A new estimation method for assessing natural variations in the sex ratio at birth was developed by an international team of researchers. The study found regional baseline SRB imbalances and identified 12 countries with strong evidence of sex ratio inflation, leading to fewer female births than expected.
A new study of ancient DNA fragments in modern Papuans and Islanders suggests two distinct Denisovan lineages separated for hundreds of thousands of years, one potentially a new archaic hominin species. The findings highlight the importance of considering underrepresented regions in genome data to improve scientific interpretations.
A new study led by Murray Cox has found that modern Papuans carry hundreds of gene variants from two deeply divergent Denisovan lineages, separated for 350,000 years. The research reveals a complex history of interbreeding between modern humans and archaic hominins in Island Southeast Asia.
Researchers have uncovered the remains of a new species of human, Homo luzonensis, in the Philippines. The fossil discovery provides significant insights into human evolution across Southeast Asia, with unique skeletal features compared to other known hominin species.
Researchers found policy implementation gap in smokeless tobacco control, highlighting need for increased global efforts to reduce use of products. The study calls for a comprehensive approach to address the health burden caused by smokeless tobacco use in Asia and Africa.
The study highlights the severe declines of tiger gecko species in Vietnam due to overcollection for the international exotic pet market. The researchers recommend including all tiger geckos in CITES Appendix II, assessing each species for the IUCN Red List, and establishing coordinated ex-situ breeding programmes.
A study of over 1 million participants from China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and India found that smoking was associated with 144,366 deaths during a 12-year follow-up period. Tobacco use accounted for 56.6% of lung cancer deaths and 21.1% of total deaths among men born in the 1920s.
A new study uses crop models and local expertise to pinpoint communities most in need of support for adaptation and mitigation. The tool assesses climate risk vulnerability and projects impacts by 2050 on crops like rice, maize, and coffee.
The USC Dornsife Korean Studies Institute has launched a new predoctoral exchange program to support young scholars working on US-East Asia relations. The initiative aims to enhance understanding of the security environment in East Asia and promote policy issues.
A study finds that dioxin-contaminated soils and sediments in Vietnam hotspots continue to pollute the country's air, water, and food supply. Millions of Vietnamese live near these sites, putting their health at risk.
Nir Krakauer's research enables forecasts of South Asia summer monsoon precipitation up to a year in advance, improving predictability for agriculture, industry, and hydropower.
The study provides a baseline for SLCMV in Southeast Asia, highlighting the need for disease-resistant varieties and rapid epidemic management. The potential impact of a widespread outbreak is currently unknown due to varying cassava varieties across regions.
Scientists from Institute of Atmospheric Physics found a strong relationship between historical precipitation biases in South Asia and the western North Pacific and future Sahel precipitation projections. The study reveals a 109% increase in Sahel summer precipitation and a 119% increase in available water resources due to global warming.
A new species of softshell turtle, Pelodiscus variegatus, has been discovered in northeastern Indochina. The species is characterized by dark blotches on its shell and has a critically endangered conservation status due to its limited range and high exploitation rates.
A recent study calculates the ice thickness distribution and volume of over 215,000 glaciers worldwide, revealing that the combined ice volume currently stands at around 158,000 cubic kilometres. The largest glacier ice masses, primarily in the Arctic, account for nearly half of the global glacier ice volume.
A study published by The BMJ found that global suicide deaths increased by 6.7% between 1990 and 2016, but the age-adjusted mortality rate decreased by almost a third worldwide over the same period. Men had higher mortality rates than women, with higher rates linked to social and economic deprivation.
A NUS study reveals that crossbreeding between milky storks and their cousins is threatening the species' conservation. The research found that more than half of the stork population in Singapore is genetically influenced by Painted Storks, posing a major threat to the species' survival.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered endangered hammerhead and dogfish species being sold as food in UK chip shops, highlighting a need for more accurate labelling. The study also found that consumers may unknowingly purchase threatened shark species, posing health risks and contributing to declining shark populations.
A new study reviews palaeoecological information associated with hominin dispersals into Southeast Asia and Oceania, highlighting human species' ability to specialize in 'extreme' settings. This specialization stands in contrast to other hominin taxa, reaffirming the importance of studying environmental adaptations of Homo sapiens.
