When a popular class of antibiotics turns toxic
Reading Time: 4 minutesCOMMONLY prescribed drugs called fluoroquinolones, the fourth-most used class of antibiotics in the US, have been shown to cause rare, disabling side effects. Patients have experienced pain in tendons, joints and muscles, neurological and psychological difficulties. Researchers now have a few theories why such symptoms may occur. Patient experience In 2014, Miriam van Staveren went […]
‘Molecular scissors’ could be key to cutting off diseases
Reading Time: 2 minutes ONE WAY to fight diseases including HIV infection and autoimmune disorders could involve changing how a naturally occurring enzyme called SAMHD1 works to influence the immune system, new research suggests. The study, led by researchers from The Ohio State University, details how the enzyme influences proteins that stimulate the immune response. SAMHD1 isn’t […]
Why does food turn black when it’s burnt?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteYOU may have witness foods turn black when it gets overheated. Not blue or green or any other color. Have you ever wondered what brings that black hue to burnt food? Not just food but most organic matter, is made of carbon, along with a few other elements, like oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and others. [ihc-hide-content […]
Why do some astronauts wear white spacesuit and some wear orange?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWHEN most of you hear the word “spacesuit”, your mind immediately pictures an astronaut in space floating freely wearing a white spacesuit. But do you know there is also an orange colour spacesuit for the astronauts? [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ] If you already knew that, do you know the reason for the different […]
Why there are stones alongside a railway track?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWHEN you travel with a train you get to witness a lot of things, like the stunning view of nature or busy cities. One more thing that you always see, are those small stones lying alongside the track. Have you ever thought why there are stones alongside a railway track? [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]The […]
USDA issues details on plant breeding innovations
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently issued a statement providing clarification on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) oversight of plants produced through innovative new breeding techniques which include techniques called genome editing. Under its biotechnology regulations, USDA does not regulate or have any plans to regulate plants that could otherwise have been developed […]
How was thermometer invented?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteDOCTORS always use a thermometer to measure and check your body temperature when you have a fever. Have you ever wondered, how thermometer was invented? In 1596, Galileo Galilei invented the thermoscope, an instrument that can only show if the temperature is higher, lower or same, as it did not have a scale. Later in […]
Unimas students explore Niah Caves
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA TOTAL of 40 students from second, third and fourth year batches from the Chemical Engineering and Energy Sustainability department took part in the Zirafah Purple’s Cave Explorer Event. This programme was to explore Taman Tumbina at Bintulu and Niah Cave, Batu Niah, Miri which is 700 km from Unimas Kota Samarahan Campus. The programme […]
A new plant protection method on the horizon
Reading Time: 2 minutesNOVEL technologies are being sought to replace the traditional pesticides used to protect plants, particularly edible plants such as cereals. A new collaborative project between the University of Helsinki and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is shedding light on the efficacy of environmentally friendly RNA-based vaccines that protect plants from diseases and […]
Why do we feel sleepy after eating?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteARE you someone who gets sleepy after having a meal? Have you ever wondered why this happens? Sleepiness after eating is a response of the body to chemical changes during the digestion process. This is normal and it happens to everybody. The body requires energy[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ] to function and this energy is […]