Why do crocodiles often lie with their mouths open?
Crocodiles are cold blooded reptiles prevalent in tropical regions of Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia. They are members of the order Crocodilia that includes alligators, gharials and caimans. Ever seen crocodiles resting or sitting with their mouth open? This is a common practice among crocodiles that is known as gaping. Crocodiles are unable to […]
How camels survive in the desert?
CAMEL live in hot and dry desert. But how do they survive in the desert? Camels have a thick coat of hair that protects them from the sun. They have wide, soft feet, so they can walk a long time in the hot sand. Their large feet spread their weight on the sand when they […]
How does coffee keep us awake?
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Caffeine, an active ingredient in coffee is a type of stimulant that promotes wakefulness and enhances alertness. The onset of sleepiness is caused by the gradual decline of nerve cell activity. This is caused by the binding of a neurotransmitter called adenosine to the […]
PhD thesis in ‘180 seconds’ by UKM students
BANGI: Just one static slide and three minutes to present a PhD thesis that comprises of minimum four years of research work. That is what a 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) presenter has to do to win this competition. Although the presentation is intended for lay audience, the research work should not be trivialised and should […]
What is shark skin made of?
Ever touched a shark before? A shark’s skin appears rather smooth and sleek. However, it feels very rough, similar to a sand paper. Most fishes are covered with scales that are designed to provide protection and free movement. Sharks, being cartilaginous fishes have cartilages made up of dermal denticles rather than scales to wrap their bodies. […]
What is a Komodo dragon?
Komodo dragons are the largest and heaviest lizards on Earth. The name ‘Komodo dragon’ originated from rumours claiming that a dragon-like creature inhabited the island of Komodo. Local people call them ‘ora’ or land crocodile. They are powerful-looking reptiles with long and flat heads, scaly skin, arched legs, as well as huge and muscular tails. […]
How do stalagmite and stalactite form?
Stalactites and stalagmites are types of rock formation prevalent in limestone caves. A stalactite hangs from the ceiling or sides of a cave whereas a stalagmite appears like an inverted stalactite, rising from the floor of the cave. The words ‘stalactites’ and ‘stalagmites’ can be traced back to the Greek word “stalassein,” which means ‘to […]
How the King Cobra got its name?
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is one of the most menacing snakes in the world. They are able to reach 5.5 metres in length, making them the longest venomous species of snakes in the world. The name ‘King Cobra’ was designated as it possesses large scales on its head that resemble a King’s crown. Albeit […]
Spaceflight impacts on shape of astronauts’ brains
MRIs before and after a space mission reveal expansions and compressions of astronauts’ brain during spaceflights. This is according to a novel study done by a team of researchers from University of Michigan. The study, which is the first to examine brain structural shifts were conducted on 13 astronauts who were shuttle crew members and […]
Take the challenge, says renowned astrophysicist to women
PENANG: Women have dual roles as mothers and career women, and for this reason they should find the balance to advance and succeed in their chosen professions, especially in science. Calling on the younger generation of women to take up careers in science, world-renowned astrophysicist Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman said: “One of the […]