Asia

Archaeologists uncover oldest ochre workshop in East Asia | Science

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Some 40,000 years ago, a small group of foragers parked themselves on a riverbank in what is now northeastern China. Some split pebbles and bones to make small tools while others made a fire. And at least one experienced craftsperson concentrated on the primary task: grinding red, purple, and gray chunks of ochre into a … Read more

A Forgotten Continent From 40 Million Years Ago May Have Just Been Rediscovered

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A low-lying continent that existed some 40 million years ago and was home to exotic fauna may have “paved the way” for Asian mammals to colonize southern Europe, new research suggests.   Wedged between Europe, Africa and Asia, this forgotten continent – which researchers have dubbed “Balkanatolia” – became a gateway between Asia and Europe … Read more

Scientists Have Named an ‘Alien’ Predatory Flatworm After COVID

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COVID-19 has infected every part of our lives over the last two years. The ways we work, engage with our surroundings, and see family and friends have all been drastically altered during the ongoing pandemic.   By far the worst have been the deaths of all the loved ones the disease has taken from us. … Read more

Climate Change Could Open Up ‘Rivers in The Sky’ Over East Asia

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We know that the climate crisis is already having a profound effect on global weather systems, altering temperatures, rainfall, wind patterns, and more – and a new study predicts likely deluges over the mountainous parts of East Asia in the future.   The pouring rain will be brought on by atmospheric rivers, scientists predict. These … Read more

Science of wine: European grapes have their genetic routes in western Asia

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We used to think that European wine grapes were cultivated locally, independently of grape domestication in western Asia, but grape genetics suggests otherwise Humans 21 December 2021 By Carissa Wong Red grapes ready to be harvested in a vineyard alika/Shutterstock Grapes used to make common European wines may have originated from grapevines that were first … Read more

Western honeybees: World’s most common bee originated 7 million years ago in Asia

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A genetic analysis suggests the world’s most common species of honeybee, the western honeybee, first appeared in western Asia about 7 million years ago and then spread into Africa and Europe Life 3 December 2021 By Carissa Wong Honey bee workers (Apis mellifera) Kim Taylor / naturepl.com Genomic analysis has revealed that the western honeybee … Read more