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Global Times: Interdisciplinary technologies bring more cultural relics to life

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BEIJING, Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a fully equipped laboratory in Beijing, a dragon-head architectural component from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) discovered at the Guzhou ruins in Xiong’an New Area, North China’s Hebei Province is prepped for a CT scan.

Thanks to the use of CT scans, 3D modeling, and other high-tech facilities in this laboratory, the restoration and research of the dragon head is progressing smoothly. The Key Laboratory of Archaeological Sciences and Cultural Heritage at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) is promoting the revitalization of more cultural relics with the help of technology, and has become a new example of cutting-edge technology used in archaeological work.

In recent years, China has intensified efforts to integrate technology into archaeology. Remote sensing satellites have been used to accurately document the shapes of excavation sites, 3D imaging can reconstruct collapsed underground spaces, and 3D digital modeling is now used to ­reverse-engineer and replicate decayed wooden boxes. Advances in deep-sea technology have expanded China’s underwater archaeology from depths of 50 meters to 2,000 meters.

These interdisciplinary collaborations are uncovering the limitless potential of archaeological science and continually enhancing China’s ability to protect cultural heritage.

“Technology and archaeology have always been areas of interdisciplinary integration and collaboration. Over the last century, the development of archaeology, from its traditional roots to the present, has been closely intertwined with technological advancements,” Chen Jiachang from the China Academy of Cultural Heritage told the Global Times.

“From the early integration of geology and archaeology to the modern-day application of advanced technologies, these innovations have increasingly aided archaeologists in analyzing remnants of ancient societies, reconstructing their structures, and understanding their social forms,” Chen said.

Technological power

The new laboratory consists of 13 sub-laboratories for archaeological sciences, five for cultural heritage conservation, and five joint archaeological laboratories. It integrates advanced technologies from disciplines including molecular biology, chemistry, geosciences and physics to facilitate interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research in archaeological science and heritage conservation.

Following laboratory analysis and preliminary cleaning of the dragon head’s eyes and nose, large areas of paint were found on the gray ceramic surface. The dragon’s pupils are black, while the eyeliner around them is green.

Liu Yong, head of the Key Laboratory of Archaeological Sciences and Cultural Heritage, recalled to the Global Times that “the top part of the dragon head is missing, and cracks can be seen in its nose and eyebrows, preventing any movement of the artifact.”

So further discovery of the dragon’s pupil and eyeliner colors can’t bear any more movement on the artifact.

One key reason has influenced the team’s decision to use curved-surface fluorescence technology to create a 3D model of the painted artifact. Fluorescence, with its penetrating properties, interacts with different elements to reveal colors hidden beneath layers of soil. “Normally, the green color shines from malachite, while the white ears are calcium carbonate, but we can only figure it out after the fluorescence test.”

“Because it couldn’t be moved, we used soil packing to stabilize it and employed CT scanning to examine whether the dragon head was solid or hollow,” Liu explained. “CT technology is primarily used on artifacts for pre-detection. It helps assess the preservation status and internal structure and provides information for protective cleaning.”

The development of portable CT technology has also transitioned such equipment from fixed to mobile, allowing for better balancing of artifact protection and research. “The goal is to maximize archaeological information while protecting the artifact,” Liu said.

Increasingly, not just field archaeologists but also physicists, geologists, and experts from various other fields are becoming involved in this emerging field of archaeological science.

Wider applications

From aerial and drone remote sensing to satellite remote sensing, these increasingly advanced technologies provide a broader distribution of data about archaeological sites, enabling more comprehensive hypotheses about historical scenarios.

“In the past, we used radar. Satellite remote sensing offers higher density points, forming more detailed surface information,” Chen said. “Now the application of technology helps archaeologists clarify ancient societal remains.”

Chen explained that technologies such as residue DNA analysis and isotope analysis, combined with archaeological interpretations of historical records and research, create a chain of factual evidence for the reconstruction of ancient societies. “It’s a collaboration across disciplines – unifying science and archaeology.”

However, even with advancements in technology and conservation, challenges remain. Natural weathering continues to pose problems for artifacts like the Yungang Grottoes and the Leshan Giant Buddha.

