Articles tagged with Asia
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The study found that total and non-HDL cholesterol levels are falling sharply in high-income countries, particularly those in North-western Europe, North America, and Australasia, while rising in low- and middle-income nations, especially in East and Southeast Asia. This shift has significant implications for global cardiovascular health.
A recent study found that Australian bad cholesterol levels have decreased significantly over the past few decades. In contrast, countries in Asia and the Pacific region have seen a sharp increase in non-HDL 'bad' cholesterol levels, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
A new study found that the rainy season in Northern Central Asia will shift from May-July to March-May by the end of the 21st century. This change is attributed to increased precipitation, with a projected 14.41% rise under the highest emission scenario.
Archaeogenomic analysis reveals two influential genetic events and evidence of long-distance individual movement in Anatolia, Northern Levant, and the Southern Caucasus. Genetic mixing and individual mobility were key factors in the development of regional genetic melting pots and early state-level societies.
A study on DNA data from 110 skeletal remains in West Asia dated 3,000 to 7,500 years ago found evidence of long-term genetic mixing and subtle population movements. The researchers suggest that this gradual change in genetic profile spread across the region over a thousand years, influencing the rise of urbanism.
Researchers from Germany and Vietnam discover two new species and one subspecies of crocodile newts in northern Vietnam, bringing the total of crocodile newt taxa known from the country to seven. The discovery highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts due to habitat loss and overcollection.
A recent study has uncovered evidence of ancient cultivated rice in Central Asia, dating back to the Kushan period. The discovery sheds new light on the spread of rice agriculture and its role in early global trade.
A new study presents a detailed global prediction map of groundwater arsenic concentrations, revealing previously unidentified areas of potential contamination. The map highlights high-risk regions in Asia and South America, where millions are at risk of drinking water containing harmful levels of arsenic.
A recent study led by a Texas A&M University professor reveals that South Asia will be threatened by frequent extreme heat and high air pollution days. By 2050, occurrences of both extremes are projected to increase in frequency by 75% and 175%, respectively, posing significant risks to human health.
A global cooling event 4,200 years ago may have led to the evolution of new rice varieties and the spread of rice into northern and southern Asia. The study used genomics, archeology, and climate data to reconstruct the history of rice.
A new study uncovers genetic relationships of ancient humans in northern and southern China, showing a closer connection between present-day East Asians and Neolithic populations. The research highlights the impact of population movement on human history, revealing continuity back 9,500 years.
A new study analyzed ancient genomes from across China to fill gaps in East Asia's genetic history. Analysis revealed a complex history of human movements and one major episode of admixture during the Neolithic period.
A recent study found that reptile poaching in Balochistan has decreased since 2013, but the trade continues to pose a significant threat to biodiversity. The research team interviewed 73 illegal collectors and recorded 5,369 specimens of 19 species, all of which are protected under the Balochistan Provincial Wildlife Act.
A new study led by the University of Stirling will use satellite technology to monitor invasive aquatic weeds in neglected water bodies in India. The project aims to detect regrowth early and prevent damage to fisheries, drinking water sources, and agricultural irrigation.
Researchers analyzed late-spring frost data from 1959 to 2017 and found that 35% of European and 26% of Asian forests are threatened by increasing frost damage. The study highlights the evolutionary impact of spring frost on boreal and temperate woody species.
The Belt and Road Initiative's six terrestrial infrastructure corridors crisscross ecologically fragile geographies, threatening 150,000 square kilometers of critical habitat. Financiers' lack of binding biodiversity impact mitigation requirements poses significant risks to the world's species.
A new study from UC Davis shows that Neandertals selected bones from specific animals to create a lissoir, a tool used to work hides into leather. The analysis of collagen protein residues using ZooMS revealed a preference for bovine ribs over deer bones, suggesting deliberate tool choice.
A new study found that existing and planned roads in tiger habitats will exacerbate threats to the species, including prey depletion, habitat degradation, and poaching. By 2050, nearly 15,000 miles of new roads are expected to be built, deepening the big cat's extinction risk.
A new study analyzing Vietnam's population reveals a rich genetic diversity with heterogeneous ancestry profiles in each language family. The research finds evidence of extensive contact between Vietnamese groups and other populations, challenging previous studies' suggestions of an indigenous origin.
A new study finds that cultural orientation significantly affects how individuals perceive the relationship between power and status. In cultures with a vertical collectivist orientation, powerful leaders are often seen as having high status, while in horizontal collectivistic cultures, high-status individuals are viewed as powerful. T...
Cassava has increased yields dramatically in Asia over the last 50 years, with yields in Vietnam rising from 3 tons per hectare to 20 tons through improved varieties and fertilizer management. Researchers have also developed new varieties for industrial use, such as high-starch cassava ideal for higher latitudes.
Researchers identified a novel sublineage of EV-A71-C4 isolates with two recombinants, showing greater virulence than the B5 subgenotype. The study suggests that C4 strains may be more deadly than B5 strains in northern Vietnam.
Researchers used genetic network techniques to analyze the first 160 complete COVID-19 virus genomes sequenced from human patients. The study revealed three distinct variants, A, B, and C, with variant A being the 'root of the outbreak' and closely related to bat viruses.
The PREDICT Project has received a 6-month extension from the US Agency for International Development to provide emergency support for COVID-19 outbreak response, including early detection of SARS CoV-2. The project will also investigate the animal source of SARS CoV-2 using data and samples collected over 10 years.
A newly discovered sandgrouse fossil from six to nine million-year-old rocks in western China sheds light on the arid habitats near the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The fossil, named Linxiavis inaquosus, provides key insights into the evolution of sandgrouse and their adaptation to dry environments.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers found that pathogen levels in the environment play a major role in white-nose syndrome. The team discovered that contaminated environments, or 'hot spots,' result in higher disease impacts. By understanding this relationship, environmental sanitization can be used to reduce epidemic potential.
