Development Of Four Species Of Forensic Flies, Estimation Of Post-Mortem Interval And Their Application On Forensic Cases In North Peninsular Malaysia

The current study explores the relation of the forensic insects and human corpses during the period July 2007 until July 2010 in North Peninsular Malaysia. The larvae were sampled and taken into laboratory, where 50 % of the larvae reared on beef meat ad libitum and the other 50 % killed in warm water (52 ± 10 ºC) and preserved in Kahle’s solution. The species confirmations were done when the reared case maggots emerged. The frequency of occurrence (FO) and dominance (D) of forensic flies were calculated for indoor and outdoor environments. The adults of C. megacephala, C. rufifacies, Liosarcophaga dux and S. nudiseta were maintained as colony and their immature life cycle were established

Rural Development: Motivational Factors Impacting Community Support for Rural Tourism

Rural tourism has emerged as a viable domestic tourism option and a means of raising the standard of living and enhancing the environment for rural residents. Successful rural tourism greatly depends on rural tourism products and the local communities residing in particular areas. This study examines factors that influence rural community support for developing tourism in remote areas. The theoretical concept is framed by integrating social exchange theory with social representation theory. It employs a case study approach by examining multiple stakeholder views located in remote Kinabatangan, Sabah. Using a mixed method approach and four labels of data convergence, the findings reveal conflicting views among the stakeholders pertaining to Indigenous motivation and participation in rural tourism activities. The study highlights employing a comrade approach to encourage aboriginal participation in tourism ventures, not merely depending on monetary incentives and tourism awareness campaigns

Co-breeding association of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae) in relation to location and container size

The occurrence of major outbreaks of dengue, and other vector borne diseases such as chikungunya and zikain tropical and subtropicalregions has rendered control of the diseases a top-priority formany affected countries including Malaysia. Control of the mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus through the reduction of breeding sites and the application of insecticidesto kill immature forms and adults are the main control efforts to combat these diseases. The present study describes the association between Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti in shared breeding sites. This study is important given that any measure taken against one species may affect the other. A yearlong larval survey was conducted in four dengue endemic areas of Penang Island.Sorenson’s coefficient index indicated that no association between number of the immatures of the two species regardless of container size and study location.Therefore, the mean number Ae. albopictusimmature was not decreased in the presence of Ae. aegypti in shared breeding container. However Ae. aegypti appeared to prefer breeding in habitats not occupied by Ae. albopictus, the two species sharing breeding sites only where available containers were limited. In control efforts, eliminating the preferred breeding containers for one species might not affect or reduce the population of the other species

Biological and therapeutic effects of honey produced by honey bees and stingless bees: a comparative review

Honey is a natural product produced by both honey bees and stingless bees. Both types of honey contain unique and distinct types of phenolic and flavonoid compounds of variable biological and clinical importance. Honey is one of the most effective natural products used for wound healing. In this review, the traditional uses and clinical applications of both honey bee and stingless bee honey – such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihyperlipidemic, and cardioprotective properties; the treatment of eye disorders, gastrointestinal tract diseases, neurological disorders, and fertility disorders and wound healing activity are described. Keywords: Honey bee, Stingless bee honey, Antimicrobial activity, Anticancer activity, Physicochemical propertie

Compliance of selected stingless bee honey in Kelantan according to Malaysian Standard (MS) 2683:2017

In Malaysia, commercial stingless bee honey is in demand due to its nutritional and healing properties, especially in the cosmetic, food and beverage and pharmaceutical industry. However, up to date, these honey products from various districts of Kelantan were not subjected to compliance according to the specification of the Malaysian Standard (MS) 2683:2017. Thus, the objective of the current study was to determine the compliance of selected stingless bee honey (SBH) in Kelantan based upon physicochemical properties and microbiological analysis following MS 2683:2017 specifications. Physicochemical analysis of commercial stingless be honey shows the value of moisture, ash, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and pH were in the range of 27.05 ± 1.39 to 32.61 ± 2.79 %, 0.08 ± 0.01 to 0.14 ± 0.01 g, 8.78 ± 0.92 to 218.66 ± 0.70 mg/kg and 2.34 ± 0.01 to 3.22 ± 0.02, respectively. There was an absence of total coliform in all samples. In summary, all samples of stingless bee honey complied with MS 2683:2017 specification for physicochemical properties and microbial contaminant limits of total plate count (TPC) and total coliform. However, for the microbial contaminant limit of yeast and mold, only sample 6 was contaminated

Understanding Social Dimensions in Wildlife Conservation: Multiple Stakeholder Views

Numerous studies show the importance of social understanding in addressing multifaceted conservation issues. Building on a conservation planning framework, this study examines the social dimensions of wildlife conservation in Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysia. It employs a qualitative approach by conducting in-depth, semi-structured interviews with sixty informants drawn from local community members, government officials, tourism operators, non-government organizations, and the private sector. Our results show that the incidence of human–wildlife conflicts has reduced in the region, but that conflicts among stakeholders themselves about wildlife still remain a significant threat for attaining successful conservation outcomes. Further stakeholder perceptions of increased wildlife numbers often contrast with actual counts returned by periodical surveys conducted by conservation agencies, e.g., showing a 30% decline of orangutans and a 29% decline of gibbon abundance. This shows that evidence-based conservation messages have not been communicated well. The study has implications for enhancing social values among conservation players, promoting local community empowerment and revising conservation awareness programs