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Well, to complement what my english lecturer assign us to do, i will post my opinion on the ways to save environment.
Ways to save the environment:          

1)Change Your Lightbulb
The hottest thing in household energy savings is the compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL), a funny-looking swirl that fits into standard sockets. CFLs cost three to five times as much as conventional incandescent bulbs yet use one-quarter the electricity and last several years longer. They are available virtually everywhere lightbulbs are sold. Most labels don’t say “CFL” (GE calls its bulbs Energy Savers), and in some cases the telltale twist is enclosed in frosted glass. The wattage gives them away: many 7-watt CFLs are comparable to a regular 40-watt bulb, 26 watts is the typical CFL equivalent of 100 watts and so on. Or just look for the Energy Star label.

CFLs have come a long way since they were first introduced in the mid-’90s (they don’t flicker as much when you turn them on, for one thing), but because each bulb still contains 5 mg of mercury, you’re not supposed to toss them out with the regular trash, where they could end up in a landfill. So the bulbs are one more thing for you to sort in the recycling bin.

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs (see item 4), don’t have this problem, but they can require a bit of DIY rewiring. LEDs work great as accents and task lights, and you can also buy LED desk and floor lamps. But if you’re just looking to put a green bulb in your favorite table lamp, CFL is the way to go.

2)Ride The Bus

With transport accounting for more than 30% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, one of the best ways to reduce them is by riding something many of us haven’t tried since the ninth grade: a bus. Public transit saves an estimated 1.4 billion gal. of gas annually, which translates into about 14 million tons of CO2, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

Unfortunately, 88% of all trips in the U.S. are by car. Partly, that’s because public transportation is more readily available in big urban areas. One promising alternative is bus rapid transit (BRT), which features extra-long carriers running in dedicated lanes. Buses emit more carbon than trains, but that can be minimized by using hybrid or compressed-natural-gas engines. A study last year by the Breakthrough Technologies Institute found that a BRT system in a medium-size U.S. city could cut emissions by as much as 654,000 tons over 20 years.

Thanks to high gas prices, miles driven per motorist dropped in 2005 for the first time since 1980, according to the Pew Research Center. The U.S. is ready to change. We’re just waiting for the bus.

The original version of this article misstated the total amount of CO2 emissions saved annually by public transit. It is 14 million, not 1.5 million, tons.

Reduce plastics bags.

The plastic bags you bring home from the supermarket probably end up in a landfill. Every year, more than 500 billion plastic bags are distributed, and less than 3% of those bags are recycled. They are typically made of polyethylene and can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade in landfills that emit harmful greenhouse gases. Reducing your contribution to plastic-bag pollution is as simple as using a cloth bag (or one made of biodegradable plant-based materials) instead of wasting plastic ones. For your next trip to the grocery store, BYOB.

The scenery of TAnjung Bungah Beach which i happen to snap it out =)

 

Potential health effects of exposure to static and time varying electric and magnetic fields need scientific clarification. Electromagnetic fields of all frequencies represent one of the most common and fastest growing environmental influences, about which there is anxiety and speculation are spreading. EMF exposure now occurs to varying degrees to all populations of the world, and the levels will continue to increase with advancing technology. Thus, even a small health consequence from EMF exposure could have a major public health impact.

Concerns have been expressed that exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields at power frequencies (50/60 Hz) could lead to an increased incidence of cancer in children and other adverse health effects. The evidence comes primarily from residential epidemiological studies. These studies suggest that children exposed to ELF magnetic fields have an associated increased risk of leukaemia.

Radio frequency (RF) fields are used to great benefits in many facets of everyday life, such as radio and TV transmission, telecommunications (eg mobile telephones), diagnosis and treatments of disease and in industry for heating and sealing materials. With the rapid introduction of mobile telecommunications devices, especially among the general public, there has been a focus on the problems associated with near field RF exposure to the head from the small radiating antenna of mobile phones. In addition, concerns persist that exposure to pulsed and amplitude modulated RF fields may cause specific health effects.

