Passion for Science

Passio

2012-01-05T09:08:00.000-08:00

There's another passion.... PASSIONWORKS!!

H1N1 (courtesy AAAS)

2009-05-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Since its identification in April 2009 an A(H1N1) virus containing a unique combination of gene segments from both North American and Eurasian swine lineages has continued to circulate in humans. The lack of similarity between the 2009 A(H1N1) virus and its nearest relatives indicates that its gene segments have been circulating undetected for an extended period. Its low genetic diversity suggests the introduction into humans was a single event or multiple events of similar viruses. Molecular markers predictive of adaptation to humans are not currently present in 2009 A(H1N1) viruses, suggesting previously unrecognized molecular determinants could be responsible for the transmission among humans. Antigenically the viruses are homogeneous and similar to North American swine A(H1N1) viruses but distinct from seasonal human A(H1N1).

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)
Published Online May 22, 2009
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1176225

Reports
Submitted on May 12, 2008Accepted on May 22, 2009

Antigenic and Genetic Characteristics of Swine-Origin 2009 A(H1N1) Influenza Viruses Circulating in Humans Rebecca J. Garten 1, C. Todd Davis 1, Colin A. Russell 2, Bo Shu 1, Stephen Lindstrom 1, Amanda Balish 1, Wendy M. Sessions 1, Xiyan Xu 1, Eugene Skepner 3, Varough Deyde 1, Margaret Okomo-Adhiambo 1, Larisa Gubareva 1, John Barnes 1, Catherine B. Smith 1, Shannon L. Emery 1, Michael J. Hillman 1, Pierre Rivailler 1, James Smagala 1, Miranda de Graaf 4, David F. Burke 3, Ron A. M. Fouchier 5, Claudia Pappas 1, Celia M. Alpuche-Aranda 6, Hugo López-Gatell 6, Hiram Olivera 6, Irma López 6, Christopher A. Myers 7, Dennis Faix 7, Patrick J. Blair 7, Cindy Yu 8, Kimberly M. Keene 9, P. David Dotson Jr.10, David Boxrud 11, Anthony R. Sambol 12, Syed H. Abid 13, Kirsten St. George 14, Tammy Bannerman 15, Amanda L. Moore 16, David J. Stringer 17, Patricia Blevins 18, Gail J. Demmler-Harrison 19, Michele Ginsberg 20, Paula Kriner 21, Steve Waterman 22, Sandra Smole 23, Hugo F. Guevara 24, Edward A. Belongia 25, Patricia A. Clark 26, Sara T. Beatrice 27, Ruben Donis 1, Jacqueline Katz 1, Lyn Finelli 1, Carolyn B. Bridges 1, Michael Shaw 1, Daniel B. Jernigan 1, Timothy M. Uyeki 1, Derek J. Smith 28*, Alexander I. Klimov 1, Nancy J. Cox 1*
1 WHO Collaborating Center for Influenza, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA.2 Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK.; Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, USA.3 Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK.4 Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK.; Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Center, NL.5 Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Center, NL.6 Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos (InDRE) Prolongación de Carpio, México, DF.7 Naval Health Research Center, USA.8 Arizona State Public Health Laboratory, USA.9 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, USA.10 Indiana State Department of Health Laboratories.11 Public Health Laboratory, Minnesota Department of Health, USA.12 Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, USA.13 Westchester County Department of Laboratories & Research Public Health Laboratories, USA.14 Wadsworth Center, New York State Dept of Health, USA.15 Ohio Department of Health Laboratory, USA.16 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, USA.17 Dallas County Health and Human Services, USA.18 San Antonio Metro Health District, USA.19 Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, Texas Children's Hospital, USA.20 San Diego Public Health Laboratory, USA.21 Imperial County Public Health Department, USA.22 CDC Border Infectious Disease Surveillance Project, USA.23 William A Hinton State Laboratory Institute Massachusetts Department of Public Health, USA.24 California Department of Public Health, Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory, USA.25 Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, USA.26 Michigan Department of Community Health, USA.27 Public Health Laboratory, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, USA.28 Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK.; Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, USA.; Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Center, NL.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Derek J. Smith , E-mail: dsmith@zoo.cam.ac.uk
Nancy J. Cox , E-mail: njc1@cdc.gov
These author contributed equally to this work.

7 Tips to Decrease Cancer Risk and Prevent Recurrence

2008-11-11T18:23:00.000-08:00

By:

Harvard Health Publications

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

(Link: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100199917&imageindex=1)

1) Colorful vegetable salad

It is now well-established that a healthy, plant-based diet, physical activity and weight control help decrease cancer risk. But one of the hottest areas in cancer research right now is the connection with health-promoting behaviors and improved cancer survivorship.

Cancer survivors can help cancer-proof their bodies by managing their weight in the healthiest way possible. The same way of eating that will help you lose weight in a healthy manner is the same way of eating that will help you improve your immune function and promote anti-cancer activity in your body.

Here's how:
Eat a plant-based diet
Plant-based foods include a wide variety of delicious foods, such as fruits and vegetables; whole grains like wheat, oats, barley, and quinoa; nuts and seeds; tea; spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic, cilantro and basil; and soy foods. You don't have to become a vegetarian to include more plant foods at every meal and snack.

2) Be physically active every day

You don't need to train for a marathon, join a gym or even "exercise." Physical activity includes just moving around more in your day. You can do this in a variety ways throughout the day and in small time increments:

Park farther away, walk to nearby destinations, get off public transportation one stop earlier, take the stairs for even one flight, walk down extra aisles or lengths of shopping malls and grocery stores.

Take one 30- minute or two 15- minute walks. In separate studies, walking three to five hours a week helped reduce breast cancer recurrence by 40 percent and walking six hours a week at a moderate pace reduced colon cancer survivors' risk of recurrence by 50 percent.

3) Try activities such as Qi Gong and yoga

They help improve quality of life, reduce fatigue, promote recovery and strengthen the mind and body.

4) Get more good-quality sleep

Sleep disturbance is a very common side effect of cancer diagnosis and treatment and contributes significantly to fatigue. Research shows that sleep loss can elevate appetite and hunger hormones, especially for high calorie and high sugar foods. Sleep loss also impairs nutritional metabolism and promotes insulin resistance, diabetes and high cholesterol. Lack of sleep and poor quality sleep increase a person's chances of gaining weight.
Avoid watching TV, reading or eating in bed.
Don't go to bed until you are feeling tired.
Set a schedule for waking up around the same time everyday and limit daytime naps.
After 15 minutes of tossing and turning, get out of bed and try a relaxing activity.

Be careful not to do anything stimulating such as watching TV. Relaxing activities, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation or listening to a guided imagery CD may help get your body more ready to fall asleep.

5) Integrate mindfulness

New and exciting research is teaching us that how we eat is as important as what we eat. Distractions, such as driving, typing, reading, watching TV and even walking while we eat cause us to eat more food, eat more quickly and even reduce the amount of healthy nutrients we absorb from our meals.
Taking a moment to sit up straight and breathe deeply before, during and after a meal can help slow things down.

Eating slowly, in a relaxed environment with minimal distractions, is another way to help promote health, wellness and weight loss.

6) Address emotional eating

Learning you have cancer and going through treatment can dramatically affect a person's life. Cancer can be isolating, and depression affects up to 38 percent of cancer patients. To cope, many people turn to food. It's natural to want to cope the best way you know how even though you may know it's not good for you. The best way to help deal with emotional eating is to work with a health psychologist who specializes in cancer. For more information on diet and cancer please visit http://ww.danafarber.org/nutrition.

