Asia

Japanese are shrinking as low birth weight rises; their health may be at risk as well

Four new missions will accelerate Chinese space science starting in 2020

Climbing rates of disease and spread of drug-resistant strains seen as threat to region

New research centers move 15-year project closer to reality

Plans for new coal plants imperil efforts to cut emissions

Gigantic wooden statue is among world’s oldest monumental art

Researchers uncover unique kitchen in a 4000-year-old palace, where priests may have served up opium-laced potions for ceremonies

Fine-particle sentinels prod governments to curb emissions

Cheerland-Watson Center for Life Sciences and Technology faces funding and mission challenges

Qian Xuesen’s systems engineering permeates many facets of Chinese society

Mission would firm up China's status as a leader in x-ray astronomy

Mining of construction-grade sand linked to species declines

Water crisis and rising air pollution in Hamouns region are stoking tensions

Priests survived because they were taller than their animal sacrifices

Russian facility apparently botched the production of a radioactivity source for a physics experiment in Italy

As vaccine stockpile grows, a better formulation could also bolster response to widespread outbreak