Articles tagged with Asia
A devastating combination of El Niño and global warming led to extreme temperatures in April 2016 in Southeast Asia, breaking all previous records. Long-term warming has played an increasing role in rising April temperatures, exacerbating energy consumption, crop production disruptions, and human discomfort.
Researchers propose that a storm or internal navigation 'compass' malfunction led to the bird's off-course journey. The near-perfect condition of its feathers suggests it wasn't trapped in a plane's wheel well, making ship or plane transport unlikely.
Scientists from Granada and Almería discover a new species of plant in the Málaga region, previously misclassified as Linaria salzmannii. The plant, Linaria becerrae, has distinct flower characteristics and is found in sandy substrates in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes natural area.
Herpetologists have discovered a new amphibian species, Ophryophryne elfina, in the highlands of Langbian Plateau in southern Vietnam. The smallest known species of horned mountain toad, it has distinctive small horn-like projections above its eyes and inhabits wet subtropical evergreen forests at high elevations.
A mutation in an immune system gene rapidly rose in frequency in Southeast Asia approximately 50,000 years ago, likely conferring protection against leprosy. The HLA-B*46:01 protein binds to molecules derived from the bacterium that causes leprosy, presenting foreign molecules to the immune system and destroying infected cells.
A recent study by Dr. YAO Yao and Prof. LUO Dehai found that Arctic warming strengthens Ural blocking, leading to more widespread Eurasian cold events. The study suggests that the large BKS warming since 2000 weakens the meridional temperature gradient, increasing persistence of the UB.
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University discovered that ancient ground squirrels in the Indigirka river basin are closely related to present-day Beringian ground squirrels in Kamchatka. The study revealed that these animals have a complex migration history, with multiple colonization events in Eurasia.
The number of fatalities in organized violence decreased to 102,000 in 2016, a decline of over 20% from the peak year of 2014. However, conflicts with external involvement remain a major concern for researchers, who note that these conflicts are more likely to escalate into larger wars.
Researchers have identified the origins of Indian populations by analyzing genetic evidence from people alive in the Subcontinent today. The study reveals that hunter-gatherer groups arrived from Africa more than 50,000 years ago, while later waves of settlement came from Iran and Central Asia.
A new study found that northern and northeastern China's surface temperature has increased, while wind speed decreased from 1961 to 2014. This trend indicates a stable, warm, and windless state of the surface weather conditions over NNEC.
Researchers found that the plateau's surface sensible heating generates convective precipitation over the southern and eastern regions, while reducing in-situ surface sensible heating. The interaction between surface sensible heating and latent heating plays a leading role in this 'coupling system', influencing regional and global weat...
Researchers propose a new model for the initial India-Eurasia continental collision, which led to the formation of the Tibetan Plateau. The model suggests an earlier collision timing between 65 Ma and 63 Ma, resulting in large-scale continental subduction and deformation across central Asia.
Researchers at Penn State have received a $9 million NIH grant to investigate malaria transmission in Southeast Asia and work toward the disease's elimination. They will examine how environmental changes affect disease transmission, genetic resistance to insecticides, and counterfeit drugs.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has been awarded a $9 million grant to develop new tools against drug-resistant malaria. The research aims to accelerate malaria elimination in Southeast Asia by integrating clinical and field research findings.
Researchers found a link between drinking iced tea and increased risk of cholera in Ben Tre province, Vietnam. Drinking iced tea was associated with an increased risk of contracting the disease, possibly due to Vibrio cholerae bacteria found in ice.
A University of Washington study suggests that monitoring and potentially treating monkeys that co-exist with humans in affected areas may be part of the global strategy for eradicating yaws, a tropical disease. The researchers found that infected monkeys were more common in regions experiencing recent upsurges in reported cases.
South Asian countries may benefit from implementing higher tobacco taxes, which could reduce consumption by at least one-third, according to a new analysis. The study also highlights the need for strengthened non-price interventions to control smoking, including bans on advertising and smoking in public places.
Researchers found that fluted Clovis points have a thin groove that acts as a shock absorber, increasing point robustness and ability to withstand physical stress. The technique, absent in Northeast Asia, allowed early colonizers to travel long distances with confidence.
A recent study precisely dated the India-Asia continental collision at 59±1 million years ago, based on sedimentary record analysis. The collision resulted in the formation of the Himalayan Mountains and the rise of the Tibetan Plateau, with significant climatic and environmental changes.
