Home > Announcement Board
No.408

 

 

CHINA  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY
NEWSLETTER
The Ministry of Science and Technology
People's Republic of China

N0.408

July 10,2005

 

 

 

 

 
IN THIS ISSUE


 

* China-Russia Expedition in Baikal

* China-EU Space Cooperation

* Fast Formaldehyde Testing

* Biological Toxins Control

* Food Safety Standards


 

 

 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

 

 

 

 

 

China-Russia Expedition in Baikal

22 Chinese and Russian scientists plan to launch a 22-day long comprehensive scientific expedition to the Baikal Lake in August 2005. As a first joint scientific expedition between two nations at such a scale, the expedition will embrace three parts:

1)     Comprehensive scientific investigation of the lake’s ecological and physical environment, including past and recent climate variations. Scientists will study the climate over the lake area and its impacts on China, especially on north China area, and associated interactions. They will look into the ecosystems of taiga, grasslands, and wetlands, and colony structures of east Asian typical ecosystems. They will study fire genesis mechanism in northeast Asian forests, grasslands, and wetlands, using remote sensing data, survey data, and climate data, and explore economic and social impacts of fires on China and Russia.

2)     Investigation of the lake’s aquatic creatures and environment. Obtaining ecological data through collecting specimens of aquatic creatures, suspensions, lake water, and soil for identification and measurement. Comparative study of paleoclimate environment changes and evolution processes between middle and east sections of Asia, using samples collected from the lake floor.

3)     Comprehensive study of the lake area’s economy, and application of remote sensing and GIS techniques. This part will include a comparative study of Baikal’s industrial enterprises and veteran industrial bases in northeast China, and a comparative study of ecological environment related remote sensing activities and GIS applications in the Baikal area and northeast China.

China-EU Space Cooperation

A seminar under the Dragon Program, co-sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA) , the National Remote Sensing Center of China (NRSCC) , and Greek General Secretariat for Research and Technology  (GSRT), was held June 27-July 1, 2005 in Santorini, Greece. The meeting discussed and exchanged findings achieved in ENVISAT data applications, since the Dragon Program was kicked off a year ago. The meeting also defined concrete actions for future cooperation.

The meeting heard 69 presentations, the phase results derived from the joint program. China has found successful applications of ENVISAT data in monitoring water resources and floods, rice yield, forests, seismologic activities, air pollution, marine environment, droughts, and landslides. The raised remote sensing application capacity and rich first-hand observation and assessment data is practically valuable for guiding China’s future activities in disaster prevention and preparedness, sustainable resources utilization, and environmental protection.

During the meeting, officials from both sides exchanged views on strengthening ties with other international cooperation mechanisms, possible cooperation channels, and sharing ground observational data on an extended basis. Both sides decided to add in the program a new project named “space technology and its applications in organizing the Olympic Games, in a move to support organizing the Beijing Olympic Game that will be held in 2008. 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Fast Formaldehyde Testing

Fast formaldehyde test system for aquatic products and food, a key special S&T project initiated by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, was recently developed. The instrument, using spectrometry and a 32-hole testing plate, can test up to 32 samples simultaneously. The process calls for no addition of test reagents, as they are already embedded in the holes of the testing plate, which reduces possible errors and simplifies operations, especially desirable for direct display of formaldehyde concentration. It takes about 3 minutes to complete the testing process. In addition to automatic functions for printing and storing test results, the system is equipped with an online data monitoring system, which makes telecommunication transmission between the instrument and computers and remote management possible. It can be used to monitor and supervise food safety at different levels.

In addition to the above mentioned 32-sample test instrument (MR-550), the project also produced a compact model (MR-550B) to test 4 samples simultaneously, and a fast visual test kit (S-12). Also derived from the project is an assembly line capable for small production. Products have been used well in sanitation and quarantine, industry and commerce, and aquatic production. 

Biological Toxins Control

Biological toxins and associated control, a key special S&T project on food safety initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology, has landed the following progresses:

1Rolled out a range of ELISA test kits for ten types of biological toxins, including Ochratoxin A, Zearalenon, T-2 toxin, Fumonisins, Tetrodotoxin, and Aspergillus flavus.  The test kits provide powerful technical support for quarantine authorities’ in-situ examination and food vendors’ self-examination activities.

2Produced standard specimens for toxin test, including the one testing Cyanobacteria that is in line with similar international standards, and has won quality control certification of 3 government agencies.

3Developed fast test techniques for identifying common toxins, and fast test kits for detecting residues of organic phosphor in contaminated specimen, blood and urine.

Lingnan Yellow Chicken

The new supporting system and associated demonstration for efficient breeding of Lingnan Yellow Chicken, a project financed by S&T findings spin-off funds created by the Ministry of Science and Technology, has established a production and demonstration base for the pedigree birds. In collaboration with 31 chicken farms in the country, the efforts have produced 2.25 million pairs of parental birds, and 49 million baby birds.

Statistics show that the Lingnan yellow bird has secured a market share of 7%-8% in the nationwide yellow chicken market. The project also works to screen out better strains and associated matches, in an effort to raise the productivity of the entire breeding system. It has completed screening processes for 7 major strains, and 3 major hybrid experiments. In the meantime, it introduces new strains to sustain pedigree strength of the Lingnan yellow birds, which creates a ground for working out more competitive species.

The project has produced a range of yellow-wing chickens to meet the market call, using combined conventional and modern breeding techniques. Currently, the dominating Lingnan yellow bird strains are fast wing growing, feed efficient and fast growing, high egg yield, and feed efficient with fine quality. 

