BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The following are the highlights of China's science news from the past week:
FIRST OFFSHORE ROCKET LAUNCH
China successfully launched a rocket from a mobile launch platform in the Yellow Sea off Shandong Province on June 5, sending two technology experiment satellites and five commercial satellites into space. It is China's first space launch from a sea-based platform.
DETECTING TUMOR MARKERS
Chinese researchers have developed a new and efficient fluorescent method to simultaneously detect two kinds of common tumor markers -- alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) -- conveniently, stably and sensitively, which is of great significance for the early detection and diagnosis of cancer.
NOROVIRUS VACCINE FOR CLINICAL TRIAL
Chinese authorities have approved a clinical trial for the world's first tetravalent vaccine against norovirus, the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis.
KEY TO FEMALE REPRODUCTION
An international study jointly conducted by researchers from Yale University in the United States, Central South University in China and other research institutions has identified stem cells and a gene that is responsible for menstruation.
GINGER'S WARMING EFFECT
Ginger is known to have a warming effect on the body in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Chinese researchers have found the protein regulating networks behind the effect.
