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Harnessing floating solar power to decarbonize Southeast Asia’s energy sector for carbon neutrality
No full textFloating photovoltaics (FPV) represent a cutting-edge solution for sustainable energy generation in Southeast
Asia, a region characterized by abundant water resources and high solar irradiance. This work delves into the
potential of FPV in decarbonizing the energy sector, highlighting its dual role in generating clean energy and
mitigating water evaporation. With an estimated 300 MW of FPV capacity addition by early 2024, Southeast Asia
is set to make significant strides in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, aligning with global efforts to
combat climate change. The FPV potential in the region is impressive, with Vietnam containing around 21–46
GW in reservoirs and 21–54 GW in natural water bodies alone. The work highlights the role of FPV in
strengthening energy security and fulfilling obligations to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. FPV integration
within the energy mix may help Southeast Asia cut down fossil fuel dependency, and through this, energy
transition to a sustainable economy and greener environment can be achieved. The study also focuses on FPV’s
environmental aspects of functioning as an ecosystem, arguing that these systems can improve land-based andbased
generation efficiency by about 15 % and decrease water evaporation by 25 %. Recommended policies
include setting appropriate incentive and disincentive structures, advancing support for R&D, and promoting
cross-agency collaboration for FPV adoption to accelerate decarbonization goals. This work concludes that
proper policy settings and government support can enable FPV technologies to enhance the renewable energy
strategy for Southeast Asia, thereby contributing to global climate change mitigation
SKIN SECRETIONS OF BORNEAN FROGS REVEAL ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES WITH INSULIN RELEASING PROPERTIES IN HIT-T15 CELLS
No full textSkin secretion of two Bornean frogs from the Ranidae family, Pulcharana baramica and Hylarana erythraea were evaluated for their antimicrobial and insulinotropic properties. Comprehensive approach and various techniques were employed to study the characteristics of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) isolated from these frogs. Crude skin secretions of the frogs were partially purified using Sep Pak C-18 cartridges, followed by further purification via the HPLC AKTA method. The peptides purity was assessed through SDS-PAGE gel which revealed that the HPLC AKTA method produced clearer and cleaner bands, demonstrating its superior efficacy as compared to Sep-Pak. The disk diffusion assay demonstrated significant zones of inhibition against both E. coli and S. aureus, underscoring the peptides' ability to effectively impede bacterial growth. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay provided specific MIC values for the tested bacteria. The results showed that the AMPs from Pulchrana baramica were more potent when compared to Hylarana erythraea, with an MIC of 125 µg/ml for E. coli. In terms of cytotoxicity, purified AMPs from both Ranid frogs induced over 50% blood cell lysis, suggesting that they may affect the cell membranes integrity of mammalian erythrocytes. This research further investigates the insulinotropic effect of AMPs from Ranidae frogs on HIT-T15 cells. AMPs from both frog species were able to trigger insulin secretion increase from the pancreatic cells. Statistical analysis indicates a significant difference (p 0.05). The current findings suggest that these multifunctional peptides play an important role in the defence of Ranid frogs from invading pathogenic microorganisms present in their environment and may hold potential future applications as an antidiabetic agent in managing glucose levels and diabetes
Neurobiology of chronic caffeine use and withdrawal : Mechanisms, effects and implications
No full textCaffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance worldwide and is increasingly being explored for its potential pharmacological applications, including in neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive enhancement, and pain modulation. However, chronic caffeine use leads to neuroadaptive changes that underlie dependence and a well-characterized withdrawal syndrome, which includes symptoms such as headache, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and mood disturbances. This review critically examines the neurobiology of chronic caffeine exposure and withdrawal, focusing on its interaction with adenosine receptor systems, neural plasticity, and the role of genetic and time-course variability in modulating individual responses. Evidence from human and animal studies is discussed to highlight mechanisms driving tolerance, sensitisation, and withdrawal symptoms. We further discuss the broader implications for public health and society, particularly in relation to substance use patterns, cessation strategies, and the safe integration of caffeine into therapeutic applications. As caffeine continues to be investigated as a therapeutic agent, understanding its dependence potential and withdrawal effects is essential to ensure safe and effective clinical applications. This paper underscores the importance of integrating neurobiological, behavioural, and genetic insights to fully evaluate the implications of long-term caffeine consumption