Food Safety Standards

Study of food safety and associated quality control, a key special S&T project on food safety launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology in the 10th Five-year period2001-2005, has achieved important progresses. The project has rolled out quality control standards for lab food safety test in six fields, including food physics and chemistry, food microorganism, food toxicology, food molecular biology, animal-borne food, and plant-borne food. The proposed standards have been reviewed by counterpart experts. To make the standards operationally feasible, 6 standards have been verified in 5-8 special labs in the fields.  

The project has for the first time introduced in its lab quality control system advanced management concept, sustainable improvement modality, process control line, and lab management modalities from internationally acknowledged cooperation organizations, international organizations, authoritative industry organizations, and labs. It also incorporates the special needs of food safety test, and involving laws, administrative rules, industrial rules, international and national standards, and industrial standards. It reflects the biosecurity concept in lab quality control, and proposes to line up a unified quality control system for domestic food safety test. The 6 lab quality control standards are currently placed under a verification process to become national standards.

Quick Food Security Test

Fast food safety test and associated instrument, a key special S&T project on food safety organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, applauds for success. The instrument offers a speedy and quantitative test. To realize fast quantitative tests, also derived from the efforts are a fast test kit to detect residues of organic phosphor in contaminated food, a multifunctional and intelligent light reflecting sensor, and a multifunctional and intelligent mini photoelectric testing device.

Integrated with testing techniques, reagents, materials, multiple functions, intelligence, mini photoelectric testing device, and light reflecting sensor, the fast food safety testing instruments in series offer speedy, simple, and easy tests. The instruments can be used to perform routine food safety and food contamination tests in a fast manner. The instruments’ sensitivity has reached national standards. So far, the instruments have been used in both military and local food safety tests, with satisfactory results. The instruments have also been used in investigation of a number of food contamination incidents. Some of the testing items and test kits have played an important role in ensuring the food safety of those who are working for the launch of China’s spacecraft. Derived from the project are 2 national invention patent grants and 1 utility model grant.

Satellite Watch for Dam Area

Satellite monitoring and associated applications for geological disasters in the Three Gorge Dam area, a project undertaken by the Chongqing Geological Information Center, has recently passed the verification check.  The project is made up of three components:1) establishing a satellite picture database for the Three Gorge Dam area, using CBERS data and satellite images, correcting unbalanced pictures, and integrating images of different resolutions; 2) producing a Three Gorge Dam area satellite image map at a scale of 1:500,000 using CBERS data, and county-level satellite image maps at a scale of 1:100,000; and 3) performing statistical analysis of disaster stricken areas, using geological disasters points identified, and establishing a geological disaster database for the dam area.

The system enhances operation efficiency, using lower resolution satellite images in basic watch activities, and high resolution ones for detailed analysis. Integrated with diverse satellite images, real time GPS data, and geological data, the system offers more vivid descriptions of disaster stricken areas. Designed with numerous functions, including objective analysis of disaster data, geological inquiry, data updating, and disaster analysis, the system can meet the needs for handling geological disasters, and constitutes an effective service platform for monitoring and handling geological disasters in the Three Gorge Dam area.

Special Operation Robot

Horizontal and directional pipe laying equipment and intelligent road surface mill planner, and the associated development platform, a robot project under the National 863 Program contracted to the Changsha Zhonglian Heavy Duty S&T Development Co. Ltd., has recently passed the verification check. In collaboration with National University of Defense Technology, Changsha Zhonglian has successfully incorporated the advanced computer based drilling trail control technology and proprietary horizontal and directional navigation technology in the pipe laying equipment, making it work like an intelligent robot. The brand new technology and associated equipment accomplish tasks without need to break up road surface, nor interrupt traffic flows, and nor damage underground equipment.

Mainly designed to renovate the road pitch surface, the intelligent road surface mill planner cuts and breaks old road surfaces using mill and planner planted at its bottom. The system can automatically divert from metal obstacles on the road, and cut loose old road surfaces. The system’s operation and road situation can be viewed and handled by operators at remote terminals in an interactive manner.

Color Pearl Breeding

Pilot study of sea-water color pearl growing techniques, a project financed by S&T findings spin-off funds created by the Ministry of Science and Technology, has found solutions to addressing key issues that affect pearls’ survival and commercial values, including climate and season variations, prehandling of female shells, core planting, and nutrients feeding. As of the end of the previous year, the project has extended the pearl growing area to 40 mu (1 mu=1/15 hectare), and produced 400,000 pearls, from which produced color pearls of 40.7kg, worth a value of RMB 5.265 million. The project registers a survival rate of 65%, and a pearl generating rate of 75%, marking sea water color pearl growing a success. The project also trained 1,600 people, and produced 2 million color pearls.

The project expects to diffuse its technology to 2 million mu of pear growing bases along the nation’s coastal areas, which will bring more returns to some 500,000 pearl growing farmers.  .

NEWS BRIEF

30,000 Postdoctorals in 2 Decades

China introduced the postdoctoral system in 1985. In the past two decades, Chinese universities and research institutes have seen the establishment of 1,363 mobile postdoctoral stations. In industries, the number of postdoctoral stations reached 1,018.

Up to date, China has enrolled some 30,000 postdoctoral students on a combined basis, of whom over 10,000 are working at the postdoctoral stations. 7 graduates from postdoctoral stations have been elected academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. China’s annual enrollment of postdoctorals has approached 5,000 in number. The Shengli Oilfield Postdoctoral Station, created in 1998 and with an enrollment over 100 postdoctorals on a cumulative basis, has become the largest industrial postdoctoral base in China.


       Comments or inquiries on editorial matters or Newsletter content should be directed to:

Mr. Mao Zhongying, Department of International Cooperation, MOST 15B, Fuxing Road Beijing 100862, PR China  Tel: (8610)58881360 Fax: (8610) 58881364

http://www.most.gov.cn