YNU makes major gains in natural science research

Yunnan University, or YNU – located in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province – improved its scientific and technological strength and enhanced its innovation capacity in 2021, which is widely said to have achieved remarkable results.

The northward migration of the Asian elephant herd in Yunnan in nearly 500 years has been the focus of global attention.

Professor Chen Mingyong and his team from YNU are understood to have developed scientific measures used to guide the herd to return south in an orderly manner. China Central Television or CCTV, Xinhua News Agency and other authoritative media outlets reported on it.

The Asian elephant herd in Yunnan returns south from the north in an orderly manner. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

Researcher Bi Dongshun and his team from YNU published a study entitled "A Monotreme-like Auditory Apparatus in A Middle Jurassic Haramiyidan" in the prestigious journal Nature on Jan 28, 2021.

The study resolved a long-standing question about the evolution of mammalian middle ears and hearing. "This is a classic tale of mammalian evolution," Nature said.

Elsewhere, Professor Hu Fengyi and his team from YNU developed techniques of perennial rice, which has been applied and promoted at home and abroad.

Chen Mingyong's team from YNU carefully monitors the Asian elephant herd's activities. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

Yunnan – a hotspot of global biodiversity – has experienced great changes in vegetation over the past 30 years and the development potential and environmental limitations of plant resources is said to have been unclear. A scientific and technological research team led by YNU started the research and compilation of a book about the subject in 2021.

A team led by Professor Duan Changqun is said to have solved the problems of secondary pollution prevention and ecological restoration in abandoned lakeside areas. It formed four college groups, integrated and constructed four sets of technical systems, compiled 12 technical specifications and one management plan.

Its demonstration project was selected as a typical technical case and a typical project for the national major science and technology water special project – generating comprehensive benefits of nearly 1 billion yuan ($157 million).

Additionally, professors and research teams from YNU in 2021 received many honors. A project for YNU's Institute of Paleontology won second prize in the National Natural Science Award on Nov 3, 2021.

Moreover, Professor Zhang Keqin was elected an academician of the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine at the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Nov 18, 2021.

 Professor Zhang Keqin (M) from YNU instructs students to do experiments. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]