7) Maintain a healthy weight

If you're one of more than 10 million cancer survivors living in the United States, maintaining a healthy weight is vitally important.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 66 percent of American adults are overweight or obese. Approximately 72 million American adults were obese in 2005-2006. The prevalence of obesity among American children has more than doubled in the past 30 years.

Overweight is also associated with increased risk for colorectal, post-menopausal breast, pancreatic, kidney and esophageal cancers. Excess body weight accounts for at least 20 percent of all cancer-related deaths each year.

Carrying extra pounds, especially in your abdomen, can also inhibit the cancer patient's response to treatment. For women receiving treatment for early-stage breast cancer, gaining more than 13 pounds increases her risk of breast cancer returning by one and a half times.

Obesity and weight gain increase a man's risk of prostate cancer recurrence, death and the cancer spreading to other parts of the body (metastases).

HICCUPS...NOT AGAIN>>>>

2008-08-31T06:54:00.000-07:00

The Myth and Mystery of Hiccups
By Rob Shmerling, Harvard Health Publications
Harvard

How many times have you seen this in the movies and on television: The “drunk,” slumped on his barstool, is telling his sad tale to the bartender or anyone else willing to listen. And every other word is punctuated with an involuntary spasm of the shoulders and a short, squeaking noise – a hiccup.

Ever wonder why we get the hiccups? Are they really associated with alcohol use? And to get rid of them, does frightening the “hiccupper” really work?

Hiccups in Health

The reason we hiccup is unknown. The phenomenon is nearly universal and it can even be observed in a fetus, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy. The technical term for hiccups is singultus (from the Latin, singult, which describes catching your breath while crying). Hiccupping is a complex reflex: A sudden contraction or spasm of the diaphragm and the muscles between the ribs makes you inhale quickly and involuntarily. It ends with “glottic closure” -- the space in the throat near the vocal cords snaps shut, producing the typical sound.
In most cases, only one of the two sides of the diaphragm is involved; it is left-sided in 80 percent of cases.

While much is uncertain, this much is clear: Most of the time hiccups are simply a normal part of the human condition and, as annoying as they may be, they rarely last long. While hiccups occasionally indicate illness (as described below), they rarely are cause to worry, and there should be no urgency to “cure” yourself when the hiccups will almost always go away soon regardless of what you do.

Why Hiccups?

Most likely hiccups are a reflex. Nerves inside the chest send signals to the diaphragm and muscles between the ribs to spontaneously contract during normal breathing. This “hiccup reflex” may be set off by many triggers, including:
Emotional stress or excitement

Stretching of the stomach as may occur after overeating, drinking carbonated beverages, or swallowing air
Abrupt changes in the temperature (as with drinking a hot beverage)
Alcohol binging
Smoking

What Is Normal?

It is not easy to define “normal” hiccups. My medical dictionary describes them as “a spasmodic inhalation with closure of the glottis accompanied by a peculiar sound – fair enough! But what if it goes on for an hour or more? At some point, everyone might agree that prolonged or particularly forceful or painful hiccups are not normal and warrant more than the usual “wait it out” strategy. Experts have set up these definitions for hiccups based on how long they last:

A bout of hiccups -- Having hiccups on and off for up to 48 hours
Persistent hiccups -- Hiccups that last more than 48 hours but less than one month
Intractable hiccups -- hiccups lasting two months or more

A standard definition of “abnormal” hiccups is important in order to study the phenomenon in illness and to determine effective treatment.

Hiccups in Disease

Although it is rare, intractable hiccups may be a sign of disease and cause problems of their own, such as difficulty eating, weight loss, dehydration and poor sleep. There are even very rare reports of hiccups contributing to death. The most famous is that of Pope Pius XII in 1958 whose death was widely reported to be related to intractable hiccups. However, he apparently suffered from recurrent gastritis, which itself could have provoked persistent or intractable hiccups, and he ultimately died of strokes and pneumonia. The world record for hiccups (according to Guinness) is held by a farmer from Iowa who apparently hiccupped for more than 60 years for no known reason. When hiccups develop after major surgery, each hiccup may cause significant pain and can impair wound healing.

When hiccups are associated with medical problems, the cause is usually irritation of one of the nerves in the chest. Examples include laryngitis, goiters (enlargement of the thyroid gland), tumors in the neck, infections near the diaphragm, and hiatus hernia (usually with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Hiccups can also be triggered by excess alcohol use, kidney failure, and other infections (especially ear infections). Rarer causes are aortic aneurysms and multiple sclerosis.

Treating a disorder that may be triggering hiccups is usually the first course of action for prolonged or intractable hiccups. For example, surgical removal of a tumor, medication treatment for GERD (such as cimetidine or omeprazole) or antibiotic treatment of an infection may reduce or even eliminate severe hiccups when one of those conditions is the trigger.

Myth or Not?

Although there is much we do not understand about hiccups and how to make them stop, this much seems to be true:

Hiccups are not a reliable sign of alcohol use.

Holding one’s breath, breathing into a bag, being frightened, swallowing sugar, or drinking from the opposite side of a glass may be effective (though scientific proof is lacking). Other maneuvers that may work (and seem reasonably safe) include biting on a lemon, pulling on the tongue, gargling ice water or “tickling” the hard palate with a cotton swab. Knowing just how effective each of these may be and how much is myth is difficult because they are advocated primarily for “benign” hiccups that would likely resolve on their own regardless of treatment.

Medications can reduce hiccups. Among those with scientific evidence of effectiveness are chlorpromazine, metoclopramide, and baclofen (although side effects may be limiting). A variety of other medications have been suggested, though unproven. These include anticonvulsants (such as phenytoin), antidepressants (such as amitriptyline) and even marijuana.

Certain drugs are thought to cause hiccups. Discontinuing these medicines can an effective cure.

Examples include midazolam (a relative of ValiumR), some types of chemotherapy, and digoxin (a heart medication).

Other approaches with rare reports of effectiveness for intractable hiccups include hypnosis, acupuncture, and even surgery. Two examples surgical procedures are a “nerve block” that stops the phrenic nerve (the major nerve supply for the diaphragm) from sending signals so that the diaphragm stops contracting, and implantation of a pacemaker that results in more rhythmic contractions of the diaphragm.

Hiccups may be dangerous, but that’s rare. As mentioned above, weight loss, poor wound healing and even death occasionally have been attributed to intractable hiccups.

The Bottom Line

Hiccups are a normal and common human experience (though shared by many animals as well). They may serve an important purpose, although what that could be remains unknown. The next time you are afflicted with hiccups and everyone around you is giving you different advice, you may be better off politely walking away; chances are excellent that your hiccups will soon pass no matter what you do. And while others may think you’ve been drinking just because you have the hiccups, let them know that’s a common misconception -- unless, of course, it’s true.

More Intriguing Health Questions:
What Causes Twitching of the Eyelid?
Why Do We Yawn?
Does a Sneeze Mean Disease?
Do Power Lines Cause Cancer?
Is Kissing Dangerous?
Can You Become Immune to Medications?

Copyright © 2008 by the Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College.

URL: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100202330

Servicing ear???

2008-08-31T06:45:00.000-07:00

Leave That Ear Wax Alone
By Kathleen Doheny

HealthDay
FRIDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News)—When it comes to ear wax, it's best to leave it alone, new national guidelines state.

While many people feel they need to remove ear wax—technically called cerumen and a mixture of secretion, hair and dead skin—it is actually protective since it has lubricating and antibacterial properties, said Dr. Peter Roland, an ear specialist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He chaired a panel that released new guidelines Friday from the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.

The guidelines are the first comprehensive clinical recommendations meant to help health-care professionals identify patients with impacted wax and treat them properly. Panel members reviewed scientific studies and sought expert opinion to create the guidelines.

