Antarctica, Earth’s southernmost continent, containing the geographic South Pole is thought to be rich in oil, gas and mineral reserves. Since 1959 the Antarctic Treaty, currently signed by 50 countries, protects this area by prohibiting military activities, mineral mining, nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposal. Besides, it supports scientific research and protects the ecozone of the continent. Ongoing experiments are …
Air pollution, growing awareness of the fundamentals
China’s inhabitants increasingly face exposure to air pollution. So far, there are very limited studies that address either the cause or the consequences within the pollution levels observed in China. Breathing in fine dust, especially Particular Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), has a proven impact on respiratory function and overall health. Whereas the WHO considers values below 25 microgram/cubic meter (ug/m3) safe, …
HAMR3: Personnel turnover in the advanced machinery world (and beyond)
On December 10, 2014, NTS Mechatronics Shanghai organized the 3rd Holland Advanced Machinery Rotation platform meeting. At NTS in the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, industry leaders from 5 Advanced Machinery builders, as well as representatives from Schouten China and the Netherlands Office for Science and Technology, came together to discuss employee turnover rates. Employee turnover is generally seen as …
Strong Dutch bonding in e-commerce
The Netherlands Office of Science and Technology (NOST) in Shanghai and several Dutch E-commerce entrepreneurs set up an e-commerce platform. The first meeting took place on December 10, 2014, at the Consulate-General in Shanghai. A vivid brainstorm hour during the e-commerce platform gathering The aim of this first meeting was to openly discuss the need, goals, activities and structure of …
New LED technology from Zhejiang
Light-emitting diodes (LED) are rapidly replacing traditional light-bulbs in many applications. Organic LED (OLED) is an efficient LED technology, as it supplies the light only when needed and in the color that is desired. However, the production of OLED is expensive. It requires a deposition of small molecules in vacuum, and the application on large surfaces is limited. Solution-processed LEDs, …
PM series: human naïve embryonic stem cells
In a short series, we will focus on various topics on personalized medicine in China. Third in this series: the on-going search for naive human stem cells. At a cellular level, controlling multiplication and specialization drives growth and development. The less a cell is specialized, the more directions it can develop into. For instance, once a cell has started to …
CHInano: NOST and HHTCC stimulate Sino-Dutch high tech partnering
CHInano China, organized by Nanopolis in the Suzhou Industry Park (SIP), took place this year from September 24 to September 26. The NOST offices in Shanghai and Suzhou have participated in the extracurricular program of Dutch high-tech participants, in cooperation with the Holland High Tech Center China (HHTCC), also located in Suzhou. Dutch participants included Advanced Packaging Center, Business Cluster …
CHInano: MESA+ director celebrates the Dutch spin offs
By Maarten den Dekker As part of CHInano, the Netherlands participated in the International Roundtable on Nanotechnology (IRN 2014). The second IRN highlighted the business side of nanotechnology around the world. How can science and technology be translated in business and ‘global synergy’ and collaboration help to commercialize nanotechnology? Professor Dave Blank, Scientific Director of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology …
Endlessness in genetic info: circular RNA.
Researchers at the Partner Institute for Computational Biology (PICB), established by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the German Max Planck Gesellschaft, unraveled the existence and mechanisms behind circular RNA molecules. RNA usually carries information from cellular DNA. This information is used to produce proteins and to regulate all kinds of cellular processes. Historically, DNA and RNA are approached as …
PM series: Nanoporphyrin
In a short series, we will focus on various topics on personalized medicine in China. Second in this series: personalized nano-medicine. A group of Chinese and American researchers recently published a paper in Nature Communications on a nano-particle with a high potential in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The investigators designed particles, consisting of nanoporphyrins, to specifically target tumors in mice. …