The conservation of stone grotto artifacts faces three main challenges: structural reinforcement, water infiltration prevention, and weathering resistance. While grouting and other techniques can address the first two problems through innovative approaches tailored to the artifact, combating weathering – considered a global challenge – requires breakthroughs in material research.

“Just as chip manufacturing needs new material development, creating advanced infiltration reinforcement materials is key to preserving grottoes,” Chen said.

There are more advanced technologies playing necessary roles in China’s significant archeological projects beyond the conservation of stone grottoes. For instance, in the conservation of Sanxingdui artifacts, the application of ivory analysis revealed similarities in structure and materials to those of stone grottoes. This fusion of technology and archaeology has allowed Sanxingdui artifacts to gain renewed life.

Ultimately, the goal of technology in archaeology is to reconstruct the framework of ancient societies, revealing the structures and dynamics of human life within their historical contexts. “Archaeology and technology complement each other, creating a synergistic effect,” Chen concluded.

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SOURCE Global Times

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BOOST TREADMILLS LAUNCHES EUROPEAN OPERATIONS AND BEGINS BUILDING THE BOOST 3 IN EUROPE

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European customers and dealers now get local manufacturing, local service, and euro pricing on the Boost 3 microgravity treadmill.

At a Glance

What: Launch of Boost Treadmills Europe OÜ, with Boost 3 manufacturing, sales, service, and international dealer management based in Europe, including the UK
Who: Boost Treadmills; Sean Whalen (CTO and Co-Founder) and Tom Allen (CEO and Co-Founder)
When: Boost 3 available to European customers now (October 2026)
Where: Europe and the UK: manufacturing, sales, installation, and service
How to buy: Directly from Boost Treadmills, with no middleman required
What changes for customers: Euro pricing, shorter delivery times, local installation and service, warranty support, 220V units, and CE marking
More info: www.boosttreadmills.com | +1 (510) 883-3123 | Contact page | Boost International

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Boost Treadmills today announced the launch of its European operation, Boost Treadmills Europe OÜ, and the start of Boost 3 manufacturing in Europe. The new operation handles manufacturing, sales, installation, and service for European customers, and gives Boost a single base for managing its international dealers.

European and UK customers can now buy the Boost 3 directly from Boost, with the manufacturer handling the order, delivery, installation, and service.

The Boost 3 is a microgravity treadmill that uses differential air pressure (DAP) technology to reduce the load on the body during walking and running. The same core technology is used by more than 100 professional sports organizations and over 300 NCAA programs, and it is installed across more than 1,000 facilities worldwide. With European operations now live, clinics, sports organizations, and home users in Europe can get the Boost 3 without waiting on an overseas shipment or an overseas service call.

What Changes for European Customers

Buy directly from Boost: Order straight from the manufacturer, with one point of contact from quote to installation and service.Euro pricing: Quotes and invoices in euros from a European entity.Shorter delivery times: Boost 3 units are now built in Europe, closer to the customers who order them.Local installation and service: A European team handles installation, training, and ongoing support in local time zones.Warranty support: Warranty service is handled in Europe, so parts and repairs do not have to cross an ocean.Built for Europe: 220V units and CE marking for European installations.

Easier Dealer Management

Boost works with dealers outside the United States, and European operations give those dealers one place to go for orders, training, and service. Boost Treadmills Europe OÜ also manages the company’s international dealer relationships, which means faster answers for dealers and a more consistent experience for the customers they serve. Dealers and customers outside the United States can find more on the Boost International page.

Why Now: Demand for Low-Impact Recovery Technology in Europe

Interest in low-impact exercise equipment for injury recovery is growing as clinics, sports teams, and individuals look for ways to keep people moving through injury instead of waiting for it to heal. Physical therapists are asking for equipment that lets patients train earlier and with less impact. Aging populations are pushing demand for tools that support active aging and fall prevention. Athletic programs want ways to add training volume without adding injury risk. Microgravity treadmills sit at the intersection of all three, and cost and logistics have kept them out of reach for many European facilities. A European manufacturing and service base is meant to change that.