"The conclusion is that the mere presence of ear wax does not require anything," Roland said. If the ears are functioning, and there is no problem, most people should do nothing. And that includes resisting the urge to use a cotton-tipped swab to clean out the ear, he said.

Using a swab can actually drive excess wax in further, he said, and then medical attention is often needed to remove it.

Certain people need to pay more attention to their ear wax status, he said. Those who wear a hearing aid, Roland said, "are much more likely to develop problems with ear wax." That's because the hearing aid "prevents the ear from doing its job," which is to clean out excess ear wax naturally.

As people age, ear wax problems are more common, too, he said, with those over age 65 more likely to have problems than younger people.

The guidelines, composed by a panel of experts from otolaryngology, family medicine, internal medicine, nursing, audiology, pediatrics and nursing, included some key points:
Ear wax is beneficial and self-cleaning.

Hearing aid wearers should get their ears cleaned once or twice a year by a health-care professional to avoid wax buildup, which can cause hearing aid feedback or even damage the device.

When ear wax blocks 80 percent or more of the ear canal diameter, it can result in reversible hearing loss.

About 12 million people in the United States seek medical care each year for impacted ear wax, according to the guidelines. The panel advises the use of wax-dissolving agents such as water and saline to dislodge it by a professional. Irrigation, manual removal with special instruments or ear syringes are other options.

The guidelines advise against the use of cotton-tipped swabs, oral jet irrigators and ear candling (the use of cone-shaped candles that are lit to draw out the wax).

The new guidelines make sense, said Dr. Chester Griffiths, an ear specialist at Santa Monica–UCLA Medical Center & Orthopaedic Hospital, and an assistant clinical professor of surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine.

"These guidelines are followed already by the majority of ear-nose-throat doctors," he said. The written recommendations may now help other specialists, such as pediatricians, care for patients with ear wax problems, he said.

More information

To learn more about ear wax, visit the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
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URL: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100214367&GT1=31036

What We Can Say About Biodiversity

2008-04-19T08:03:00.001-07:00

What We Can Say About Biodiversity

(Extracted from www.pbiobd.blogspot.com)

By: PU 2A 2007

Haikal Hakim, Zulhusni, Farhan and others

(Maktab Sains PSBS '07)

We define biodiversity as the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystem.

The traditional three levels at which biodiversity has been identified:

genetic diversity - diversity of genes within a species. There is a genetic variability among the populations and the individuals of the same species. (See also population genetics.)
species diversity - diversity among species in an ecosystem. "Biodiversity hotspots" are excellent examples of species diversity.
ecosystem diversity - diversity at a higher level of organization, the ecosystem. To do with the variety of ecosystems on Earth.

Why does it play an important role to us, to the world?

Forest Biodiversity

In Brunei Darussalam, the tropical rainforest is occupied with flora and fauna unimaginable to mind. This beloved forest of ours that we intended to retain and conserve: holds the biodiversity itself that is the variation in animal and plant species. Our tropical rainforest can be sub-divided into 6 natural forest types.

The natural forest types can be further categorized into subtypes (which we are going to explain later in the context), which follow closely to the geological patterns. It is interesting to say that though Brunei is a small country, it has successfully conserved all of the original natural forest types and subtypes, some of which occurring in other parts of Borneo might already been threatened. So much so, these forest entities become very significant and often rare representative of their own kinds in the world.

There are several contemporary key concerns or issues on Brunei forests which need to be addressed so that that the forests biodiversity be perpetuated and benefited. The issues include:

Forest Biodiversity Conversation
Forest Biodiversity Researh
National Forest Inventory (NFI)
Research and Development
Wise Use
Rehabilitation and Enrichment Planting
Forest Monitoring and Surveillance : The Need For Tighter Enforcement

Table 1 Primary Forest Types found in Brunei Darussalam

FORESTS TYPES	FOREST SUBTYPES	Area (hectares)	% total forest area	%total land area
1. Mangrove	Bakau, Nyireh Bunga, Linggadai, Nipah, Nipah-Dungun, Pedada, Nibong	18,481	3.9	3.2
2. Peat Swamp	Transitional Mangrove-Peatswamp, Ramin-Pulaie, Jongkong, Terentang, Alan, Alan Bunga, Padang Alan, Padang Mixed Forest, Padang Keruntum	90,884	19.4	15.6
3. Freshwater Swamp	Empran, Non- Arboel Alluvium, Sub-Arboel Alluvium	12,668	2.7	2.2
4. Kerangas	Belait-Pleisocene, Tulong, kapur Paya, Ru (Sempilau), Mountain Kerangas	3,455	0.7	0.6
5. Mixed Dipterocarp	Lowland Association, hill, Highland Mix	192,575	41.1	33.1
6. Montane	Mixed Lower Montane, Tulong Association, Shorea coriaceae, Oak Rhododentron Mix.	7,196	3.4	2.7

Some of the forest types present in Brunei Darussalam:
Mangrrove

Merimbun Swamp

Kerangas Brunei

Mixed Dipterocarp

Biodiversity in Brunei Darussalam

A Case Study on Biodiversity

(Acknowledging researcher: Dr Zohrah Hj Sulaiman)

Objective: To identify all the freshwater fish species present in the lake.

Location: Tasek Merimbun, Tutong District, Brunei Darussalam

Method: Fish sampling

*Keys: Tase(i)k – Lake, sungai - river

Some Facts:

Tasek Merimbun is the largest freshwater lake in Brunei Darussalam. It is connected to Sungai Tutong by Sungai Asan. The water in the lake is black because its tributary, Sungai Melunchor, flows through peat swamp forest and drains into the lake. During the drought season (El Nino in 1998), the other areas of the lake were dry except Sungai Melunchor.

Tasek Merimbun is inhabited by 43 species of freshwater fishes. The largest family is the Cyprinidae and it comprises of 16 species including the new Rasbora kottelati found in the tributary of the lake in 1992. The other 15 families of freshwater fishes in the lake are Anabantidae, Anguilidae, Belontiidae, Engraulidae, Luciocephalidae, Notopteridae, Bagridae, Channidae, Nandindae, Siluridae, Balitoridae, Helostomatidae, Clariidae, Mastacembelidae and Synbranchidae. Tasek Merimbun is declared as ASEAN Heritage Park in 1984. Fishing activities in the lake had been discouraged in the past. The objectives of this Park are: to function as a wildlife sanctuary, a recreational center, floral and faunal conservation site, and in promoting research and education.

Map of Brunei Darussalam and its neighbouring states

Map of the Borneo Island

In general, biodiversity of freshwater fishes of Brunei Darussalam is not as rich as its neighbouring Sarawak (East Malaysia), Sabah (East Malaysia), and Kalimantan (part of Indonesia). The two main reasons are as follows:

Brunei does not have many inland waters
It is very likely that a number of freshwater fishes have not been fully discovered especially in inaccessible area or area which has not yet been exploited.

Some of the fish species found in Tasek Merimbun

Anguillidae

Bracki4-Anabantidae

Clariidae

Cobitidae

Eel-Synbranchidae

Engraulidae

Rasbora Kalochroma

Rasbora Kottelati

Siluridae (Silurus Glanis)

Aquatic life Biodiversity

The most recent programs emphasized by our government is conserving and managing the biodiversities of our freshwater fishes and marine turtles, which will decline if not properly taken care of. These increases, not only the environmentalists’ awareness, but the public as well.

THE ROLES OF THE PUBLIC

Anybody can become turtle volunteers. But they have to be physically fit as they have to walk a distance during turtle nesting season to patrol the beach. For those under the age of eighteen, parental consent to become members is required. As volunteers, they will be assisting staff in the department to monitor beach at night for turtles nesting.

