Articles tagged with Asia
Researchers developed a dynamic model to simulate virus spread and conducted a national serological study to assess transmission levels and vaccine coverage required. The results suggest that certain pastoral production systems act as virus reservoirs, emphasizing the need for adapted vaccination strategies in high-risk populations.
Minh Nguyen, a Bielefeld University sociologist, has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant to study the welfare systems of China and Vietnam. Her research aims to understand how global factories impact the lives of migrant workers in these countries.
A new screening tool developed at the University of British Columbia can pinpoint the highest risks of forced labor in seafood supply chains. The tool was tested with 18 companies and identified areas where working conditions met minimum principles, were unknown, or were inadequate.
Tropical Depression Son-Tinh was located near 21.9 degrees north latitude and 109.0 degrees east longitude, about 181 nautical miles east-northeast of Hanoi, Vietnam. The satellite image captured on July 24 shows the depression's movement towards west, indicating it will dissipate over mainland China in the next day or two.
Researchers discovered a vast store of subducted carbon beneath eastern China, contributing to the formation and thinning of the North China craton. The study suggests that recycled carbonates played a crucial role in the lithospheric thinning process, leading to the creation of a 'big mantle wedge' structure.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission tracked Tropical Cyclone Son-Tinh's trail of heavy rainfall, revealing intense precipitation rates of over 97 mm/hour. The storm made landfall in northern Vietnam on July 18, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the region.
A new study reveals the ancient migration routes of barley cultivation across Eurasia, with distinct routes for different types of barley populations. The research uses genetic analysis of living crops to track the spread of barley, which was domesticated around 10,500 years ago in the Near East.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of Tropical Storm Son-Tinh with a small area of deep convection. The storm is expected to make landfall in northern Vietnam and slowly weaken as it tracks inland.
Researchers have discovered ancient tools in China that date back to 2.12 million years ago, challenging the long-held assumption that early humans left Africa at this time. The findings indicate that early human ancestors colonized East Asia over two million years ago.
New research using ancient DNA from 8,000-year-old skeletons in Southeast Asia has resolved a long-standing controversy about the origins of the region's population. The study found that present-day Southeast Asian populations derive ancestry from at least four ancient populations, contradicting both competing theories.
A recent study has traced the origins of deadly chytrid fungus to East Asia, highlighting the need for increased biosafety guidelines and trade regulations to prevent its spread. The researchers sequenced pathogen samples from around the world and identified four main genetic lineages of the fungus, including one found only in Korea.
Researchers found greater than expected deforestation in Southeast Asia's highlands, resulting in a 29.3 million-hectare loss of forest between 2000 and 2014. This represents a 57% increase over current estimations, primarily due to agricultural expansion.
The study found that solar irradiance strengthens the Siberian high and low-level East Asian winter circulation, resulting in lower surface air temperatures in East Asia. This mechanism helps explain the variability of the East Asian winter monsoon at decadal and longer time scales.
A large-scale analysis found higher relational mobility in North America, Europe, and Latin America compared to Asia and the Middle East, associated with increased personal self-esteem, closeness in friendship, and proactive behavior. Societal threats and subsistence style also influenced relational mobility scores.
A new genus and species of gibbon has been identified in an ancient Chinese noble-woman's tomb, revealing a previously unknown extinct population of apes in eastern Asia. The findings suggest that human activity may have contributed to the gibbon's extinction.
A new study in Respirology reveals that Southeast Asia's annual haze is associated with increased hospital admissions for respiratory problems. Respiratory admissions at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre were significantly higher during haze periods, with 27.6 cases per week versus 15.7 cases per week.
A new study led by MIT researchers found that taking modest climate action could prevent extreme water-shortage scenarios in Asia by 2050. The study simulated various economic and climate pathways for the continent, revealing a 50% chance of increased water stress in southern and eastern Asia.
Summer monsoons in South Asia purify the air of certain pollutants by oxidizing them into less volatile products, which then exit the atmosphere through rain. However, these monsoons also disperse other pollutants globally through a massive anticyclone circulating above the region.
A study found that 71.4% of residents in Nguyen Xa village, Vietnam harbored colistin-resistant E. coli bacteria, which showed multidrug resistance to at least one antibiotic drug in three or more classes. The prevalence of household members possessing colistin-resistant E. coli was also high (80.6%).
