The COP28 experience by a roving adaptation minion
Reading Time: 3 minutesBY AZNIE RAHIM Climate change is probably the buzzword every time the Conference of Parties (COP) is organised. Recently, I had the privilege of attending COP28 in Dubai, an experience that not only unveiled the complexities of climate negotiations but also highlighted the pivotal role of water in our adaptive strategies. Fraught Journey from Muscat […]
Precision drug repurposing ‘Fast Track’ to treat Cancer
Reading Time: 3 minutesBY JOTISRI VASUDEVAN Two distinct tracks have emerged in the race to treat cancer: drug discovery and precision drug repurposing. Think of it as the classic marathon versus an unexpected shortcut. Drug discovery resembles an arduous marathon. Researchers, like dedicated runners, meticulously create new drugs from scratch. This journey involves designing molecules, conducting preclinical studies, […]
COP28 Agreement Signals ‘Beginning of the End’ of Fossil Fuel Era
Reading Time: 5 minutesTHE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE (COP28) closed with an agreement that signals the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era by laying the ground for a swift, just and equitable transition, underpinned by deep emissions cuts and scaled-up finance. In a demonstration of global solidarity, negotiators from nearly 200 Parties came together in […]
Impact documentary ‘Wasted’ spotlights Asia’s waste and how to deal with it
Reading Time: 3 minutesSINGAPORE: Against the backdrop of the UNFCCC COP28 conference which kicked off in November in Dubai and at the tail end of the “hottest year so far in recorded history”, Eco-Business launched Wasted, a new impact documentary that puts the spotlight on Asia’s mounting waste issues and questions why we are wasting the opportunity to fix the problem. […]
Expert gives the rundown on heatwaves
Reading Time: 3 minutesBY JOTISRI VASUDEVAN “IN 1998, temperatures in Malaysia reached a staggering 40 °C during extreme weather events, sending shockwaves through the nation.” “Just over a decade later, in 2016, the mercury soared to 39 °C, ushering in an era of scorching discomfort.” Dr Nurul Nadrah Aqilah Tukimat, an expert in water resources and climate assessment, […]
Agritech startup Qarbotech lands USD 700,000 to bring productivity to farmers worldwide
Reading Time: 2 minutesKUALA LUMPUR: Qarbotech, a leading Malaysia-based agritech startup, announced today that it has raised USD 700,000 in seed funding and grants. The round was led by multi-stage venture capital firm, 500 Global, and includes innovation grants from the Temasek Foundation for winning the Climate Impact Innovations Challenge 2023, and Khazanah Nasional’s Dana Impak for winning […]
Research Shows Potential Use of Building Waste in Growing Tomatoes
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA study from the University of Portsmouth shows that highly processed building waste could be used to grow tomatoes. The 70-day tomato growth trial reveals that mixing compost with 20% trommel fines could provide enough nutrients in growing plants. Trommel fines are usually less than 10mm in size and are a byproduct of construction, demolition, […]
Scientists Develop Gene-edited Chickens to Limit Spread of Bird Flu
Reading Time: < 1 minuteSCIENTISTS from the University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, and the Pirbright Institute used gene editing techniques to identify and change parts of chicken DNA that could limit the spread of the bird flu virus in the animals. Using gene editing techniques, the team of scientists bred the chickens and altered the section of DNA responsible for producing the […]
UNM Welcomes Budget 2024 Boost To R&D For Innovation and Development
Reading Time: 2 minutesPositive Impact of Research Activities to Solve Challenges, Advance Society KUALA LUMPUR: The University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) welcomes the Government’s boost for technology and innovation and is in full support of its intention to stimulate research and innovation activities. Under the technology and innovation pillar of Budget 2024, tabled on 13 October, a total […]
USM Collaborating with Various Partners to Provide Education on Mangrove Ecosystems
Reading Time: 3 minutesKUALA MUDA: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), together with partners from various organisations successfully organised a mangrove planting project recently in Kedah. Held in Kuala Muda, Kedah, the initiative which was funded by Japan Malaysia Association (JMA) through the USM School of Educational Studies (PPIP), also received support from the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE Penang@USM), Kedah […]