Science

Is MSG really that bad for you? We unpack the controversial ingredient thought to produce "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome".

Asia's rainforests contain a treasure trove of medical treatments waiting to be discovered. But who knows where the next life-giving discovery will be made?

The chilli pepper is an indispensable part of Asian cuisine. We take a look at some of Asia's spiciest varieties on offer.

Malaria is pervasive in Asia-Pacific, yet its invisibility means that people are not aware of the scale of the problem.

In analysing the space policies of lead Asian players like China and India, it becomes clear that both nations are increasingly focusing their efforts on a “space race” – or, more accurately, something of a “gold rush” in space. While these countries certainly have a long list of objectives they want to accomplish in space, there is no clear finish line, neither is there a definitive time frame.

The planet is undergoing unexpected and complicated – but understandable – changes. Sunlight penetrating the Earth’s atmosphere is being trapped, and the world is storing heat energy more than it used to. Why is this change occurring?

The oceans are crucial to regulating climate and act as “the lungs of the Earth”, with algae and cyanobacteria in seawater providing up to 80 percent of the atmospheric oxygen which we rely on to breathe. The oceans also house over 230,000 marine species, with estimates that there are between one and 10 million species still undiscovered. Alongside their own intrinsic value, many of these marine species provide important goods and services. Collectively, ocean-related services and business are estimated to contribute over USD500 billion to the world’s economy.

In our everchanging lexical world, where languages twist and turn, and sometimes bend over backwards or die out to suit trends, cultural changes and technology, the future of the spoken and written word is difficult to predict.