Turning fish waste into bioplastics
Reading Time: 2 minutesWHILE most of us know that fish contains a high protein content, it is however difficult to imagine that protein in fish waste could be a “starter fodder” to produce bioplastics. The idea of deriving plastics from fish protein first begins with unravelling the protein’s structure. Dr Ku Marsilla Ku Ishak, a lecturer from Polymer […]
Biogenes signs exclusive licensing agreement with IUKL
Reading Time: < 1 minuteBANGI: Biogenes Technologies Sdn Bhd (Biogenes), a Malaysian-based company in the field of molecular diagnostics and genomics has signed a licensing agreement with Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) to commercialise Aptamer technology. Aptamer, a synthetic alternative to antibodies acts as molecular probes to detect and measure desired target molecules in a sample. This innovation is […]
Squid could provide an eco-friendly alternative to plastics
Reading Time: 3 minutesSelf-healing fabric, abrasion-resistant coatings, precision drug delivery and smart textiles are among the potential applications of squid ‘ring tooth’ protein THE remarkable properties of a recently-discovered squid protein could revolutionise materials in a way that would be unattainable with conventional plastic, finds a review published in Frontiers in Chemistry. Originating in the ringed teeth of […]
UKM earns the biggest fireflies research fund in Malaysia
Reading Time: < 1 minuteBY ASMAHANIM AMIR IN ensuring that fireflies are preserved, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), has conducted a study of the insects and received the largest fireflies research fund in Malaysia. Chief Researcher of the Fireflies Habitat Conservation Project (KELIP2@UKM Group) Kampung Dew, Prof Madya Dr Norela Sulaiman said the research is funded by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) (RM1.09 million). The research covers three spotted conservation areas, namely Kampung Dew, […]
UPM develops harvesting racks
Reading Time: 2 minutesBy AZMAN ZAKARIA RESEARCHERS from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) have successfully developed racks for agricultural activities and drying of harvested crops by placing the racks under Photovoltaic (PV) structures at PV solar farms. The planting tool, known as ‘A Retractable Drying and Planting Rack for AgroPhotovoltaics Farm’, is made of stainless steel and has two racks. The lower rack is for planting purposes, while the upper rack […]
The eyes can now tell us more
Reading Time: < 1 minutePENANG: Recently, Jafri Malin, a Professor in Neurosciences and Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon together with a team of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) academicians from the Department of Neurosciences at the School of Medical Sciences organised a workshop on ‘Eye Tracking’. Held in collaboration with the USM Graduate School of Business (GSB), the workshop with the theme ‘Capture the Eyes Story’ was aimed at introducing fundamental theories on how eye tracking can […]
Indeed money (gold) grows on trees
Reading Time: 6 minutesRecent Kim Kim River toxic pollution incident has raised eyebrows and sparked anger of Malaysian public about the irresponsible act of water pollution. Although this is an extreme pollution case of toxic proportion, day-to-day mining activities will leave behind mine wastes which may contain toxic chemicals such as arsenic that might be leached out during […]
Water-bearing minerals on asteroid Bennu
Reading Time: 2 minutesA SOUTHWEST Research Institute-led team discovered evidence of abundant water-bearing minerals on the surface of the near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu. Using early spectral data from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft orbiting the asteroid, the team identified infrared properties similar to those in a type of meteorite called carbonaceous chondrites. “Scientists are interested in the composition of Bennu […]
‘Astrocomb’ opens new horizons for planet-hunting telescope
Reading Time: 2 minutesTHE hunt for Earth-like planets, and perhaps extraterrestrial life, just got more precise, thanks to record-setting starlight measurements made possible by a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) “astrocomb.” NIST’s custom-made frequency comb — which precisely measures frequencies, or colors, of light —ensures the precision of starlight analysis by an instrument called a spectrograph […]
Predicting the endgame in dengue
Reading Time: 2 minutesRESEARCHERS in Malaysia have identified two markers, obtained by a simple blood test, that might help with the early detection of mortality risk from severe dengue infection. Such information can help identify those at greatest risk faster, helping clinicians prioritise limited resources. The mosquito-borne dengue infection has been a problem in Malaysia for over a […]