Revisiting the importance of childhood immunisation
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe measles outbreak in Penampang, Sabah this past January is an example of suboptimal vaccine coverage in a population. This further emphasises the importance of immunisation, which saves millions of lives every year and prevents many children from disability. Locally, the Ministry of Health has ensured that every child in Malaysia has access to the […]
Mesenchymal Stem Cells : Pioneering regenerative medicine
Reading Time: 4 minutesStem cell research holds immense potential for advancing our understanding of human biology, developing new treatments for various diseases, and revolutionising regenerative medicine. Cell biologist and The Petri Dish science journalist Dr. Muganti Rajah gives the low down on mesenchymal stem cells – also known as medicine’s blank cheque, for their ability to be turned […]
Nutrient-stealing plant discovered by Malaysian botanists
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA DISTINCTIVE PLANT, which steals nutrients from underground fungi, has been published as a new species in the open-access journal Phytokeys by botanists from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in collaboration with local naturalists and stakeholders. Discovered in the tropical rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia, Thismia malayana belongs to a group of plants known as […]
A ‘sound byte’ on bioacoustics
Reading Time: < 1 minuteBIOACOUSTICS delves into how living organisms create, transmit, receive, and process sounds. It’s like decoding a universal language that animals use to communicate and navigate their world. Picture a journey unraveling the stories told through the sounds of diverse life forms, revealing the fascinating tapestry of the natural symphony. Researchers utilize bioacoustics to understand the […]
JCF launches nationwide sustainable development education programme
Reading Time: 2 minutesJCF launches nationwide sustainable development education programme The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF) has launched a teacher professional development programme to advance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Malaysia. This initiative was unveiled during the opening ceremony of the “ESD for 2030 Regional Meeting on Transforming the Futures of Education” at Sunway University. JCF, recognized as […]
Let’s all become science storytellers !
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn the New Straits Times article titled “Many positives of palm oil untold, leading to misjudgment” published on June 28, the author, Ahmad Ibrahim urged NGOs to continue discussing the benefits of palm oil. By fostering more positive conversations about this commodity, we can ensure it receives the recognition and perception it deserves. I fully […]
Change of guard at ISAAA Inc
Reading Time: 2 minutesISAAA Inc recognizes Dr. Paul S. Teng, who has been the Chair of the ISAAA Board of Trustees from 2013 to June 1, 2024. Teng has been the Dean and Managing Director of the National Institute of Education International at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore since 2018. He previously held other leadership positions at […]
‘Stop the brain drain, we need more R&D Talent to propel innovation-led economy
Reading Time: 3 minutesFEW would disagree that talent is critical in nation-building. Countries which attract and retain the best talent prosper more. Lately, much public discussion has touched on the country’s talent dilemma. A recent World Bank report paints a poor picture. The article questioned the efficacy of our education system in a world economy fast embracing science, […]
‘Ariviyal Ainthiram’ kicks off to propel STEM Literacy Enhancement
Reading Time: 2 minutesRECENTLY, Ariviyal Ainthiram (AA) was officially launched by YB Prabakaran, Chairman of MITRA’s special task force and Batu MP in collaboration with the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC) and Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA). The launch was witnessed by students and teachers from SJK (T) St Joseph, SJK (T) Thamboosamy and SJK (T) Sentul. This […]
Screening for Risks of SCA
Reading Time: 2 minutesA recent UK study shows that the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in athletes is still unknown. It may be due to hidden heart problems at a molecular level that can cause arrhythmias. Even though SCA during sports is rare, it can have serious consequences. This highlights the need for pre-participation health screenings, […]