Genetic Modification and Gene Editing
Reading Time: 5 minutesGenes contain the instructions that determine many of the characteristics of living organisms and control how their cells function. But can scientists change these instructions? Could we make bacteria produce useful medicines, develop crops that survive drought, make food more nutritious, protect plants from pests or even correct genes that cause disease? Yes. Scientists can […]
Why Surgical Lights Do Not Cast Shadows
Reading Time: 4 minutesImagine a surgeon performing an operation. The surgical area may be only a few centimetres wide, yet it contains tiny blood vessels, nerves, muscles and other structures that must be seen clearly. Now imagine the surgeon’s hand or an instrument moving over the area and blocking the light. A dark shadow could appear exactly where […]
Electricity in Our Body and ECG
Reading Time: 3 minutesOur bodies produce electricity! Every time your heart beats, tiny electrical signals help make that heartbeat happen. These signals come from specialised cells in the heart, particularly a group of cells called the sinoatrial (SA) node. The SA node acts as the heart’s natural “pacemaker”, producing electrical signals that travel through the heart and tell […]
Zebrafish: A Tiny Marvel
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhat can a tiny freshwater fish possibly teach us about the human body? Quite a lot, as it turns out. This little fish is the zebrafish, a small freshwater species native to South Asia. Scientists use zebrafish as a model organism to study how genes work, how organs develop and how diseases affect the body. […]
Volcanoes: Nature’s Double-Edged Power
Reading Time: 5 minutesAs Anak Krakatau continues to remind us this week, volcanoes are a powerful force of nature: capable of disrupting lives within hours, yet providing benefits that can shape ecosystems, economies and human societies for generations. They can destroy homes, bury farmland and darken the skies. But the same geological forces can also create fertile soils, generate […]
It’s all in a day’s work for Segamat girl Puspa, playing ‘Daktari’ in Nigeria
Reading Time: 3 minutesWatching Dr Puspa Ramloo, who hails from Segamat, Johor at work in her House of Pluto veterinary clinic in Lagos, seems like a scene out of Daktari – an American made-for-TV, 60s serial starring main actor – Marshall Thompson as veterinarian Dr Marsh Tracy, and Cheryl Miller as Paula Tracy who played the good doc’s […]
Keeping ahead of the times, as another year winds down on a happy note
Reading Time: 2 minutesAs we close another year, we reflect on the many impactful projects we were proud to undertake. This year was no less eventful than previous ones, and one of our highlights was our collaboration with the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). Together, we aimed to provide science-based information to dispel the myths and misinformation surrounding […]
Into a world of orchids with Rusea Go
Reading Time: 4 minutesIn the world of botany, where the beauty and complexity of plant life often go unnoticed by the average person, Professor Rusea Go stands out as a dedicated scientist who has devoted her career to the study and conservation of orchids. Known for her significant contributions to orchid biodiversity and the discovery of new species, Go’s […]
Push to sustain food security: Bangkok hosts Asian scientists in ASCA 2024
Reading Time: 2 minutesPush to Sustain Food Security: Bangkok Hosts Asian Scientists at ASCA 2024 In today’s rapidly evolving agricultural landscape, integrating biotechnology into sustainable agriculture is essential for ensuring food security. Agri-biotechnology’s potential to transform food production relies on robust R&D, science-based regulations, effective communication, and compliance with international legal standards. These components must align to maximize […]
Remembering some luminaries in science as we reclaim our scientific legacy for a sustainable future
Reading Time: 3 minutesAs we just celebrated Malaysian Independence Day on August 31 and Malaysia Day on September 16, it is a fitting time to reflect on the contributions of our nation’s scientists who have shaped the path of progress and innovation. Among them are towering figures like Tan Sri B.C. Shekar, who developed and modernised the country’s rubber […]