African swine fever is a devastating disease that can result in death in almost all infected pigs. The continuing spread of African swine fever from Africa to Europe and recently to the high-pig production countries of China and others in Southeast Asia threatens global pork production and food security. The African swine fever virus is an unusual complex DNA virus and is not related to other viruses. This has presented challenges for vaccine development, and currently none is available. The virus is extremely well adapted to replicate in its hosts in the sylvatic cycle in East and South Africa. Its spread to other regions, with different wildlife hosts, climatic conditions, and pig production systems, has revealed unexpected epidemiological scenarios and different challenges for control. Here we review the epidemiology of African swine fever in these different scenarios and methods used for control. We also discuss progress toward vaccine development and research priorities to better understand this complex disease and improve control. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Volume 8 is February 15, 2020. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
A genetic history of China The history of human movements into and within China has been difficult to determine solely from archaeological investigations or genetic studies of contemporary peoples. Yang et al. sequenced DNA from 26 individuals from 9500 to 300 years ago from locations within China. Analyses of these individuals, along with previously sequenced ancient individuals and present-day genomes representing global populations, show a split between ancient humans in northern and southern China. Neolithic northern Chinese individuals are closest to modern-day East Asians, whereas ancient individuals from southern China are most closely related to modern-day Southeast Asians and show an affinity to modern-day Austronesian populations. These results indicate that there was a southward movement and admixture of peoples during the Neolithic that gave rise to modern-day populations in East Asia. Science this issue p. 282 Ancient human genomes from China demonstrate a north–south Asian separation and that both populations moved southward over time. Human genetic history in East Asia is poorly understood. To clarify population relationships, we obtained genome-wide data from 26 ancient individuals from northern and southern East Asia spanning 9500 to 300 years ago. Genetic differentiation in this region was higher in the past than the present, which reflects a major episode of admixture involving northern East Asian ancestry spreading across southern East Asia after the Neolithic, thereby transforming the genetic ancestry of southern China. Mainland southern East Asian and Taiwan Strait island samples from the Neolithic show clear connections with modern and ancient individuals with Austronesian-related ancestry, which supports an origin in southern China for proto-Austronesians. Connections among Neolithic coastal groups from Siberia and Japan to Vietnam indicate that migration and gene flow played an important role in the prehistory of coastal Asia.
Understanding dietary patterns is vital to reducing the number of people experiencing hunger (about 795 million), micronutrient deficiencies (2 billion), and overweight or obesity (2.1 billion). We characterize global trends in dietary quality by estimating micronutrient density of the food supply, prevalence of inadequate intake of 14 micronutrients, and average prevalence of inadequate intake of these micronutrients for all countries between 1961 and 2011. Over this 50-year period, the estimated prevalence of inadequate intakes of micronutrients has declined in all regions due to increased total production of food and/or micronutrient density. This decline has been particularly strong in East and Southeast Asia and weaker in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where dietary micronutrient density has declined over this 50-year period. At the global level, micronutrients with the lowest levels of adequate estimated intake are calcium, iron, vitamin A, and zinc, but there are strong differences between countries and regions. Fortification has reduced the estimated prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes in all low-income regions, except South Asia. The food supply in many countries is still far below energy requirements, which suggests a need to increase the availability and accessibility of nutritious foods. Countries where the food energy supply is adequate show a very large variation in dietary quality, and in many of these countries people would benefit from more diverse diets with a greater proportion of micronutrient-dense foods. Dietary quality can be improved through fortification, biofortification, and agricultural diversification, as well as efforts to improve access to and use of micronutrient-dense foods and nutritional knowledge. Reducing poverty and increasing education, especially of women, are integral to sustainably addressing malnutrition.
