Articles tagged with Asia
The PACDEX project will study plumes of airborne dust and pollutants from Asia to North America, exploring their effects on clouds, precipitation, and climate. The team aims to determine how particles influence clouds and climate, shedding light on one major environmental issue of this decade.
A majority of Afghans (84%) support democracy, with a high level of understanding of its key concepts. However, regions of conflict pose a significant threat to democratic participation and the coexistence of democracy and Islam.
A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology shows that quitting smoking can reduce lung cancer risk by up to 70%. The research highlights the importance of effective tobacco control policies and notes that women smokers face a significantly higher risk compared to men.
A NYUCD research team found that Streptoccocus mutans, a bacterium associated with dental caries, has evolved along with its human hosts in Africa between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. This oral bacterial evidence supports the dispersal of modern Homo sapiens out of Africa to Asia.
Scientists analyzed DNA and tooth shape in modern and ancient pigs to contradict longstanding ideas about Pacific colonist origins. The research suggests that ancient humans may have traveled between islands before reaching New Guinea and eventually landing on Hawaii and French Polynesia.
The number of people with diabetes has increased substantially, making it one of the most costly chronic diseases. Researchers found a 69% rise in diabetes prevalence in Ontario, Canada from 1995 to 2005, exceeding global predictions for 2030.
Researchers used GPS to record precise movements of hundreds of points on the Asian continent over 10 years, finding that most of Asia behaves like a 'c ceramic plate' while some areas, such as Tibet, deform more like Play-Doh. The findings challenge long-standing theories and provide new insights into continental deformation.
The number of individuals with Parkinson's disease is projected to nearly double globally by 2030, with the majority of growth occurring in developing countries in Asia. This growth will be driven by increasing life expectancy and growing economies, which will lead to increased healthcare spending and a greater burden on societies.
A study comparing trained mid-level providers (MLPs) to doctors for first-trimester manual vacuum aspiration abortions found that MLPs are equally safe as doctors. In South Africa and Vietnam, rates of complications were low and comparable between the two groups, with women reporting equal satisfaction.
The proportion of people with type 2 diabetes in Asia has increased rapidly, with younger age groups developing the condition and suffering longer from chronic complications. The region's healthcare systems are under threat as a result.
The ESSP's Monsoon Asia Integrated Regional Study aims to understand the effects of human activities on the monsoon system in the region. The study will explore how changes in land use, water resources, and urbanization affect the monsoon circulation system.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has fitted GPS collars on eight saiga antelopes in the Mongolian Gobi Desert, aiming to better understand their movements and develop a comprehensive conservation strategy. The saiga numbers have plummeted by 95% due to poaching for Chinese medicines and competition with livestock.
The International Council of Science (ICSU) has launched a new Regional Office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to promote science development in Asia and the Pacific. The office aims to strengthen the voice of developing countries in international settings and support collaboration for socioeconomic development.
A Northwestern University study finds that the kouprey, Southeast Asia's 'forest ox,' is unlikely to be a wild species due to its genetic similarity to a domesticated breed. The researchers believe it may have originated from a domestic hybrid between banteng and zebu cattle.
New research suggests that sudden, rapid global warming drove the dispersal of early primates from South Asia to Europe and then to North America. The whole event happened within about 25,000 years.
A five-year project funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies aims to improve Vietnam's health system by gathering detailed birth and death data. UQ health experts will work with Vietnamese researchers and government personnel to develop policy, advanced mortality, and cost-effectiveness analyses.
New research shows that British American Tobacco (BAT) has been complicit in China's cigarette smuggling crisis, benefiting from illicit trade. BAT's internal documents show the company has restructured operations to control and expand contraband trade across Asia.
Connexions will provide tools to turn passive study materials into active learning resources in Vietnam. The system combines cutting-edge software with an innovative legal framework, encouraging individual self-publishing and collaboration among authors, instructors, and students worldwide.
The Lancet and Mexican Ministry of Health are hosting a meeting to report on Mexico's experience with health-system reform over the past 6 years. The conference aims to provide scientifically-based policy options for middle-to-low income governments facing similar challenges.
Researchers analyzed fossilized pollen samples to determine temperature and precipitation changes in East Asia from 16,000 to 10,000 years ago. The results indicate that East Asia reacted differently to global warming during the last cold surge event.
