Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough in artificial starch synthesis from carbon dioxide, a first in de novo starch production without relying on plant photosynthesis. Led by Ma Yanhe from the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, the team designed an 11-step reaction to convert carbon dioxide into starch, with the synthetic starch exhibiting efficiency eight times greater than traditional agricultural starch. This discovery, published in 'Science', marks a significant advancement in converting carbon dioxide raw materials into complex molecules, though more research is needed for practical applications and industrial adoption.