Articles tagged with Asia
A study reveals that birds in multispecies flocks from Southeast Asia converge on similar appearances, blurring species distinctions. This phenomenon may contribute to diversity by allowing birds to adapt and evolve distinct traits within a species.
Conclusive evidence of chicken breeding in the Yayoi period of Japan has been discovered at the Karako-Kagi site. The study found that chickens were bred in the area during the middle Yayoi period, around 381-204 BCE, providing clear evidence that breeding occurred on the Japanese archipelago.
Research highlights gaps in knowledge about the relationship between gender and energy, limiting policymakers' actions and exacerbating inequality. Women's access to finance, education, and household bargaining power can increase adoption of efficient cooking technologies and cleaner fuels.
Researchers found that infected mosquito saliva contains molecules called sfRNAs that can blunt the body's immune response. These molecules are injected during the mosquito bite, making it more likely for people to become infected with dengue virus.
Malith Senevirathne, a PhD student from the University of Huddersfield's Global Disaster Resilience Centre, attended a special reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate Commonwealth Day 2023. The event highlighted the theme 'Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future' and promoted democracy, human rights, and equality for Commo...
A recent study by the University of Exeter has confirmed the widespread trading of critically endangered European eels in international markets. The research found that about 40% of North American unagi samples contained European eel, suggesting a significant role for illegal trade in their supply chain.
The Tibetan Plateau's land surface darkening due to global warming affects regional and remote climates in Asia. The study predicts a 6.9% loss in glacier volume and increased monsoon precipitation over South Asia by the end of the century.
A new global study found that mother's educational status is increasingly important in shaping children's educational status, while father's educational status has declined. The research challenges traditional assumptions on social mobility and highlights the need for a gender-sensitive approach to measuring intergenerational mobility.
A new study found that a lower frequency of vegetable and fruit intake was associated with a higher risk of death in patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD), regardless of their CKD stage. Higher fruit and vegetable intake is generally linked to lower mortality risk in the general population.
Researchers have developed a shellac-based coating to improve the gas barrier properties of moulded pulp materials, making them suitable for food packaging. The coating, combined with nanofibrillated cellulose, provides superior water resistance and thermal stability, while preserving environmental sustainability.
A global assessment identifies areas most vulnerable to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, highlighting the need for targeted risk management actions. The study reveals 9.3 million people in High Mountain Asia are at highest risk, with India and Pakistan accounting for nearly half of the global total.
A recent NTU Singapore study reconstructed the history of The Sundaland using paleogeography and population genetics to show that rapid sea-level rise drove early settlers to migrate, increasing genetic diversity. This finding provides insight into how climate change can profoundly impact human populations.
A new study predicts devastating socioeconomic impacts of future extreme coastal flooding on developing nations caused by climate change. Without adaptation measures, the number of people affected could increase from 34 million in 2015 to 246 million by 2100, with expected annual damage costing over five percent of national GDP.
A new study by the University of East Anglia finds a significant association between low literacy and poor mental health outcomes across multiple countries. People with lower literacy skills are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, highlighting the importance of addressing literacy as part of mental health services.
Researchers analyzed ancient teeth from Homo erectus and great apes to reveal annual cycles in tooth enamel, providing insights into their diets and seasonal food supplies. The study shows that humans and great apes had distinct dietary patterns, with humans exhibiting less pronounced peaks and lower Sr/Ca values.
Researchers analyzed ancient genomes from ten individuals up to 7,500 years old in Siberia, revealing a previously unknown hunter-gatherer population that contributed to many contemporaneous and subsequent populations across North Asia. The genetic data show a mix of paleo-Siberian and Ancient North Eurasian people, with links to hunte...
Scientists from BGI Genomics successfully generated a gapless genome assembly for the East Asian finless porpoise, which is approximately 2.5 Gb in size and has 22,814 protein-coding genes. The study provides new resources for comparative genomics of cetaceans and conservation biology of threatened species.
A recent study found that agricultural droughts in Central Asia will continue to worsen due to human-induced warming and natural climate variability. The researchers used ensemble simulations and observations to project future changes in agricultural droughts across the region, indicating a worsening trend in the coming century.
Research from Karolinska Institutet found high levels of antibiotic residues in waterways, including wastewater and drinking water, in regions such as China and India. The study suggests these residues contribute to antibiotic resistance, a global threat to human health.