A study published in Science Advances found nearly 50% of retail eel products in Hong Kong supermarkets contained endangered European eel. The investigation exposed a surprising prevalence of illegally traded glass eels from Europe, posing a significant threat to the species' survival.
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and Technical University of Denmark (DTU) are strengthening external quality assurance programs in Asia to address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Quality-assured data is essential for developing tailored strategies to prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections.
Researchers at Virginia Tech and UVA are working together to model the spread of Tuta absoluta, a devastating tomato pest native to South America. By forecasting its entry into the US market, they aim to prevent significant economic losses and protect the country's billion-dollar tomato industry.
A new species of quail-sized fossil bird from 44 million year old sediments in Utah has strong links with other extinct species from Namibia and Uzbekistan. The fossil fills a nearly 15 million-year gap in the galliform lineage in North America, revealing flexibility in the ecology and diet of early paraortygid birds.
Archaeological findings from India's Dhaba site reveal humans survived the massive Toba eruption with stone tools similar to those in Africa. The discovery contradicts theories of a 'volcanic winter' and supports genetic evidence of human interbreeding with archaic species.
Researchers discovered a species group of snakes in western China and Japan changed their primary diet from frogs to earthworms and firefly larvae, gaining access to the same toxic compounds. This marks the first documented case of an vertebrate predator adapting to an invertebrate prey for defense.
A two-degree Centigrade increase in global average temperature could lead to catastrophic consequences for the planet. The study found that countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia face major deviations from precipitation norms, with southern areas expected to experience more frequent droughts and heatwaves.
New discoveries push back dates for early farming in the region by at least a millennium, providing evidence of adaptable ancient crop plants to new ecological constraints. The study also illustrates how humans cultivated crops at northern latitudes, challenging previous views on cultivation and labor practices in ancient Eurasia.
A team of OU researchers has been awarded a $730,000 grant from NASA to study emerging infectious disease threats, including the 2019 novel coronavirus, in Central Asia. The research aims to predict the economic, public health, and environmental risks of large-scale development initiatives.
Researchers discovered three new Araniella and Neoscona orb-weaver spider species, including one named after Villani, highlighting the need for taxonomic research to protect biodiversity. The study reveals the importance of conservation efforts in preserving species diversity.
Researchers have identified distinct species of giant straight-tusked elephants in Europe and Asia, with the Indian form featuring a robust skull crest. The study, published in Quaternary Science Reviews, reveals that these prehistoric giants went through six sets of teeth in their lifetimes.
A new study finds that irrigation has a significant cooling effect during warm extremes in regions such as Southern Europe, North Africa, and South Asia. This effect partly offsets the warming caused by global greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the likelihood of hot extremes by a factor of 2-8 in some areas.
New dates from Sangiran suggest early humans arrived between 1.3-1.5 million years ago, nearly 300,000 years after previous estimates, with implications for understanding human migration and settlement in Asia.
Researchers have developed an optimal climate model configuration for Southeast Asia, addressing the region's complex topography and monsoon climate. The customized RegCM4.7 model improves precipitation reproduction and simulates weather and climate extremes with enhanced accuracy.
A new study found that US patients are less likely to undergo breast conserving therapy compared to European and Asian patients, with a higher rate of mastectomy. The study suggests that insurance coverage and costs may be factors influencing this difference.
The East Asia VLBI Network observed the afterglow of TeV Gamma-Ray Burst 190114C, providing unique opportunities to study its progenitor and pre-burst medium. The non-detection results place strong upper limits on parameters extracted from different theoretical models of GRBs.
Researchers studied experienced villagers carrying heavy loads on flexible bamboo poles and found that they could save almost 20% of their energy compared to using rigid poles. The villagers' subtle adjustments in stride also helped reduce forces exerted on their shoulders.
The 'blue boat' fleet, consisting of small fishing vessels painted blue, is stripping Pacific coral reefs of seafood, endangering food security for Pacific Island nations. The boats are allegedly operated by Vietnamese fishermen with no contract or insurance, and are traveling thousands of kilometers to fish illegally in Pacific waters.
A global genetic comparison has discovered ten ancestral lineages in Asia, whereas northern Europe has a single ancestral lineage. The study provides a comprehensive genetic map for Asia, guiding scientists in studying diseases unique to Asians.
Skoltech PhD students won the Best Demo Award at ACM Siggraph Asia 2019 for their SwarmCloak technology, a novel system for landing flying robots onto the human arm. The team successfully demonstrated the tech over three days with no malfunctions.
A NASA study found that near-real-time satellite data can save an average of nine minutes per emergency response, potentially saving millions of dollars in disaster scenarios. The research used the 2011 Southeast Asian floods as a case study and developed a model to deploy in future disasters.
Research shows a 76% reduction in dengue transmission in Indonesia and similar declines in Brazil, highlighting the potential of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in reducing mosquito-borne diseases. The approach has several advantages over conventional methods, including minimal toxicity and cost-effectiveness.
A recent study found that Vietnam-era women veterans continue to struggle with stress-related mental health conditions, including PTSD, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. Exposure to sexual discrimination and harassment while deployed was a significant risk factor for poor health outcomes and increased disability.
Google's Relightables system allows users to record someone then view them from any viewpoint and lighting condition, removing the need for a green screen. The system captures reflectance information on a person and records while they are moving freely within the volume, enabling relighting in arbitrary environments.
A global team of computer scientists developed Write-A-Video, a new tool that generates videos from themed text. Novice users can produce quality video montages in a simple and user-friendly manner without requiring professional skills.