Boost has spent the past five years working in Europe with some of the biggest football clubs and athletes in the world. Opening this operation lets Boost keep supporting those teams from Europe and expand the Boost 3 into physical therapy clinics, hospitals, homes, and other settings where low-impact exercise can help people move sooner.

In Their Own Words

“Customers in Europe shouldn’t have to wait on a shipment from California for a machine or a service call,” said Tom Allen, CEO and Co-Founder of Boost Treadmills. “With manufacturing, sales, and service now based in Europe, they get euro pricing, faster delivery, and a team in their own time zone.”

“Building the Boost 3 closer to the people who use it makes it easier to deliver, easier to support, and easier to keep running,” said Sean Whalen, CTO and Co-Founder of Boost Treadmills. “It also gives our dealers one place to go for orders, training, and service.”

About the Boost 3

The Boost 3 is a next-generation microgravity treadmill built for homes, physical therapy clinics, wellness centers, and athletic facilities.

Compact Design: 25% smaller than previous models, designed to fit in a spare bedroom or space-constrained clinic.Adjustable Weight Support: Precise control in 1% increments, allowing users to bear anywhere from 20% to 100% of their body weight.Accessibility: Lower step height for users with limited mobility and fully automated entry and exit.Whisper-Quiet Operation: Designed for home and clinical environments where noise is a consideration.Pre-Programmed Protocols: Built-in programs for common applications, from post-op recovery to athletic conditioning.

Availability

The Boost 3 is available to European and UK customers now, and customers can buy directly from Boost. To request a consultation, a product demonstration, or a quote in euros, visit www.boosttreadmills.com, visit the Boost International page, use the contact page, or call +1 (510) 883-3123.

About Boost Treadmills

Founded in 2017 by Sean Whalen and Tom Allen, Boost Treadmills builds differential air pressure treadmills for homes, clinics, and athletic facilities worldwide. Its founders invented and commercialized this technology — and are still the ones advancing it. For press inquiries: info@boosttreadmills.com, +1 (510) 883-3123, or the contact page.

Contact: info@boosttreadmills.com | +1 (510) 883-3123 | boosttreadmills.com/pages/contact

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SOURCE Boost Treadmills

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CorelDRAW Black Friday 2026: Perpetual Licence and Subscription Offers Explained by Expert Consumers

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NEW YORK, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Expert Consumers has recognized CorelDRAW for offering flexible purchase options for professional design software, giving buyers an opportunity to evaluate licence terms, software capabilities and potential savings ahead of Black Friday 2026.

CorelDRAW Black Friday 2026

CorelDRAW – provides professional design, AI-assisted image preparation, and production tools designed to help print shops, sign makers, apparel decorators, and designers repair client files, manage color, work at accurate scale, and prepare production-ready assets.

As businesses and creative professionals review software spending ahead of the holiday shopping season, the choice between a perpetual licence and a subscription remains an important consideration. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite offers both purchase models, allowing buyers to select an arrangement based on budget, working requirements and the need for ongoing updates.

The distinction is particularly relevant during promotional periods, when an advertised saving may not fully reflect the long-term cost of using professional design software. Understanding the terms of each licence can help buyers assess the value of an offer before making a purchase.

Understanding CorelDRAW’s Purchase Options

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is available through a one-time perpetual licence or a subscription. Each option addresses different purchasing preferences.

A perpetual licence provides ongoing use of the licensed software version under the applicable licence terms. The one-time payment can appeal to professionals and businesses seeking to limit recurring software expenses. Buyers should distinguish continued use of the purchased version from access to future major releases, which may require a separate purchase or applicable maintenance arrangement.

A subscription provides access to the latest releases while the subscription remains active. The arrangement also includes subscription-based features, applications and services, subject to the relevant plan terms.

A maintenance arrangement can be added as a small recurring annual fee attached to the one-time purchase. This ensures that the user always gets the latest product versions and updates as they are released. Any additional exclusive features, app, and workflows from a subscription are also included.

