Articles tagged with Asia
A global study confirms that 90% of strokes can be prevented by modifying 10 modifiable risk factors, including hypertension, physical activity, and diet. The ranking of these factors varies by region, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies to reduce stroke risk.
Ecologists have identified 21 bat species that are likeliest to harbor Ebola and other filoviruses, primarily found in Southeast Asia and Central and South America. The study suggests targeted disease surveillance efforts in these regions to prevent future outbreaks.
Scientists have identified a subduction zone beneath Bangladesh, where two tectonic plates are slowly thrusting under each other. The resulting strain could lead to an earthquake magnitude of up to 9, affecting over 140 million people in the region.
A new study of the 37,000-year-old Deep Skull fossil has overturned long-held views about the early history of South-East Asia. The research finds that the remains likely belonged to an older woman and closely resemble Indigenous people of Borneo today, rather than Indigenous Australians.
Kenya's ivory burn has increased by over 600% since 2011, with a recent record-breaking burn valued at up to $220 million. The scientists argue that tracking the impact of these burns is crucial to reduce poaching and illegal ivory trade.
A single strain of plague bacteria caused the Black Death in Europe and later led to multiple outbreaks on the continent before spreading to China, triggering a global pandemic. The researchers sequenced ancient DNA from mass graves and compared them to modern strains to reveal a link between the Black Death and modern-day epidemics.
A new study reveals a deep split in the genetic data of ancient European and East Asian dogs, suggesting two independent dog domestication events occurred thousands of years apart. The findings support the idea that dogs were domesticated separately in Europe and Central Asia, with some breeds showing mixed ancestry from both regions.
Researchers analyzed crop remains from ancient sites in Madagascar and found a stark contrast between Eastern African and Asian crops. The findings suggest that Southeast Asians brought crops from their homeland to Madagascar, providing insights into the colonization process.
Researchers identified Asian crop remains in Madagascar, providing archaeological evidence of Southeast Asian colonization over 1,000 years ago. Genetic research confirms the connection between Malagasy speakers and Austronesian language families.
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) is training the next generation of rice breeders in Vietnam in advanced bioinformatics and genomics. The programme aims to characterise genetic diversity in Vietnamese native rice lines to accelerate crop breeding and improve yields, addressing climate change threats such as drought and rising sea levels
The discovery of diverse Oligocene primates from southern China sheds light on the evolution of primates during the Eocene-Oligocene transition. The Asian fauna is dominated by strepsirhines, contrasting with Afro-Arabian primate faunas that diversified anthropoids after the climate crisis.
A decade-long fieldwork project in southern China has uncovered six new fossil species of primates, which survived the Eocene-Oligocene transition due to their tough enamel surfaces. The discovery sheds light on the vulnerability of primates to climate change and provides a unique snapshot of early primate evolution.
Fossil analysis reveals that a cooler period after the Eocene-Oligocene transition (EOT) significantly impacted Asian primate evolution, favoring lemur-like strepsirrhine primates. In contrast, Afro-Arabia fossils show anthropoid diversification during this time.
A comprehensive analysis of leopards' status reveals that the species has lost approximately 75 percent of its historic range, from around 35 million square kilometers to 8.5 million square kilometers. This decline is primarily due to habitat loss and human activities such as farming, livestock grazing, and poaching.
A study by Lund University finds that demographic changes, such as population growth and urbanization, pose a greater threat to natural fires than climate change, increasing the risk of fires in certain regions. The research suggests that areas with no human population are more prone to uncontrolled fires due to lack of urban planning.
A study published in Nature Genetics reveals explosive increases in male population numbers on five continents between 50,000-55,000 years ago, likely due to first peopling of vast continents. Later expansions may have resulted from advances in technology such as wheeled transport and metal working.
A new study predicts that global health spending will increase to $18.28 trillion by 2040, but persistent inequities are expected to worsen. Low- and lower-middle-income countries will spend the least on health, while high-income countries will allocate a significant portion of their GDP to healthcare.
A 2010 outbreak in Maryland was caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a strain sourced from raw oysters from Asian restaurants. Whole genome sequencing helped identify the pathogen's origin and introduced techniques for future outbreaks.
Cornell University has received a $4.8 million USAID grant to improve genetically engineered eggplant production in Bangladesh and the Philippines. The project aims to increase farmers' livelihoods by reducing yield losses and improving food security.
Researchers analyzed the genetic makeup of Zika viruses in Brazil, finding a single introduction date of May-December 2013. The study suggests a correlation between Zika virus and microcephaly cases, but more research is needed to establish causation.
