Friday, June 5, 2020
All universities must clear about their functions in producing intellects. All professors must have their rights to lead in their field of expertise and groom the young ones. We cannot lets experience professors ruled by the young robotic leaders. University's leaders must guide and provide ways for excellence not asking them to do what ordinary teachers are doing.
1,000 Pieces of Plastic Found Inside Dead Whale in Indonesia. More than 1,000 assorted pieces of plastic, including 115 cups, 25 bags, four bottles and two flip-flops, have been found inside a dead sperm whale in Indonesia, according to local officials.Nov 21, 2018; call for immediate action by all human being.
On the 8th June the whole world will celebrate World Ocean Day. One of big issues is plastic pollution. During World Environment Day we are talking about time for nature and focus for biodiversity. Plsstic pollution is very challenging becaudse plastic is part of human life style. Plastic killed many marine wildlife including turtle, whales and sea birds. It is about time we need more innovation for the sustainability of the ocean.
Today is World Environment Day which is observed on June 5 every year. This year’s theme is 'Time for Nature', with the focus on biodiversity. KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) – At a time when the world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and wildlife such as bats and pangolins are suspected to be the original hosts of the deadly coronavirus, humanity is yet again reminded of the importance of conserving biodiversity. Researchers have said that the destruction of biodiversity, including the consumption of so-called exotic wildlife by humans, can trigger epidemics such as COVID-19 and ebola.Natural ecosystems such as soil, water, air, animals, plants and various other biological elements complement one another to provide a conducive environment for all living things to thrive on earth. However, in the name of development, humans have been destroying forests, rivers, land and hills which over the long term has had adverse effects on the climate and wildlife populations. The current pandemic, said Malaysian Nature Society president Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail, has led to the whole world talking about wildlife and the need to protect their habitats. “The whole world is saying that we shouldn’t eat wildlife resources and to just leave them alone in their habitats which should be protected,” he said. He told Bernama nearly one million species in the world are facing extinction and this is the reason why the perpetuation of biological diversity should be given due focus. In Malaysia, he added, more efforts must be made to conserve wildlife habitats at the various national parks and forest reserves such as the Ulu Muda forest reserve in Kedah.
The latest in the list is Covid-19, a zoonotic disease that was first reported in Wuhan, China. According to Academy of Sciences Malaysia fellow Professor Dr Ahmad Ismail the budget for such a research should cover capacity building, technical skills and adequate facilities. "Several of these viruses have resulted in significant morbidity and mortality to those affected and they have imposed a tremendous public health and economic burden on the state. Since some viruses are related to wild animals, integrated approaches need to be carried out. This is important to avoid conflict in managing wildlife, plague and panic." Ahmad, who is also a lecturer at the Biology Department at Universiti Putra Malaysia's (UPM) Faculty of Sciences, said scientific research was not something ad hoc and it should be well planned.
https://www.nst.com.my/education/2020/05/590423/battling-virus-contagions-labs-and-society?fbclid=IwAR3L5dTju4blrHqBnjF8FaPEN1flZGx5VM0EZLc2O0RCifHebHc44-ZsLJs
"In fact, we already have the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) that was established for research related to diseases. Since 1900, research on viruses were carried out at IMR from rabies, small fox, chikungunya, dengue, HFMD (hand, foot and mouth disease) and Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic and others," he said.
Besides IMR, Ahmad said Malaysia had other agencies that work on medical virology, including those at Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
"Research in universities can be sustained because they involve teaching and research and international networking. We need to identify talent and experts on both zoonotic and non-zoonotic viruses in the university.
"Maybe UPM, for example, with its long established veterinary school can focus on zoonotic virus. Surely UPM has international networking on zoonotic diseases including viruses. A special laboratory needs to be established," he suggested.
He said society, too, needed to seriously play its role in fighting virus contagions, particularly in curbing the spread of Covid-19 right now.
"Some people go through science education, but they do not practise it in their daily life. That's why we still have simple problems that are still unsolved, such as managing solid waste, water pollution, air pollution, polluting our own environment and destroying our natural heritage."
He stated that if Malaysians could think scientifically about what a virus is and how it spreads, they would be able to understand easily and take actions quickly, such as distance themselves from others without the need for the involvement of enforcement agencies during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
"The socioeconomic impact of Covid-19 can be tremendous not only at local level, but also internationally. After more than a month of MCO, the public should be able to think scientifically why we need to stay at home and help to solve the problems."
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