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A group of scientists have expressed concern about the rise of FBI monitoring of Chinese national and Chinese-American researchers working in the United States. While they acknowledge the reality that some espionage is conducted (hard to deny since a UCLA electric engineer’s conviction), the caution overzealous surveillance. “This move seemingly stems from growing suspicion that the Chinese government is engaged in espionage of American higher education, with the aim of stealing data and intellectual property,” reads the statement. “However, this is an area where the government must tread carefully.” http://bit.ly/2HeIqF4
China’s private sector is making clear strides in the development of commercial reusable rockets. According to Space.com, “The Chinese company LinkSpace successfully flew a rocket prototype on its highest flight yet, then nailed the landing as the firm pursues reusable spaceflight technology.” Things are certainly moving quickly in the Middle Kingdom’s aerospace industry. http://bit.ly/2Zcmcte
India’s Chandrayaan-2 rocket has left Earth’s orbit and is now on its way to the moon where it will orbit for a year while also landing a rover. As per Space.com, “The burn, called a translunar injection, occurred on Aug. 13 (2:21 a.m. local time Aug. 14 at mission control in India) and lasted for 1,203 seconds, according to a statement from the Indian Space Research Organisation, which oversees the mission.” The mission is expected to arrive in a few days. http://bit.ly/2ZcmGj2
In the Philippines, the Duterte Administration signed into law the creation of a space agency, embarking on an exciting new phase of the country’s scientific development. “Based on the law signed by Duterte, the space policy will focus on six areas — national security and development, hazard management and climate studies, space research and development, space industry capacity building, space education and awareness, and international cooperation.” http://bit.ly/2Z5E21a
Asia continues to lead the way in rice genetics research. According to Xinhua, “Chinese scientists completed a high-resolution three-dimensional genome map of rice, which is a breakthrough in the crop’s genetic improvement, according to the research team.” Their study was published in Nature Communications. http://bit.ly/2ZaJOyk
The antibiotic resistance crisis continues to grow in South East Asia. According to a recent study, “Resistance to two critical antibiotic types, one a ‘drug of last resort’ when all others fail against some ‘superbugs,’ are widely distributed in Southeast Asia.” http://bit.ly/2ZbC92O
IMAGE SOURCE: Creative Commons