China science, technology news summary -- Dec. 12
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E-mail Xinhua, December 12, 2019
BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The following is a summary of published science and technology news of China.
SATELLITES HELP DISASTER RELIEF
High-resolution images captured by Chinese earth observation satellites are helping with relief work in disaster-hit areas of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
China began to construct the High-resolution Earth Observation System in 2010, aiming to provide all-weather, round-the-clock global coverage by 2020. With the network of Gaofen observation satellites, China has had an increasingly clearer view of the planet. Data from the Gaofen satellites has been widely used in more than 20 industries across China.
HOW ALGAE ADAPT TO COLD TEMPERATURES
A Chinese study has revealed how a type of algae adapt to cold temperatures in Antarctica with special proteins and enzymes.
Chlorella is a genus of unicellular green algae distributed all over the world. Researchers focused on NJ-7, a chlorella strain found in Antarctica, and UTEX259, a strain from temperate regions.
During the evolution process, NJ-7 diverged from UTEX259 of the same species about 2.6 million years ago. The two chlorella strains have highly similar genetic information.
However, NJ-7 can grow in temperatures of 4 degrees Celsius, while UTEX259 cannot. NJ-7 also has much better antifreeze capability, tolerating temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius below zero.
INSECTS FEEDING ON DINOSAUR FEATHERS
An international team of paleontologists has discovered a new species of insects that fed on dinosaur feathers in mid-Cretaceous amber.
The insects, very similar to modern lice, had tiny wingless bodies and strong chewing mouthparts. One of the dinosaur feathers discovered in the amber was damaged by chewing and the signs of damage were similar to that of modern bird feathers with lice parasitic.
The finding demonstrates that feather-feeding behaviors of insects originated at least in the mid-Cretaceous period, accompanying the radiation of feathered dinosaurs including early birds. Enditem
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