A study by SFU professor Kelley Lee found that Asian tobacco companies are shifting from a domestic focus to become transnational players, aiming to increase their share of the world market. The companies' business strategies include government-supported consolidation, product innovation and foreign direct investment.
Researchers used satellite analysis and GIS to show that 75% of ancient Silk Road sites align with optimal pasture-driven pathways for nomadic herders, revealing new insights into the network's geography
Researchers analyzed cranial traits to determine Scythian gene pool formation. Results suggest both hypotheses of Scythian ethnogenesis are partially correct, indicating a mix of Central Asian migrants and local Srubnaya culture populations.
A recent study found that 90% of village communities in tropical regions have reported declining availability of forest resources, including timber and firewood. The researchers attribute this decline to excessive consumption and clearance by large companies and local populations.
A study analyzing over 100 linguistic features suggests complex patterns of contact and migration among early Americans. The diversity of languages in the Americas is unprecedented, with many isolates having no demonstrable connection to other languages.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that career military women were happier and had better physical and mental health than the general population. They also reported positive experiences, such as satisfaction with their work with wounded troops and civilians in Vietnam.
Researchers found that sea level around Belitung Island in Indonesia rose twice by nearly 2 feet without human-influenced climate change. This natural fluctuation has implications for people living close to the sea in East and Southeast Asia.
Research suggests that recreational amphetamine use may hasten the biological ageing of the heart, with effects seen in both men and women. The study found that amphetamine users showed signs of premature ageing of the heart, even after accounting for other cardiovascular risk factors.
Researchers have found that modern East Asian populations share a remarkable genetic similarity to their hunter-gatherer ancestors from the Stone Age. The study provides evidence of 'genetic continuity' in East Asia, suggesting that there was little population turnover for over seven millennia.
Researchers analyzed DNA sequences from 169 house shrews to uncover their genetic origins and migration routes. The study suggests that people traded on a larger scale than previously thought, with species from Asia and Africa showing similar genetic traits despite geographical distance.
A study across 10 countries found that aluminum cookware made from scrap metal contaminates food with high levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium. The investigation reveals a significant risk to public health, particularly for children, who may experience IQ reduction, brain damage, and cardiovascular disease.
A recent study in Science highlights a devastating crisis in Asian forests due to snaring, causing unprecedented extinctions. The authors recommend managing this issue by regulating homemade snares and preventing 'empty forests', emphasizing the urgent need for conservation action.
Researchers have identified two promising sites in Kazakhstan where Amur tigers could be reintroduced to Central Asia. The Ili River delta and adjacent southern coast of Balkhash Lake are considered suitable habitats, covering approximately 7,000 square kilometers. To ensure a sustainable future for both tigers and local communities, a...
Tropical Depression 01W made a brief landfall over southern Vietnam on January 16, dissolving into the Gulf of Thailand by January 17. The depression was disorganized and lacked deep convection, according to satellite imagery.
The NASA Terra satellite observed cloud tops west and north of the center of the low-pressure area reaching -70 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms. The low-level center of circulation appears to be consolidating, with multiple surface observations showing 15-20 knot winds.
Scientists have discovered fossils of biting midges encased in amber from the Indian subcontinent, showing a strong similarity with examples from Europe and China. The findings indicate that the Indian subcontinent was not isolated during its migration towards Eurasia and Asia around 54 million years ago.
A comprehensive study on Hong Kong's marine biodiversity reveals the territory is home to over 26% of China's recorded marine species, comparable to regions like the Caribbean Sea and East Africa. The research highlights the importance of conserving marine habitats in Hong Kong, with only 2% currently protected.
A new study reveals a niche market opportunity for locally cultivated lotus rhizomes in the US, with participants preferring stir-fry over other preparations. The research suggests potential demand for fresh lotus rhizomes among health-conscious individuals.
The project investigates Buddhist networks in Eastern Central Asia from the 6th-14th centuries, exploring transregional links between China, India, Tibet, and Central Asian regions. The team will analyze manuscripts and conduct field research to understand how Buddhism spread and evolved.
A recent review by Renguang Wu examines the relationship between Indian and East Asian summer monsoons, highlighting a weakening of historically strong correlations. The study focuses on two pathways connecting Indian summer monsoon anomalies to East Asian rainfall fluctuations.
A subgroup analysis of the MONALEESA-2 trial found that ribociclib improves progression-free survival in Asian patients with HR-positive advanced breast cancer. The treatment was well-tolerated and demonstrated efficacy regardless of geographic region or self-reported race.