This study evaluated global trends in ultraprocessed food and drink (UPFD) volume sales/capita and associations with adult body mass index (BMI) trajectories. Total food/drink volume sales/capita from Euromonitor for 80 countries (2002‐2016) were matched to mean adult BMI from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (2002‐2014). Products were classified as UPFD/non‐UPFD according to the NOVA classification system. Mixed models for repeated measures were used to analyse associations between UPFD volume sales/capita and adult BMI trajectories, controlling for confounding factors. The increase in UPF volume sales was highest for South and Southeast Asia (67.3%) and North Africa and the Middle East (57.6%), while for UPD, the increase was highest for South and Southeast Asia (120.0%) and Africa (70.7%). In 2016, baked goods were the biggest contributor to UPF volume sales (13.1%‐44.5%), while carbonated drinks were the biggest contributor to UPD volume sales (40.2%‐86.0%). For every standard deviation increase (51 kg/capita, 2002) in UPD volume sales, mean BMI increased by 0.195 kg/m2 for men (P < .001) and 0.072 kg/m2 for women (P = .003). For every standard deviation (40 kg/capita, 2002) increase in UPF volume sales, mean BMI increased by 0.316 kg/m2 for men (P < .001), while the association was not significant for women. Increases in UPFD volume sales/capita were positively associated with population‐level BMI trajectories.
BACKGROUND Most data on mortality and prognostic factors in patients with heart failure come from North America and Europe, with little information from other regions. Here, in the International Congestive Heart Failure (INTER-CHF) study, we aimed to measure mortality at 1 year in patients with heart failure in Africa, China, India, the Middle East, southeast Asia and South America; we also explored demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic variables associated with mortality. METHODS We enrolled consecutive patients with heart failure (3695 [66%] clinic outpatients, 2105 [34%] hospital in patients) from 108 centres in six geographical regions. We recorded baseline demographic and clinical characteristics and followed up patients at 6 months and 1 year from enrolment to record symptoms, medications, and outcomes. Time to death was studied with Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for demographic and clinical variables, medications, socioeconomic variables, and region. We used the explained risk statistic to calculate the relative contribution of each level of adjustment to the risk of death. FINDINGS We enrolled 5823 patients within 1 year (with 98% follow-up). Overall mortality was 16·5%: highest in Africa (34%) and India (23%), intermediate in southeast Asia (15%), and lowest in China (7%), South America (9%), and the Middle East (9%). Regional differences persisted after multivariable adjustment. Independent predictors of mortality included cardiac variables (New York Heart Association Functional Class III or IV, previous admission for heart failure, and valve disease) and non-cardiac variables (body-mass index, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). 46% of mortality risk was explained by multivariable modelling with these variables; however, the remainder was unexplained. INTERPRETATION Marked regional differences in mortality in patients with heart failure persisted after multivariable adjustment for cardiac and non-cardiac factors. Therefore, variations in mortality between regions could be the result of health-care infrastructure, quality and access, or environmental and genetic factors. Further studies in large, global cohorts are needed. FUNDING The study was supported by Novartis.
We measured subsidence rates in 99 coastal cities around the world between 2015 and 2020 using the PS Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar method and Sentinel‐1 data. In most cities, part of the land is subsiding faster than sea level is rising. If subsidence continues at present rates, these cities will be challenged by flooding much sooner than projected by sea level rise models. The most rapid subsidence is occurring in South, Southeast, and East Asia. However, rapid subsidence is also happening in North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia. Human activity—primarily groundwater extraction—is likely the main cause of this subsidence. Expanded monitoring and policy interventions are required to reduce subsidence rates and minimize their consequences.
The article continues the study of the Japanese-language newspaper “ Urajio Nippo”, published in Vladivostok from 1917 to the 1930s, with an emphasis on its Russian-language version “Vladivo Nippo”. Based on the analysis of archival materials, including documents from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense of Japan, as well as scientific publications, the author reconstructs the newspaper’s history in the context of the Japanese intervention in the Russian Far East and subsequent Soviet-Japanese relations. The focus of the work is the analysis of the goals and content of “Vladivo Nippo”, the release of which was initiated in April 1920 by the Japanese military authorities to promote propaganda among the Russian population and counter anti-Japanese sentiments. It is shown that the newspaper, as a commercial publication for the local Japanese diaspora, was also forced to perform propaganda functions under the control of the Special Service of the Japanese Army. The article also traces the fate of the publication after the withdrawal of Japanese troops in 1922, its adaptation to new political realities and its role in reflecting the life of the Japanese community in Vladivostok until 1931. Special attention is paid to such aspects as the repatriation of Japanese citizens, coverage of cultural events, such as the tour of the Ichikawa Sadanji II kabuki troupe in 1928, and the closure of the city to foreigners in the 1930s. The study demonstrates that “Vladivo Nippo” serves as a valuable historical source that reveals the multifaceted picture of the life of the Japanese diaspora, the mechanisms of propaganda under foreign occupation, and the complex nature of Soviet-Japanese relations during a crucial period in the history of the Far East.