Research suggests that green tea's polyphenolic EGCG offers protective effects against cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Regular green tea consumption has been linked to improved gastrointestinal function, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and potential tumor prevention.
The Asia-Pacific region is facing challenges in pandemic preparedness, with some countries lacking comprehensive operational guidance manuals. However, countries like Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand have developed robust plans to respond to pandemic influenza, drawing from their experience with SARS.
A study of male Vietnam veterans and their identical twins found that those with PTSD had higher scores on neurologic tests, indicating subtle brain abnormalities. These findings suggest a dysfunction in the cerebral cortex, which could increase PTSD risk or reduce recovery likelihood.
A recent study documents six new frog species found in Laos over a two-year period, showcasing the country's remarkable biodiversity. Conservationists are concerned about the combined loss of forest cover and over-exploitation of species threatening much of Laos' wildlife.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation's 16-year project has resulted in a significant increase in Laos' rice production, reaching 2.5 million tons in 2004. This growth is attributed to the adoption of modern varieties, resulting in higher yields and increased cash income for households.
Research finds large amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx) transported to North America from the Pacific Ocean in May contribute to significant increases in ozone levels over the region. The discovery will help build better models to understand how pollutants affect other regions, with potential implications for air quality and human health.
Geologists David Rowley and Brian Currie found that the Tibetan Plateau has stood at its current high elevation for at least 35 million years. The plateau widened progressively northward as the Earth's crust thickened, contradicting a popular theory that it rose due to geologic forces.
The newly discovered Photocorynus spiniceps is not only the smallest fish and vertebrate, but also one of the most unique reproductive strategies in nature. The tiny male anglerfish, measuring just 6.2 mm, attaches to a much larger female and provides her body with everything she needs to reproduce, essentially turning her into a herma...
A new report finds that the drug meloxicam is safe for vultures and effective in treating livestock, providing a potential solution to combat diclofenac's devastating effects on vulture populations. The three endangered species of Asian vultures are critically close to extinction due to diclofenac use.
A team of researchers assembled ancient gourd remnants across the Americas and found they matched modern gourds in Asia, suggesting a pre-pottery Asian origin. The findings indicate that people arrived in the New World with domesticated plants and tools, changing our understanding of the founding of the Americas.
A recent study found that performing monkeys in Asia carry various simian viruses, including simian foamy virus and simian retrovirus. These viruses pose a potential risk of transmission to humans, particularly in settings where people have close contact with non-human primates.
Researchers at Texas A&M University and the Berkeley Geochronology Center date ancient rocks containing 'footprints' to 1.3 million years old, suggesting an earlier human migration than previously believed. The findings contradict claims of 40,000-year-old footprints in England.
Nine behavioral and environmental risk factors contribute to a third of global cancer deaths. Lifestyle changes and environment modifications can prevent many types of cancer.
Researchers suggest that modern human expansion in South Asia was a complex process, with evidence indicating diversity of behavioral responses and competition driving the demise of indigenous archaic hominids. The study challenges the idea of a sudden 'revolution' in modern human behavior 50,000 years ago.
Rice-producing nations emphasize the need for collaboration to develop new rice varieties through science and technology. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture facilitates access to plant genetic resources, but many members have not ratified it.
The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining strong bones, particularly for young people, who can build peak bone mass between ages 11-17. Experts stressed the need for proper diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, which affects one in three women over 50 worldwide.
A new study reveals that tropical deforestation affects rainfall in the US and around the globe, with significant changes observed in various regions. Deforestation in Amazonia influences precipitation in Mexico to Texas, while Central Africa affects the US Midwest, and Southeast Asia alters rainfall in China and the Balkan Peninsula.
Analysis of M2 protein sequence data reveals higher resistance to antiviral drug amantadine in Southeast Asian H5N1 viruses, especially in China. This suggests selective pressure may be driving the emergence of resistant strains through human activities.
A randomized controlled trial found that parenteral artesunate reduced mortality from severe malaria by 15% compared to quinine, while also being safer and simpler to administer. The study calls for quality-assured, affordable artesunate to be made widely available in malaria-endemic areas.
A study has found that a primate virus, simian foamy virus, has jumped the species barrier to humans in Asia, primarily through contact with temple macaques. Researchers warn that limiting human-primate interaction can reduce transmission risks and protect both humans and monkeys from disease.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder developed a new method to visualize forces beneath the Himalaya, allowing for a deeper understanding of earthquakes and mountain formation. The study uses seismic sensors and creates high-resolution images of the crust and upper mantle.