For professionals who depend on current tools and regularly updated software, subscription access may offer practical advantages. The recurring cost, renewal price and included services should remain part of the purchasing decision.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2026 Features

The value of design applications depends on how well the available tools support everyday work. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite combines vector illustration, page layout, photo editing and typography capabilities for professional creative workflows.

Use cases include branding, advertising materials, signage, apparel graphics, large-format printing and technical drawings. Production-oriented features help designers prepare artwork for different output requirements.

The 2026 release also introduced Artist Intelligence™ capabilities designed to support the creative process. AI Generate helps create images from text prompts and existing content, while AI-assisted background removal and masking support image preparation.

The September 2026 Update expanded these capabilities with Text-to-vector, which generates editable, scalable vector graphics from text prompts or existing artwork. Generated designs can be refined before use in broader creative projects.

PowerTRACE, the bitmap-to-vector tracing tool, also received improvements. According to Corel’s product materials, the update includes improved object structure and color handling, a revised interface and performance gains of up to four times.

These capabilities are relevant to production workflows that involve converting supplied images into editable artwork, preparing logos and creating graphics for print applications.

Evaluating Potential Black Friday Savings

CorelDRAW’s Black Friday offers began November 3, with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite from $379 for the perpetual licence (31% off) and $185 for the annual subscription. Offers run through the Black Friday season. Current pricing is available on the CorelDRAW website. Regional pricing may vary.

A perpetual licence may suit buyers who prefer an upfront payment and plan to continue using a particular version. A subscription may be more appropriate for users who require continuing access to new releases and subscription-based services.

Subscription and maintenance benefits include CorelDRAW Web, cloud-based file storage and asset management, a cloud template library and additional creative content. Subscription and maintenance customers also receive exclusive recurring AI credit entitlements under the applicable terms.

Buyers should also review billing periods, renewal costs, operating system compatibility, maintenance terms and regional availability. These details help establish whether a promotional offer aligns with the intended use of the software.

Choosing a Licence for Long-Term Use

The choice between a perpetual licence and a subscription ultimately depends on individual working requirements and financial priorities.

Independent designers and businesses that value a one-time payment may prefer the perpetual option. Professionals who rely on current releases, browser-based access and cloud-enabled workflows may find a subscription more suitable.

The expected length of use is another important consideration. Comparing the initial payment with projected subscription costs over the same period can provide a clearer view of potential expenditure. The comparison should also account for differences in included services and access to future releases.

Expert Consumers has recognized CorelDRAW in the context of this purchasing decision, highlighting the importance of understanding licence options when evaluating professional design software during Black Friday 2026.

For prospective buyers, a careful review of product requirements, licence conditions and confirmed promotional terms can help establish whether an offer represents meaningful savings. The objective is to select a purchase arrangement that supports the required creative workflow while keeping software costs predictable.

The full article can be found at the Expert Consumers website.

About Corel

Corel is a global software company headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with more than 100 million users in over 75 countries. Founded in 1985, Corel has built a strong reputation for innovation and usability in graphics, digital‑media, and productivity software. Its product portfolio includes vector illustration (CorelDRAW Graphics Suite), natural‑media painting (Corel Painter), photo editing (Corel PaintShop Pro), video production (Corel VideoStudio), and productivity tools (WordPerfect Office and WinZip). Corel’s software is designed for both professionals and creative consumers and provides powerful features in an accessible, easy‑to-learn format. With a global footprint that includes major offices in the US, UK, Germany, China, Taiwan and Japan, Corel continues to expand its reach while maintaining a close connection with its user community.

About ExpertConsumers.org: Expert Consumers delivers news and insights on consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Expert Consumers may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

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SOURCE ExpertConsumers.org

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Docusign Named a Leader in the 2026-2027 IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Contract Life-Cycle Management Software for Corporate Legal

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SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Docusign (NASDAQ: DOCU), the leader in Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM), today announced that it has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Contract Life-Cycle Management Software for Corporate Legal 2026-2027, IDC Doc #US54117526e.

