Articles tagged with Asia
Research from Wellesley College professor Heather Mattila shows that honey bees use animal dung to prevent giant hornet attacks on colonies. The bees apply spots of dung around nest entrances, repelling the hornets and limiting their ability to mount deadly group attacks.
Researchers found that honeybees in Vietnam collect and apply spots of animal dung around hive entrances to deter deadly nest raids by Asian hornets. This finding is also the first to document the use of tools by honeybees.
Researchers analyzed published research to find 565 mammalian species used in traditional medicine globally, highlighting the threat of overexploitation. Closely related species are often used to treat similar diseases.
A $2.5 million project aims to develop a virtual assistant tool for dementia carers in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The tool will provide video instructions and translate into different languages, improving mental health and wellbeing for over two million carers.
A new study suggests that the climate in inner East Asia has reached a tipping point, where recent hot and dry summers may be irreversible. The study used tree rings to reconstruct changes in soil moisture and frequency of heat waves, revealing that the region has not seen these conditions in over 260 years.
Recent consecutive years of record high temperatures and droughts are unprecedented in over 250 years, according to researchers. The combination of heatwaves and soil moisture loss accelerates more heatwaves, threatening the region's ecosystem.
A new study using tree-ring data found that inner East Asia experienced a unique and unprecedented rise in heatwave-drought events over the last two decades. The findings suggest a positive feedback loop between declining soil moisture and increasing surface warming, potentially leading to more frequent and severe events.
The European Society of Cardiology, Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology, and Asean Federation of Cardiology will present cutting-edge sessions on various aspects of cardiovascular disease. Key findings include discussions on COVID-19, acute coronary syndromes, sports cardiology, and atrial fibrillation.
The papaya mealybug, native to Mexico, can have severe impacts on livelihoods and food security, with a 65% yield loss in Ghana. Researchers mapped potential global spread using location data from India, Africa, and the Americas, highlighting areas such as southern DRC, northern Cameroon, and western Ethiopia.
A landmark study published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology describes a fossil family that illuminates the origin of perissodactyls, including horses, rhinos, and tapirs. The research provides insights into the evolutionary history of these mammals, suggesting they evolved in isolation in or near present-day India.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of long-term Denisovan occupation of high-altitude caves in Tibet and Mongolia, dating back up to 45,000 years. The findings suggest that Denisovan admixture contributed to the high-altitude adaptations of modern humans colonizing the Tibetan Plateau.
Researchers from Arizona State University have recovered ancient Denisovan mitochondrial DNA from Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau, dating back to around 100,000 years ago. The discovery suggests that Denisovans may have interbred with modern humans in northeast central Asia, influencing genetic adaptations to high altitude.
New study uses phylogenetic information to estimate timing of Himalayan uplift and origin of biodiversity. The Stepwise Hypothesis is supported by in situ diversification and dispersal rates, while the Late Orogeny Hypothesis is rejected due to inconsistencies with origination and peak diversification times.
The ESMO Asia Virtual Congress 2020 examined the efficacy of new therapies for prevalent cancer types in the Asia-Pacific region. The scientific program featured key research areas, including neo-adjuvant immuno-oncology and molecular stratification.
An international team led by the University of Exeter and National University of Singapore is investigating plastic pollution in Southeast Asia's marine ecosystems. The three-year project will assess life cycles and impacts on wildlife, identifying solutions to prevent plastic pollution.
The study analyzed historical data to estimate mortality rates and transmission dynamics of plague epidemics. Climatic changes and human population density increased the growth rate of plague outbreaks, suggesting indirect flea-driven transmission.
NASA's Aqua satellite revealed strong winds and wind shear affecting Tropical Storm Nangka as it pushed inland, leading to weakening of the storm's circulation. The storm was forecast to move further inland and dissipate over mountainous terrain in northwest Vietnam and northern Laos.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that about 1/3 of young women in 43 LMIC have lost at least one sibling before the age of 25. Sibling loss was relatively more common in countries affected by conflict and war, while bereaved respondents in many studied countries still had a comparable number of remaining living siblings.
Tropical Storm Nangka generated up to 30 mm of rain per hour around its center, while fragmented bands experienced rates between 5-15 mm/hour. The storm is forecast to strengthen in the Gulf of Tonkin before weakening as it moves towards Vietnam.
A new study by University of York found that TV advertising, free tobacco products, and exposure to smoking in public places are the biggest drivers of tobacco use among teens in South Asia. Teaching adolescents about the harmful effects of tobacco at school was effective in reducing smokeless tobacco use but not smoking.