Realising the plight of the turtles locally, regionally and internationally, the National on Turtle Management and Conservation has adopted a slogan to meet the objectives of the Committee. The slogan is called:

‘SAYANGI PENYU KITANI ’

This slogan encompasses the feelings to ensure the giants of the sea, the turtles, will not disappear from the face of the earth. When translated, it means that everybody should protect, care and love turtles through our actions.

Threats to biodiversity

During the last century, erosion of biodiversity has been increasingly observed. Some studies show that about one of eight known plant species is threatened with extinction. Some estimates put the loss at up to 140,000 species per year (based on Species-area theory) and subject to discussion. This figure indicates unsustainable ecological practices, because only a small number of species come into being each year. Almost all scientists acknowledge that the rate of species loss is greater now than at any time in human history, with extinctions occurring at rates hundreds of times higher than background extinction rates.

1) Destruction of habitats

2) Exotic species

Benefits of biodiversity

General ideas of why we should maintain biodiversity

There are a multitude of benefits of biodiversity in the sense of one diverse group aiding another such as:

Resistance to Catastrophe
Monoculture, the lack of biodiversity, was a contributing factor to several agricultural disasters in history, including the Irish Potato Famine, the European wine industry collapse in the late 1800s, and the US Southern Corn Leaf Blight epidemic of 1970.

Food and drink
Biodiversity provides food for humans. About 80 percent of our food supply comes from just 20 kinds of plants. Although many kinds of animals are utilized as food, again most consumption is focused on a few species.
There is vast untapped potential for increasing the range of food products suitable for human consumption, provided that the high present extinction rate can be halted.

Medicines

A significant proportion of drugs are derived, directly or indirectly, from biological sources; in most cases these medicines can not presently be synthesized in a laboratory setting. Moreover, only a small proportion of the total diversity of plants has been thoroughly investigated for potential sources of new drugs. Many medicines and antibiotics are also derived from microorganisms.

Industrial materials

A wide range of industrial materials are derived directly from biological resources. These include building materials, fibers, dyes, resins, gums, adhesives, rubber and oil. There is enormous potential for further research into sustainably utilizing materials from a wider diversity of organisms.

Other ecological services
Biodiversity provides many ecosystem services that are often not readily visible. It plays a part in regulating the chemistry of our atmosphere and water supply. Biodiversity is directly involved in recycling nutrients and providing fertile soils. Experiments with controlled environments have shown that humans cannot easily build ecosystems to support human needs; for example insect pollination cannot be mimicked by man-made construction, and that activity alone represents tens of billions of dollars in ecosystem services per annum to mankind.

Leisure, cultural and aesthetic value

Many people derive value from biodiversity through leisure activities such as enjoying a walk in the countryside, birdwatching or natural history programs on television.

Biodiversity has inspired musicians, painters, sculptors, writers and other artists. Many cultural groups view themselves as an integral part of the natural world and show respect for other living organisms.

2008-04-19T02:06:00.000-07:00

WHAT WE CAN SAY ABOUT BIODIVERSITY?

AUTHOR: PU 2A 2007

LEADER: HAIKAL HAKIM

MEMBERS.....YOU KNOW WHO...

VISIT...WWW.PBIOBD.BLOGSPOT.COM

NEW Pics from Persatuan Biologi

2008-04-15T07:45:00.001-07:00

I saw your pics...

Go and check them at

http://pbiobd.blogspot.com/2008/04/pbiobd-annual-jungle-walk-and-bbq.html

www.pbiobd.blogspot.com

BASE WEBPAGE - science project 2008

2008-04-15T07:12:00.001-07:00

INTERESTING!!!

A glimpse of Brunei Association for Science Education (BASE) activities......From BASE to all Menengah Bawah 3 nationwide....... something from your colleagues!!

Come and have a look at.....

BASE WEBPAGE - science project 2008 : http://www.moe.edu.bn/base/sciproject08.htm

BASE WEBPAGE - science project 2008

Topic (SCHOOL)

Classification of Plants SM SAYIDDINA HASAN

Electrolysis of Common Salt SM AWANG SEMAUN

Density SM MENGLAIT

Magnets MSOAS

Sound CHUNG CHING MIDDLE SCHOOL

Light MSPSBS

Acid SM MASIN

Forces SM RIPAS

Heat SM SAYIDDINA ABU BAKAR

Reproduction in plants ANTHONY ABELL COLLEGE

Mammals PDS SECONDARY SCHOOL

Reptiles SM SMJA

Pressure SM BERAKAS

Living Things and Their Ecosystems SM MUDA HASHIM

Pollution SM SAYYIDINA UMAR AL-KHATTAB

Digestive system SM SULTAN SHARIF ALI

Smoking SMPDSM

Alcohol SM SUFRI BOLKIAH

Matter ST MARGARET'S SCHOOL

Conductors and Insulators PGGMB SECONDARY SCHOOL

Drugs SM PERDANA WAZIR

Neutralization SM PIHM SERASA

Measuring Temperatures CHUNG HUA MIDDLE SCHOOL, KB

Food Tests SM SAYYIDINA OTHMAN

Classification of Food ST. ANDREW'S SCHOOL

Circulatory System SM SAYYIDINA ALI

Photosynthesis SM RIMBA

Metals ST JAME'S SCHOOL

Invertebrates STPRI

Tooth SM PJN PHAB

Electromagnets NUSA LAILA PUTERI SECONDARY SCHOOL

STD SM PAP HJH MASNA

Don't miss the opportunity to download!!!!

Organic Light - Emitting Diode

2008-04-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

Interested?

Drop in @ http://oled-brasil.blogspot.com/.

Next to feature ICASE, BASE and many more.

Do drop by at Persatuan Biologi blog @ http://www.pbiobd.blogspot.com/

PBioBD ANNUAL JUNGLE TREKKING & BBQ 2008

2008-03-22T04:27:00.000-07:00

By: Aireen (16/03/2008)

BERAKAS FOREST RESERVE (venue)

Area 149 ha, a forest research reserve under the Forestry Department
(Trails to be explored are Denai Ruranang, Denai Nibung and Denai Sinduk-Sinduk).

a) Rain forests in the tropics exist as different formations.

This is due to:
· Type of soil in the area
· Whether the soil is well drained
· Whether the water table is high
· The distance inland and
· The elevation.

b) In Brunei seven major forest formations are easily recognised:
1. Beach forest
2. Mangal (Mangrove) forest
3. Peatswamp forest
4. Riparian forest
5. Mixed Dipterocarp forest
6. Heath (Kerangas) forest
7. Secondary forests (belukar)

c) Type of rainforest here at the Berakas Forest Reserve: Beach forest and Heath forest

Beach forest - consisting of 4 forest formations- according to site and successional stage:
1. Ru laut (Casuarina equisetifolia) - a narrow belt fringing the shore;
2. Mixed Beach Forest - on dry soils behind the shore line;
3. Nibung (Oncosperma) Forest – on unconsolidated, moist sites and
4. Beach Scrub - on rocky outcrops.

d) Beach vegetation in Brunei:

Typically includes an association of the sandy beach and a narrow belt of trees and shrubs.

Most predominant trees are the Ru (Casuarina equisetifolia), the bintangor laut (Callophyllum inophyllum) and the coppery-leafed nyatoh laut (Planchonella obovata).

The shrubby taccada or Malayan rice-paper plant (Scaevola sericea), with thick, pale green leaves and small white flowers, each in the form of a tube slit down one side, frequently forms a fringe along the landward margin of the beach (Denai Ruranang)

This vegetation has adapted to the salt spray from the sea exposure to the sun and the wind and waves, the nutrient –poor substrate, wide variations in temperature and humidity – a naturally hostile environment for plant growth.