The UK Government has committed £19.6 million to a research project addressing nitrogen pollution in South Asia, with potential solutions for sustainable agriculture and industrial recycling. The project aims to form a coherent picture of the nitrogen cycle and support progress towards meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
A study published in PLOS ONE finds that lay provider HIV testing is an effective way to reach people at risk of HIV who have never been tested or test infrequently. The approach resulted in a high ART initiation rate of 91% and higher HIV positivity rates compared to facility-based testing.
A recent study found that colistin-resistant Escherichia coli (CR-E) was prevalent among residents in rural communities in Vietnam, with 70.4% of residents carrying the bacteria. This widespread dissemination raises concerns about the potential for 'nightmare bacteria' to spread globally and render antibiotics ineffective.
A recent NUS study reveals that lower-income households in Singapore use more water to cool down during hot weather, whereas higher-income households rely heavily on air-conditioners, increasing their electricity demand.
A new MIT study identifies chloroform as a significant threat to ozone layer recovery, with increased emissions in East Asia potentially delaying the process by four to eight years. The researchers found that production of products from chloroform is on the rise in the region, contributing to the growing problem.
A global study estimates that one in four people over age 25 are at risk for stroke during their lifetime. The study reveals large geographic variations in stroke risk, with the highest risks found in East Asia and Central Europe.
A study in Central America, Africa, and Asia finds that implementing simple climate-resilient strategies can increase yields, benefit the environment, and increase farmer income. The research proposes site-specific techniques, such as crop rotation and organic fertilization, which have estimated rates of return ranging from 17% to 590%.
Geckos use four distinct strategies to run on water: surface tension, leg slapping, semi-planing, and tail swishing. They achieve speeds exceeding those of larger aquatic animals, such as ducks and muskrats, due to their unique combination of locomotive capabilities.
A novel framework combines CNNs and geometric inference methods to compute sketches and their corresponding 3D shapes faster and more intuitively than existing methods. Novice users can create stylish contents for their 3D creations using the tool.
Despite substantial progress, Europe still faces challenges in diagnosing HIV-positive individuals and providing antiretroviral therapy. The report highlights a significant gap between diagnosed cases and those receiving treatment, particularly in Eastern European countries.
NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data revealed that Tropical Storm Usagi dropped moderate to heavy rain along its path in Southeast Asia. The analysis showed the storm produced over 350 mm of rainfall in Vietnam, causing widespread flooding around Ho Chi Minh City.
The proportion of global population vulnerable to heat-related death and disease is growing due to climate change's effects on aging populations and urbanization. Over 153 billion hours of labor were lost globally in 2017 due to heat exposure, with the agricultural sector bearing the brunt.
The proportion of global population vulnerable to heat-related death and disease is growing due to climate change. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with cardiovascular diseases, are exposed to increased temperatures, increasing their risk of heart disease and kidney disease.
Tropical Cyclone 33W, known as Usagi, weakened to a depression after landfall near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The satellite captured its disorganized remnants dissipating over the Ca Mau Peninsula on November 26, 2018.
Tropical Cyclone 33W strengthened into a tropical storm over the South China Sea, with maximum sustained winds near 63 mph. The storm is forecasted to make landfall very near Ho Chi Minh City late on Nov. 24, and then progress to Cambodia.
Researchers have developed a new method to replicate complex natural tessellations on surface meshes using layered fields and sparse linear algebra kernels. The algorithm is platform-independent, concise, and achieves considerable performance gains over existing serial Voronoi diagram codes.
Researchers develop novel method to realistically simulate dressing tasks using machine learning techniques, incorporating sense of touch to overcome challenges in cloth simulation. The approach enables single dressing sequences and a character controller that can successfully dress under various conditions.
Tropical Depression Toraji formed on Nov. 19 and briefly existed before regenerating in the Gulf of Thailand on Nov. 20. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 25 knots (28.7 mph) and was moving west-southwest, expected to dissipate in the Malakka Strait.
Researchers use camera-trapping to study the Annamite striped rabbit in Vietnam and Laos, revealing its limited range and vulnerability to extinction. The findings highlight the need for effective conservation efforts to protect this critically endangered species.
A global study predicts a 20% increase in insulin use by 2030 due to rising type 2 diabetes cases. Without improved access, nearly half of the 79 million adults with type 2 diabetes will not receive insulin.
Tropical Depression 33W, also known as Cyclone Samuel, has triggered warnings and watches in the Philippines. The storm system moved into the central part of the country on November 20, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall.
