Teaching and learning of biology practical courses for foundation science students during COVID-19 pandemic

This article aims to communicate several teaching and learning activities that were redesigned for biology practical courses for Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Foundation Science students during the restriction control movement (RMO) due to the Covid-19 outbreak. When RMO has been started the closure of the university campus resulted in postponed of biology practical face-to-face sessions in the laboratory. The teaching and learning activities have been guided by the Foundation Science Biology Laboratory Manual, however, during the pandemic, the delivery approach was modified using online platforms, including video-based blog or vlog, pre-recorded video, using Realtime video conferencing i.e. Google Meet, Webex, scheduled online discussions via mobile apps i.e. WhatsApp, Telegram, and greater utilization of Universiti Malaysia Sabah online learning platform, SmartV3UMS. The purpose of these redesigned methodologies that are presented in this paper was mainly focusing on delivering the established practical courses’ contents to achieve the intended learning outcomes. A total of 353 students registered for these practical courses. They were divided into 16 groups, with 22 or 23 students per group. All these interventions have facilitated students to sustain their access to Foundation in Science study despite the physical engagement limitation and have opened a pathway to a new normal of science education

Commonly available Sabah medicinal plants used for traditional hypertension treatment

Plant resources have been used as traditional medicine by various ethnic communities in Sabah for ages. Local people have their traditional practices and administration of local plants as medicine or alternative remedies for ailments. This work is an attempt to record the commonly available medicinal plants with the potential for anti-hypertension benefits. There are 20 species of plants that have been used by the local people in Sabah for traditional hypertension treatment. The ethnics included in this summary are, Bajau (Sama), Kadazan, Dusun, Murut (Nabawan/Pensiangan), Rungus, Sungai, Kedayan, Jawa, and Irranun (Kudat). The most cited plants that have been used as traditional remedies to lower blood pressure are Carica papaya and Orthosiphon stamineus. Subsequently, leaves (31.8%) and fruits (18.1%) were the most used plant parts for hypertension traditional treatments. The administration was mostly by oral ingestions, which were commonly eaten the raw or boiled plants or drinking decoction

Innovative blended learning: UMS ITEL’s e-learning portal enhances understanding of immunity chapter in physiology and genetics

This study explores the effect of integrating the UMS ITEL e-learning portal to elevate blended learning experiences, focusing on the immunity chapter in Physiology and Genetics. A reflective survey involving 63 students gauged their perceptions of the ITEL's suitability. Results indicate a positive response, with 54% strongly agreeing and 46% agreeing that the ITEL portal aligns well with their educational needs. Post-teaching sessions for the immunity chapter revealed a 63.5% agreement on increased understanding, with 36.5% strongly agreeing. In addition, 52.4% strongly agreed, and 47.6% agreed that the lecturer taught the chapter clearly, while 58.7% strongly agreed that the lecturer stimulated their interest in the immunity chapter. These findings highlight the positive impact of integrating advanced learning technologies into blended learning, showcasing the UMS ITEL e-learning portal's potential to enhance comprehension in complex subjects. The study provides insights for educators, institutions, and educational technology developers seeking to optimize blended learning for better student understanding and learning engagement

Ethnobotany and traditional knowledge studies in Sabah (1980s-2020)

This paper aims to briefly communicate ethnobotany and traditional knowledge studies in Sabah, Malaysia, with highlights on the effort of ethnobotanical research during its prime in 1980’s until 2020. Previous ethnobotany studies in Sabah were experiencing a great inclination toward medicinal plants. The ethnobotany studies in Sabah were continued by many other researchers who had recorded ethnobotanical resources on medicinal plants and other useful plants utilised by various ethnic groups from many localities. Towards the year 2020, natural product chemistry, ethnopharmacology, and plant extract bioactivity research are often incorporated in ethnobotany and traditional knowledge studies. Despite the survey works on ethnobotany in Sabah have been rigorous for the past 30 years, there are still gaps in the knowledge that shall be satisfied with a sufficient scientific approach. This is due to Sabah being made of many indigenous ethnics and sub-ethics, and every ethnic has unique ethnobotanical knowledge. The lack of specific and focused ethnobotanical work leads to the underutilisation of indigenous plant resources in Sabah. Further scientific research can be carried out to scientifically validate the traditional claims on the benefit of the botanical resources of Sabah