The Ru, is able to grow in such hostile environment because they are able to get additional nitrogen through bacterial associations in its root nodules (Mutualism).

Beach forests that once occurred along much of the coastline of Brunei.
But they have been much disturbed or replaced by human settlements and very few good patches remain (the coastline between Muara and Tutong and only further west towards Kuala Belait).

e) Note:

Denai Nibung: the Nibung is a type of palm, immediately recognizable by it spiny trunk and leaves. The rowing point (umbut) are eaten

Denai Sinduk-Sinduk: a large palm with big fronds (leaves); stilt roots; fungi (bracket mushroom) growing on rotting tree trunks; termite mound/nest - important insects for nutrient cycling and decomposition processes.

Denai Ruranang: lianas or woody climbers (akar); thick, rope-like stems twisting and winding their way up into the forest canopy, sun-loving plants, establish themselves in the bright forest gaps created by tree fall where they grow together with other trees and are raised to the forest canopy, has an important ecological role in large forest gaps - helps to provide a partly sheltered environment where seedlings and young trees intolerant of full light can establish themselves; some lianas hang across from one tree to another and may hang down to forest floor- these connections between trees serve as bridges for small mammals such as rodents in the forest; medicinal properties- stems are used for treating skin ailments and after childbirth, malaria, bacterial abcessses and high blood pressure; short lengths of stems yield potable water often taken by forest dwellers; and good ropes from the stem fibres.

f) The importance of rain forests:

§ Soil and nutrient conservation function- action of microbes in rain forest ecosystem breaks down organic matter from the remains of plants and animals and helps to release nutrients back into the system, making them available again for use by plant roots.

§ Hydrological balance- through living mass of plants and organic matter in forests, to hold large amounts of water which are slowly released to sustain streams and rivers.

§ Forest also acts as a ‘sink’ for atmospheric carbon dioxide. Photosynthesis prevents accumulation of carbon dioxide and other gases such as methane. Without forest, the accumulated gases intensify the greenhouse effect (which prevents radiation bouncing off the earth’s surface from penetrating through and leaving our atmosphere, causing world temperatures to increase, and so affecting the climatic system of the earth.

§ Economic values- rattans, bamboo, fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, aromatic compounds, cordage, twine, resins, beeswax and meat. Many relatives of theses species, still found wild in the forest (some have yet to be discovered) can be important species for breeding.

g) Fauna – birds, termites, leaf litter and soil invertebrates, cicadas, etc.

WHATS GOING ON IN MARCH 2008 - BRUNEI DARUSSALAM?

2008-03-01T23:23:00.000-08:00

SCIENCE ACTIVITIES 2008 - MARCH

1. Persatuan Biologi Brunei Darussalam (PBioBD)
********* Annual Jungle Trek @ Tasek Lama (16/03)

2. Brunei Association for Science Education (BASE)
********* BASE National Science Camp @ BASE Centre (26/03 - 29/03)

3. Institute of Medicine, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (refer to UBD website)
********* 3rd Annual Conference

4. Forestry Department, MIPR
********* PRYNSA 11 selection

5. British Hi-com (+ HSBC, BSP, Tourism & Forestry)
********* Heart of Borneo booklet distribution (through schools and agencies)

6. Science, Technology and Environmental Partnerships (STEP) Centre
********* Science Olympiad

7. Dk. Hjh. Siti Fatimah Pg. Hj. Petra
********* Research in Biology Classroom - Project 1 submission

(with PU1A and PU 1D)

Projects are to be displayed / distributed during MS - Bio Health Week

Visit: www.biodiary.blogspot.com
********* Talk on Science Colloquium (with DSS - forwarded to April)
********* Talk on ICASE, Perth (with DSS- forwarded to April)

All in March!!!

See you soon!

Towards Success!!

2007-11-11T04:18:00.001-08:00

View at Klondike Hotel, Mauritius

2007-09-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

BASE Science and Technology Week 2007

2007-09-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

You are all invited to:

Brunei Association for Science Education

Science and Technology Week 2007

7th to 10th September 2007

Maktab Teknik Sultan Saiful Rijal

(MTSSR)

8.00 am to 4.30 pm

"Passion Towards Active Learning To Promote Science and Technology"

Winners of 1st Bio CD Craft Competition

2007-08-17T02:04:00.000-07:00

WELL DONE!!!

1st Bio-CD Craft Competition 2007

4th Syaaban 1428 / 17th August 2007

Winners:

1. Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Sponsored by BIBD)

2. Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan

3. Pusat Tingkatan Enam Berakas (Sponsored by Ranoadidas.com)

THANK YOU SPONSORS!!

Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam

Ranoadidas.com

AND THANK YOU ALL!!!

What's going on in Brunei?

2007-08-07T06:24:00.000-07:00

What's going on in Brunei?

Be alert!!

1) Persatuan Biologi Brunei Darussalam (PBioBD) - Prize Presentation for Bio-CD Craft Competition 2007 for Tertiary Students.
Invited teachers please bring $5.00 for refreshment. You'll get a complementary CD for Applications in Biology.

When? 17 th August 2007 - Friday
Where? Central Lecture Theatre, Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Time? 7.50 - 11.45 am

Nomination will take place for the next office bearers for Persatuan Biologi for the term 2007 - 2009.

2) Brunei Association for Science Education (BASE) - BASE Science and Technology Week 2007
FOR ALL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS!!
What's on? 1) BASE S&T Exhibition
2) BASE Science Quiz
3) BASE Science Seminar....and many more
But interestingly this year's BASE CONNECT include talks on:
"I want to be.... a forensic scientist" and
"I want to be.... an environmentalist'''"

So, come on people show yourself... when? 8th - 10th September (before puasa) 2007; .....where? Maktab Duli, Gadong.......and time? 8 - 5 pm.... See you there!!

3) What are the rest of Science associations in Brunei?
- Brunei Institute of Chemistry
- Physics Association
- Mathematics Association
---> Activities? Not known to date....

4) What about science centres in Brunei?
We have:
* Science, Technology and Environmental Partnership Centre under the Ministry of Education Brunei Darussalam
* Oil and Gas Discovery Centre under Brunei Shell Petroleum Company
* Health Centre soon...

But Check it out!! We have...

* Belalong Research Centre (for Rainforest fans....we have an excellent virgin forest here!!)

* Pulau Selirong - Mangrove forest

* Peat Swamp Forest in Belait

and lots more to wonder...and wonder...and wonder...

Oh...And don't forget, we have Brunei Museum Technology Brunei....

SOOOO.....Let's communicate Science!!

DkCt - date as posted.

2007-08-06T04:53:00.000-07:00

CONASTA 56 • ICASE2007

The Perth Declaration on
Science and Technology Education

We, the participants at the 2007 World Conference on Science and Technology Education, held in Perth, Western Australia, 9 - 12 July 2007, and comprising more than 1000 science and technology educators from 50 nations worldwide; believing in the importance of science and technology for sustainable, responsible, global development, and in the need to bridge the gap between science and technology and the public.

Express concern at the lack of recognition of science education as a vehicle for meeting national educational goals, and social and economic needs;

Observe a widespread lack of student interest in current school science and technology education and of its relevance to them;

Note the shortage in many countries of specialist teachers of science and technology;

And consider that the rapid changes taking place in science and technology and their
applications must be reflected in the planning, teaching and learning of science and technology.

