Articles tagged with Asia
A team of biologists has catalogued all 31 species of the Plectostoma snail genus from West-Malaysia, Sumatra, and Thailand, including ten new species. The study highlights the plight of these tiny creatures, whose habitats are being destroyed due to mining and development, leading to their extinction.
A third of all work-related disability worldwide is attributed to low back pain, primarily affecting agricultural sector workers and individuals between 35-65. The study analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study, indicating that these groups are almost four times more likely to develop low back pain disability.
A new £1.1 million grant will support research on vulnerability and adaptation in semi-arid regions of East Africa, focusing on the impact of more frequent droughts on livestock and agriculture. The project aims to develop strategies for communities to adapt to climate change by mid-century.
The LEGATO project aims to optimize rice ecosystem functions and services in Southeast Asia, addressing climate change and food security challenges. Preliminary results show that silicon supplementation enhances rice plant strength and resistance to pathogens.
A recent analysis suggests that people moved out from the Bering Land Bridge, with some migrating back to central Asia and others into North America. The findings support the Out-of-Beringia hypothesis, indicating a complex migration pattern.
Climate scientists analyzed tree rings to find that Genghis Khan took power during a severe drought, but his empire expanded during the wettest period in the region. The study suggests human-caused warming may be exacerbating current droughts in Mongolia and Inner Asia.
Recent research in biological anthropology explores how global environmental variations shape human health and biology. The studies examine the effects of diet, energy dynamics, and chronic inflammation on human reproduction, nutrition, and disease prevalence.
A Simon Fraser University researcher is traveling to Vietnam to study the lack of accessible services for people with mental disorders. The project aims to understand how health workers can be integrated into primary care to provide effective interventions.
New research reveals that humans have actively managed Southeast Asian rainforests for over 11,000 years by clearing vegetation to plant food-bearing plants. Pollen samples and archaeological findings indicate repeated disturbances to vegetation since the end of the last ice age.
A new study reveals a significant increase in intense tropical cyclones hitting East Asia over the past 30 years. The researchers attribute this trend to rising sea surface temperatures and changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, which lead to more powerful cyclones making landfall.
A collaboration between PETA, Simulab, and trauma surgeons is providing state-of-the-art TraumaMan surgical simulators to nine countries, replacing animal testing for medical training. This initiative is expected to save thousands of animals from being hurt and killed in training procedures.
Kerry Sieh's pioneering work transformed the study of earthquakes, revealing frequent but irregular recurrence. His research led to the development of paleoseismology and improved seismic hazard assessment.
A study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that climate change will endanger the habitat of caribou, a species already threatened by the loss of critical lichen-rich environments. The research, led by University of Calgary professor Marco Musiani, analyzed DNA from reindeer and caribou populations across North America and Europe.
The Asia-Pacific region will see a dramatic rise in osteoporosis and related fractures by 2050, with more than half of hip fractures occurring in Asia. The report highlights the need for immediate action to reduce future costs and disability.
Researchers suggest formation of lesser mountain ranges Hangay and Altai may have driven climate in Central Asia, leading to expansion of Gobi Desert. The new data indicate that rainfall decreased by 50-90 percent over tens of millions of years, contradicting the traditional explanation.
NASA satellites tracked Typhoon Haiyan's movement and provided rainfall data to help forecast its impact. The data showed the storm's flood potential increased significantly before its second landfall in northeastern Vietnam.
NASA satellite imagery shows Tropical Depression 30W elongating as it makes landfall in southern Vietnam, with shallow thunderstorm development. The storm is expected to dissipate over the next day, but there is a chance of regeneration once its remnants move over nearby seas.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, allowing Tropical Depression 30W to intensify into a tropical storm. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 35 knots/40 mph on November 5.
Before hitting wind shear, NASA's TRMM Satellite observed heavy rainfall in Typhoon Krosa, with rain rates exceeding 116mm/hour. The storm weakened significantly over the South China Sea, making landfall far south of Vietnam on Nov. 5.
Typhoon Krosa strengthened after passing over northern Philippines and expanded its eye by 10 nautical miles. The storm's center moved into the South China Sea, where NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image revealing its 35-nautical-mile-wide eye.
Typhoon Wutip made landfall near Dong Hoi, Vietnam, with a 10-mile-wide eye, prompting evacuations of over 140,000 people. The storm's heavy rains are expected to cause flooding and landslides in Vietnam's central highlands.
