Here’s what the scientists said:

The ears of insects exhibit a broad functional diversity with the ability to detect sounds across a wide range of frequencies and intensities. In tympanal ears, the membrane is a crucial step in the transduction of the acoustic stimulus into a neural signal. The tropical butterfly Morpho peleides has an oval-shaped membrane at the base of the forewing with an unusual dome in the middle of the structure. We are testing the hypothesis that this unconventional anatomical arrangement determines the mechanical tuning properties of this butterfly ear. Using microscanning laser Doppler vibrometry to measure the vibrational characteristics of this novel tympanum, the membrane was found to vibrate in two distinct modes, depending on the frequency range: at lower frequencies (1–5 kHz) the vibration was focused at the proximal half of the posterior side of the outer membrane, while at higher frequencies (5–20 kHz) the entire membrane contributed to the vibration. The maximum deflection points of the two vibrational modes correspond to the locations of the associated chordotonal organs, suggesting that M. peleides has the capacity for frequency partitioning because of the different vibrational properties of the two membrane components. Extracellular nerve recordings confirm that the innervating chordotonal organs respond to the same frequency range of 1–20 kHz, and are most sensitive between 2 and 4 kHz, although distinct frequency discrimination was not observed. We suggest that this remarkable variation in structure is associated with function that provides a selective advantage, particularly in predator detection.

You can read more about it here.

This structure shows 3 different species of Nepenthes (monkey cups) that we have in Malaysia – Nepenthes albormaginata, Nepenthes ampullaria and Nepenthes gracilis.

In fact, there are just so many kinds of monkey cups in the wild. If you want to see various kinds of Nepenthes without going into a jungle, you can just come to our farm as we have plenty of species on display as we have at least 15-18 different species on display everyday. Some of the species that can be seen in our farm are (if you are lucky enough to spot them):

Nepenthes albomarginata
Nepenthes ampullaria
Nepenthes albo X ampu
Nepenthes sanguinea
Nepenthes rafflesiana
Nepenthes gracilis
Nepenthes gracillima
Nepenthes ampu X mira
Nepenthes anamensis
Nepenthes bellie
Nepenthes bicalcarata
Nepenthes distillatoria
Nepenthes eustachya
Nepenthes fusca
Nepenthes hirsuta
Nepenthes longifolia
Nepenthes mirabilis
Nepenthes veitchii
Nepenthes ventricosa
Nepenthes maxima
Nepenthes anamensis
Nepenthes sumatrana
Nepenthes sibuyanensis
Nepenthes bicalcarata
Nepenthes albomarginata
Nepenthes ampullaria
Nepenthes macfarlanei

Chin Aik Siang, Jason Ch’ng , Goh Yi Zhang, Brendon Yeoh, Cheah Zi Jun, Wang Yong Xiang

If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane, we would walk to anywhere to be with you again.

In Memoriam To The Dragon Boat Mishap: Building Our Youth For The Future – Lim Guan Eng
Condolence – Angeline
To Fulfill His Wish – Father of Jason Ch’ng

Condolonces from various Dragon Boat Clubs from other countries:

24th January 2010

It’s very sad to have received the tragedy that happened in  Penang.
On behalf of the Japan Dragon Boat Association, we do wish to  express condolences to the victioms.

This happening proved how important  it is to abide by the water safety  regulations, otherwise dragon boat sport is  taken as a dangerous sport.

Best regards,

Makoto Shobu, Japan Dragon Boat Association

—-

24th January 2010

All at DragonBoat SA and the South Australian Dragon Boat Community offer their condolences for the sad loss of six young dragon boaters in Penang .

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims.

John Holland
President – DragonBoat South Australia.
Fierce, Fast & Furious

—

18th January 2010

I am a dragon boat paddler, formerly of Darwin Australia, now residing in Brisbane.  I was born in Taiping, Perak.  I have paddled on many occasions at the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival.  I was there with my club at the Club Crew World Championships in 2008.  For a short time I was on the Board of the Australian Dragon Boat Federation.  Lim Chien Aun and I have known each other for many years through dragon boating.

It is with a heavy heart that we in Australia heard about the terrible tragedy with the Penang junior dragon boat paddlers.  Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you in the Penang dragon boat fraternity.  Our condolences to the families of the lost ones and the many young students who were so close to the tragedy.

Richard Lim
MBBS (Qld), FRACGP
Coorparoo, QLD

—

20th January 2010

Sincerest condolences for the loss of these dragonboaters. Our thoughts are with you all. Powerblades DBR club Adelaide Australia

Andy Kelly MACMHN
Clinical Practice Consultant – Mental Health & Dementia
Royal District Nursing Service of SA

—

19th January 2010

We write through tears of sadness as we learned of your terrible news from Penang. You must be shattered at the loss of so many young people from the Chung Ling High School together with their teacher and the dismay must be felt right across Malaysia.

Together we have watched the progress of Chung Ling High School over recent years. Jenny and I find young people like these inspirational. They always showed good manners, worked as a polished team and win, lose or draw, were always an asset to our sport and a credit to their families. To lose 5 young people with such potential and their teacher with so much to give is heart-breaking. We share with you our deepest sorrow.

It is incredible that an occasion which commences with such joy, hope and expectation can so suddenly turn to tragedy.

From all of us at Dragon Boats Victoria we extend our deepest sympathy to you, our PIDBF friends, Penang Forward and the family and friends of those from Chung Ling High School who we have lost.

We will keep you in our prayers.