The Moscow University Digital Herbarium is a vast online repository of plant specimens from around the world, with over 900,000 records digitized since 2015. The collection boasts significant contributions from Russia, Ukraine, Mongolia, and other regions.
The study found significant improvements in healthcare access and quality globally between 2000-2016, with many low and middle-income countries experiencing large gains. However, progress slowed or stalled in some countries, highlighting the need for urgent investment in healthcare systems to address widening gaps between health servic...
New research by Indiana University paleobotanist David Dilcher reveals that sweet potatoes originated in Asia, contradicting previous North American assumptions. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of flowering plants and highlights the divergence of morning glory and nightshade families.
The study identifies at least three major waves of human migration into Southeast Asia, shaping the genetics of the region to a remarkable extent. The research complements archaeological, historical and linguistic studies, illuminating another critical portion of the story of ancient population dynamics around the world.
A new Danish-Vietnamese study has found that Vietnamese consumers buy rhino horn for symbolic gestures to console terminally ill family members, rather than traditional medical reasons. The study suggests that a legal trade of farmed rhino horn is unlikely to reduce poaching, and that other strategies are needed to address the problem.
A new study found that global carbon production from Chinese exports has slowed or reversed, as developing countries shift trade among themselves. The growth of South-South trade has more than doubled between 2004 and 2011, leading to a surge in CO2 emissions in regions like Vietnam and Bangladesh.
Researchers analyzed ancient genomes to shed light on historical migration, language spread and horse domestication in Asia. Genetic data suggests that people migrated eastward through Central Asia before settling in the eastern regions.
A deadly fungus responsible for devastating amphibian populations worldwide may have originated in East Asia, new research suggests. The study analyzed genetic data from over 234 samples and found that four main genetic lineages of the fungus, including one native to Korea, contained high levels of genetic diversity.
The study found that horses were first domesticated by hunter-gatherer groups in Kazakhstan, leading to the spread of Indo-European languages across Eurasia. The researchers also showed that language spread was not limited to population migration, but also occurred through cultural contact and absorption.
A study found that pangasius contains high levels of mercury, exceeding European limits. Researchers recommend avoiding the fish due to its low nutritional value and potential health risks, especially in children.
Researchers have discovered 29 human footprints in intertidal beach sediments off the coast of British Columbia, dated to around 13,000 years ago. The findings suggest that humans were present on the west coast of Canada about 13,000 years ago, as it emerged from the most recent ice age.
The World Mosquito Program launches a self-sustaining program in La Paz, Mexico, using Wolbachia mosquitoes to provide long-lasting protection against dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses. The initiative aims to strengthen community resilience against emerging health threats.
Researchers have discovered five new species of frogs in Southeast Asia, previously misclassified due to subtle differences. Advanced DNA sequencing techniques revealed the existence of these five species, highlighting the importance of accurate species identification for conservation efforts.
Researchers from ANU have created a comprehensive study on the origins of people in Vanuatu, using DNA analyses and archaeological evidence. The results confirm that Vanuatu's first people arrived 3,000 years ago from South East Asia, with Papuan arrivals following shortly after.
The STATIS trial found that intensive tuberculosis screening was as effective as systemic antituberculosis therapy in reducing mortality among severely immunosuppressed HIV-infected adults. The study's results suggest that both strategies can be used to improve outcomes in resource-limited settings.
A new study has confirmed that Cambodia's last breeding population of leopards is at immediate risk of extinction due to increased poaching and habitat loss. The population has declined by 72% over the past five years, with only 20-30 reproductive individuals remaining in eastern Cambodia.
A study using climate models found that limiting warming to 1.5C instead of 2C can reduce extreme heat events in East Asia by 35-46%. This means that reducing global warming would have a significant impact on the region, with Mongolia experiencing the greatest benefits.
Research led by the Universities of Leicester and Edinburgh reveals that surface ozone levels are detrimental to human health, with increasing levels in East Asia. The study analyzed data from over 4,800 monitoring stations worldwide, showing a decrease in ozone levels in Europe and North America but an increase in East Asia.
Researchers used phylogenetic analysis to classify tropical forests into two major regions: an American-African combined region and an Indo-Pacific region. The study also identified a dry region encompassing areas in America, Africa, India, and Madagascar, as well as a subtropical region with parts of America and Asia.
A new special issue in PhytoKeys features 17 new species from Southeast Asia, showcasing the region's remarkable botanical diversity. The discoveries emphasize the urgent need for conservation and understanding biodiversity in the face of climate change and economic growth.