South Asia. Southeast Asia. East Asia, Bibliography. Library science. Information resources
Using data from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey, this study examines how social media use shapes the negotiation of transnational identity in South Korea and Taiwan—two countries characterized by distinct forms of nationalism—and whether social capital moderates this relationship. A two-dimensional model encompassing local–global attachment and protectionism–openness was employed to identify latent classes of transnational identity. The findings reveal that nationalism significantly influences identity negotiation in both countries, with Taiwanese citizens exhibiting stronger global ties compared to Koreans. In addition, social media use reinforces local and protectionist identities in these countries, limiting transnational solidarity and amplifying exclusivity through algorithmically mediated digital networks. Notably, social capital moderates this dynamic by fostering global openness, particularly when trust in out-groups is high. This study highlights the intricate interplay between social media use, social capital, and transnational identity negotiation, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the cultural response to globalization in East Asia.
South Asia. Southeast Asia. East Asia, Social Sciences
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains a major public health concern with a geographically skewed distribution. The disease is endemic in East Asia (particularly China), Southeast Asia (SEA) and South-Central Asia. Although China contributes the largest share of global NPC cases, several SEA countries consistently report high incidence rates. Despite this substantial burden, NPC remains a neglected disease across much of the region. This review synthesizes and appraises the available evidence on the epidemiology, incidence trends and disease burden of NPC in SEA. High-incidence hotspots persist in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand, with particularly striking rates among indigenous populations of East Malaysia. Late-stage presentation is common and survival outcomes in many SEA countries lag behind those observed in better-resourced endemic regions. Socioeconomic disparities in many SEA communities also amplify exposure to key NPC risk factors. This review outlines key region-specific challenges and identifies priority areas for coordinated health system strengthening. We emphasize the urgent need for regionally tailored strategies to mitigate the growing burden of NPC throughout SEA.
Admiral Yi Sun-sin is a national hero of the Korean people, revered both in the DPRK and in the Republic of Korea. More than four and a half centuries after his heroic death, his image was actively revived by another historical figure, Park Chung-hee. General Park Chung-hee, who came to power through a military coup, ruled South Korea with an iron fist for 18 years. According to public opinion polls, this president has remained the most popular in the country's history for many years. His main achievement is the creation of the “economic miracle on the Hangang River”, which turned one of the poorest countries in the world into a prosperous state. President Park actively, persistently and skillfully introduced the heroic image of Naval Commander Yi Sun-sin into the public consciousness. The interpretation of the Admiral's historical role changed during the reign of Park Chung-hee. At first, Yi Sun-sin was portrayed as a patriot who gave his life in the fight against foreign invaders, an outstanding military leader and the creator of the world's first armored ship. Then, the image of a loyal subject came to the fore: an official who, despite the injustice of the higher authorities, never opposed them and continued to serve the government faithfully, without thinking about personal enrichment or fame. The study shows that through the prism of this historical figure, Park Chung-hee successfully consolidated his regime and legitimized his own policies based on nationalism and anti-communism.
South Asia. Southeast Asia. East Asia, Bibliography. Library science. Information resources
Abstract Sporadic E (Es) layer plays a prominent role in revealing both upward and downward atmosphere‐ionosphere coupling process. This study investigates the responses of Es layers to the May 2024 super geomagnetic storm by using 37 ground‐based ionosondes distributed globally and space‐based COSMIC‐2 radio occultation observations. The results show that Es layers were significantly enhanced during the recovery phase of geomagnetic storm. In addition, the enhanced Es layers mainly occurred over Southeast Asia, Australia, the South Pacific and the East Pacific. The temporal evolution of foEs disturbances over the Asian‐Australian sector clearly shows the “wave propagation” characteristics from high to low latitudes, indicating that the enhancements of the Es layers are most likely caused by the disturbed neutral winds in the E region. This study presents observational evidence for the downward impacts of the geomagnetic storm on the E‐region ionosphere.