As societies develop, greater use of certain technologies leads to increasing exposure to static electric and magnetic fields. This is especially the case in industry, transport, power transmission, research and medicine. Possible health effects from static fields have never been properly assessed. Given the rapid expansion of medical devices and imminent introduction, potentially on a large scale, of magnetic levitation transport systems that use strong static magnetic fields, any health impacts need to be properly assessed.

As part of its charter to protect public health and in response to public concern over health effects of EMF exposure, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the International EMF Project in 1996 to assess the scientific evidence of possible health effects of EMF in the frequency range from 0 to 300 GHz. The EMF Project encourages focused research to fill important gaps in knowledge and to facilitate the development of internationally acceptable standards limiting EMF exposure.

Why the effects of a mobile phone really are bad.

Results conclude that the human body is put under the same strain when on a mobile phone than when it is put through a course of radiation already known to be harmful to humans. every one has basic survival instinct,  if a fire is hot, we move. Well that is in our inner stress reaction. This is routed back to our genes, we try to adapt to situations and over millions of years, we evolve. The mobile phone revolution is a new phenomenon that evolution knows nothing about yet. As nothing in the bodies genes knows how to protect itself, disease slowly develops as no stress reaction was triggered and nothing was done. Although most tests carried out in Europe suggest only radiation that cooks you’re brain is harmful. Other scientific studies compel some worrying reports and findings.

Just as radiation is carried from mast to phone through radio waves, the cells in our bodies do just that. There is a constant exchange of information between living cells in our body. When man-made radiation was put together, no one thought the signals produced could interfere with the bodies natural exchange of information. The cells in a human body are sensitive to alien energy, the energy from a mobile phone is several billion times stronger than those of the cells, which can cause the body to malfunction.

Electromagnetic radiation caused by a mobile phone call for 2-3 minutes can alter the way your body responds, reacts and functions for up to 3 hours after the call. Every particle of our body spins around its own axis like a minute merry go round. This spinning motion creates a radiation field around each particle. If some sort of unevenness is brought in to the motion, it is transformed in to an electromagnetic wave spreading in all directions like ripples on water. Each of the body’s particles spins and at the same time wobbles slightly due to its magnetic field and the electromagnetism within its field. This generates a very complex pattern of radiation known as the spin generated electromagnetic field, or the spin field.

So even if a radiation signal is not strong enough to fry you’re brain, it will cause damage within the body’s natural defence system. Blood cells slow down the work rate of carrying blood and oxygen round the body. The spin effect is altered and the body is left in unknown territory and finds it difficult to regroup for sometime after. The body’s harmonious function is not able to operate as particles are out of synchronisation with each other.

The potential lethal electromagnetic force in your household appliances

All electrical appliances emit electromagnetic fields - EMF’s

Mobile Phones: Headaches, skin tingling and heating, fatigue, neck growths, lack of concentration and  memory loss, irritableness, restlessness, depletion, even tumours, cancer and cataracts have also been associated the use of analogue and digital cordless phones. - Only use for short periods at a time, keep it in a bag or outer layer of clothing, turn off in places like hospitals as radiation levels are normally high enough, don’t get a talk plan with lots of free minutes enticing you to use them all up, swap ears from time to time, put volume higher and hold further away from head, attach a Biophone to you’re phone today.

Clock Radios: Best kept at least 4 ft away from you’re head because they give off high fields. Electro-mechanical clocks emit more than electronic digital ones. Closer than 4 ft and you may feel more tired and take longer to lose that flu or infection. Try attaching a Biophone to it for great results.

Computers: Most modern computers give off relatively low levels of EMFs but do still try to minimise exposure by keeping the computer, especially the screen, as far away as practical. Laptops generally emit low EMFs but when used with a mains adaptor plugged in they can cause dizziness and faint spells. Try to recharge it away from where you are, then use it from the battery supply. Place a cactus in the office or computer room. The spine of a cacti attracts charged irons and can change ionisation levels in the room. Take breaks when needed. Very good to attach a Biophone on the monitor.

Under wire Bras: These can act as antennae, re-radiating external EMFs, including microwave frequencies, into the body. With breast cancer on the increase it may be better with out the under wire. Use non wire alternatives.

Photocopiers: Known to give out high levels of EMFs, generated from around the motor. Best to stand 30 inches back whilst copying in progress.