Non-destructive Classification of Harvested Terung Asam (Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal.) Utilising Thermal Imaging and Machine Learning Across Different Storage Days
No full textThermal imaging has non-invasive qualities which have attracted the interest of researchers as it could improve agricultural methods, especially in the field of fruit classification based on their storage duration. This study explores the potential of thermal imaging and machine learning for the non-destructive classification of Terung Asam (Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal.) fruit at different storage durations. Nine thermal image parameters were analysed to monitor changes in fruit characteristics over day 0, day 7, day 14, day 21 and day 28. Key thermal image parameters, including major axis length (MajorAL), maximum intensity (MaxInt) and mean value within the region of interest (MeanROI), exhibited significant variations throughout the storage period, reflecting changes in fruit morphology and surface temperature associated with ripening and moisture loss. Correlation analysis revealed strong correlation between these parameters. The strongest correlation was found between MajorAL and MinorAL (r = 0.967) and between MaxInt and MajorAL (r = 0.962). Five machine learning models, i.e. Fine Decision Tree, Medium Decision Tree, RUSBoost Tree, Boosted Tree and Fine k-Nearest Neighbour (kNN), were evaluated for classification performance. Fine and Medium Decision tree achieved the highest classification accuracy at 86.7%, effectively distinguishing Terung Asam fruits based on storage duration. This study underlines thermal imaging as a reliable, non-invasive tool for post-harvest classification of Terung Asam fruit, improving storage monitoring and reducing waste. Future research should focus on deep learning integration to enhance classification performance over extended storage periods
Early menarche and breast cancer risk: a systematic review and meta‑analysis of 74 case–control studies
No full textPurpose: Early menarche is a known risk factor for breast cancer, as established by the Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer in a 2012 reanalysis of data from forty-seven global epidemiological studies. Given recent changes in the average age at menarche, it is important to re-evaluate this association in the context of the past decade. This metaanalysis aimed to examine the relationship between early menarche, particularly before age 13, and female breast cancer risk by analyzing recently published observational studies and exploring this relationship across different regions of the world.
Methods: Case–control studies published between January 2014 and February 2025 were systematically searched in Pub-
Med, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Early menarche was defined as 30%). Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test.
Results Overall, results of the present meta-analyses show an increased association between menarche age < 13 and the risk
of female breast cancer (OR = 1.15 [95% CI: 1.08 – 1.24]). Also, an increased association with breast cancer risk was found in the subgroup of menarche age < 12 (OR = 1.27 [95% CI: 1.09 – 1.48]). Lower OR was found in subgroup of menarche age ≥ 13 (OR = 0.89 [95% CI: 0.85 – 0.94]). For the geographical region subgroups, increased associations between menarche age < 13 and risk of breast cancer were found in Europe (OR = 1.15 [95% CI: 1.07 – 1.25]), North America (OR = 1.07 [95% CI: 1.03 – 1.11]), Oceania (OR = 1.15 [95% CI: 1.02 – 1.30]), and West Asia (OR = 1.70 [95% CI: 1.15 – 2.52]). Both population-based and hospital-based study designs demonstrated higher ORs for the association between menarche age < 13 and the risk of female breast cancer.
Conclusions: This meta-analysis found a modest but statistically significant association between menarche before age 13 and increased breast cancer risk worldwide, while women who experienced menarche at age 13 or older had a lower risk.
The association varied by region, with relatively higher odds observed in West Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America.