Resolved to recommend to Governments:

• To promote critical awareness of the contribution of science and technology to personal, social, economic and environmental wellbeing through building partnerships with national stakeholders and the media;

• To initiate revisions of the curriculum for school science and technology that will increase student interest in and recognition of the roles of science and technology in society;

• To promote from the primary years onwards the career opportunities that stem from the study of science and technology;

• To recruit graduates into science and technology teaching and to value, support and retain them with appropriate rewards;

• To resource and promote continuous, effective professional development for science and technology teachers in order to meet changing student needs and societal aspirations;

• To recognise and support the significant role of teacher associations in building a quality professional learning community for science and technology;

• To resource the development of relevant and effective assessment processes so that learners achieve essential life skills, meet academic and vocational standards and personal aspirations;

• To engage in greater international cooperation to ensure the provision of well-trained science and technology teachers to meet current and future challenges;

• To call on UNESCO to integrate its science and technology education endeavour as fundamental to achieving educational, environmental, cultural, social and sustainable development goals.

We, the participants, are committed to ensuring that students are scientifically and technologically literate and able to contribute to sustainable, responsible, global development in their respective nations.

The Perth Journal 6

2007-07-28T05:05:00.000-07:00

A glimpse of ICASE World Conference 2007
(Part 6)

The fifth and the final day of the World Conference 2007 witnessed the final document embargoed for release on Thursday, 12th July 2007 at 4.00 p.m. Western Time. More than 1000 science teachers and academics from 50 countries attending an international conference in Perth have agreed that urgent action is required to bridge gaps between science, technology and the public. The identified five key reasons for a global decline in the level of interest in science were:
Difficulty finding, training and retaining well-qualified science teachers
Lack of resources devoted to science and science education in some countries
Difficulty keeping up with emerging science and changing teaching practice
Public perceptions related to science
Difficulty maintaining a relevant science curriculum at all levels

At the conclusion of the conference, delegates issued the Perth Declaration on Science and Technology Education which calls on governments around the world to:
Promote critical awareness of the contribution of science and technology to personal, social, economic and environmental wellbeing through building partnerships with national stakeholders and the media;
Initiate revisions of the curriculum for school science and technology that will increase student interest in and recognition of the roles of science and technology in society;
Promote from the primary years onwards the career opportunities that stem from the study of science and technology;
Recruit graduates into science and technology teaching and to value, support and retain them with appropriate rewards;
Resource and promote continuous, effective professional development for science and technology teachers in order to meet changing student needs and societal aspirations;
Recognise and support the significant role of teacher associations in building a quality professional learning community for science and technology;
Resource the development of relevant and effective assessment processes so that learners achieve essential life skills, meet academic and vocational standards and personal aspirations;
Engage in greater international cooperation to ensure the provision of well-trained science and technology teachers to meet current and future challenges;
Call on UNESCO to integrate its science and technology education endeavour as fundamental to achieving educational, environmental, cultural, social and sustainable development goals.

The declaration concludes with a pledge that the participants are committed to ensuring that students are scientifically and technologically literate and able to contribute to sustainable, responsible, global development in their respective nations.

Groups of delegates raised more than 30 significant issues, the conference convenor said; but there was strong agreement that the top five issues would have to be addressed at international, national and local levels to build interest in the crucial role of science and technology in the 21st century. Mr. Robin Groves said that the conference had noted a widespread lack of student interest in current school science and technology education in many countries because they did not consider it relevant to them. Concern was expressed about the lack of recognition of science and technology education as a vehicle for meeting national educational goals, and social and economic needs.

Mr. Groves also said that the conference noted a significant shortage of specialist teachers of science and technology in many countries. “Science educators consider that the rapid changes taking place in science and technology and their applications must be reflected in the planning, teaching and learning of science and technology,” he added.

The Conference Convenors for 2nd ICASE World Conference 2007 were Robin Groves (Curtin University of Technology) and Elaine Horne (Curriculum Council of WA). The ICASE World Conference Standing Committees were:
- Robin Groves (Chair), Australia
- Azian Abdullah, Malaysia
- Ben Akpan, Nigeria
- Karl Brachtl, Austria
- Michael Brookman, UK
- Denis Burchill, New Zealand
- Dennis Chrisman, UK
- Dk Hjh Siti Fatimah, Brunei
- Jane Gamble, UK
- Satyendra Giri, India
- Lucille Gregorio, Philippines
- Orlando Hall-Rose, France
- Jack Holbrook, Bangladesh
- Elaine Horne, Australia
- Mary Loveless, New Zealand
- Ben Sangan, Brazil
- Lynne Symonds, UK
- Sue Dale Tunicliffe, UK

The representative countries at the ICASE World Conference 2007 were Australia, Austria, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, China, Cyprus, DR of Congo, Estonia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA and Zambia.

The 3rd ICASE World Conference 2007 will take place in 2010 at Estonia; convene by Ms. Mia Rặnnikmặe. I call upon local educators to experience the best of the next world conference and present their findings in the sharing sessions. Everyone who participated in the 2nd ICASE 2007 World Conference agreed that this conference had been their biggest conference, enabling a large networking platform amongst participants. I look forward to represent Brunei Darussalam again in 2010.

“Give meaning to Science” – Facilitated Group 25, ICASE 2007

Let’s communicate Science!

The Perth Journal 5

2007-07-28T05:03:00.000-07:00

A glimpse of ICASE World Conference 2007
(Part 5)

The fourth day of the World Conference 2007 (11th July 2007) began with the third keynote address by Professor Barnabas Otaala from the University of Namibia. He outlined the heart-rending detail the HIV-AIDS challenge confronting the Sub-Saharan African region. He noted that ‘AIDS is turning the clock back on development. In too many countries the gains in life expectancy won are being wiped out. In too many countries more teachers are dying each week that can be trained…’ (James Wolfensen, World Bank President, 2000) Professor Otaala described some of the research work that had uncovered the attitudes, behaviours and misconceptions that were common-place among secondary students. Overlaying these values were the values and cultural practices that needed to be recognized in any program to engender behavioral and attitudinal change. The solution as he pointed very strongly, will involve three elements: education, education and education. The keynote revealed a problem of extraordinary complexity and seriousness; one questioner even pointed out that the issue of HIV-AIDS challenge is on our doorstep too.

The day continued with more parallel sessions and a slot of mind-boggling event, that is, the Facilitated Discussion for issues set for the ICASE Assembly 2007. All delegates were invited to discuss the issues, problems and priorities for the 21st Century of Science Education. More than 25 groups were gathered to come up with five common issues shared by all delegates, which includes teachers’ continuing professional development and students’ interests in science. The discussion continues the following day to put forward the Perth Declaration on Science and Technology Education.

The day ended with Poster Presentations by participants and International Interactions, followed by the Western Australia Happy Hour and Trade Displays in Golden Ballroom.

“The joy of discovery is certainly the liveliest that the mind of man can ever feel.”
Claude Bernard (1813 – 1878) French Physiologist

The Perth Journal 4

2007-07-28T05:02:00.000-07:00

A glimpse of ICASE World Conference 2007
(Part 4)

The third day of the World Conference 2007 (10th July 2007) was a lined up of a packed program of Science Breakfast at University of Western Australia; keynote address by Professor Howard Gardner from Harvard Graduate School of Education; Science Technicians’ Program; ICASE Facilitated Discussion; ASTA Forum; International Interactions; Poster Presentations; Tastes of Western Australian Happy Hour and Trade Displays; and the Conference Dinner.