EcoHealth Alliance has been awarded a three-year, $2 million grant by the US Agency for International Development to address land use alteration as a significant driver of disease emergence and climate change in Asia. The project aims to capture the value of ecosystems in mitigating disease emergence and enhance carbon storage.
A new study predicts a northward shift of Earth's wind and rain belts, making the Middle East, American West, and Amazonia drier. This redistribution is based on historical climate patterns during the last ice age, when warming led to changes in ocean currents and temperature contrasts between hemispheres.
Tropical Depression 18W formed in the South China Sea and is forecast to quickly make landfall in central Vietnam on September 19. The depression has sustained winds of near 25 knots and is expected to dissipate within a day after landfall.
A recent study near Hanoi confirms that massive pumping of groundwater is slowly contaminating clean aquifers with naturally occurring arsenic. The research suggests that human activity can widen the problem, and similar processes may be underway in other areas around the world.
Researchers have identified multiple strains of simian foamy virus (SFV) in people living alongside macaques in urban areas, highlighting the need for long-term surveillance. The study's findings suggest that SFV can be transmitted through bites and may lead to viral recombination, posing a risk of pathogenic strain emergence.
African mountain bamboos have been identified as distinct genera, Bergbambos and Oldeania, with features significantly different from Asian counterparts. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of African bamboos, suggesting they may be remnants of the earliest temperate bamboos to spread to Asia.
A study finds that almost 80% of soot pollution in East Asia comes from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as coal briquettes used in home cookstoves and automobile exhaust. The research identifies these sources as major contributors to air pollution responsible for 500,000 premature deaths annually in China.
Researchers at UEA identified four high-risk stages in the poultry trade chain that transmit H5N1 virus to humans and other birds, including transportation, slaughter, and consumption. The study suggests adopting Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) system as a rapid response to emerging outbreaks.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data showing very cold cloud top temperatures of strong thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Mangkhut's center before landfall in northern Vietnam. The storm is expected to dissipate within 24 hours after making landfall about 65 miles south of Hanoi.
The University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management professor will investigate the causes and effects of equity-based compensation across international employees. He aims to understand how compensating international employees with domestic company stock impacts their work.
A new species of white toothed shrew was discovered in Vietnam through molecular analysis, revealing the misinterpretations of previous morphological studies. The study also confirmed the existence of previously overlooked separate species within the genus Crocidura.
A long-term study measuring the association between PTSD and heart disease found that male twin Vietnam veterans with PTSD were almost twice as likely to develop heart disease, even after accounting for lifestyle factors. The study suggests a link between PTSD and cardiovascular health.
A new article in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences refutes a theory that modern humans settled in southern Asia before the Mount Toba eruption. The research uses mitochondrial DNA evidence and other data to conclude that modern humans arrived in India no earlier than 60,000 years ago.
Paleoanthropologist Russell Ciochon and colleagues discover a new species of plant-eating lizard, Barbaturex morrisoni, which lived in Southeast Asia 40 million years ago. The giant lizard was one of the largest of its kind, with some specimens reaching six feet in length.
A study by Uppsala University researchers found that community-based activities in rural Vietnam reduced neonatal mortality rates to half those in control communes, with a significant increase in antenatal care attendance. The interventions were implemented over three years and showed promising results for reducing neonatal deaths.
A cluster randomized trial in Vietnam found community groups reduced neonatal mortality by half after three years, while also increasing antenatal care attendance. The study showed that community-based activities can be implemented at low cost and are effective in reducing neonatal mortality.
The VINARES initiative, launched in Vietnam, aims to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship and has shown encouraging impact. By galvanizing political and medical leadership, the program is providing a framework for long-term self-sufficient infection surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship.
Researchers found a strong correlation between summer monsoon and climate patterns that preceded it, enabling forecasts to predict the monsoon a few months in advance. The study discovered that El Niño's influence on the Indian Ocean temperature and atmospheric anomalies in the western Pacific amplifies each other.
A total of 90 species are recognized from the Indo-Malayan and Palearctic realms, with 71 described as new species. The discovery greatly expands knowledge of the genus Oxyscelio, a parasitic wasp family.
A multinational study reveals that dengue is more prevalent globally than previously estimated, with 390 million infections annually, and Asia accounting for 70% of the burden.
