Congratulations Malaysia

DOING THEIR PART: Some of the participants of this year's Merdeka parade taking a break after rehearsals at Dataran Merdeka yesterday. From the almost-perfect routine, it looks like all the participants are happy to be taking part in the 50th Merdeka Day parade

Russian technique saves man's left hand

The Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) here may have received
some negative publicity lately but a 19-year-old youth has only gratitude
for doctors at the hospital.



S. Sri Devan was told that his hand would have to be amputated.

His hand was crushed in an accident on April 8 when his car hit a lamp post while trying to avoid a motorcycle.

"I was devastated when doctors at three private and public hospitals told me that nothing could be done to save my hand," said Sri Devan, a clerk.

However, his family refused to accept the doctors’ diagnoses and took him to HTAR.
Doctors at the HTAR performed five surgeries over the last three months and successfully used the Ilizarov technique, a Russian deformity rectification procedure, to treat his hand.

The method involved the installation of a circular fixator which provides structural support on the limb while allowing the soft tissue and bone to unite.

Today, Sri Devan’s left hand is both intact and functioning, except for his last two fingers which are still being treated.

"I’m so grateful to doctors at HTAR who persisted while others gave up," he said.

Sri Devan, who still wears the fixator on his arm, hopes to regain full use of his entire hand soon.

Malaysian Needs More Research Universities

The pic shows Datuk Mustapa Mohamed trying on a virtual reality helmet which helps in the treatment of fear of heights.

The government wants more public universities to work towards attaining research university status.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said yesterday this would be good for the nation.Earlier this month, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia were given the status."I know that universities outside the four are very keen on getting this status," Mustapa said after officiating the inaugural International Exposition of Research and Inventions of Institutions of Higher Learning (Pecipta) 2007 organised by the ministry at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

This is good suggestion that the university could excel in every aspects of discipline. I hope they don't produce Professor Kangkong (nut prof.). They should be innovative, creative and dynamic ; preach what you teach.

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Malaysian Astronauts Bring Local Foods to Space

The two Malaysian astronauts, Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar and Dr. Faiz Khaleed paid a visit to MARDI to take part in sensory evaluation tests of several Malaysian foods. The foods developed by a team of MARDI scientists had to meet the highest standards of food safety and nutrition as well as be suitable for the unique conditions (microgravity) of the International Space Station (ISS). Similar tests will later be conducted in space by the astronaut and the results compared. It is hoped that an understanding of taste perceptions under microgravity and on earth can be obtained.

The list of Malaysian food developed:

Chicken satay
Beef Rendang
Pressed Chicken Briyani Rice
Banana Fruit Roll
Dehydrated Mango Slice
Confectionery Ginger Jelly
Roselle Granola Bar
Oven Baked Malaysian Cookie (Kuih Bangkit)
Fried Tempeh Chips

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