Best wishes
Jenny and Jonathan Mayne
For the Board of Dragon Boats Victoria

WWF recently highlighted 1o popular species that are most threatened in the world, to be watched in 2010. The year 2010 has been declared The Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations. Many years back, governments had pledged to effectively reduce the rate biodiversity loss by 2010, but it seems the rate of loss of nature and its biodiversity is apparently at an alarming  rate and furthermore accelerating. So dear humans, what are we going to do about it? Are we looking at emitting more carbon, claiming more natural land, harvesting more from the forests and expanding our cities this year?

Here are some numbers and facts I summarised from WWF:

Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) – too close to extinction.
Tiger (Panthera tigris) – only 3200 left.
Pacific Walrus  (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) – As temperatues rise, they lose their habitat. Hundreds die each year.
Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) – Rapidly decreasing for the same reason for theWalrus.
Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) – no numbers for this, but this is your tuna sushi served at every japanese restaurant.
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) – there are just too many insect species to list which are going into extinction.
Leatherback Turtle – only 2300 females left.
Mountain Gorilla – only 720 left.
Javan Rhinoceros – only 60 left.
Giant Panda – only 1600 left.

Planet Earth is in a phase called the The Sixth Great Extinction, where all the previous five extinctions were thought to have been caused by asteroids and the last was 65 million years ago. Unfortunately, this time’s great extinction, which is not so great to hear at all, is caused by humans.

You have in your hands the power to protect or destroy all life on Earth. I urge you to do something.

Read more and spread the awareness:
WWF
IUCN Red List
Warning to Humanity
Union of Concerned Scientists
The Sixth Great Extinction
Endangered Species Coalition

When you watch the birds and touch the sky,
When you see the moving clouds and the swaying trees,
When you sit by the quiet lake and the fish within,
Did you smile, as I accompany you?

When you learn the language of bees,
When you feel the tickle of plants,
When you hear the sound of rivers,
Did you laugh, when I play with you?

When you chase the dragonflies to my waterfall,
When you pick the flowers from my garden,
When you wash your legs in my pond,
Did you feel happy when I spend time with you?

When you search the green grassy meadows,
When you sight the fanciful forests and mountains,
When you walk the beach and dive the oceans,
Did you travel very far just to look for me?

Hmm… perhaps, did you even know me at all?

Some quotes I like about butterflies, nature and happiness:

“Nature’s message was always there and for us to see. It was written on the wings of butterflies.”

“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.”

“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, it may alight upon you.”

Photo credits goes to:

http://www.pbb.com.my/

http://dreammakerphotos.com/blog/?p=535

Ride with CM Videos:

http://www.malaysiakini.tv/video/17980/ride-with-cm.html

Ever ride a bicycle? Used to ride but haven’t been riding lately? Just went cycling last week?

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready in your suit and gear, coz’ you’re all invited for Ride With CM, a massive cycling event organised by the G Club, a group of recreational cyclists. Ride With CM is going to gather a bunch of cyclists and will start hitting the roads on 25th October 2009.

This bicycle riding event has 3 categories:

1. Family Rides - Difficulty: Easy & open for only 200 bicycle riders
   12 km from Town Hall Esplanade to Gurney Drive, then turn into Bagan Jermal and return.
2. Teluk Bahang Rides – Difficulty: Easy to Moderate & open for only 300 bicycle riders
   50 km ride from Town Hall Esplanade to Teluk Bahang roundabout and return.
3. Round Island Rides – Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging & open for only 500 bicycle riders
   80 km from Town Hall Esplanade proceed to Lebuhraya Jelutong passing through Bayan Lepas then Balik Pulau follow by heading to Teluk Bahang then Batu Ferringhi and return.

Why not register yourselves? This might be your only chance to ride your bicycle with our Chief Minister, YAB Lim Guan Eng and together with many other Penangites.

Online Registration at Howei (fastest option)

Registration at Penang Bicycle Shops

Download Registration Form

…………

And here’s everyone’s reward at the end of the journey…

A healthy and halal Curry Chicken set meal + Dessert !

The kids from the Happy Childhood Children Centre went wild when me and Kyra (a team of educators from Penang Butterfly Farm) brought out live colorful and cute caterpillars to their tiny hands to experience Mother Nature! This is the 2nd time we are meeting back the cheeky kids. Couple of months ago, they were at our farm participating The Enchanting World of Butterflies Nature Education Programme.

We were invited back to their centre this morning, thanks to Principal Yeoh who sees the importance of getting children back to nature through a balance of classroom learning. According to author Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods book on Nature Deficit Disorder, more children are spending less time outdoor resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems. Louv claim that causes for phenomenon include parental fears, restricted acess to natural areas and the lure of the screen.

Initially when we first arrived, the kids were sitting a distance away. We were so concerned that they couldnt view the Little Friends we brought along from the farm to share with them. Gosh, looks like we underestimated their enthusiasm and interest.

In less than 10 minutes, the kids were swarming us with their excitement to touch and pet the insects and reptiles. Other than just allowing the kids to touch, we were on all eyes, ears and mouth to make sure they listen and understand to our sharing of facts and making sure they take care of their own safety and also the insects and reptiles well-being.

Kids studying closely on how a dead leaf mantis feeds on its prey.

Why is the mantis eating so slow...I have observing for 3 minutes oledi!

Bearded Dragon go to School!

What a handsome reptile!

Excited little ones with the Giant Millipede

Toot toot train...millipede's coming...

Introducing the Mcleay Spectre, a look alike scorpion insect

I must indeed share my pride and joy to the Happy Childhood Children Centre kids and teachers for having the love, interest and concern for these creepy crawlies and Mother Nature. This is a vision which Penang Butterfly Farm is hoping to spread to everyone out there.

Let us all Love Mother Nature and you will be loved!

An interesting creature has joined the farm: Doria’s Angle-Headed Lizard.  Try to watch their different skin colours when you are at the farm!