Sarawak bets on biodiversity to enter US$4.3 trillion global biotech market
Sarawak’s rich biodiversity — from its rainforests and diverse plant life to its vast genetic resources — is emerging as a strategic asset in the state’s ambition to capture a share of the global biotechnology market. Sarawak is positioning its vast biodiversity as a foundation for entering the global biotechnology economy, with Premier Datuk Patinggi […]
New rice variety offers Sarawak path to greater food security
MIRI — Sarawak is looking to a new perennial rice variety to strengthen food security and reduce its heavy dependence on imported rice after a pilot project in Kuala Baram showed promising results. Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the perennial rice technology could mark a significant breakthrough for Sarawak’s agrofood […]
Concrete jungle, living wilderness: Discovery of rare snake reveals Singapore’s wild side
SINGAPORE — Beneath the glass towers, expressways and housing estates of one of the world’s most densely urbanised cities, nature continues to reveal its hidden wonders. The recent sighting of the elusive blue-necked keelback at MacRitchie Reservoir is a reminder that Singapore’s forests remain home to extraordinary wildlife that survives alongside the city. The rare […]
Rare Seabird Reappears in Sarawak After a Century
Rare Seabird Reappears in Sarawak After a Century In a remarkable turn of events, the Chinese Crested Tern (Thalasseus bernsteini), one of the world’s rarest seabirds, has been sighted off the coast of Asajaya, Sarawak, over a century since its last confirmed appearance in the region. The sighting, which occurred in February 2024, has stirred […]
Taking the bull by the horns to save the Borneo buffalo
RECENTLY, classified as critically endangered the race is on to save banteng – the iconic buffalo of Borneo known as Banteng (Bos javanicus). Speaking to local media recently, the Sabah Wildlife Department director Roland Nuin said the state had implemented an action plan – the Bornean Banteng Action Plan for 2019-2028 – in the race […]
The Petri Dish Goes Green
In a landmark move towards sustainability, The Petri Dish, Malaysia’s pioneering science newspaper, is proud to announce its transition to green printing – utilising non-wood paper from Nextgreen and soy-based-ink printing by Percetakan NAZ. As a leader in green technology and zero-waste solutions, Nextgreen’s innovative methods in pulp and paper production highlight the significance of this collaboration. After […]
Borneo state of Sarawak to produce green aviation fuel
Sarawak Pioneers in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent. By mid-June in 2022, SAF powered some 450,000 flights. For example, the popular low-cost carrier, AirAsia, is currently exploring options to introduce SAF into its fuel mix before 2025. However, last year, sustainable aviation fuel […]
Communicating Science
WHEN historians examined Western civilization in the twentieth century, one area of intellectual accomplishment that stood out above all others was the twentieth century’s “age of science”. Science discovered our very sense of who we are, how our minds work, how our world came to be, how it works and our proper role in it, our […]
Tatler Asia lists science crusader Mahaletchumy as one of Asia’s 100 most influential persons
TATLER ASIA’S December 2023 issue unveiled 100 of Asia’s most influential persons. Among those who were honoured in this year’s roster of extraordinary Asians is The Petri Dish editor-in-chief Ts. Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan who is also executive director of the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (Mabic). Having been selected in this group of definitive 100 titans, Mahaletchumy […]
Complementary sequencing technology gives new insight into gut microbiome
SINGAPORE scientists have reached a new milestone in sequencing technology that unravels the mysteries of microbial communities in our food and their profound effects on the human microbiome. Scientists from AMILI, Southeast Asia’s first and only precision gut microbiome company, have utilised a game-changing methodology in sequencing – which paves the way for an “unbiased” exploration […]