Electric kettles: Both traditional and jug type create high EMF levels. Heating water using electricity can change its molecular structure. Some people who react badly to this change may suffer from headaches, eye problems or tremors. Neutralise the effect by standing the cup/mug/glass on a Vitaflow whilst pouring.

Beds: Metal framed beds and bedsprings can become magnetised by electricity in wiring and appliances , causing restlessness and insomnia. Try an alternative bed-base and unsprung mattress, preferably with natural materials. Keep electrical appliances at least 3 ft away from a bed head area.

Hairdryers: High currents produce the heat. The motor gives off high EMFs near the handle, dropping only a little at a drying distance of 6-18 inches away from you. The fields are higher when on higher settings. The fact that a hairdryer is only used for a short time at any one interval is not as important as the fact as the fact that the user is exposed to high levels of EMFs during that period. Metal hair clips can increase the EMFs from the working hairdryer. It is best not to use a hairdryer after 7pm as high levels of EMFs near to the head are known to interfere with the body’s production of melatonin which helps the body to repair its self.

Alternative education as a concept is not widely known in Malaysia (and this blog aims to promote such a concept). But what exactly do we mean by alternative education?

                                
Definition
Alternative education, quite simply, means any form of education that takes place outside the traditional schooling system. As described further by the Alternative Education page on Wikipedia:

Alternative education, also known as non-traditional education, describes a number of approaches to teaching and learning other than traditional schools. Educational alternatives are often rooted in various philosophies that are fundamentally different from those of mainstream education. While some have strong political, scholarly, or philosophical orientations, others are more informal associations of teachers and students dissatisfied with some aspect of mainstream education.

“Traditional schooling” in this context refers to the usual, mainstream forms of schooling - primary school, secondary school, college, university. These are usually characterized by standardized curricula and examinations, as well as a set grading system. Teaching is usually lecture-based (with the occasional experiment or two) and the emphasis is on getting recognized and acceptable grades and scores (as opposed to, some argue, creativity and actual learning). Alternative education pursues other routes and methods of learning, putting a higher focus on experiential learning, creativity, and individuality.

Types Of Alternative Education
Amongst the various forms of alternative education include (but are definitely not limited to):

• Alternative school systems, such as democratic schools and Steiner schools
• Alternative modes of teaching/evaluation, as practised by many colleges including the ones on Colleges That Change Lives - for example, Hampshire College provides completely individualized degrees with evaluations instead of grades, while College of the Atlantic offers degrees in “human ecology” involving subjects and projects from humanities, environmental sciences, and social sciences
• Home-based learning, which covers homeschooling, as well as deschooling and unschooling (like homeschooling without a set structure)
• Workshops, alternative educational programs, and “lifelong learning” classes such as Esalen, which is directed towards spirituality and theraputic healing, or Tower Hamlets Lifelong Learning, which offers classes to the people in the Tower Hamlets neighbourhood in London
• Study abroad & cultural exchanges - popular ones include AFS, Up With People, and Raleigh International
• Mentoring in various areas (personal, educational, career), whether being the mentor or having one
• Volunteering in various causes and projects, short-term or long-term
• Activism in various causes, whether related to education (such as education reform or student rights) or not
• Online-based learning such as the Open University and MIT OpenCourseWare
• Travel, which may incorporate many of the ideas above (cultural exchange, workshops, so on)
• Creative ventures such as auditions, performance, or creative production
• Employment, whether as part-time or full-time jobs, work-studies, co-ops (university programs whereby some semesters are spent in class and some in the working world, such as what is offered by NorthEastern), apprenticeships, internships, or entrepeneurships
• and tons more.