The intriguing Science Breakfast at the University Club of Western Australia invited the seated guests to listen to brief welcoming and closing remarks and three fascinating researches while having breakfast. The programme includes Welcoming speech by Professor Alistar Robertson, Dean of Natural and Agricultural Sciences; followed by Professor Sarah Dunlop, a professional fellow (Research) and Senior Fellow at the School of Animal Biology whom shared her research on ‘Brain Training.’ The other 10-mintes talk were ‘Science Education’ by Professor Grady Venville from the graduate School of Education; and finally ‘Sleeping research at UWA’ presented by Assistant Professor Peter Eastwood, an R Douglas Wright Fellow and a member of the School of Anatomy and Human Biology. Professor George Stewart, Dean of Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences close the morning breakfast with an overview of all the speakers.

Upon returning to the conference venue, Professor Howard Gardner from Harvard Graduate School of Education began his address on Multiple Intelligences (MI) by recounting some of the early history of psychology and, specifically IQ testing. He believed that psychology – which always suffered ‘physics envy’ would evolve away from the overtly metric approach into biology. In so doing the Eurocentric ‘IQ as an entity measured by a test’ view would change: less of the single heritable gene for smartness and more of the Asian view that effort and motivation count. According to him, intelligence is the biopsychological potential to process information in certain ways in order to solve problems or fashion products that are valued in a culture. At present schools, he said, rate students almost exclusively on linguistic and logical intelligences. A better way would be to make education individual-centred; finding out what the students want, assessing their strengths and starting from that point. He added, schools that catered for the MI of young children provide environments that cultivate the various modalities equally, letting the children determine learning. Professor Gardner highlighted Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words – character is more important than intellect.

Other events that took place were daily field trips to various interesting places including Astronomy at Trinity College; Australian Resources Research Centre; Winery Tour; Kings Park; Biodiversity Conservation Centre; Environmental Technology Centre at Murdoch University; Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre and Stromatolite and Beach Sands.

It was quite amazing to see a wide age-range of participants in this conference – the oldest delegate was Mr. Lance Strickland, 91 years old – a member of CONASTA and a former school teacher. The youngest was Miss Sam Mofflin, another member of CONASTA, aged 16 years old.

The Perth Journal 3

2007-07-28T04:59:00.000-07:00

A glimpse of ICASE World Conference 2007
(Part 3)

The early morning of the second day (9th July 2007) of the 2nd ICASE World Conference 2007 invited delegates for a scenic walk at the Swan River. Delegates headed down Hill Street towards the river, turned left onto Terrace Road, turned right into Plain Street and cross riverside Drive at the traffic lights and walk East towards the Causeway to the Point Fraser, an award winning public recreation wetland reserve. The wetland treats stormwater from an urban catchment prior to its discharge to the Swan River. Delegates were initially warned to watch out for cyclists who often travel very fast on the dual path along the river.

The program is followed by a formal opening ceremony and a reflective, amusing yet insightful address by the first keynote speaker, Professor Lord Winston, a scientist and a science communicator from the Imperial College, UK. The theme of Professor’s Winston address was constant: science as a human enterprise advances when the people who practice it remain open minded and without hubris. ‘Science teachers share the respect that all teachers enjoy in public perception, however the task will be to provide means of attracting students into science first and then into science teaching. The position of high esteem alone will not cut it.’ Professor Winston also talked about the ‘failure’ of universities to link science with communication skills and ethical and commercial imperatives and philosophy. His final statements alluded to the need to properly reward teachers of science, the problem of lack of technicians and the issue of young teachers entering the profession with a greater debt load.

The program continued with a great list of parallel sessions consisting of highlighted speakers’ addresses, oral paper presentations, seminar and workshops till the end of the day; this includes my paper presentation on ‘Promoting Discussion in Secondary Science Classrooms’ in the Mt Newman Room at the Conference Level of the Sheraton Perth Hall. Other mini venues for the parallel sessions in the hotel include the Pilbara, Hammersley, Goldworthy, divided Golden Ballroom (North, Central and South) and the Presidential Suite. Another venue that catered sessions focusing on technicians and primary teachers took place in Mercedes College, about 5 minute walk from Sheraton Perth hotel.

The evening programme invited delegates to listen to a remarkable Stanhope Oration delivered by Dr. Graham Pearman on ‘The Climate Change Challenge: From Science to Action’. He began his presentation with a brief history of the awareness of the relationship between greenhouse gases and climate, around 150 years ago. He then developed his thesis that these understanding have been influenced and sometimes obscured by cultural and political expediences; lead to a considerable disconnect between a scientist explaining a complex model that predicts change, and for example, a politician’s ability to comprehend the nature or even possibility of that change. The evening session was followed by a reception after presentations of award to members of local teachers association.

“You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.”
Galileo Galilei (1564 – 1642)

The Perth Journal 2

2007-07-28T04:54:00.000-07:00

A glimpse of ICASE World Conference 2007
(Part 2)

The Program of the 2nd ICASE World Conference 2007 began with Registration at 2.00 p.m. at the Conference floor of the Sheraton Perth Hotel. Around 45 nationalities were expected to attend this conference. The three attendees from Brunei Darussalam are two lecturers from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Dr. Irene Cheong and Dr. Andrew Baimba and I

A Welcoming Ceremony held at the Golden Ballroom in the Sheraton Perth Hotel began at 5 pm followed by a cocktail reception at the Grand River Ballroom of the same venue to gather people together for a warm Australian welcome.

At the welcoming ceremony, Mort Hansen opened the conference with an amazing display of didgeridoo and welcomed all delegates to the land of the Nyungar people in English and in his own language. This is followed by the country introduction called out by the conference convenors Robin Groves and Elaine Horne. Representative(s) of the mentioned country wave or greet publicly to the many delegates.

Next on the line in welcoming these delegates was the opening of the World STE 2007 by Professor Lynn Beazley, the Chief Scientist. Lynn Beazley is a facilitator, advocate and advisor for science; she referred Australia as an immense and ancient land with its extraordinary geological and biological diversity; she added the most diverse of all is Western Australia, particularly Pilbarra, Kimberley, Goldfields, south west regions of the state and Shark Bay with its Ningaloo Reef (the second most diverse coral reef in the world). Dramatic photographs of the flora, fauna, geological and archeological features were also presented. Australia has the clearest skies and the best views for astronomy, a hot spot for biodiversity and resource rich with unique animals and plants. She also shared a case study in saving the Swamp Tortoise species that forms the basis of an educational resource that is used in Wetern Australian schools and has been translated into many different languages – a wonderful example of communicating real science and reinforced the themes of the world conference, sustainability, responsibility and global awareness.

The WorldSTE 2007 was proudly supported by the Department of Industry and Resources and sponsored by the Woodside Chamber of Minerals & Energy, WA; Department of education & Training, WZ; Curriculum Council The West Australian; Curtin University of Technology, University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, Centre for Sustainable Resource Processing (CSIRO), 3B Scientific, Vernier International, Biotechnology Australia, Department of Education, Science and Training Newmont.

“Science can only ascertain what is, but not what should be, and outside of its domain value judgements of all kinds remain necessary.” A Einstein (1987 – 1955)

The Perth Journal 1

2007-07-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

A glimpse of ICASE World Conference 2007

The 2nd ICASE World Conference on Science and Technology Education 2007 is being held in Perth, Western Australia from the 8th to 12th July 2007 at the Sheraton Perth Hotel and Mercedes College. The conference was officially opened by the Deputy Premier the Honorary Eric Ripper on the 9th July 2007. The World conference is hosted by the Science Teachers Association of Western Australia on behalf of the International Council of Associations for Science Education (ICASE) and the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA). It brings together science and technology educators and other experts in the field from around the world to interact and create an outstanding learning experience and establishment of global professional networks. The conference is patronaged by Professor Barry Marshall and Dr. Robin Warren (Nobel Laureates, 2005), Professor Peter Doherty (Nobel Laureate, 1996) and Professor John De Laeter.