A team of computer scientists developed a novel deep learning-based approach to automatically generate realistic caricatures from portraits. Their method, called CariGANs, successfully generated clearer and more accurate caricature depictions that resemble hand-drawn artwork by professionals.
Researchers discover Levallois cores in Asia dating back 80,000 to 170,000 years, challenging the notion of East Asian technological lag. The independent emergence of this complex toolmaking technique supports the idea that ancient civilizations in the region were capable of innovation.
The survival of the Asian Houbara depends on regulating trapping and hunting to stabilise populations. Captive breeding can help but must be complemented by sustainable hunting strategies.
Researchers used Natatanuran frogs to study biogeographic exchanges between Laurasia and Gondwanan landmasses. They found two major stepping-stone dispersals via the Indian Plate: from Africa to Asia and from Asia to Madagascar, challenging traditional views of isolated biotic ferry.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics reveals clear seasonality of CO2 over Asia, varying with latitude, longitude, and altitude. The data shows a distinct depletion of CO2 concentration over South Asia to Southeast Asia in August to September, linked to the Asian summer monsoon anticyclone.
Researchers developed a computer model showing how climate change affected food production in ancient Asia, leading to crop diversification, trade networks, and the development of the Silk Road. The study suggests that adapting to climate change requires investing in diversity and innovation.
Virginia Tech will create an international business education program focusing on East Asia with the new grant. The program will integrate language and culture studies through coursework, study abroad, and internships in China, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
Researchers found that around half of the 'missing' global emissions of carbon tetrachloride originated from eastern China between 2009 and 2016. Emissions have not decreased despite the phase-out of production for emissive use in 2010, with some regions potentially increasing slightly since then.
Researchers uncover two new species of gigantic subterranean campodeid diplurans in Japan, one measuring over 10mm in length and named after the giant yökai creature Daidarabotchi. The discovery sheds light on the physical connection between Asia and America via a genus previously unknown in Japan.
Researchers find increased TC activity at northern sites after 1920, posing a threat to regions currently outside the impact zone. Younger trees are more likely to experience disturbance at high latitudes, supporting a poleward shift in tropical cyclone hazards.
Researchers found the Mekong River's incision in the Middle Miocene was caused by an intensification of the Asian monsoon, rather than tectonic forces. The study used thermochronology and landscape models to confirm synchronous downcutting along the river at 15-17 million years ago.
A Rutgers-led study predicts increased frequency of dry spells in the US and Mexico, and heavy rainfall events in south Asia and China. Subtropical stationary waves play a key role in explaining these extremes, which are expected to worsen with climate change.
A team of researchers from CU Boulder has discovered that stagnant slabs, which form when oceanic plates are forced deep underground, may be caused by a thin layer of weak material at the boundary of the planet's upper and lower mantle. This discovery could change how scientists think about tectonics and volcanism on Earth's surface.
A new study has revealed a significant rapid increase in growth across populations in Thailand, China and Vietnam 4,000 years ago. The researchers used human skeletal remains to measure prehistoric population growth and found a second subsequent rise in the Iron Age.
A recently discovered pygmy moth species from Asia, Stigmella multispicata, has spread rapidly across Siberian elm trees in eastern North America. The species was first found in the US in 2010 and has since been identified in ten states and two Canadian provinces.
The NASA-NOAA satellite detected Tropical Cyclone Barijat crossing the Gulf of Tonkin, weakening significantly due to wind shear. The storm's rotation was skewed by winds at different altitudes, causing it to dissipate quickly after landfall in Vietnam.
The study reveals that the extratropical circulation is less predictable than the tropical component due to large atmospheric internal variability. The connection between the EAP pattern and surface temperatures in eastern Russia can modulate the East Asian rainband, improving seasonal forecasts.
The study found that global levels of physical activity have remained stagnant since 2001, with over a quarter of the world's adult population not meeting recommended levels of activity to stay healthy. In 2016, around 32% of women and 23% of men worldwide were insufficiently active.
Researchers sequenced eggplant and wild relative plastomes, finding a single event led to two lineages: one in Africa and the other in Asia. This dispersal resulted in the current wide distribution of eggplant relatives across Africa, linked to African elephant and impala seed dispersal.
A new study found that human-induced landslides have increased globally, causing over 5000 deaths in India's Kedarnath landslide. The research highlights the need for regulation and education to prevent such accidents.