Month: July 2017

The Energy Bureau, composed of members of the development and reform commission, provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, Xinjiang and State Grid representatives and others, has published directives how to develop wind, photovoltaic and biomass power plants further during the present 13th 5-years plan. Improved consumption monitoring, better inter-provincial power transmission lines and better access to the grid are some of the guiding principles. China Industrial Biotech Network, July 28, 2017

The group of ZHU Yongguan from the CAS Institute of Urban Environment has mapped 381 antibiotic resistance genes in 116 urban sewage samples taken from 32 wastewater treatment plants across 17 Chinese major cities. Urban sewage had high levels of antimicrobial resistance genes – around 1011-1012 copies per liter – with a distinct seasonal pattern. The graph shows log antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) in copies/day divided by total urban population. CAS news release, July 28, 2017

The team of ZHU Zuyan has combined the actin gene promoter of the carp with the carp actin gene and the grass carp growth hormone gene coding region to form a whole fish” recombinant gene construct. Microinjection of this gene construct into fertilized carp eggs led to carps which grow 40 % faster than controls and achieve 2fold adult weight. Feed conversion rate was increased by about 20%. Safety testing at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety did not reveal any problems, but public concerns about ecology have prevented marketing so far. Tests in a 6,7 ha artificial lake and simulated ecological environments of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River suggest that transgenic carps in a natural environment have very poor viability. However, so far transgenic carps have not been cleared for human consumption.” China Bio news release, July 27, 2017

According to a review by China Pharmaceutical Network, the world production of amino acids in 2016 was close to 8 million t and is expected to reach 11 million t in 2022. Amino acids used as feed additives such as lysine or threonine constituted about 52.5 % of the global market, with China as a major supplier. As of non-essential amino acids used in food production, China produces 50 % of all citrulline (10.000 t global market) and 80 % of all taurine (80.000 t world). China Bio news release, July 26, 2017

In cooperation with Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Human Province, the company will launch a collection of stem cells isolated from maternal umbilical cords, which are cultivated and released on demand to the maternal donor and to Xiangya Hospital for stem cell clinical research and application. The stem cells will be stored at – 196 °C for 3 years free of cost, prolongation for payment is possible. Stem cell products can be used for the treatment of, e. g., endocrine diseases (premature ovarian failure, Intrauterine adhesions and menopausal syndrome, etc.), immune system diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus and ulcerative colitis), ischemic diseases (diabetic foot and ischemic cardiomyopathy), neurological diseases (Parkinson’s disease and stroke), degenerative osteoarthritis, type II diabetes, hypertension, and other. China Bio news release, July 24, 2017

The floating device is in operation since 2 years and has since supplied electricity to Dawanshan Island offshore Guangdong. Dawanshan island has an area of 8.1 km2 and a population of about 3,000. 36 m long Sharp Eagle” is equipped with 4 wave energy absorbers symmetrically mounted on a semi-submersible platform, and 2 independent sets of hydraulic systems with a multi-power complementary system generating up to 200 kW wave power, a 50 kW photovoltaic system, batteries, inverters, and devices for data acquisition, monitoring equipment and satellite transmission.” China Bio news release, July 24, 2017

China carries out a major underwater exploration in the South China Sea. To this end, the research vessel Kexue carries unmanned underwater gliders which are equipped with cameras, Raman spectrometers and other instruments. In the 1st phase of the program, 12 such gliders carried out observations and sent back data in real time. The home naval ports of this flotilla are Xiamen and Qingdao. CAS news release, July 23, 2017

As a foundation for a future stronger clinical research in China, the nation now has available 32 national clinical medical research centers, about 260 at the prefecture- or city level, and more than 2,100 at all levels. They are usually specialized on either cardiovascular, nervous system, malignant tumor, respiratory diseases, and nine other nine areas of diseases and serve as a clinical research platform and for collaborative innovation networks China Bio news release, July 24, 2017

According to a master plan published by the State Council, China will strive to build an AI-based industry worth 148 billion USD by 2030, highlighting China’s determination to achieve breakthroughs in core AI technologies and accelerate its application in the manufacturing, service, agriculture and other sectors. Zhang Yaqin, president of Baidu, said China is highly likely to outpace the United States in the application of AI, as local companies scramble to experiment with new ideas and benefit from the country’s huge user base. The company plans to mass-produce its driverless vehicles within four years. CAS news release, July 21, 2017