Why Alternative Education?
Most people go into alternative education as traditional educational methods do not suit them. Amongst the various criticisms of traditional mainstream education include:

• It doesn’t allow for creativity or more “out-of-the-box” approaches
• Rote memorization is given emphasis over creativity and critical thinking - even so-called “creative” subjects have to conform to a standards body’s idea of “creative”
• More emphasis is given on letter grades than on actual learning
• It does not account for varying learning styles (especially experiential learning)
• Students tend to be stuck in a “bubble” or an “ivory tower” surrounded by academia, without really knowing or understanding the real world around them
• Their knowledge is limited to what is spoonfed to them for exams; once the exams are over, it’s promptly forgotten
• Students learn only for exams, jobs, prestige or grades - there is a lack of a sense of learning for the sheer delight of learning
• There is not enough space for dissent or disagreement - students that disagree with their teachers do not get enough respect or consideration for their ideas
• The students’ welfares and personalities are not taken into consideration; only their ability to churn out grades and follow orders
• The subjects taught in school are not to the students’ interest; what the students are interested in can’t be explored in traditional schools

Through alternative education, students will be able to:

• Express their creativity
• Explore and learn about themselves and the world
• Meet different types of people of all interests and personalities
• Gain real-world experience of many issues
• Gain independence and individuality
• Learn through styles that best suit them
• Learn different skills and subjects that may not be offered by mainstream schooling
• Gain a more holistic and well-rounded education

These are only some of the reasons and benefits that pull people towards alternative education.

Is Alternative Education a replacement for Traditional Education, or a supplement?
That depends on the individual. Some people elect to forego traditional schooling entirely, building their entire educational life on alternative methods (this is especially true for unschoolers or even “uncollegers”). Some have gone through some form of traditional schooling but then move on to more alternative methods - for example, a high school student that enters an alternative college, or a college graduate that then signs up for workshops and travels extensively. Many people - especially those new to alternative education - will usually use it to supplement their traditional educational experiences - for instance, a school student could take art classes on weekends, or participate in volunteer activities during their spare time.

Who is Alternative Education for?
Alternative educational methods are extremely varied and diverse; there’s bound to be something for everyone. The type of people who tend to be most successful in alternative education - or even look to it in the first place - are those that are driven, open-minded, dedicated, creative, independent, and self-sufficient. They are usually already unorthodox and very out-of-the-box and they have a very different way of looking at life.

How will Alternative Education affect my Degree/Career/Life?
It is possible to earn a degree or have a job through alternative educational methods (some colleges, for instance, award credits based on life experience). Alternative education can be considered a way of life; one is constantly learning, and their choices in life are based on what they want to learn or experience. Many people who choose alternative education do not have conventional lives - the usual “school-college-degree-job-family” route espoused by many - which suits them fine; they would rather have a life that is full of experiences, memories, and moments.

That is a basic primer of alternative education. If you have any questions or suggestions, do feel free to comment.

A tecaher sharing with their students on how to study smart.

Good grades and goals can be achieved if one puts in enough time and effort.

Share with you guys this:
A student gives his take on the “highs” and “lows” of studying and living in Russia.

IN the last couple of years, Russia has become a hotbed for young Malaysians who wish to pursue a career in medicine. Why? Plain and simple — its tuition fees are particularly low.

Four years ago, I was among 180 Malaysian students who entered the Russian State Medical University (RSMU) in Moscow, referred to as the Second Medical University by the locals. Although I was a freshman in a foreign university surrounded by people who spoke a language I’d only heard in movies, I was still excited to be here.

Since then, I have seen the true Russia which can be exciting to some, and not as interesting to others.

In my few years in Moscow, I’ve taken notice of Russians and their general way of life. If you were to ask me what I dislike most, I’d say it is their attitude.

Most Muscovites are terse, cold and glum, and they hardly smile. I suppose friendliness is not instilled in their culture, and that did not make me feel welcome.

Russia is a country with a lot of red tape. Most of the jobs in Moscow are still labour-intensive, which make the procedures even lengthier.

The attitude towards work here doesn’t help, either: working hours are short and employees seem to take tea breaks whenever they want!

Funnily, when they are overwhelmed by work, they tend to shout at those in their way, especially those who don’t speak Russian. Initially, I was shocked that they behaved in that manner. Now, I simply shrug it off and think to myself: “They can’t help it, it’s their culture.”

The two main concerns I had before coming to Moscow were racism and safety. To my surprise, Malaysian girls feel safer on the streets here than they do back home! According to them, they don’t need to worry about snatch thieves or strange guys eyeing them promiscuously. Malaysian girls walk about Moscow freely because they feel a sense of security and confidence.

There was only one instance when Russian winos approached me and started talking incessantly.

