A finless porpoise is taken for a physical examination in Jiangxi province. The species has been classified as critically endangered. Recent research may provide good news about the endangered species, as Cheng Si and Liu Kun report from Wuhan. The rate of decline in the number of finless porpoises in the Yangtze River may have slowed in the past six years, according to experts in the field. Wang Ding, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Hydrobiology, said official statistics will not be released until March, but recent research may indicate positive steps in the conservation of the species, which is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, the river's environment is still deteriorating as a result of overexploitation of natural resources, while waterway regulations and water-related construction projects pose great threats to the porpoise's natural habitat, Wang said. His comments came at the end of a scientific survey of the porpoise that was launched in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Nov 11. The survey, conducted by CAS, reviewed the status of the species in the Yangtze River, its major tributaries and two lakes called Dongting and Poyang. Financed by the World Wide Fund for Nature and charities in Hubei, the 40-day survey covered 3,400 kilometers of water, from Wuchang, Hubei, to Shanghai. In 2006, a survey found that there were 1,800 finless porpoises in the wild. However, the number had fallen to 1,405 by 2012, indicating an annual rate of decline of 13.7 percent. The number is now estimated to be less than 1,000, and the ministry placed the species under the highest level of State protection in May. Freshwater species The finless porpoise, a member of the toothed whale family, is so named because it lacks a true dorsal fin. Females produce a calf once every two years, and have a gestation period of 10 to 11 months. The species makes both high-and low-frequency tones and uses ultrasound to communicate. wristbands onlinerubber bracelet makercheap wristbands24 hour wristbands couponprinted wristbands
In general, at least 30 million Chinese aged 7 to 18 have experienced emotional or behavioral problems. [Photo/VCG] Experts advise clinical treatment for inability to focus during school classes Mental health specialists warned of rising mental health issues among Chinese children and adolescents including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, which now hits roughly 5 percent of them. If left untreated, between 10 to 20 percent of those with ADHD would develop serious symptoms such as underdeveloped speech, defiance, prolonged distress or anxiety, according to experts at a news conference hosted by the National Health Commission on Wednesday. In general, at least 30 million Chinese aged 7 to 18 have experienced emotional or behavioral problems, including ADHD, depression or selfharm, according to Liu Huaqing, head of the clinical psychology department at Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, who cited a report by the China Youth and Children Research Center in 2005. Worse, clinical observations have found a rise in mental health issues among them, he said. He recommended professional diagnosis and treatment, and an enhanced national effort to address the issue. The global picture isn't bright. The World Health Organization estimates that the number of children with mental illnesses will climb 50 percent by 2020, making it one of the five leading causes of disability and death. Because of the social stigma associated with mental disabilities and a lack of public awareness, a mere 20 percent of young people with mental illnesses worldwide get proper treatment. In a choice between psychological counseling and a mental health clinic, I advise the latter, said Cao Qingjiu, head of children's ward at Peking University Sixth Hospital. If a child's anxiety or depression impairs daily functioning, take them to the hospital immediately. In Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, a middle school recently installed closed-circuit TV cameras in classrooms to capture students' facial expressions and behavioral changes to assess their ability to concentrate in class. Cao said security cameras can help identify children with ADHD. A fleeting moment of absence of mind is normal, but if a student keeps fidgeting and can't focus for a long time, he should go see a doctor, he said. Liu, the clinical psychologist, described a phenomenon prevalent among his visitors at the hospital. Two-thirds of my patients were sent far away to their grandparents in early childhood, Liu said. The sense of being abandoned frustrates them and renders them vulnerable to emotional anxiety. Liu added that parents should stay close to their children as much as possible before age 6. No matter how busy you are as a millennial parent, it's your responsibility to rear your children and give them a healthy future. Wang Xiaoyu contributed to this story.