The Docusign IAM platform helps legal teams create, review, sign, and manage contracts while connecting their work with sales, procurement, HR, and other business functions. Docusign helps organizations understand what’s in their contracts and act on those insights, helping over 1.9 million businesses worldwide accelerate deals, reduce risk, and maximize productivity. Powered by Docusign Iris, the company’s agreement AI engine, the platform combines agreement intelligence with automated workflows to move business forward.

The IDC MarketScape report notes Docusign’s evolution beyond e-signature into the full agreement lifecycle. According to the report, “Docusign is best known for electronic signature (esignature), but the company has spent the past several years pushing well past the signature line into the full agreement life cycle. Docusign entered the CLM market through its 2018 acquisition of SpringCM and has since replatformed that CLM onto its Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) platform. Docusign now sells IAM as a single offering, with modules tiered to the customer’s needs.”

“Enterprise legal teams need AI they can trust and workflows that adapt to the complexity of their organizations,” said Ryan O’Leary, Research Director, Privacy and Legal Technology at IDC. “Docusign combines AI grounded in sourced contract language with configurable workflows and extensive integrations, connecting legal’s specialized tools to contracting processes across the broader enterprise.”

“Legal teams are at the center of the agreements that keep business moving,” said Allan Thygesen, CEO of Docusign. “Our IAM platform brings together the context within those agreements and AI-powered workflows and agents to help legal teams turn insights into action across the business. We believe this recognition validates our investment in helping legal professionals work faster, reduce risk, and focus on strategic priorities.”

Among Docusign’s strengths, the IDC MarketScape says:

Agreement AI that is in production: Docusign offers its clients a slideware backed up by available functionalities. The Iris AI Assistant, ready-to-deploy agents, and Agent Studio for building custom agents are all generally available today. Every AI answer comes with citations that link to the exact language in the source agreement, which is table stakes for lawyers who need to trust the outputIntegration and platform breadth: Docusign has over 1,100 integrations, with deep, co-developed connectors for Salesforce and SAP Ariba plus native connections to Coupa, Workday, and NetSuite. Docusign has also embraced the agentic ecosystem. Its MCP server lets users search agreements, check status, and trigger workflows from AI assistants like Claude and Gemini. Docusign also has partnerships with legal AI platforms such as Harvey and Legora. Rather than forcing legal to abandon its specialized tools, Docusign aims to be the system of record that connects legal’s work to the rest of the business.Customization and value: Docusign CLM is highly customizable. Customer feedback indicated that organizations that treat CLM as a true enterprise system, with dedicated internal IT support, are able to continuously adapt workflows as their processes change. Customers that already use Docusign for esignature cited the seamless integration as a deciding factor, and Docusign was competitive on cost.

A complimentary copy of the IDC MarketScape report excerpt is available here. To learn more about Docusign IAM, visit docusign.com/intelligent-agreement-management. Also, in September 2026, Docusign was also named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Integrated Signing Workflow Software 2026. The report is available here.

This recognition comes alongside other recent honors including Docusign being named one of Newsweek’s Most Trustworthy Software and Telecommunications companies in America for three years in a row and featured in Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies list of 2026 and Fortune’s Future 50 list of companies with the greatest long-term growth prospects.

About IDC MarketScape
IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and service suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. The Capabilities score measures vendor product, go-to-market and business execution in the short-term. The Strategy score measures alignment of vendor strategies with customer requirements in a 3-5-year timeframe. Vendor market share is represented by the size of the circles. Vendor year-over-year growth rate relative to the given market is indicated by a plus, neutral or minus next to the vendor name.

About Docusign
Docusign brings agreements to life. Over 1.9 million customers and more than a billion people in over 180 countries use Docusign solutions to accelerate the process of doing business and simplify people’s lives. With intelligent agreement management, Docusign unleashes business critical data that is trapped inside of documents. Until now, these were disconnected from business systems of record, costing businesses time, money, and opportunity. Using Docusign’s AI-native IAM platform, companies can create, commit, and manage agreements with solutions created by the #1 company in e-signature and CLM. Learn more at www.docusign.com.

Media Contact:
Docusign Corporate Communications
media@docusign.com

 

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SOURCE Docusign, Inc.

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