A joint research team of CAS QIBEBT and Ruhr-University Bochum found that cytosolic carbonic anhydrase (CA2) is a key sensor of the extracellular carbon dioxide level in microalgae. By knocking out this gene in Nannochloropsis, the algae showed higher pH tolerance, sustained pH hemostasis, stimulated energy intake and enhanced photosynthesis, resulting in in ~40% elevation of biomass accumulation rate […]
Two-step process converts cellulose into polycycloalkanes, a high-density aviation biofuel
A joint research team of CAS Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics and Tianjin University have established a process to convert cellulose to 2,5-hexanedione with high selectivity, obtaining 71.4% of 2,5-hexanedione carbon yield after separation. In a second step, this chemical was converted to a C12 and C18 polycycloalkane fuel having a branched structure by an […]
China and France collaborate in space programs
During Xi Jinping’s visit in France in March 2019, space authorities from both sides signed an agreement to step up cooperation in space exploration. China will fly French experiments on its Chang’e-6 mission to return samples from the Moon in 2023-24, earth observation missions based on the China-France Oceanography Satellite (CFOSat) will be extended to ocean […]
Rejuvenation of aging cells may help to cure osteoarthritis using gene therapy: CAS Institute of Zoology
Senescent mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are found in cartilage tissues isolated fromosteoarthritis patients suggesting a role of these cells in the disease. A joint research group of CAS Institute of Zoology, Institute of Biophysics and Peking University have now found in animal experiments that a protein, CBX4, protected hMSCs against cellular senescence through the regulation of […]
Industrial-scale aquaculture may reduce methane and NOx emissions by 40 %
Global consumption of fish for food increases by an annual 3.2 % and production is mostly carried out by extensive or semi-intensive aqua farming, leading to methane and NOx emissions (1.82 % and 0.34 %, respectively, of global emissions). China is among the major countries involved in such type of aquaculture. Investigations by DING Weixin […]
CAS team reports progress in calcium-ion batteries
The group of Yongbing TANG at CAS Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technologies has reported on a new type of calcium ion batteries (CIB) which uses activated carbon as anode and tin as a cathode. Reportedly this CIB has a good rate and cycling performance as well as high capacity and working voltage, and it retained 84 […]
Ingestion of pesticides may lead to obesity: Chinese study with mice
When the group around WANG Peng from China Agriculture University added chlorpyrifos pesticide into the food and water of mice, they found an increase in body weight. They assume that pesticide intake broke the integrity of the gut barrier, leading to an increased entry of a toxin into the body and finally inflammation, which ultimately induced […]
Nearly 90 percent of Chinese are optimistic about the use of AI
In a recent survey among 2,006 people by China Youth Daily and a leading Beijing-based AI company, 89.4 percent of respondents were optimistic about using AI technology over the next five years. Among the respondents, 53.7 percent were most familiar with automated driving, 53.4 percent with intelligent robots, and 44.8 percent with intelligent home appliances. […]
Gut microbiota may help to maintain body temperature
It is known that during cold exposure animals sustain their body temperature by activating heat production from Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT), promoting “browning” of white adipose tissue. As shown in mice experiments by John R Speakman, CAS Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, groups of gut microbiota where eradicated using different antibiotics. The animals lacking gut […]
Chinese-French joint-venture for the development of airships
The French enterprise Flying Whales located in Suresnes has developed an airship LCA6oT (“Flying Whale”) for the transport of heavy, high-volume loads over shorter distances at low cost. The Chinese AVIC General keeps 24,9 % of shares of this company. People’s Daily is now reporting that Jingmen, Hubei Province, is building an assembly line for […]