A study by the University of Eastern Finland and Vietnam National University found that people in urban areas have better access to healthcare than suburban residents. The researchers recommend digital healthcare solutions to improve healthcare quality and accessibility in a cost-effective manner.
A study by Hokkaido University reveals that the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has caused more frequent heavy rainfall in the Mekong Delta, resulting in increased flooding risk. The findings suggest that better weather predictions and preparation can help mitigate the negative effects of floods and droughts in the region.
A new study pinpoints the first-ever domestication of cats to nearly 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region. Genetic analysis reveals that humans' transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers sparked the bond between humans and rodents-eating cats, leading to their migration with humans worldwide.
Researchers found that small pelagic fish, such as herring and sardines, are a cheap source of nutritious seafood. These fish can provide essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids to vulnerable populations in low-income countries.
Research finds most Asian countries have failed to protect at least 17% of land by 2020, and the outlook for achieving 30% protection by 2030 is bleak. To meet targets, Asian countries need to increase their rate of establishing protected areas by up to six times faster.
A new study compiled data on over 3,000 species to show how climate and geologic changes across Asia influenced the evolution of mammals. The research found clear links between changes in Earth's climate and the distribution of mammals in different regions.
Research emphasizes the importance of ethnically diverse prostate cancer genomics data and accessible genetic testing. Variations in genomic landscape of prostate cancer were observed in Chinese men compared to Western cohorts, with lower mutation rates in driver genes such as TP53 and PTEN.
Researchers analyzed 3,114 mammal species across Asia and adjacent continents to understand the origin and timing of its rich biodiversity. The study found that tropical forests are a major center of diversity, while Himalayan and Hengduan Mountains are accumulation centers with lineages migrating from other regions.
A recent meta-analysis published in Human Reproduction Update reveals a significant worldwide decline in sperm counts of over 50% in the past 46 years. The study also shows an accelerated post-2000 decline in sperm counts globally.
In northern China, about 4,000 years ago, farmers adopted a practice of purposeful water management to grow new grains. The results showed that the majority of wheat samples had isotopic values above an optimal watering threshold, indicating their growth was not limited by water availability.
Researchers have developed perennial rice that allows farmers to plant once and harvest up to eight times, reducing labor and costs. The crop provides significant environmental benefits, including improved soil quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A human genetic study suggests that Madagascar's loss of large vertebrates is linked to the first major human expansion on the island around 1,000 years ago. The study found that a small group of Bantu-speaking African people arrived on the island and led to the rapid growth of the human population.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design show that restoring natural water availability to the Mekong's floodplains is possible through coordination among hydropower producers. By altering dam release decisions and production plans, key components of hydrological variability can be restored, leading to improved ec...
Research suggests that climate change can increase trust among Vietnamese rural households, particularly during periods of poor rice yields. As temperatures rise, communities come together to help each other, leading to increased social cohesion and trust.
Researchers found that protected Indigenous lands have higher forest integrity than non-protected areas in all regions analyzed, including the Americas and Africa. However, within Indigenous lands without overlap with protected areas, forest health was actually worse off than non-protected areas.
Researchers uncovered favorable environments for hominins in Central Asia's steppe and semi-arid zones during the Pleistocene era. The study suggests that these regions were crucial for early human dispersals out of Africa and through Asia.
The adoption of latitude and longitude coordinates in early modern China was uneven due to prevailing social attitudes. Despite the Manchu emperors' appreciation for updated maps, their use remained limited outside the imperial court, with nonscale maps persisting.
Research suggests e-bikes won't help users reach weekly moderate to vigorous physical activity targets due to fewer and less physically demanding trips. However, they may encourage older people to take up cycling who wouldn't otherwise do so.
A joint study by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed the world's earliest known evidence of opium use in the Late Bronze Age. Eight ceramic vessels containing opium residue were found in Canaanite graves at Tel Yehud.
The book analyzes four Asian jurisdictions and offers policy recommendations for the design of corporate restructuring laws. It highlights the importance of adapting US/UK frameworks to local conditions, taking into account differences in institutional and market structures, controlling shareholders, and creditor composition.
A team of international scientists found that many densely populated coastal cities worldwide are at risk from sea level rise due to land subsidence. The study used satellite images to estimate the rate of land sinking in 48 cities, with median speeds ranging from 16.2mm/year to 43mm/year.
