UNESCO COMEST 2009

In conjunction with UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), a UNESCO-Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) conference will be held to devote the use and management of resources affecting humans and the environment.
Date: 19 June 2009
Venue: Hotel Eastin, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
UKM transport is provided.
No further details from the official website.

Read more...

Cool PhD comics

Someone from Facebook just posted comics related to PhD student life. The comics come from a pretty cool website. Click here to check it out!

Here are some of my favourites:

Read more...

The danger of science blogging

Last week, a heated discussion started when Daniel MacArthur from Genetic Future blogged about Cold Spring Harbor Biology Genome meeting in New York. CSHL complained that he didn’t obtain permission to do that. As a conference participants, he doesn’t have to sign agreement like other science journalists. Daniel MacArthur was attacked by several websites. Many bloggers have given him supports including Anthony Fejes who wrote a long post on the right of science blogging.

It has become common that bloggers report the content and discussion from conferences or meetings. This can benefit people who can’t attend the conference/meeting, especially this part of the world. In fact, an article from Nature is encouraging more scientists to blog.

After following the news for awhile, I can’t help but compare the scenario in Malaysia. The idea of science blogging is very new in Malaysia. Most people own Friendster, Facebook and personal blogs but not to promote science knowledge. I think that the reason behind it is that most of us don't like to speak out. Or we’re too afraid to. Look at the Q&A sessions during conference, meeting and seminar, the audiences are always so shy to ask anything. Same goes to our undergrads during lectures. We are afraid to speak out and discuss. We are having the common 3S problem during conference: Smile, Sleep & Silent.

When I started the blogging, I wasn’t sure if I did the right thing. First of all, I need to think twice before writing anything. Sometimes, I will be afraid to talk too much and get into troubles that can be avoided. Therefore, I always prepare a draft for all my posts and check all the facts online before posting.

I believe that science blogging should be regulated NOT restricted.

Read more...

Biomalaysia is here again!

Biomalaysia- the largest biotechnology conference and exhibition in Malaysia.
Date:17-19 Nov 2009
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

Time really flies! Felt like I just attended Biomalaysia 2008 yesterday. It was sort of the first conference I attended. I think that the programs and speakers were great. The sessions covered all main aspects of biotechnology in Malaysia. After the conference was over, the participants can download presentation slides from the website. Last but not least, the food is finger licking good (this post is sponsored by KFC... just kidding).

And I'm sure there's no other conference in Malaysia charge student for a registration fees of RM180. It's only when I'm involved in a conference organizing committee, I was told that hosting a conference at KLCC is very vary valley expeeeeeeensive.

Read more...

Palm oil conferences 2009

International conference on Oil Palm and the environment
Date: 14-15 August 2009
Venue: Malaysian Agro Exposition Park (MAEP), Serdang (near/within MARDI)

International Palm Oil congress 2009 (PIPOC 2009)
Date: 9-12 Nov 2009
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
For more information, click here.

Really cool sessions on oil palm genome sequencing and biotechnology at PIPOC 2009. What...registration fees RM2,200?! In that case, are you thinking what I'm thinking?! Wahaha *Wicked laugh

Read more...

MPOB seminars June 2009

Malaysian Palm Oil Board- Graduate Students' Assistantship Scheme (MPOB-GSAS) seminar
Date: 19 June 2009
&
MPOB Transfer of Technology Seminar 2009
Date:18 June 2009
Venue: MPOB HQ, Bangi
Free admission.
Click here for registration.

Read more...

Biomarker discovery workshop

Date: 15 June 2009 (Mon)
Venue: CGAT, UKM
Registration fees: RM20 (with tea & lunch)
Speaker: Bio-Rad field application specialist
Limited to 30 persons only

Read more...

Hard disk shrinking problem

Two weeks ago I discovered that my hard disk is shrinking a few Gb each day although I didn't install anything. Disk cleanup and defragmentation didn't solve this problem. I tried to ask around but nobody seems to have this problem. Soon I will run out of hard disk!!! So I did a search online. And my suspicion is real... Vista is the villain. Luckily, I found some great advice at PCSTATS.com. >Beginner guide: Stopping Vista from thrashing hard disk to death.

First of all, I go to Windows search and disable "indexing". I did notice it makes the search for files and folders much slower. Well, I guess I just need to manage my files better and remember which folder it is. Basically, I did almost everything the website suggested: disk defragmetation and advanced disk cleanup. I can still see the hard disk space reducing each day.

Now I'm only left with the option of editing system restore. Messing around with system restore is the last resort. Back when I'm still using Windows XP, system restore is a life-saver when my software/hardware crashes or computer infected with virus (I find it helpful sometimes in reverting back to the stage before virus infection). I really don't want to go through all that trouble to re-format Vista. I have a feeling installing Vista is much more time-consuming than installing XP.

So I followed the instructions to disable system restore and enable it again.Ta da...I lose at least 80Gb of hard disk! Windows Vista and XP has shadow copy function used for making and storing backups of system files. System restore files usually take up 15% of your hard disk although each system restore point is only ~300Mb. While this solve the shrinking problem, I can't possibly repeat it every two weeks. I have to limit the max size of shadow storage to 10Gb following the instructions given by the website. Go to cmd>run as admin> type the command line. But it didn't work for me. After trying a few times, I realized the line given by the website is not accurate. Make sure MB and GB is in capital letters and specify which hard disk (C: or D:). Here's the correct line:


I still wonder why others don't have this problem.

Read more...

Seminar on scientific writing & publication 2009

Seminar Penulisan dan Penerbitan Saintifik 2009 (Agensi Nuklear Malaysia)
Theme: Menyemarak tradisi ilmu
Date: 21-22 July 2009 (Tues & Wed)
Venue: Hotel Cititel, KL.
Organizer: Malaysian Nuclear Agency
Registration fees: RM780

For more information ,click here to download pdf (8Mb).

Read more...

It's flowering season

Most of the roadside trees are covered with pink or white flowers now. It's really a lovely scene! Can't help but to post these pictures up. The view is much more amazing when the trees is in full bloom. It's only when the flowering season arrive, we realized that these trees are planted in our neighbourhood are flowering trees. Unfortunately, not all the trees flower so well. There seems to be huge variation from one tree to another.

Floor covered with flowers
It only took me a few minutes to find out its species name. All thanks to a book I borrowed recently from the library. This book which is a guide to tropical plants has been sitting in my drawers for 2 months now. :p Finally, I made good use of it.

The tree is Tabebuia rosea, also known as Pink Poui, Rosy Trumpet Tree or Pink Tecoma. Some even called it Penang Sakura (Why Penang?). According to the book, crowns spread in layers and blooms in January to April. Hmmm.. the flowering time isn't right because the trees just started to flower at the end of May. I guess the drounght must have delay it.

close up view of the flowers

Read more...