Research subsidies

A TOTAL of 126 research projects of SUSTech have received 56.31 million yuan (US$8.21 million) in subsidies from the China National Natural Science Foundation for 2018, a new record for the university. The projects include 47 general projects, 65 young-scientist projects, two key projects and nine international cooperation projects.

Border crossing

THE number of travelers crossing the border between Shenzhen and Hong Kong reached 144 million in the first seven months of the year, according to the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

The Shenzhen border inspection station implemented national rules at its 10 checkpoints to ensure Chinese nationals can cross the border within 30 minutes in April.

Knowledge track

A TRACK featuring knowledge of plants and culture will be built on Dapeng Peninsula, according to Dapeng Outdoor Sports Safety Foundation, which received a donation of 1 million yuan from Shenzhen Yuhe Investment Co. for the track project.

The track, to be built on the peninsula’s existing greenways, will enable hikers to learn about plant species, historic culture, ecological protection and outdoor safety by scanning labels along the track. Dapeng has 1,656 types of wild plants and 218 types of land vertebrates.

Obesity concern

THE rate of obesity among Shenzheners above the age of 18 is 9.99 percent, a survey conducted by the city’s health department showed yesterday. Obesity can lead to diabetes and hyperlipemia.

Student scammed

A COLLEGE student surnamed Zeng was recently cheated out of 20,000 yuan by a caller who claimed to be a taobao.com employee offering a refund for an inferior-quality product that Zeng had bought online.

The caller claimed the refund system couldn’t automatically send the money to Zeng as she didn’t have enough points on the Sesame Credit System. Zeng was advised to increase her credit score by taking out loans. The caller then told Zeng to deduct 18,000 yuan from her account to complete the refund procedure, promising that the system would automatically send the money back to her account.

Zeng sent the caller the bank verification codes, but realized she had been cheated the next day as she hadn’t heard back from the caller. She checked the loan app and found she owed 23,000 yuan to the bank.