A new study reconstructs the skeletal structure of Coelurosauravus elivensis, a Late Permian reptile that likely used tree canopy changes to facilitate its evolution. The research reveals the gliding apparatus was supported by either the gastralia or musculature of the trunk.
A meta-analysis of 64 longitudinal studies found that mental health problems remained elevated globally during the pandemic, with North Americans suffering from increased anxiety and depression. In contrast, Latin America and Europe experienced higher rates of insomnia.
Researchers from ANU uncovered three ancient burials on Alor Island, showcasing different mortuary practices that may relate to multiple migratory routes. The findings provide new data for understanding the evolution and diversification of burial practices in Southeast Asia.
Physicists at Ural Federal University developed a mathematical model to predict El Niño's behavior, accounting for wind, humidity, temperature, and ocean currents. They found that stronger winds can cause unpredictable weather phenomena.
A meta-analysis of nearly 300 studies reveals a higher hypertension prevalence in urban areas but with a narrowing gap over time and socio-economic development, indicating rapid increase in rural areas. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and control measures in rural areas to address the growing burden of hypertension.
A study published by the Wildlife Conservation Society reveals that both tigers and clouded leopards in Laos prefer to feed on serow, which may indicate adaptations for larger prey consumption. The findings highlight the need for increased protection and management of serow populations, including possible reintroductions.
A study of over 1.2 million people in 76 low- and middle-income countries found that hypertension prevalence is high among the least educated and poorest individuals, despite common assumptions. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to lower blood pressure in these regions.
Scientists have found that Anastatus japonicus can be efficiently produced for biological control of the brown marmorated stink bug on kiwifruit crops. The study suggests that large-scale rearing and field release testing are needed to evaluate efficacy and non-target effects.
A new panda species, Agriarctos nikolovi, has been discovered in Bulgaria, which may have been Europe's last known giant panda. The fossilized teeth, found in the late 1970s, suggest that this ancient panda consumed a largely vegetarian diet, unlike modern pandas.
A new study by Pusan National University researchers finds that dry heatwaves mainly occur in northwestern East Asia, while moist heatwaves prevail over southern East Asia. The study predicts more frequent dry heatwaves and longer-lasting moist heatwaves under climate change scenarios.
A new study found that girls who spend more time on household chores in childhood are more likely to have limited future employment opportunities. The research suggests that unequal shares of household care work contribute to the gender pay gap, constraining girls' access to better-paid and higher-quality jobs.
A recent study found that the desert climate has extended 60 miles northward in Central Asia since the 1980s due to rising temperatures and dwindling precipitation. The region's high-altitude areas have seen an increase in precipitation, but this is largely in the form of rain rather than snow.
Researchers sequenced ancient human fossils from southern China, revealing a link to the East Asian ancestry of Native Americans. The findings propose that some southern East Asia people migrated north and crossed the Bering Strait to become the first people to arrive in the New World.
The Brigham and Women's Hospital will implement and evaluate an integrated service delivery model (PEN-Plus) for severe chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatic heart disease, in eight low- and lower-middle-income countries. The initiative aims to enable one million of the world's poorest children and you...
Researchers investigate the emergence of aerobic life through halogen ratios in crustal fluids, revealing insights into ancient environments. A newly discovered submarine volcano near Tokyo Bay, Japan, is found to have past eruptive activity that poses future hazards.
The construction of dams and changes in land use have significantly impacted the amount of sediment rivers carry to oceans. Sediment transport has decreased by 49% globally due to dam construction, while increasing on 36% of rivers in the south, primarily driven by deforestation.
Researchers have discovered how sea cucumbers produce defensive chemicals using genome mining techniques. The animals' unique ability to biosynthesize toxins has been found to be linked to the diversion of a sterol-producing enzyme, resulting in the production of valuable medicinal compounds.
A new study reveals that population declines have been greatest among species that migrate to areas with more human infrastructure, habitat degradation, and climate change. The research identified 16 human-induced threats to migratory birds, including infrastructure associated with bird disturbance and collisions.
Researchers sequenced the whole genomes of three species of carpenter bees, gaining insights into their gut microbiome, diet, and viral load. They found beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, which protect against fungal pathogens and boost the immune system.
A new study finds that coastal wetlands in rural US areas will persist or expand due to rising sea levels, not be slowed by human barriers. The Chesapeake Bay region is expected to experience significant land loss, with over 600 square miles predicted to become inundated by 2100.