BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The following is a summary of published science and technology news of China.

ORIGIN, EVOLUTIONARY MECHANISM OF SNAKES

Chinese scientists have recently revealed the origin of snakes and the evolutionary mechanism of their unique morphological adaptations.

Snakes are at the key point of vertebrate evolution in biological evolution history, said Li Jiatang, a researcher with the Chengdu Institute of Biology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, adding that it is of significance to study the genetic mechanism of their unique morphological adaptations for understanding the history of vertebrate evolution.

Researchers selected the world's most representative snakes of different branches and comprehensively used interdisciplinary research methods such as multi-omics and gene editing in the study.

SCI-TECH INNOVATION

Were it not for the wind-blown grains of sand stinging his body, Wang Zhixiang might easily forget that he is farming in the Taklimakan Desert, the largest desert in China and one of the driest regions in the world.

The harsh conditions in the Taklimakan, which is deep within Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, make farming in the desert impractical, so locals have traditionally relied on food supplies from other provinces.

However, Wang and his colleagues from Chongqing Jiaotong University want to reverse this situation. Using an innovative technique called "desert soilization", they have turned barren desert sands into productive, farmable land at an affordable cost.

SCIENCE RESEARCH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

China recently organized its 2023 science research educational program for teenagers, aiming to cultivate innovation and practical abilities, according to the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST).

The program was mainly designed for students in primary and junior secondary schools, encouraging them to discover and explore scientific problems in areas such as energy resources, the ecological environment and health.

Four topics -- low-carbon life, saving food, caring for your eyes, and the BeiDou navigation satellite network -- are the focuses of this year's activities, according to the CAST. Enditem

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