A sub-analysis of the KEYNOTE-012 trial found that Asian head and neck cancer patients lived longer with pembrolizumab than the overall population. The fixed dose of pembrolizumab showed better median overall survival and disease control rates in Asians, indicating potential as a first-line treatment.
A landmark study shows treating adults alongside children with intestinal worms can improve health outcomes for millions of kids worldwide. The research suggests a community-wide deworming approach is more effective than targeting only children.
A new study from the University of Texas at Dallas examines why and how multinational enterprises decide to expand globally. It finds that moderate levels of institutional diversity in a region attract the highest amount of internationalization, while larger numbers of countries within the region reduce this process.
Researchers uncover regional diversity in plant species exploited during Pre-Pottery Neolithic A, challenging previous assumptions about the importance of cereals. The study suggests that legumes played a crucial role in eastern Fertile Crescent regions and contributed to chronological dissimilarities in cereal domestication.
A 69-year-old Vietnam war veteran was diagnosed with pleomorphic liposarcoma, a rare type of cancer, after exposure to Agent Orange during his service. The patient's cancer has a high rate of local recurrence and ability to spread to other parts of the body, making early detection crucial.
Researchers found evidence of domesticated rice in South Asia up to 430 years earlier than previously believed. The study reveals a network of regional farmers supplied produce to ancient cities, using complex multi-cropping strategies across both seasons.
The CReSP initiative aims to benefit at least 50 million people in high-vulnerability regions by promoting climate-smart and nutritious sweetpotato varieties. Orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties have been shown to reduce chronic malnutrition and child stunting when promoted with nutrition counseling.
The number of people with high blood pressure has nearly doubled in 40 years, with the UK being the European country with the lowest proportion of people with high blood pressure. Research found that men have higher blood pressure than women globally, and that poor nutrition in childhood may contribute to the growing problem.
The transitional climate zone in East Asia experiences significant changes due to global warming, including coastward migration and aridity. Models largely reproduce the TCZ shape, but uncertainty from climate models dominates over emission scenarios.
Climate model experiments suggest Northeast Asia has experienced abrupt summer warming, with significant changes in temperature extremes since the mid-1990s. Dr. DONG's team attributes these changes to natural variability and anthropogenic forcings, with reduced aerosol precursor emissions over Europe playing a crucial role.
Scientists have discovered 43 new species of scaffold web spiders, significantly increasing the known family size by approximately 20%. The discovery was made through a comprehensive survey of individuals collected from across China, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia.
Tropical Depression Sarika made landfall in southern Guangxi province on October 19, with maximum sustained winds near 34.5 mph. NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured the storm as it passed overhead.
Tropical Storm Sarika made a direct hit on Hainan Island, China, as observed by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm's maximum sustained winds dropped to 63 mph, and it is forecast to cross the Gulf of Tonkin and make final landfall in northern Vietnam.
NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captures visible image of Typhoon Sarika in the South China Sea. The storm is forecasted to make its second landfall near Hainan Island, China, before continuing west and impacting northern Vietnam.
A new study chronicles how Central Asia dried out over the last 23 million years due to the rise of lesser-known mountain ranges. Researchers measured carbon isotope values in ancient soil samples to draw a fuller portrait of climatic changes, showing an exceptionally arid region deep in Asia's interior.
A tropical cyclone that was thought to be dead has reformed over the South China Sea and is now expected to make landfall in central Vietnam. The storm, dubbed 'Zombie storm' Aere, had maximum sustained winds of 25 knots near its center before re-forming
Kytai Nguyen, a nationally recognized professor of bioengineering at UTA, has overcome numerous challenges in her life and career. She was awarded the inaugural Embracing Challenge Award from Materials Today magazine for her perseverance and contributions to new knowledge in materials science and engineering.
Rice University's Chao Center for Asian Studies has received a $150,000 federal grant to boost its Asian studies programs. The grant will support the development of new courses, teacher workshops, and speaker series aimed at enhancing teaching and public outreach.
A study found that certain components of climate change may benefit native oysters in California by allowing them to grow faster at warmer temperatures. However, a predatory snail species introduced from the East Coast and Asia poses a significant threat to oyster populations.
Sumitra Thongprasert has been awarded the second ESMO Women for Oncology award for her role as a role model for women in oncology. The award acknowledges her advocacy across Asia for female participation in the oncology workforce and promotion of women in leadership positions.