Machine learning based aerosol classification over South and East Asia using MODIS top of atmosphere reflectance and AERONET-derived clusters: A remote sensing approach.

Characterization and risk assessment of microplastic contamination in a tropical man-made Lake and adjacent water using multi-approach analysis.

Influence of Tibetan Plateau sensible heat on pre-monsoon dust burdens over South Asia: Observational and modeling evidence

Rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) in the atmosphere are significant contributors to global climate change, although regional differences and mechanisms are ill-understood, especially in South Asia....

There is more to it than just adoption: Exploring agricultural mechanisation journeys in South Asia

We live in an age where education is considered as a universally recognised fundamental right and an important objective of the development of the world and yet millions of children living in certain conflict-driven countries are stuck in an educational distress that alarms to put them in an infinite loop of conflict, instability and poverty. This paper targets the examination of the issues which has led to the disconnection between multiple international educational commitments like Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals from the brutal realities of different countries in the South Asian region like Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. These nations have been not only been experiencing their own unique issues of political instability and corruption but also economic disasters, natural calamities, institutional failure and many more, which ultimately explains how this fragility has demolished the educational infrastructure, leading to total collapse of hopes for the future generations to enjoy their fundamental right to learn and grow. This paper seeks to demonstrate by the analysis of these three states that although the international community has produced thorough and detailed frameworks for addressing educational difficulties by these governments, there is still a significant implementation gap. The paper finally calls for a fundamental reconstruction of how education is protected and provided in contexts of complete failure and fragility, arguing that current approaches, despite the evolution from MDGs to SDGs, fail to adequately address the complex interrelation between political instability, security threats, economic collapse and educational access.

Leveraging FinTech and GreenTech for long-term sustainability in South Asia: Strategic pathways toward Agenda 2050

Angiographic Characteristics and Associated Risk Factors of Premature Coronary Artery Disease among South Asians: A Systematic Review.

Analyzing the dynamic impact of energy aid on energy transition in South Asia: Policy implications for renewable adaptive capacity and energy decarbonization

Hepatoprotective potential of Diospyros melanoxylon (Roxb.) leaf extract by inhibition of IL-6, COX-2, and 5-LOX expression in paracetamol intoxicated rats.

Introduction: Fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in tissues due to abnormal wound healing, leading to organ dysfunction and high morbidity and mortality across multiple organs. Vitex negundo L. (Verbenaceae), commonly known as the Chinese chaste tree or "Huangjing," is an aromatic shrub native to South and Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and East Africa. It is widely recognised in traditional medicine systems for its diverse pharmacological actions. The plant exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifibrotic, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial properties. These effects are primarily attributed to its rich phytochemical constituents, such as luteolin, casticin, and negundoside. Owing to its multifaceted bioactivity, Vitex negundo serves as a promising source for the development of novel therapeutic agents. Aim: To evaluate the antifibrotic potential of Vitex negundo bioactive compounds through in-silico methods, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity) profile analysis, focusing on their interaction with key fibrotic signaling pathways. Materials and Methods: This in-silico analysis was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, over a period of one month, from June 2025 to July 2025. The study focused on the molecular docking of casticin, luteolin, and negundoside with TGFβR1 and SMAD3. Optimised ligand and protein structures were sourced from public databases, and ADMET properties were predicted using SWISSADME and ProTox 3.0. Molecular docking (AutoDock Vina) and visualisation (PyMOL) were used to assess binding, while 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations (AMBER ff19SB) evaluated complex stability using Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Molecular Mechanics/Generalised Born Surface Area (MM/ GBSA) binding energy calculations. Results: Casticin, luteolin, and negundoside from Vitex negundo showed strong binding to TGFβR1 and moderate to strong binding to SMAD3, with casticin having the highest affinities. Molecular dynamics confirmed stable, rigid proteinligand complexes for casticin and luteolin. ADMET analysis indicated high gastrointestinal absorption and low toxicity for all three compounds; however, casticin and luteolin may cause drug-drug interactions due to Cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition, while negundoside showed lower absorption but minimal metabolic risk. Conclusion: Vitex negundo demonstrates significant antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antifibrotic activities. These findings support its potential as a safe and effective therapeutic agent with anti-inflammatory properties, justifying further investigation into its antifibrotic activity

Dispersed alkaline substrate passive treatment technology for highly contaminated acid mine drainage: 20 years of successful application.

Bloodlines of a crisis: How arboviruses are positioning South Asia at the pandemic forefront.

Advancing convection-permitting regional climate modeling for monsoon extremes in data-scarce, topographically complex regions of South Asia

Determinants of quality of life in Pediatric Epilepsy: A study from a single tertiary center.