Research suggests that land bridges between ancient India and Eurasia acted as 'freeways' for the exchange of animals and plants. Indian Dragon Lizards show multiple origins in Southeast Asia, indicating a two-way flow of biodiversity. The findings shed light on the origins of modern species.
A new study maps the global spread of Zika, linking it to two mosquito species that can effectively carry the disease, including Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Cities in the US, Europe, and Asia are at risk, with Miami and Houston among the highest-risk areas.
A large-scale genomic study found that the Shigella dysenteriae pathogen, responsible for life-threatening bloody diarrhea, originated in Europe. The bacterium was transmitted to other continents via human migration and military operations, leading to devastating epidemics worldwide.
The five species of snub-nosed monkeys face extinction due to ecosystem fragmentation and deforestation, with governments working to protect them. Improving local living standards and public awareness on sustainable resource use are crucial for their long-term survival.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have observed high coercive field and activation energy in ferroelectric polarization switching of orthorhombic GaFeO3 on cubic and hexagonal substrates. This finding explains the discrepancy between measured and predicted remanent polarization values.
A study confirms that a Thai sanctuary is the only site in Southeast Asia where tigers are increasing in number. The sanctuary's tiger population has recovered thanks to enhanced protection measures and intensive patrol systems, which have led to improved survival and recruitment rates among the iconic carnivores.
A recent research project by Bryan L. Stuart and colleagues found three distinct evolutionary lineages of Asian common toads, each with narrower geographical ranges and ecological niches, in mainland Southeast Asia, coastal Myanmar, and the Sundaic islands.
A long-lasting cooling in the northern hemisphere coincided with the Justinian plague pandemic and contributed to the decline of the eastern Roman Empire. The researchers found that a series of volcanic eruptions led to a dramatic cooling, affecting food supplies and causing major famines.
Research by the University of Tsukuba's Hiroaki Ueda and Youichi Kamae group reveals a connection between tropical seawater temperatures and changes in East Asian monsoon patterns. The study found that specific trends in tropical sea surface temperatures can explain recent changes in the region's summer rainfall.
A new study by University of Michigan anthropologist Andrew Marshall highlights major gaps in research effort, with a disproportionate focus on charismatic great apes. This bias leads to crucial knowledge gaps in tropical protected areas and unrealistic assessments of threatened taxa.
Detailed genetic analysis reveals mitochondrial DNA was present in Island Southeast Asia 11,500 years ago, challenging the 'Out of Taiwan' theory. The linguistic spread of Austronesian languages is attributed to elite groups and cultural exchange, rather than mass migration.
Researchers found recent increases in mercury concentrations in rainfall at many sites across the continent, with positive trends in central regions consistent with increased emissions from Asia. The findings suggest that reductions in North American mercury emissions are primarily benefiting the eastern United States.
A new species of the genus Amphilagus has been discovered in southeastern Siberia, revealing a biogeographic link between Asia and Europe during the Middle Miocene. The discovery confirms the widespread distribution of this group and sheds light on paleogeographic and environmental conditions that favored its expansion.
Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that the blue egg color in cuckoos is inherited solely from the mother through mitochondrial DNA. This discovery challenges previous theories and highlights the importance of genetic inheritance in avian species.
A new study warns that stringent climate policies could limit the adoption of modern cooking fuels in developing countries, putting millions at risk. The study found that without targeted subsidies, increasing carbon prices would disproportionately harm energy access goals.
A new international collaboration has received a £2 million award to fund research into combatting cardiovascular disease in rural South Asia. The study will test low-cost strategies by health workers and doctors to lower blood pressure among adults and reduce their risk of heart disease.
A recent NUS study examines the factors leading to mangrove deforestation in Southeast Asia between 2000 and 2012. The researchers found that rice agriculture in Myanmar and oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia are major drivers of this deforestation, posing future threats to the region's mangrove ecosystems.
A fully renewable energy system is achievable and economically viable for Russia and Central Asia by 2030, with costs comparable to European nuclear technology or carbon capture and storage. The region can expect a 20% reduction in electricity costs through integrated energy sectors.
Researchers have discovered that newly introduced populations of the invasive seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla in North America and Europe contain significantly higher levels of toxic compounds, including Prostaglandin. This increase in toxicity poses a risk for food safety and may lead to more frequent cases of human intoxication.