Traditional vegetable salad (ulam) of Borneo as source of functional food

Traditional vegetable salad or “ulam” are shown to have beneficial properties for health maintenance and should be further studied and used as a source of food as well as medicine. Apparently, the fern species are highlighted common plants that have been consumed as traditional vegetable all around Borneo, especially Stenochlaena palustris or locally known as “lemiding” (Brunei), “lambiding” (Sabah), “midin” (Sarawak), and “kalakai” (Kalimantan). Stenochlaena palustris was also studied for its phenolic contents and antioxidant properties. The extract of the edible young sterile frond of Stenochlaena palustris contained more anthocyanins (51.32 mg/100 g dry matter) compared to extracts of mature sterile, young fertile, and mature fertile fronds of the fern. The Penan people also used Stenochlaena palustris as herbal medicine to reduce high fever and served it to new mothers during the postpartum recovery period. Other fern species that have been cited used in Borneo are Diplazium esculentum, Nephrolepis acutifolia, and Nephrolepis bisserata. Fruit of Solanum torvum, leaves of Cosmos caudatus, the flower buds of Etlingera spp., young shoot of bamboo species, and banana inflorescence have been consumed as traditional vegetable in many parts of Borneo, the preparation being either fresh or used as a condiment in cooking. In previous literature also noted that seaweeds namely Kappahycus alvarezzii and Eucheuma denticulatum, as well as mushrooms like Termitomyces aurantiacus, have also been administered as traditional vegetable. It is scientifically shown that traditional vegetable from Borneo have potential as food that could bring health benefit to the consumer, especially in preventing oxidative damage related diseases, microbial infection, and metabolic disorder such as diabetes. Innovation on consumption method of traditional vegetable also suggested, for example, the traditional vegetable be developed into natural food products and food additive, e.g. herbal teas, essential o

Medicinal plants used for traditional skin diseases treatment in Sabah, Malaysia

In drug discovery and pharmaceutical development, medicinal plants continue to be utilized as a valuable source of treatment for various skin disorders. The traditional use of ethnomedicinal plants in treating skin diseases such as itches, scabies, skin infections, shingles, pityriasis (dandruff), skin injuries (cuts, wounds, burns, animal bites), and skin wrinkles is highlighted in this paper. The objective of this study is to provide a review and summary of the medicinal plants employed for treating skin disorders specifically in Sabah. Semi structured interviews were carried out to obtain traditional knowledge of skin diseases treatments used by Bajau and Dusun villagers in Kota Belud, Sabah. The interviews aimed to gather information about the species of plants used by the villagers. Complementing the primary data collected through interviews, existing literature on traditional medicine, ethnobotany, and traditional knowledge in Sabah was reviewed. A total of 41 plant species belonging to 25 different families have been documented as remedies for skin disorders. Among these families, the Asteraceae family has the highest number of species used for treating skin disorders, with four species identified. Following closely is the Verbenaceae family, with three species recorded for their traditional use in skin disorder treatment. The leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, locally known as bunga raya, have been used by Dusun and Murut to treat wounds and as remedies to relieve carbuncle. Meanwhile, the rhizome of Curcuma longa has been used by Murut in the interior area of Pensiangan as traditional medicine for fungal infections. This research contributes to the understanding of the medicinal plants utilised in the treatment of skin disorders in Sabah. The documented plant species and their traditional uses serve as a foundation for further exploration and potential incorporation into evidence-based pharmaceutical practices

The mosses of Mount Lumaku, Sipitang, Sabah, Malaysia

A checklist of mosses collected from Mount Lumaku is presented. In total, there are 127 species, two varieties and one subspecies in 63 genera and 27 families of mosses recorded from this mountain, representing ca. 18 % of the reported taxa of mosses in Borneo. The largest family was Sematophyllaceae with 18 species and one variety, followed by Calymperaceae with 12 species and Dicranaceae with 11 species. Macromitrium salakanum Müll.Hal. is a new addition to the Borneon moss flora, while Distichophyllum santosii E.B.Bartram and Mitthyridium constrictum Sull. (H.Rob.) are new records for Sabah

Ethnobotanical Indices for Traditional Vegetable and Herbal Medicine Species Consumed in Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia

The difference of traditional vegetable species used in two predominantly Sama Bajau villages: Kampung Taun Gusi and Kampung Menunggui, in Kota Belud, Sabah were determined with different strategies. Similarity of listed species between different villages was determined by using Jaccard’s index of similarity and the most useful plants were evaluated using Frequency of Citation (FC). Use Value (UV) was used to determine the citation of plants during semi-structured interviews. A total of 46 species of traditional vegetables from 41 genera and 25 botanical families were listed from two villages. Jaccard’s index of similarity for ulam species between two localities; Kampung Taun Gusi and Kampung Menunggui is revealed at J = 0.348. Meanwhile Jaccard’s index of similarity for species that have been also served as traditional herbal medicine for both villages is revealed at J = 0.111. In average, informants cited 7.67 ± 3.89 vegetable taxa, the highest frequency citation (FC) calculated for Cosmos caudatus, Centella asiatica, Musa paradasiaca, FC= 0.83 for all three species. Meanwhile the FC calculated for Ipomea batatas, Cucumis sativus, Vigna unguiculata, Artocarpus heterophyllus value at 0.67. Use value for C. caudatus and C. asiatica are both recorded at UV = 1.67. Two species from family Fabaceae recorded UV ≥ 1.00; V. unguiculata (1.33) and Abelmoschus esculentus (1.00). Other species that recorded UV ≥ 1.00; C. sativus (1.33) and Capsicum annum (1.00). There was no significance difference (p > 0.05) between genders and knowledge on traditional vegetables. These data could provide the baseline for preservation of traditional knowledge and for bio-prospecting since some selected vegetables that are also used as traditional medicine. These three species, C. caudatus, C. asiatica, and M. paradasiaca, should be given priority in sustainable management of food plant species in Kota Belud

Ethnobotanical note, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidative activities of wild edible vegetable, crassocephalum crepidioides from Kota Belud, Sabah

Crassocephalum crepidioides or locally known as “tanduk manggarang” (Bajau) or “gipun” (Dusun) is an underutilized weed that has been consumed as wild edible vegetable by Sama Bajau people in Kota Belud, Sabah. The villagers obtained the plant from local traders at fresh market or foraging the plant from forest. Correlation between TPC and TFC with IC50 of DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities were analysed by using Pearson’s correlation. The ethanolic extract exhibited the highest TPC (175.06±0.574 μg/ml) and TFC (139.72±0.923 μg/ml), followed by hot water extract with TPC of 54.45±0.818 μg/ml and TFC of 25.07±0.156 μg/ml. The distilled water extract showed the lowest TPC (29.98±0.918 μg/ml) and TFC (19.96±0.538 μg/ml). Antioxidant activities also demonstrated the same trend, ethanolic extract displayed the highest percentage of antioxidant activity of DPPH (85.4±1.64 %) and ABTS (85.2±0.57 %), followed by hot water extract with 65.4±3.87 % for DPPH and 79.4±3.2 % for ABTS. Distilled water extract had the lowest antioxidant activities for both DPPH (55.0±0.7 2%) and ABTS (71.35±2.61 %). The IC50 of DPPH assay were decreasing in the subsequent order; distilled water>hot water>ethanolic. Meanwhile, the IC50 of ABTS were decreasing in the following order; hot water>distilled water>ethanolic. There was negative high correlation between TPC in C. crepidioides leaves extracts with their IC50 of DPPH and ABTS assays. Following the same trend, there was also negative high correlation between TFC in C. crepidoides leaves extracts with their IC50 of DPPH and ABTS assays. As a conclusion, this readily available wild edible vegetable could be a potent resource of natural antioxidant for rural populace in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Difficulties experience by Science Foundation students on basic Mendelian Genetics topic: A preliminary study

This paper aims to report and identify the difficulties experienced by Science Foundation students in understanding basic Mendelian Genetics based on their ability to solve three types of basic Mendelian Genetics problems. The problems given are; a monohybrid cross and two dihybrid cross cases. Result shown that 52.6% students were able to solve all the given problems while another 47.4 % had difficulties to solve at least one of the given problems. Among the students that had difficulties to solve the given problems, 4.4% students had difficulties to solve Type 1 problem, 13.3% students had difficulties to solve Type 2 problem, 15.6% students had difficulties to solve Type 3 problem, 8.9% students that had difficulties to solve both Type 1 and 3 problems, 40% students had difficulties to solve both dihybrid cross Type 2 and 3 problems, and 17.8% students were unable to solve all the given problems. E(X) or number of questions that the Science Foundation students had difficulties to solve is 0.874. The standard deviation for number of questions that the Science Foundation students had difficulties to solve is 1.842. In solving basic Mendelian Genetics problems, we expected students were able to solve the problems given and also can clarify the techniques used in term of genetic context. The initial finding reported in this study may be used to have a better understanding on students' ability and problem solving skills in learning genetics