Articles tagged with Asia
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.
Scientists use NASA satellites and balloon-borne sensors to track the movement of a pollution train traveling from the Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic. The study reveals that Asian pollution can flow southward, get caught up in clouds, and reach as far as Brazil.
A recent study found that men who served in the military were 60% more likely to develop ALS than men who did not serve. The study also revealed that military service prior to the Gulf War was associated with an increased risk of ALS, suggesting a potential link between military service and the development of this debilitating disease.
Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane, a banned chemical, was detected in the atmosphere of Sable Island off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The study reveals that the chemical traveled from China and India to the Arctic Ocean before reaching Atlantic Canada.
The effects of Asian pollution on US air quality can be dramatic, raising health issues for those with respiratory problems. Small particulates as small as 10 microns can pass through the nose and into the respiratory system, causing noticeable health effects.
A recent avian influenza outbreak in Vietnam underscores the importance of veterinary science and animal husbandry in preventing human pandemics. The article emphasizes that animal experts must receive adequate funding and resources to combat emerging diseases.
A meta-analysis of 16 randomised trials shows that artesunate is highly effective in treating malaria when added to other antimalarial drugs. The new combination dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is also found to be highly efficacious in Vietnam, where multidrug-resistant parasites are common.
A new primate fossil find in Asia has sparked debate about the origins of humans, with some scientists arguing that early primates were nocturnal. The fossil, Teilhardina asiatica, is smaller than modern primates and had sharp tooth cusps indicating an insect-eating diet.
The study reveals a significant lack of data on neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in a highly variable rate. Researchers highlight the need for investments in neonatal research and health programs to address this critical public health issue.
A new study by Purdue University has identified countries with high risks of media bribery, with Finland ranked highest. The index evaluates 8 factors to determine the likelihood of journalists accepting cash from government officials or businesses in exchange for news coverage.
Researchers detected SUDS in French Polynesians, a condition linked to family history and fainting. Treatment with implantable defibrillators can prevent sudden death, but further study is needed.
Scientists discover five new species of salamanders from Asian sites, including Chunerpeton tianyiensis, which closely resembles the North American hellbender. The newly found species offer unique features such as unicapitate ribs, with implications for understanding the evolution of salamander families.
Researchers found that tiny differences in DNA can identify geographic ancestry, contradicting the idea that self-reported ancestry is a reliable diagnostic tool. Genetic analysis of 1,056 individuals from 52 populations worldwide revealed more genetic similarities than previously thought.
A new study reveals that mercury in California rainwater originates from industrial emissions in Asia, particularly coal combustion and ozone production. High concentrations of mercury were found in coastal and inland sites, with urban smog influencing the oxidation rate.
Domesticated dogs originated in East Asia before spreading across Asia, Europe, and into the New World around 12,000-14,000 years ago. Genetic analysis reveals that Eurasian wolves were the likely ancestors of modern dogs, with breeding over the last 500 years responsible for size and shape differences.
According to a recent report from Conservation International, 25 primates are now threatened with extinction, with Asia accounting for almost 45% of the world's most endangered primates. Habitat loss and hunting are major factors in the decline of these species, and urgent conservation action is required to prevent extinctions.
A Cincinnati ossuary has been discovered to feature a unique image of a massive Jerusalem tomb from the first century, associated with early Rabbi Hillel and Jesus of Nazareth. The ossuary's distinctive three pyramids have garnered attention from scholars, providing new insights into ancient Jerusalem's architecture.
A two-year survey of nurses' unions and associations in 76 countries found that understaffing is the most frequently cited work-related problem. Nurses worldwide rank improved patient care and salaries as their top priorities, with stress, workplace bullying, and violence being significant concerns.
A new fossil discovery in Ethiopia indicates that Homo erectus was a single, widespread species, rather than two separate ones. The 1 million-year-old fossil found in the Middle Awash region of Ethiopia is similar to other Homo erectus fossils from Asia and Africa.
A new study published in Science supports the idea that Asia was the center of origin for key groups of modern mammals, including primates and hooved mammals. The research allows paleontologists to compare fossil sequences from Asia, Europe, and North America during a dramatic period in Earth's history.
A new study found that Vietnam veterans with greater intellectual resources were significantly less likely to develop PTSD, and had less-severe symptoms if they did. The study suggests that verbal skills may help soldiers process their experience and establish social support networks.
A Yale researcher found that men who witnessed combat are at risk for various current adverse outcomes, including post-traumatic stress disorder and job loss. The study suggests that providing quality mental health care and social services to veterans could mitigate these effects.
Scientists took detailed measurements of a pollution plume containing Gobi desert dust and hydrocarbons on both sides of the Pacific, revealing elevated levels of pollutants. The study shows that Asian air pollution can affect air quality in North America, with significant implications for climate change.
Scientists have sequenced the 'CT18' strain of Salmonella typhi, resistant to cheap antibiotics, and developed new treatment methods. The research provides crucial information on disease spread and mechanisms, potentially leading to a vaccine that can be affordable for everyone.
Researchers developed a conflict early warning system to predict instability in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. The tool uses numerical scores based on civil contention, state repression, and violence to indicate a country's stability.
A new study reveals the Tibetan Plateau is approximately 13.5 million years old and has reached its maximum average height of 5 kilometers. The plateau's formation is attributed to the collision between two tectonic plates, resulting in a flat-topped spreading plateau.
Researchers found average arsenic levels in Vietnamese wells exceeding three times the national health standard, with peaks up to 3,000 micrograms per liter. The study highlights a significant risk to over 11 million people living in rural areas, where untreated groundwater is consumed directly as drinking water.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is hosting a public meeting to discuss possible studies related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. The meeting aims to gather expert advice on the feasibility of conducting research in Vietnam and will coincide with an annual conference of dioxin researchers.
A new study contradicts the long-held assumption that the Helicobacter pylori bacterium has been with humans forever. Researchers analyzed DNA from over 500 strains from five continents and found that strains from Peru resemble those from Spain, not those from eastern Asia.
A 40 million-year-old fossil from Myanmar, Bahinia pondaungensis, sheds light on the origins of anthropoids, a group that includes monkeys and apes. The discovery suggests that these primates may have originated in Asia, rather than Africa, with similarities to tarsiers found in dental anatomy.
A new species of rabbit with distinctive brown stripes has been identified in the Annamite Mountains of Laos. Genetic analysis reveals a close connection to a critically endangered Sumatran species, suggesting divergence around 8 million years ago.
Nearly 50% of South Asian children are born with low birth weight, contributing to widespread malnutrition and increased risk of infections. The condition is linked to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in adulthood, highlighting the need for interventions to prevent low birth weight.
Researchers have confirmed that Asian air pollution can travel to the US West Coast under specific meteorological conditions, with pollutants including carbon monoxide and particulates. The study found that air reaches the West Coast in about seven days, but can take as few as four or 10 days, depending on weather patterns.
A study of over 4,700 twin brothers found that combat had a minor role in health issues such as hypertension, respiratory difficulties, and gastrointestinal disorders. Inherited factors accounted for 90% of reported health problems, with combat experience explaining less than 1%. The research suggests that environmental experiences oth...
A team of Stanford scholars presents a comprehensive study on the forces that shaped Asia during the Mesozoic era, revealing the dynamic processes that formed mountain ranges and volcanic island arcs. The research provides new insights into the region's geology and its potential for oil and gas reserves.
The US has signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which will be verified through a global seismic monitoring system. The treaty bans nuclear testing in all environments except underground, and the global network is being installed by IRIS and the National Science Foundation to detect seismic events of magnitude 4.25 or larger.