Jasminum sambac: Progress in research on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological actions and other applications.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, and obesity are rapidly escalating among women in South Asia, driven by sociocultural disparities, limited access to preventive services, and gender-specific barriers in healthcare. Nurse-led women wellness hubs (WWHs) offer gender-responsive, community-based model for early screening, lifestyle modification, and risk reduction. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led wellness hubs and analogous interventions in mitigating NCD risk factors among adult women in South Asia. Searches were conducted across PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, and WHO global index medicus using standardized MeSH terms. Selection process adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and 22 studies met the eligibility criteria, including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, mixed-methods evaluations, and systematic reviews. Evidence demonstrated significant improvements in behavioral and clinical markers, including reductions in blood pressure, improved dietary practices, increased physical activity, enhanced health literacy and higher screening uptake. Nurse-coordinated multidisciplinary strategies, culturally adapted interventions, and community peer-support models yielded the strongest outcomes. Although heterogeneity in study design and follow-up duration limits generalizability, findings support nurse-led hubs as feasible, scalable, and cost-effective platforms for NCD prevention in low-resource settings. Strengthening training, digital health integration, long-term evaluation, and policy-level investment is essential for sustainability. Overall, nurse-led WWHs represent a transformative pathway toward equitable, preventive, and gender-centered healthcare in South Asia.

Introduction Compared to other head and neck cancers, pharyngeal cancer (PC) has poorer survival, representing a significant health burden. This study aimed to assess the burden and trends of PC at global, regional, and national levels and analyze mortality-related factors. Methods Data on PC, including incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and death-related risk factors from 1990 to 2021, were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess trends. Results In 2021, PC incidence was 169,820, with 98,435 deaths and 2,843,781 DALYs. Age-standardized rates for incidence, death, and DALYs were 1.93, 1.13, and 32.30 per 100,000, respectively. South Asia had the highest death and DALYs rates (3.23 and 93.00). Low-middle socio-demographic index (SDI) regions showed the highest death rate (2.19) and the greatest EAPC for death rates (0.684%). A positive correlation between SDI and death rates was observed globally (R = 0.26, p < 0.05), particularly in males (R = 0.3, p < 0.05), but not in females. Males exhibited a trend toward younger ages at death by aclohol, peaking in the 35–39-year group. Conclusion In 2021, global PC incidence, deaths, and DALYs increased significantly, with notable regional disparities, especially in low-middle SDI regions. Alcohol-related mortality disproportionately affected younger males. Strengthening oral health resources, controlling alcohol and tobacco use are essential to reducing the global PC burden.

ABSTRACT Background Chronic conditions cause notable health and economic burdens. While health insurance enables access to healthcare, its effects on chronic care outcomes remain under-explored. Objective To examine the association between health insurance coverage and cardiometabolic risk factors among people with chronic conditions in India. Methods Data from the Centre for Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia (CARRS) and Solan studies, including 2,926 adults with chronic conditions were analyzed using propensity score weighting to evaluate the associations between health insurance and cardiometabolic risk factors (HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDLc], and blood pressure [BP]) and self-reported health status (measured using European Quality of Life Visual Analogue Scale [EQ-VAS]). Mediation analysis evaluated healthcare visits as a potential mediator. Results Among 2,926 respondents meeting criteria, mean (SD) age was 54.6 years (11.8), and 1630 (55.7%) were women. Health insurance coverage was low (6.5%) and more prevalent among men, higher-income groups, and rural vs urban residents. Insured participants had lower mean diastolic BP (84.8 vs 86.0 mmHg), mean LDLc (113.3 vs 117.2 mg/dl), mean HbA1c (6.9% vs 7.5%), and higher health status (EQ-VAS: 74.6 vs 69.1) than uninsured participants, respectively (p < 0.05). Mediation analysis showed healthcare visits strongly mediated the relationship between insurance and BP and partially mediated effects on LDLc, HbA1c, and self-rated health. Conclusion Health insurance coverage was associated with better cardiometabolic risk profiles and health status, largely mediated by increased healthcare utilization. Expanding insurance coverage to include outpatient chronic care services should be prioritized to improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

ABSTRACT Background Despite evidence that mothers-in-law (MILs) influence daughters-in-law’s (DILs) fertility and family planning decisions in South Asia, emphasizing early fertility and male grandchildren, few reproductive health interventions engage MILs directly. Objectives We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and qualitative impact of a reproductive health and life skill-based intervention on MILs in tribal Rajasthan, India, using a mixed-methods, single-group cluster pilot study. Methods We tested a light-touch four-session intervention delivered over 4 months to MILs of newly married women that covered MILs’ health, conception, and communication with DILs and sons and addressed modern healthcare misconceptions, while challenging son preference and fertility norms. This MIL intervention was complemented by a broader 16-session curriculum for newly married women. In July 2023 and January 2024, 42 MILs participated in baseline and endline surveys. We conducted in-depth interviews with 13 MILs and 6 NGO staff members for qualitative insights and to understand barriers and facilitators to the intervention. We also analyzed the data using thematic analysis. Results Our results demonstrated the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention (80% attendance, 97.6% satisfaction, 97.6% retention rate). The qualitative findings revealed the impact of the intervention across multiple domains: improved reproductive health knowledge, better gender attitudes and attitudes towards modern healthcare practices, and positive changes in intergenerational relationships. Key implementation barriers included time constraints due to agricultural/household work, while family support and flexible scheduling facilitated participation. Conclusion Our findings challenge conventional approaches targeting young women, suggesting the value of including influential family members, such as mothers-in-law, in reproductive health interventions, particularly in societies with extended family structures. ClinicalTrials.gov The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06320964). Registered retrospectively on 13 March 2024, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06320964 IRB Approval number: 22 -37,173