EVERYDAY SCIENCE – Knowing and understanding the science around us

Reading Time: 2 minutesUnderstanding science isn’t just about passing exams; it’s about seeing how fundamental concepts shape the world. In physics, mathematics, biology, and chemistry, the basics fuel innovations that impact health, technology, and sustainability. Here’s a look at how these “basics” make a big difference in our world. Physics: Electromagnetism and Mechanics • Application: Transportation and Energy […]

Wonders of the immune system!

Reading Time: 2 minutesBY PRAVEENA R.G. CHANDRASEGARAN How does the Immune system remember diseases? Did you know that your immune system has a memory? Once it encounters and fights off an infection, it doesn’t forget! If the same disease tries to infect you again, your body can spring into action much faster and more effectively. This memory is […]

SPM school leavers must embrace STEM, TVET courses

STEM

Reading Time: 2 minutesI have recently come across a concerning trend that I feel must be addressed. SPM school leavers might have been dissuaded from pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) courses due to misconceptions about career prospects and income potential. I am sharing my perspective on this issue […]

A ‘sound byte’ on bioacoustics

bioacoustics research in animals

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 […]

How much does a cloud weigh?

Reading Time: < 1 minuteResearchers have calculated that an average cumulus cloud is about 500,000 kg. As we know, clouds are made up of water particles and air which both have mass. To determine the weight of a cumulus cloud, researchers need to determine the size and density of the cloud. They have found that the water density of […]

What is Triple Point?

Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn thermodynamics, the triple point of a substance is when the three phases known as solid, liquid, and gas co-exist in equilibrium at a certain point of temperature and pressure. The term “triple point” was given by James Thomson in 1873. There are many substances that have these conditions such as water, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, […]

How important are coral reefs?

Reading Time: < 1 minuteCoral reefs, also known as “the rainforests of the sea”, are well known for their beauty and vibrant colours, but apart from that, they are extremely important, both ecologically and economically. Unlike other marine ecosystems, coral reefs support more species per unit area, including about 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals, and hundreds […]

What are Supergiant Stars?

Reading Time: < 1 minuteIf our Sun is an average-sized star, there are some true monsters out there. They are supergiant stars, and they come in two colours: red and blue. Supergiant stars are among the most massive and luminous stars in the universe. Supergiant stars are formed out of massive main-sequence stars that have run out of hydrogen in their […]

How do ‘brainless’ starfish decide what to eat?

Reading Time: < 1 minuteFood is essential for any living organism to continue to survive. But for land dwellers, food is easily accessible in most parts of the world. Every day we can choose what we want to eat and to choose, we use our brain to decide our meals for the day. But how about starfish? Without having […]

How much of our brain do we really use?

Reading Time: < 1 minuteDo we only use 10% of our brains? A survey indicated nearly 65 percent of Americans believe that humans use only 10% of their brain and it is also a favourite pseudoscience in movies, where human beings only use 10% of their brain and if they awaken the remaining part of their brain then they […]