One of the aims of the World Conference is to address serious global issues that teachers and other educators can use as springboards for action within their own countries and communities, focusing on educational concerns such as policy, curriculum, classroom practice, research and external agency support. Another aim was to achieve other goals in developing a platform that engages and gives direction to science educators around the world through the Perth Declaration. Ideas and discussions gathered from this conference will be brought forward to the International Science Education Policy Forum organized by UNESCO, which will decide the implementation, direction, communication and strategies for science education within different countries over the next few years.

The major themes of the World Conference are:
- Education for sustainable development, as part of the UNESCO World Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005 – 2015)
- World Health, including AIDS, Malaria and other diseases and health challenges such as clean water
- Science For Life and Citizenship
- The Way Forward guidelines set by the 1st ICASE World Conference in 2003

Strand lectures and workshops linked to these themes will take place in parallel. Sessions also include themes on deciding future directions in STE – a community of science voices, International Polar Year, Sustainability, Geosciences, Science for citizenship, science curriculum and policy, on-line science, learning and resources, science education research, science centres and science beyond walls, international cooperation on science and technology education, gravity and astronomy and cutting edge science. Free fieldtrip workshops to education centres, science or technology centres and features of scientific interests, such as Maritime Museum Fremantle, Biodiversity Conservation Centre Kings Park & Perth Zoo were arranged for delegates.

The world conference gathered internationally celebrated Keynote speakers including; Professor Lord (Robert) Winston (Professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College, London University and Head of the Reproductive Medicine at the Hammersmith Hospital in London) – known for his BBC television series; Professor Howard Gardner (Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Harvard University) – known for his theory of Multiple Intelligences; Emeritus Professor Barnabas Otaala (Head of the Unit for Improving Teaching and Learning, Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS Task Force of the University of Namibia, Adjunct Professor at The International University of Management, Windhoek); Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe (Emeritus Professor at Griffin University and President of the Australian Conservation Foundation); Dr Grame Pearman (national and international expert in research on the increasing levels of Carbon Dioxide in the global atmosphere); Professor Joan Solomon (conducted research projects at Oxford University Department of Educational Studies, Visiting Professor at the Open University and University of Plymouth); Professor Walter Erdelen (Assistance Director – General for Natural Sciences, UNESCO) and Professor Peter Doherty, Nober Laureate (Ausralian of the Year 1997). Other highlighted speakers include Professor Cliff Malcolm, Professor Paul J. Perkins, Professor Peter Fensham, Dr. Jack Holbrook, Brenda Keogh and Stuart Naylor, Professor Philip Jennings, Dr Graeme Beardsmore and Dr. Anthony Worsby. Approximately 1,000 science and technology teachers and educators are attending the World conference from all parts of the world.

“Science is a perpetual search for an intelligent and integrated comprehension of the world we live in’ C B Van Neil (1897).

Promote Development of Science and Technology

2007-07-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

BRUNEI Darussalam still has a long way to go in the fields of science and technology, according to a local professional who represented the sultanate in a world conference on science and technology education.

Education Officer Dk Hjh Siti Fatimah Pg Hj Petra was sent by the Ministry of Education to attend the 2nd ICASE (International Council of Associations for Science Education) World Conference on Science and Technology Education in Perth, Australia.

The educator believed that the fields of science and technology is underdeveloped and that more can be done to promote them.
Parents, for instance, play a vital role in developing the interests of their children in science and technology, by giving them exposure in these areas from an early age, said Dk Hjh Siti Fatimah.

This can be done through encouraging children to popular media such as documentaries.

The Astro cable for instance has a number of channels that show documentaries on a wide variety of topics. These types of media, which are entertaining as well as informative, should be "harnessed and utilised", said the educator.

She also pointed out the lack of local scientists, including in the field of forensic. There is a need in Brunei for such experts, she said.
She cited the example of the recent Tutong murder, where foreign forensic scientists from Singapore had to be engaged to carry out DNA and related tests.

In some cases, the lack of local experts can be attributed to the lack of appropriate posts for those with the skills and knowledge.

Some Bruneians have undergone forensic studies and training, she said, but the absence of suitable posts have diverted them to other professions such as pharmacists. More jobs and posts should be made available to absorb and put to full use the locals who have such qualifications and to develop the scientific field in Brunei, she stressed.

The 2nd ICASE World Conference on Science and Technology Education took place July 8 to 12. It was attended by science teachers and academics from around the world.

At the conference, delegates issued the Perth Declaration on Science and Technology Education, which calls for governments around the world to promote critical awareness of the contribution of science and technology to personal, social, economic and environmental well being.

This can be done through partnerships with national stakeholders and through continuous professional development of science and technology teachers so that they can meet the changing needs and expectations of students and society.

Asri Razak
BRUNEI MUARA
18-Jul-07
The Brunei Times

Teachers return from science meet (13-Jul-07)

2007-07-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

THREE representatives from Brunei attended the five day second World Conference on Science & Technology Education, Conference of the International Council of Associations for Science Education (ICASE) 2007 in Perth, Australia, which ended yesterday.
One of the representatives, Dk Hjh Siti Fatimah Pg Hj Petra said, in a statement, the conference addressed global issues, which can be used by teachers and educators to implement within their own countries and communities focusing on issues such as as policy, curriculum, classroom practice, research and external agency support.

The conference hosted by the Science Teachers Association of Western Australia on behalf of the International Council of Associations for Science Education (ICASE) and the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) is a platform that brings together science and technology educators, experts in the field globally to interact, share learning experiences in the establishment of global professional networks, said Dk Hjh Siti Fatimah.

She added that other goals were to engage and give direction to science educators around the world through the Perth Declaration.

From this conference, ideas and discussions will be brought forward to the International Science Education Policy Forum organised by Unesco, which will decide the implementation, direction, communication and strategies for science education within different countries over the next few years.

Themes covered during the conference included, education for sustainable development, as part of the Unesco World Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005 _ 2015), world health, AIDS, malaria and other diseases as well as health challenges such as clean water, science for life and citizenship. The international conference was attended by more than 1,000 science and technology teachers and educators.

The Brunei Times

2007-07-10T00:57:00.000-07:00

Representing Brunei at the World Conference

Dk Hajah Siti Fatimah Pg Hj Petra, right, with a family member. - ZA'IM ZAINI
http://www.brunei-online.com/weekend/news/jul7h18.htm
By Za'im Zaini

Dk Hajah Siti Fatimah Pg Hj Petra, education officer from Maktab Sains PSBS, will represent the country at the World Conference on Science & Technology Education in Perth, Australia.
She travelled to Perth on Thursday night, and will present a paper "Promoting Discussion In Lower Secondary Science Classrooms" on July 9. The conference will run from July 8 to July 12.
The World Conference is held once in every four years, and the next one in 2010 will be held in Europe.
ICASE is the world body coordinating the World Conference and providing international links and networks. It is a voluntary organisation that produces a quarterly refereed journal and a regular primary science publication, as well as conducting professional development and seminars in all parts of the world with associated members.

2007-07-06T16:14:00.000-07:00

Blogs for the past....

These pictures were taken during the Biodiversity Conference in Universiti Brunei Darussalam
11th June to 13th June 2007

You should be there!!!

WWF representative in the middle!!

The well-known Professor Ashton - remember Ashton trail in Ulu Belalong, Temburong, Brunei Darussalam?

In the middle>> batman, fishman, and so on...all are Professors!!

This one too... a snapshot after conference dinner..

You know who you are...

Look Around! Science is everywhere... in the many faces of me!!

2007-07-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

Passion for Science

2007-05-09T20:28:00.000-07:00

I love Science.....