These results indicate an association rather than causation and are limited by the observational nature of the included studies
Spatial Analysis of Flood-Prone Areas in Padang Terap, Kedah: Integrating Spatial Autocorrelation and Optimized Hotspot Analysis
No full textFlooding increasingly threatens socio-economic resilience in Malaysia, particularly in vulnerable districts such as Padang Terap, Kedah. Using a GIS-based framework integrating Spatial Autocorrelation (Moran’s I) and Optimized Hotspot Analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*), this study quantifies spatial clustering of flood-prone areas across four inundation levels (0.3 m–3.7 m). Results reveal intensifying positive spatial autocorrelation with rising flood depths, reflecting hydrological connectivity and topographic controls. Hotspots are consistently concentrated in Belimbing Kanan, Belimbing Kiri, and Padang Temak, emphasizing severe spatial heterogeneity in flood risk distribution. These findings demonstrate that flood hazards are not randomly dispersed but spatially structured, necessitating geographically targeted risk mitigation strategies. Incorporating hotspot insights into planning can optimize resource allocation, strengthen adaptive capacity, and inform flood-resilient urban development. This research advocates for integrating fine-scale spatial analyses into national disaster frameworks to enhance Malaysia’s climate resilience agenda. Future work should embed socio-economic vulnerability metrics and spatiotemporal models to refine flood risk governance and promote equitable, anticipatory disaster management
Predictors of vitamin D deficiency and quality of life in obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea
No full textObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity are risk factors for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is linked to metabolic dysfunctions, contributing to cardiovascular disease. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the vitamin D profile, evaluate the impact of vitamin D level on quality of life (QoL), and identify factors associated with hypovitaminosis D in
obese patients with OSA. Anthropometric data, QoL scores, and blood for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and metabolic parameters were collected from patients who fulfilled study criteria.
There was a high prevalence of VDD and insufficiency in the study cohort, but no difference in serum 25(OH)D level across the OSA categories. Serum 25(OH)D level was associated with gender, education status, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride level. QoL scores were not different across the vitamin D categories but were lower in severe OSA compared to mild and moderate disease. This is the first study reporting factors associated with hypovitaminosis D among OSA patients in a Southeast Asian country and its effect on their QoL. Those with VDD were more likely to be females, have received higher education, with higher BMI and triglyceride levels. The OSA severity and QoL of these patients were not affected by vitamin D levels
The Role of Music in Japanese Vocabulary Acquisition and Pronunciation Skills in Preschool Children
No full textThe present study examines the effects of a music-based learning approach on vocabulary acquisition and pronunciation skills in Japanese language education for preschool children. It has been established that music significantly boosts preschool children's pronunciation and vocabulary development when learning a foreign language. Using an experimental design, forty preschool children aged five to six were equally assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received instruction in vocabulary and pronunciation through a music-based learning approach, while the control group followed a conventional method. Data collection involved administering a vocabulary test and a pronunciation assessment, which were analysed using SPSS software. The results showed that the children instructed through the music-based learning approach significantly outperformed those in the conventional group on both vocabulary and pronunciation assessment. These findings suggest that preschool children exposed to the music-based learning approach demonstrated enhanced learning outcomes, as evidenced by their higher scores on both the vocabulary test and pronunciation assessment in the context of Japanese language acquisition. These outcomes highlight the efficacy of music as a promising tool in foreign language learning, highlighting the practical value for educators seeking to design engaging and developmentally appropriate instructional strategies in preschool language education
Implementation research in Primary Care (Part 1): What is implementation research?
No full textImplementation research plays a vital role in narrowing the “evidence-to-practice” gap in primary care by ensuring that evidence-based interventions are not only adopted but also embedded into routine clinical practice in a sustainable way. This is especially important in primary care,
where clinicians care for diverse patient groups, work within evolving healthcare systems, and face rapid technological change. Implementation research is defined as “the scientific study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice, thereby improving the quality and effectiveness of health services.” This commentary introduces the concept and significance of implementation research, outlines its place within the
broader research translation continuum, and clarifies how it differs from quality improvement. It also provides examples of how implementation research is applied in primary care to support the adoption of new innovations.should be further verified
Implicit Social-Cognitive Drivers of Sabah Youth Beverage Purchase Decisions: A Preliminary Study
No full textThis preliminary study investigates how implicit socialcognitive processes shape the purchasing decisions of youth drink consumers in Sabah, Malaysia. Drawing upon the Implicit Social-Cognitive Architecture (ISCA) framework, the research examines how automatic emotional associations, symbolic meanings, and relational schemas influence brand choice beyond rational evaluation. Using a mixed-method design integrating an Implicit Association Test (IAT), focus groups, and structured interviews, the study involved 150 respondents aged 18–30 across Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, and Ranau. Results show that implicit brand-self associations explain significantly more variance in purchase intention than explicit attitudes such as taste and price. Youths tend to perceive beverage brands as identity markers, social connectors, and emotional anchors. The findings highlight that subconscious brand processes play a vital role in driving brand loyalty and suggest implications for brand managers in Sabah’s evolving beverage industry