The book Making States Work examines the roles of international actors, local elites, and civil society in building public institutions. Key findings include successes in Mozambique and Costa Rica, as well as case studies on state failures in regions such as the Great Lakes and South Central Asia.
A newly discovered lungless salamander in Korea has significant implications for the understanding of amphibian evolution and biogeography. The species, named Karsenia koreana, is distinct from other lungless salamanders and sheds light on their historical distribution across Asia and Europe.
A recent South Asian disaster underscores the persistent risk of tsunamis, which can cause devastating damage and loss of life. Experts emphasize the need for broad public education about tsunami dangers and prudent safeguards.
A new study published in Nature suggests a connection between erosion rates and tectonic forces in the Himalaya region of Nepal. Researchers found that erosion rates increase significantly at the base of steep mountains, potentially influencing global climate change.
A NASA study suggests that soot may be contributing to the changes observed near the North Pole, including accelerated sea ice and snow melting, as well as altering atmospheric temperatures. The research found that a significant portion of soot comes from South Asia, with smaller contributions from other regions.
Scientists have detected high levels of silver contamination in North Pacific waters, linked to atmospheric emissions from Asia. The findings suggest that silver could be used as a tracer element for tracking the fate of industrial emissions, with implications for understanding pollution patterns.
A new study has mapped the domesticated pig's wild origin, showing that domestication took place in several different geographical regions in Europe and Asia. The technology for domesticating wild boars is believed to have spread across the world, rather than domesticated wild boar itself.
A novel mosquito control strategy using Mesocyclops crustaceans has proven effective in eradicating Aedes aegypti and reducing dengue fever cases in Vietnam. The approach involves inoculating large water storage containers with the crustaceans, targeting areas with high mosquito larva production.
The study found rapid land-cover change in Asia, particularly dryland degradation, while the Amazon Basin remains a hotspot of tropical deforestation. Global maps show regions of rapid land-cover change, with cities in the tropics experiencing the most rapid changes.
Scientists have found that climate change is a major contributing factor to droughts' increasing frequency and severity, with rising temperatures accounting for almost half of the global trend. The study used a unique analysis to estimate how much of the global trend in soil moisture was due solely to warming-induced evaporation.
The Lancet proposes two solutions to address aid coordination issues in tsunami-hit regions: an inter-governmental panel and an International Commission on Global Responses to Complex Emergencies. These measures aim to prevent competing agendas from hindering relief efforts.
Scientists studying uplift along the Oregon coast reveal similarities with past earthquakes, indicating an accumulation of strain for a potential future earthquake. A tsunami could cause widespread damage from Northern California to Vancouver, B.C., with waves arriving within minutes after shaking ends.
Scientists studied intercontinental smog ozone processes associated with the brown cloud over South Asia using a new NASA technique combining satellite and balloon data. The study found that both brown cloud pollution and natural processes contribute to unhealthy levels of ozone in the troposphere.
Researchers developed a survey method using helicopters to estimate orangutan numbers, revealing crucial information on distribution and size. The study suggests orangutans may adapt better to degraded forests than previously thought, provided illegal hunting and agricultural conversion are controlled.
Researchers find evidence of early human stone tools and bone marrow extraction at Majuangou site, suggesting strong connections to African hominins and rapid spread across Asia. The discovery pushes the known timeline of human presence in Northeast Asia by approximately 340,000 years.
Over 30 years of follow-up, Vietnam veterans experienced a 7% higher death rate from external causes, including motor vehicle collisions, suicides, and homicides. This excess mortality was limited to the first five years after discharge, but also included higher mortality rates from unintentional poisonings and drug-related deaths.
The Delacour's langur is one of the most Critically Endangered primates in the world, with only 300 individuals remaining. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the species, but time is running out, and it may soon become extinct.
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that Asian bird flu viruses, such as H5N1, became highly pathogenic through continued circulation and gene swapping in domestic ducks in southern China. The researchers warn that control of poultry outbreaks is crucial to prevent the virus from evolving into a human pandemic.
The Dartmouth Flood Observatory expects a busy 2004 due to increasing flood events worldwide. The observatory's global inventory of flooding events may help assess global climate change.