A new study predicts that investing $9.6 billion in personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in low- and middle-income countries could save the lives of approximately 2.2 million healthcare workers and yield a substantial economic return of $755.3 billion, representing an 8,000% return on investment.
Fossils found in southeastern Yunan Province, China, reveal monkeys existed in Asia alongside apes, and are believed to be ancestors of modern East Asian monkeys. These ancient primates were well adapted for movement both on land and in trees, with a versatile diet that allowed them to thrive in diverse environments.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin found that male and female Sulawesi Babblers have evolved to attain different sizes on small islands, reducing competition by feeding on scarce resources. This discovery provides new insights into the importance of sexual dimorphism in island ecosystems.
A new study is analyzing how SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly in Asia before slowing down, with insights potentially informing secondary outbreak predictions and intervention strategies. By studying travel restrictions and quarantines, researchers are identifying factors that facilitated transmission and slowed it down.
Research reveals continuous loess deposition over the past 3.6 million years, indicating a dry climate and desert conditions in midlatitude Asia. Global cooling is linked to this aridity, intensifying westerly winds and enhancing dust production.
Researchers have discovered evidence of the ancient disease yaws in skeletal remains from Vietnam, dating back 4000 years. The study suggests that yaws was introduced to hunter-gatherers by agricultural populations moving south from modern-day China.
Tropical Storm Noul made landfall in central Vietnam on Sept. 17 and was weakening as it moved toward Thailand. The Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of the storm over Laos, showing a shapeless appearance with a difficult-to-find low-level center.
Tropical cyclone Noul is characterized by hundreds of thunderstorms, with infrared data revealing the strongest storms are located at high altitudes. NASA's MODIS instrument detected cold cloud top temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit near Noul's center.
Viking identity was not limited to Scandinavian ancestry, with Scottish and non-Scandinavian ancestry found in some individuals. Gene flow from the British Isles, Southern Europe, and Asia also occurred during the Viking Age.
Researchers tracked precursors near the tropopause to predict persistent heavy rainfall in South China, finding anomalies in Arctic and tropical regions. The study revealed a special configuration of synoptic systems that leads to persistent heavy rainfall, providing new insights for regional prediction.
Tropical Storm Noul is intensifying in the South China Sea, forecast to strengthen into a typhoon before landfall in central Vietnam. NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured visible images of the storm on September 16, showing building convection and clouds obscuring its low-level circulation center.
The study found that paddy rice farming and grasses increased significantly between 2,700 and 2,000 years ago, indicating anthropogenic deforestation and expansion of rice agriculture in southern China and Southeast Asia. Over the past 3,000 years, coastal landscapes expanded coinciding with suitable land for growing rice.
A recent study reveals significant genetic diversity among Four-eyed turtles, highlighting the importance of genetic screenings to prevent extinction. The research emphasizes the need for stricter laws and regulation in releasing confiscated animals back into the wild.
Maggioni's project examines precipitation and its impact on hydroclimatic hazards in the region. Researchers aim to provide new knowledge on changing precipitation patterns and their effects on hydrologic processes.
Research in East Asia reveals that short-term cloud feedback is mainly driven by decreases in mid- and low-cloud fraction, resulting from changes in atmospheric thermodynamics. The study provides a reference for narrowing inter-model uncertainties in long-term cloud feedbacks.
A 13-million-year-old fossil unearthed in northern India belongs to a previously unknown genus and species, providing new evidence about the migration of great apes and lesser apes from Africa to Asia. The discovery pushes back the oldest known fossil record of gibbons by at least five million years.
Research by University of Queensland-led team finds biological control techniques saving farmers $20.1 billion to $26.8 billion annually in Asia-Pacific region. Biological control helps regulate invasive pest threats, particularly in key crops like banana, breadfruit and coconut.
The NIAID has established a global network of centers for research in emerging infectious diseases, which will investigate spillover potential and prepare for future outbreaks. The network aims to detect new causes of febrile illnesses, develop reagents and diagnostic assays, and study human immune responses.
A new AI app aims to improve the diets and nutrition of adolescent girls in urban settings in Ghana and Vietnam. The app will use machine learning to analyze users' food consumption, provide personalized dietary advice, and encourage healthy eating habits.
A new global review found that big mammals like elephants, rhinos, and primates are threatened with extinction in national parks of the world's poorest countries. Illegal hunting is a major driver of population declines, particularly in Asia where stricter protected areas have higher rates of illegal hunting.
