please contact:

Scage Future
Investor Relations
Emily Wang
Head of Investor Relations
Email: scageIR@scagefd.com

 

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SOURCE Scage Future

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Hanwha Power Receives ABS Approval in Principle for 1,700 TEU Battery-Powered Containership Design

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Fully electric propulsion design featuring approximately 151 MWh of energy storage strengthens capabilities in zero-carbon maritime transportIntegrated solution combines electric propulsion, and containerized battery energy storage systemsExpanded eco-friendly marine propulsion portfolio lays the groundwork for entry into the next-generation zero-carbon vessel market

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hanwha Power announced that it had received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its design of a 1,700 TEU battery-powered containership.

The certificate presentation ceremony took place on October 22, local time, at the MHE (Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells) Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Bergen, Norway. Jong-kyu Hwang, Vice President, Technology Solutions at Hanwha Power, attended the ceremony alongside senior representatives from ABS. The event runs from October 21 to 23 at the Scandic Hotel Bergen City.

The newly approved design concept features a fully electric container vessel powered by a large-scale 151 MWh Energy Storage System (ESS). Electrical energy stored in containerized battery units serves as the vessel’s primary propulsion source, enabling operation without direct carbon emissions through the use of port charging infrastructure.

The use of containerized batteries, which can be handled and stowed like standard cargo containers, enhances space efficiency, maximizes cargo capacity, and optimizes overall vessel performance. This approach also supports flexible battery replacement and scalable operation, offering a practical pathway for the decarbonization of short-sea and regional container transport.

The AiP strengthens Hanwha Power’s capabilities in fully electric vessel design using large-scale battery energy storage and expands its portfolio of marine propulsion solutions. The company plans to build on this achievement to pursue opportunities in the next-generation zero-carbon maritime transport market.

Alongside the approval, Hanwha Power has also completed the basic design of a 1,000 TEU battery-powered container vessel. Building on its expertise in vessel design across multiple ship classes, the company aims to develop a comprehensive lineup of electric-propulsion vessels tailored to a wide range of operating conditions and customer needs.

“This AiP from ABS marks an important step in extending Hanwha Power’s marine technology capabilities to fully electric vessels powered by large-scale battery systems,” said Jong-kyu Hwang, Vice President, Technology Solutions at Hanwha Power. “We will address the needs of the next-generation zero-carbon maritime transport market with integrated solutions that combine electric propulsion and containerized battery system technologies.”

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