Researchers developed a practical approach combining clever land use and urban radiation management to cool extreme summer temperatures locally. The measures can lower temperatures in agricultural regions and densely populated areas by up to two degrees Celsius.
A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found that frozen embryos can lead to the same number of live births as fresh embryos in IVF. Researchers investigated 800 infertile women and found equivalent pregnancy and live birth rates between frozen and fresh embryo groups.
Tropical Depression Bolaven caused flooding, landslides, and at least two deaths in the Philippines with heavy rain falling at a rate of almost 121 mm per hour. A NASA satellite observed the storm's 3-D structure, revealing storm tops exceeding 16 km high.
Tropical Depression Bolaven is being weakened by persistent vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures as it approaches Vietnam. The storm will track west across the South China Sea before making final landfall in southern Vietnam on Jan. 4.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that low national governance is the strongest predictor of declining species numbers. Protected areas do maintain biodiversity when situated in stable countries with strong legal and social structures.
Recent studies reveal that humans left Africa multiple times prior to 60,000 years ago, interbred with other hominins in Eurasia, and left genetic traces in modern human populations. The analysis confirms the traditional 'Out of Africa' model can no longer be seen as the full story.
A reevaluation of the Haarlem specimen reveals it to be a predator anchiornithid rather than Archaeopteryx, shedding new light on the evolutionary transition from reptiles to birds. The fossil's taxonomic analysis suggests that modern birds are direct descendants of carnivorous dinosaurs.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a new computational method to address the challenge of computing realistic indirect illumination in real-time computer graphics. The novel method accurately computes indirect illumination using sparse radiance probes, enabling fast and accurate lighting simulations.
A team of computer scientists has developed a novel, compact single-shot hyperspectral imaging method that captures images using a conventional DSLR camera equipped with an ordinary refractive prism. The new method achieves quality images without compromising accuracy, making hyperspectral imaging practical for ordinary users.
A new computational framework simulates each stage of tree combustion, capturing detailed geometry and effects on branches and leaves. The method efficiently models the kinetic behavior of plants and their reaction to heat release in the combustion process.
Researchers developed a computational framework that automatically suggests complementary parts and placement for 3D modeling, improving efficiency and user control. The method can learn from un-annotated online data, making the process more efficient.
Researchers at Tel-Aviv University and Facebook develop a computational technique to animate still images with realistic facial expressions and emotions. The method enables subjects in a photo to come to life, expressing various emotions through subtle variations in facial expressions.
Tropical Depression Kirogi made landfall in southeastern Vietnam on November 19, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing its weakening circulation center. The storm brought maximum sustained surface winds of 20 knots near Cam Ranh Bay.
A subset analysis of the FLAURA trial found that osimertinib improved progression-free survival by 16.5 months compared to 11.0 months with standard therapy in Asian patients with EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer, resulting in a hazard ratio of 0.54.
The ESMO International Consortium Study found dramatic disparities in access to anti-cancer medications, even among essential medicines recommended by the World Health Organization. In Lower Middle- and Low-Income countries, many essential medications are available only at full cost, limiting accessibility.
A recent study reveals that over a quarter of cancer survivors experience poor quality of life post-treatment, with significant unmet needs in eight out of ten countries. The study highlights the need for comprehensive survivorship care and coordinated resources to support cancer patients.
The ALEX study shows alectinib 600 mg is more effective than standard of care crizotinib in Asian patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive non-small-cell lung cancer. Progression-free survival was longer with alectinib compared to crizotinib in both Asian and non-Asian populations.
Researchers used fossil records to infer a semidesertic environment in the Iberian Peninsula during the middle Miocene. The study analyzed body sizes of mammalian species to reveal a dry climate with high precipitation seasonality.
A team of computer scientists developed a novel computational system to aid the design and fabrication of wind-up toys. The new method automates the construction of intricate mechanical assemblies, resulting in more compact mechanisms that consume less energy.
GPM data shows storms from Haikui's remnants containing light to moderate precipitation, with some areas dropping rain at over 23 mm per hour. Heavier precipitation was also detected in southern Vietnam, exceeding 79 mm per hour in downpours not associated with Haikui.
A recent study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution reveals that brown rats originally migrated from southern East Asia about 3,600 years ago, spreading rapidly across the globe. The research team identified several genes involved in the immune response that have adaptively evolved under natural selection in wild rats.