Scientists have discovered a connection between the end of the Green Sahara and a previously unknown megadrought in Southeast Asia, which lasted over 1,000 years and affected human settlement patterns. The drought, linked to changes in the Saharan vegetation, led to reduced monsoon moisture across the region.
Scientists link the end of the Green Sahara to a previously unknown megadrought in Southeast Asia, which lasted over 1,000 years and shifted human settlement patterns. The study provides new insights into the impact of climate change on societal adaptations and upheavals.
A recent study led by NUS researchers found that financial, land-use, and operational constraints can limit the climate mitigation potential of reforestation in Southeast Asia. The study estimated that 121 million hectares of land are suitable for reforestation, but only a fraction may be achievable due to these constraints.
A new study by University of Iowa researchers identifies a connection between the East Asian Subtropical Jet Stream and the frequency of tropical storms in the Atlantic Ocean. The study found that stronger EASJ is associated with fewer Atlantic tropical cyclones, suggesting a link between climate systems in Asia and hurricane formation.
A new study reveals that almost two-thirds of first confirmed COVID-19 cases outside China had travel links to Italy, China, or Iran. The research suggests that travel from these countries may have seeded additional outbreaks globally before the pandemic was characterized.
The study reports a two-stage collision between India and Asia, with the Tethyan Himalaya terrane drifting northward and colliding with Asia at ~61 Ma. The findings match history of India-Asia convergence rates and provide constraints for climate models linking Himalayan orogenesis with global climate change.
Research finds consistent summer precipitation patterns between the Mongolian Plateau and North China, driven by the Eurasian mid-latitude teleconnection wave train. This phenomenon enhances moisture transport and strengthens regional climate features.
Despite overall improvements in combat casualty outcomes since World War II, research reveals significant spikes in mortality during specific conflicts, including Vietnam and Iraq. Understanding these patterns is crucial for identifying areas for improvement and enhancing military readiness.
A recent study by Flinders University highlights the escalating gendered burdens faced by women during the pandemic, particularly in frontline healthcare roles and unpaid care work. Women experienced discrimination, eviction threats, and restricted access to essential services under COVID-19 restrictions.
A study of dust from southeastern Iran reveals frequent plumes from the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa correlate with rapid southward shifts of westerly winds. This suggests North American ice sheets exerted a stronger influence on West Asian climate during North Atlantic cooling events.
This study reveals that El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-modulated vegetation fires in Southeast Asia dominate the springtime trans-Pacific transport of ozone across the entire North Pacific Ocean. The enhanced ozone plumes stretch over 15,000 km from the South China Sea to Southwestern North America and the Gulf of Mexico.
Researchers have identified key agronomic traits for high yield in short-duration rice, which can enhance source capacity during grain filling. The new breeding lines yielded 11-38% higher than the most popular short-duration variety, indicating enormous potential for developing improved varieties.
A new study in Nature Sustainability shows that international trade improved the sustainable development goals of 70% of developed countries but reduced them by over 60% for developing countries. The research found that trading with distant countries had more environmental benefits, as close neighbors often share similar constraints.
Cholesterol levels have dropped sharply in high-income nations like those in North-western Europe, North America, and Australasia, but risen in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. High cholesterol is responsible for approximately 3.9 million worldwide deaths annually.
The bitter gourd's genome shows unusual domestication patterns, revealing its divergence from wild strains 6000 years ago. The study provides insights into the evolution of this summer vegetable, which has been prized for its health benefits and medicinal properties.
A recent study found that an anomalous anticyclone over Northeast Asia contributed nearly half to the magnitude of extreme heat events in 2018. The researchers also discovered that such anomalies have become more common and severe in recent decades.
Researchers have found evidence of the earliest use of bow-and-arrow technologies in the tropical rainforests of Sri Lanka, dating back to ~48,000 years ago. This discovery challenges traditional assumptions about human innovation and cultural development in extreme environments.
A miniature bird statuette carved from burnt bone is the oldest known Chinese work of art, dating back 13,800 years. The discovery pushes back the origins of animal sculpture in East Asia by over 8,500 years.
A new mathematical model estimates regional disease burden and vaccination impact, identifying priority areas for future vaccinations. The analysis suggests that more than 300,000 JE cases were prevented globally due to vaccination between 2000 and 2015.
New research from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics suggests a future intensification of the WNPSH under RCP 8.5, leading to stronger East Asian summer monsoon and increased rainfall but reduced typhoon landfalls over East Asia. However, this may also imply increased risk of heatwaves in southern and eastern China.