Policemen can be seen everywhere. They constantly patrol the streets and randomly inspect people’s documents. So, if you’re travelling in Russia, be sure to carry your passport with you at all times.

Recently, a parent contacted me. He was hoping to send his daughter to Moscow to study medicine and was under the impression that RSMU is the third-best university in the world. This is the sort of “misinformation” which agents are feeding parents back in Malaysia. The truth is, you only get what you pay for in Russia.

Don’t expect the same quality of education as in the United Kingdom or Australia, at one tenth the price. The standard of education here is hardly world-class, although it isn’t bad either.

The main problem is that lecturers aren’t very well trained in English, so it’s hard for them to elaborate certain points if a student finds these unclear. But they are undeniably very knowledgeable and can express themselves very well in Russian.

I find the education system here very “old-school”: exams are mostly oral, subjective and lack standardisation. Depending on your examiner’s mood, you could fail or pass an exam. And did I mention that most Russians are quite emotional?

Every year, slightly more than 100 new students enter my university. Every one of them is housed in RSMU’s hostel, where I’m currently staying.

The catch is that there are more students entering the university than graduating from it. Therefore, there are more students than rooms to place them in.

Instead of finding a new building to house these students, the administrators seem to have decided that the easiest solution would be to fit three people in a room for two. Who’s to blame?

Can we blame the administration for not being able to find a new building for the increasing number of students? Or is it the agents back in Malaysia, who are sending more and more students over, without caring about the facilities available?

Fortunately, not everything is as bleak as I’ve just painted. Some lecturers are very kind and most of the doctors who have taught me are very caring at heart. And we find solace in class. For a few hours every day, we can sit down and truly be students, hungry to learn and be taught.

We also have gatherings during every Malaysian celebration, to draw ourselves closer to each other. We try to cook glorious food, play sports and go shopping together.

With over 500 of us in Moscow, the Malaysian student community is pretty tightly knit. (By the way, a random survey by the students’ association showed that what Malaysian students miss most about home is food, followed by shopping, then friends.)

If you meet the right people in Moscow, you’ll find that they can be quite friendly. I have many close Russian friends, whom I’ve gone on trips with. Typically, the younger generation has a different mindset and is more open towards foreigners. If you want to survive in this country, friends can really help make things easier.

Studying in Moscow is a unique experience. It has opened my eyes to what Russia is really like and made me appreciate the simple things I have back home – the friendliness and politeness of Malaysians, for example.

So if you’re a parent, don’t be swayed merely by the cheap fees here; there are some drawbacks.

If you’re an aspiring medical student thinking about studying in Moscow, consider your other options first. And if you still decide to come to Moscow, the RSMU Malaysian Students Association  can help make your transition a little easier.

 Well, it seems like a long time since i last log in to share some insights.

Here it is:

“An Insight into Rising Medical Costs”.

Pharmaceuticals is an important component of any healthcare system. In most medical consultation, pharmaceuticals are inevitably being prescribed, judging by the medications that patients often bring home with them after each visit.  In any national healthcare insurance scheme, the cost of pharmaceuticals is closely scruitinised and often managed through special drug formulary to contain costs.

The perception that the pharmaceutical cost itself, whether it is high or rising contributes to higher medical cost must be looked at from a more holistic view. Let us take a look at the various elements that can influence and contribute to higher medical cost.

1. Just like healthcare, pharmaceuticals is supply driven and its demand can often influence by healthcare providers
2. How our medical care is provided and paid for is contributing to the greater use of pharmaceuticals
3. Healthcare funding, whether it is public or private or even mandatory opens to abuses
4. It has often been raised that irrational prescribing is not just harmful but also contributes to undesirable prescribing habits that raise pharmaceutical usage and costs
5. Doctors being most influential in the use of prescribed medicines should pay greater attention to prescribing skill and drug knowledge
6. Pharmaceuticals have become more potent and costly and greater emphasis should be on the quality use of medicines.
7. Pharmacists should be given more visible role to provide professional medicine management especially in support of the Malaysian National Medicine Policy
8. Current pharmaceutical distribution and market do influence the use of costly medicines and at times unwarranted use as well.