A new study by Purdue University researchers shows that clean-air regulations have reduced acid rain in the US, Europe, and Japan over the past 30 years, but the opposite is true in fast-growing East Asian megacities due to lax antipollution rules or lack of enforcement. The effects of acid rain can propagate through aquatic ecosystems...
A new type of deadly intestinal lymphoma has been identified in Asian patients, with a novel biomarker and diagnostic test developed to accurately diagnose the disease. The study's findings impact the 2008 WHO classification and offer improved treatment strategies.
Around half of Cambodia's tropical flooded grasslands have been lost in 10 years, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods. The area has shrunk from 3349 km² to 1817 km², with intensive commercial rice farming being a major driver of the destruction.
A new study reveals the presence of chytrid fungus in amphibians sampled in Singapore, with the American bullfrog identified as a potential carrier. The study also finds widespread disease among frogs in Vietnam's commercial farms, raising concerns about the spread of infectious diseases through trade.
The Pseudophoraspis genus, known for giant cockroaches, has expanded its range to the north with the discovery of three new species in China's Hainan, Yunnan, and Guangxi provinces. The newly described species are smaller than previously known species but significantly expand the genus' reach.
The Asia Pacific region is experiencing a creeping epidemic of obesity, with quadrupled rates in China and increased prevalence among countries such as Japan and Australia. Experts attribute the rise to sedentary lifestyles, Westernized diets, and cultural attitudes that prioritize food as a way of showing hospitality.
Researchers at MIT found evidence of two separate collisional events: one 50 million years ago and another 10 million years later. The team analyzed rocks from the Himalayas and discovered a new timeline for India's collision with Asia, suggesting that part of ancient India 'Greater India' was smaller than previously thought.
Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy found that potty training from birth can improve bladder control and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in Vietnamese babies. This technique involves a special whistling sound to remind the baby when it's time to urinate, allowing for early elimination of diapers.
A recent study by EcoHealth Alliance found Ebola virus antibodies in approximately 4% of the bats screened in Bangladesh, indicating that Rousettus fruit bats may be a natural reservoir for Ebola virus. The study extends the known range of Ebola to mainland Asia.
Tropical Storm Sonamu intensified over the eastern South China Sea, moving westward with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots. The storm is expected to peak in intensity on January 5 before weakening due to increasing vertical wind shear, making landfall early next week in east central Malaysia.
Tropical Depression Wukong is struggling to survive in the South China Sea, with NASA satellite data showing moderate rainfall near its center. The storm is moving west-southwest and is expected to dissipate over the next day or two, according to forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
A study found that peacock courtship calls attract distant females, suggesting a potential advantage for males in securing mates. The calls may serve as a form of advertising, warning predators of the male's vulnerability and increasing his attractiveness to females.
A recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology reveals that transpacific dust plumes carry thousands of unique microbial species to North America. The researchers detected archaea at high altitudes, which has potential applications in biotechnology and medicine.
The completed genome annotation is expected to accelerate progress in both biomedical and agricultural research. The project's findings provide valuable insights into the evolution and domestication of pigs, as well as potential applications in animal breeding and disease modeling.
Researchers discover engraved stone artifact in northwest China, providing evidence of human symbolic and cognitive capabilities during the Late Paleolithic era. The find, dated to approximately 30 ka BP, suggests that humans in East Asia may have possessed complex communicative systems, including language.
Tropical Depression 25W showed a small area of heavy rainfall near the South China Sea, with rates reaching 2 inches per hour, while the rest of the storm had light to moderate rainfall. The depression was weakening due to wind shear and land interaction, eventually dissipating over the Andaman Sea on Nov. 15.
Tropical Depression 25W formed over the western North Pacific Ocean and is affecting southern Vietnam. The depression has maximum sustained winds of 28.7 mph near its center, with moderate wind shear hindering its organization.
Tropical Storm Son-tinh made landfall in northern Vietnam and is curving to the northeast, tracking over southern China. The storm's powerful thunderstorms are reaching high into the troposphere, dropping heavy rainfall at rates of 50 mm/2 inches per hour.
The Asian Oncology Summit guidelines emphasize the importance of providing supportive, palliative and end-of-life care to patients with cancer in Asia. The guidelines provide recommendations for pain assessment, medication, professional education, and specialized interventions tailored to different levels of resources in Asian countries.