Southeast Asia's cultural tourism industry has been booming in recent years, and the contribution rate of Chinese tourists has increased significantly, becoming an important driving force for regional economic growth. However, the prosperity of the tourism industry also faces non-traditional security threats, such as public health crises and terrorism. This paper analyses the development status of Southeast Asian cultural tourism industry, the contribution rate of Chinese tourists and the experience of non-traditional security response cooperation, and discusses its inspiration for the sustainable development of Pakistan's cultural tourism industry. The study shows that China and Southeast Asia have accumulated rich experience in cultural and tourism cooperation, including policy coordination, infrastructure construction and security cooperation mechanisms.
Janina Krambrich, Filip Mihalič, Michael W Gaunt
et al.
In 2018–2019, Thailand experienced a nationwide spread of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), with approximately 15,000 confirmed cases of disease reported. Here, we investigated the evolutionary and molecular history of the East/Central/South African (ECSA) genotype to determine the origins of the 2018–2019 CHIKV outbreak in Thailand. This was done using newly sequenced clinical samples from travellers returning to Sweden from Thailand in late 2018 and early 2019 and previously published genome sequences. Our phylogeographic analysis showed that before the outbreak in Thailand, the Indian Ocean lineage (IOL) found within the ESCA, had evolved and circulated in East Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia for about 15 years. In the first half of 2017, an introduction occurred into Thailand from another South Asian country, most likely Bangladesh, which subsequently developed into a large outbreak in Thailand with export to neighbouring countries. Based on comparative phylogenetic analyses of the complete CHIKV genome and protein modelling, we also identified amino acid substitutions that may be associated with immune evasion, increased spread, and virulence. We identified several mutations in the E1/E2 spike complex, such as E1 K211E and E2 V264A, which are highly relevant as they may lead to changes in vector competence, transmission efficiency and pathogenicity of the virus. A number of mutations (E2 G205S, Nsp3 D372E, Nsp2 V793A), that emerged shortly before the outbreak of the virus in Thailand in 2018 may have altered antibody binding and recognition due to their position. This study not only improves our understanding of the factors contributing to the epidemic in Southeast Asia, but also has implications for the development of effective response strategies and the potential development of new vaccines. Author Summary We investigated the evolutionary and molecular history of the East/Central/South African (ECSA) genotype to determine the origins of the 2018–2019 chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak in Thailand. We used newly sequenced clinical samples from travellers returning to Sweden from Thailand in late 2018 and early 2019 together with previously published genome sequences. Our phylogeographic analysis shows that the Indian Ocean lineage (IOL), found within ECSA, evolved in Eastern Africa, Southern Asia, and Southeast Asia for about 15 years before the outbreak in Thailand in 2018. We have also identified amino acid substitutions that may be associated with immune evasion, increased spread, and higher virulence that occurred prior to the outbreak and may have played a critical role in the rapid spread of the virus. Our study concludes that monitoring and understanding CHIKV dynamics remains critical for an effective response to the previously unpredictable outbreaks of the virus.
This paper's purpose is to examine the cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Vietnam, with a focus on its significance for the EAEU in ASEAN. The present state of affairs is considered from the perspective of Vietnam's ties with the EAEU, which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. The study is based on the dynamics of Vietnam's trade turnover with each of these countries, including import and export of goods, the structure of their categories, investment volume, and the number of investment projects in each country. The analysis of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the EAEU is another focus of the article, as well as identifying the FTA's function and its possible prospects. An independent attempt is made to define Vietnam's primary benefits and obstacles when compared with other ASEAN members. The paper’s findings can be applied to enhance bilateral relations between Vietnam and EAEU countries.
South Asia. Southeast Asia. East Asia, Bibliography. Library science. Information resources