The KEYNOTE-010 trial shows that pembrolizumab improves median survival in all PD-L1-positive patients compared to docetaxel. Patients with higher PD-L1 staining benefit the most, with a hazard ratio of 0.54 and 0.50 at two doses of pembrolizumab.
The ESMO Asia 2015 Congress brought together cancer experts to discuss the latest treatment solutions and patient care. Researchers presented promising findings on immunotherapy and targeted therapy for difficult-to-treat head-and-neck cancers, as well as combination therapies for endocrine-resistant breast cancer.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University found that informal water vendors, when organized into unions, can improve water pricing, quality, and delivery. The study suggests that these markets have the potential to bridge supply gaps in urban water systems.
A century-old mystery surrounding an invasive ant species has been solved, with scientists finding it originated from Asia. The study used genetic analysis and distribution maps to confirm the correct answer.
The study reveals that microbes in shallow layers of seasonal wetlands use digestible plant material for energy, releasing arsenic into underlying groundwater. However, under normal conditions, these microbes do not pose a significant threat to groundwater arsenic concentrations.
Injuries have fallen by almost a third since 1990, with car crashes, self-harm, and falls making up the top causes, while fracture injuries require hospital admission. The global injury toll remains high but decreased in most regions, prompting researchers to conclude that the world is becoming safer.
The book offers a positive agenda for climate change mitigation in Asia, providing concrete actions from an Asian perspective to influence COP 21 discussions. Successful examples of policy development and sector-specific activities are highlighted, offering practical guidelines for policymakers worldwide.
Researchers have uncovered fossils of seven giant rat species in East Timor, with the largest weighing around 5 kilos. The discovery sheds light on human migration and its impact on ecosystems, as humans are believed to have driven the rats to extinction around 1,000 years ago.
The tool uses a library of base shapes to enable users to think creatively without tedious trial and error. Researchers used the tool to design and build various shapes, including a turtle with 123 pieces, which was assembled in about 2.5 hours.
Research shows that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 20.1% of women who served in Vietnam, with those exposed to sexual harassment or job performance pressure being at higher risk. The study emphasizes the importance of clinicians screening for PTSD symptoms and sensitivity to non-combat wartime experiences.
The FRESH AIR project will adapt and test innovative ways to implement evidence-based practice in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chronic lung disease. Researchers from Plymouth University will use experience gained from previous projects involving pulmonary rehabilitation clinics and smoking cessation programmes.
By 2025, cardiovascular disease is projected to claim 7.8 million premature lives annually if current trends continue. The US and some other countries will see declines in mortality rates, while many others will not meet the UN goal of a 25% reduction.
Tropical Storm Vamco brought extreme rainfall to central Vietnam and Laos, resulting in flash floods and landslides. The NASA GPM mission measured over 220 mm of rainfall along the storm's path, highlighting the importance of monitoring heavy precipitation events.
Tropical Storm Vamco developed into a depression on September 13, with NASA's RapidScat instrument measuring its surface winds. The storm intensified rapidly and was located near Vietnam by September 14, before dissipating over rugged terrain.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange have a higher prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a precursor to multiple myeloma. The study suggests an association between Agent Orange exposure and the development of plasma cell disorders.
A new NSF grant will study maker success stories in China, Taiwan, and the U.S. Midwest to identify pathways guiding making from hobby to industry. The researchers aim to replicate Asian practices that support makers in the US, focusing on Michigan and Indiana.
Researchers analyzed toilet waste from international flights to identify disease-causing microorganisms and resistance genes. The study found geographical differences in resistance genes and microorganism prevalence, highlighting the potential for airports as global surveillance sites.
The Sumatran rhinoceros is considered extinct in the wild in Malaysia due to lack of sightings since 2007. The remaining individuals are estimated to be fewer than 100 in Indonesia, with nine in captivity; conservation experts urge increased efforts to save the species.
A new project aims to characterise the genetic diversity of traditional Vietnamese rice varieties using genomic markers for disease resistance and salt tolerance. Bioinformatics capacity will be built in Vietnam through training workshops and data sharing.
The study found that nearly 3000 square kilometers of glaciers have been lost since the 1960s, with an average annual ice loss of 5.4 gigatons. By the 2050s, half of Tien Shan's glacier volume is estimated to be depleted due to climate change.
A new study provides more accurate estimates of worldwide mercury pollution, revealing Asia produces over double the previous estimated amount. The research uses a top-down approach combining measured air concentrations with a global simulation to calculate mercury emissions, improving estimates and refining pollution-control strategies.