Large-scale genomics for wheat improvement
Reading Time: < 1 minuteIMPROVING bread wheat using genomic tools is vital in speeding up development of varieties with enhanced traits. Thus, Carlos Guzman from the International Maize And Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and other genetics experts used large scale genomics and looked into the validity of genomic selection to improve wheat with less field work and less lab […]
Hornless cattle now possible thanks to genome-editing
Reading Time: < 1 minuteSCIENTISTS form the University of California, Davis, along with colleagues from the University of Mansoura in Egypt have successfully used genome editing to produce hornless cattle, which can then pass on the genome-edited traits to their calves. Their findings also revealed that the process did not result in any unintended genetic changes in the calves. […]
Fermentation technology for ‘nicer’ coconut water
Reading Time: 2 minutesBY ASMAHANIM AMIR A RESEARCH TEAM from the National University of Malaysia (UKM) has successfully developed a cutting edge technology which removes turbudity in matured coconut water. Known for its cloudy and poor quality, turbid coconut water is not marketable as a beverage. The research team applied fermentation method to remove turbidity and made the […]
Three inspiring Malaysian women scientist awarded L’OréalUNESCO Fellowship
Reading Time: 3 minutesTHE L’ORÉAL FOUNDATION, is celebrating the achievements of three distinguished women scientists in Malaysia by awarding them its prestigious L’Oréal UNESCO Fellowship for Women in Science (FWIS). In recognition of their groundbreaking research efforts, the For Women in Science also award these outstanding women with RM30,000 grant money to help fund their projects. The projects, […]
Empowering the importance of forest through education
Reading Time: 2 minutesBY HSARENA UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK hosting the tree planting program at Takasago-UNIMAS Educational Forest in UNIMAS West Campus yesterday. This annual event is an initiative between the collaboration of UNIMAS, Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd and Japan-Malaysia Association. An area of 10 hectare has been allocated for the establishment of educational forest within the campus […]
Biodiversity of insects modeled from space satellite data
Reading Time: 2 minutesTHE QUANTITY and diversity of plants and animals, especially insects, are decreasing, also in Germany. For this reason, science would like to see opportunities to document the biodiversity of the planet as extensively and comprehensively as possible. In this way, it could be determined whether measures against the insect dieback are effective or not. Satellite […]
New haptic arm places robotics within easy reach
Reading Time: 2 minutesIMAGINE being able to build and use a robotic device without the need for expensive, specialist kit or skills. That is the vision that researchers from the University of Bristol have turned into reality, creating a lightweight, affordable and simple solution for everyday users. While multiple robotic arm devices already exist, most are heavy, expensive […]
Lithium-ion batteries yield Nobel for three
Reading Time: 2 minutesSTOCKHOLM: Three scientists won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work leading to the development of lithium-ion batteries, which have reshaped energy storage and transformed cars, mobile phones and many other devices — and reduced reliance on fossil fuels that contribute to global warming. The prize went to John B. Goodenough, 97, a […]
Gimme six! Researchers discover ayeaye’s extra finger
Reading Time: 2 minutesTHE WORLD’S weirdest little primate has gotten even weirder, thanks to the discovery of a tiny extra digit. A study led by researchers from North Carolina State University has found that ayeayes possess small “pseudothumbs” — complete with their own fingerprints — that may help them grip objects and branches as they move through trees. […]
Look ma, no barcodes!
Reading Time: 2 minutesFOR SHOPPERS with cart loads of groceries, especially at hypermarkets, shopping will soon be a wee bit breezier. There will be no more long queues and long waits at payment counters as the process of scanning the products’ barcode will be a thing of the past. The ITxRetail, an ingenious bench-top gadget packed with artificial […]