Term 2 here I come :)

Finally my new term is starting and my holiday is coming to an end!

Assigned to a new group, new people whom I have not worked with in the previous term, and a lot more new stuff to learn. Gonna start one of the essential qualities that a doctor must have - adaptation :)

After 1 full month of holidays, I guess I am rather ready to start my new term. Of course, besides wanting to see my girlfriend after a long time, I am also quite excited about the rural site visit that's gonna happen on the 3rd week! Will be going to Segamat for one week! According to my seniors, it's something that we all will enjoy a lot. I am filled with hope :)

Term starting means there won't be much entertainment like what I indulged myself in for the past 1 month. Instead, what is expected would be stress and study. Hopefully, alongside it comes fun and joy :)

Will be watching less of this! Sadness :P

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That's why I prefer dogs

A study was published in the journal Current Biology by the University of Sussex, regarding cats. Here's the news article from BBC. I knew cats were evil! :P

Cats 'exploit' humans by purring

See Pepo the cat employing his 'soliciting purr'

Cat owners may have suspected as much, but it seems our feline friends have found a way to manipulate us humans.

Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered that cats use a "soliciting purr" to overpower their owners and garner attention and food.

Unlike regular purring, this sound incorporates a "cry", with a similar frequency to a human baby's.

The team said cats have "tapped into" a human bias - producing a sound that humans find very difficult to ignore.

Dr Karen McComb, the lead author of the study that was published in the journal Current Biology, said the research was inspired by her own cat, Pepo.

"He would wake me up in the morning with this insistent purr that was really rather annoying," Dr McComb told BBC News.

"After a little bit of investigation, I discovered that there are other cat owners who are similarly bombarded early in the morning."

While meowing might get a cat expelled from the bedroom, Dr McComb said that this pestering purr often convinced beleaguered pet lovers to get up and fill their cat's bowl.

To find out why, her team had to train cat owners to make recordings of their own cats' vocal tactics - recording both their "soliciting purrs" and regular, "non-soliciting" purrs.

"When we played the recordings to human volunteers, even those people with no experience of cats found the soliciting purrs more urgent and less pleasant," said Dr McComb.

How annoying?

She and her team also asked the volunteers to rate the different purrs - giving them a score based on how urgent and pleasant they perceived them to be.

"We could then relate the scores back to the specific purrs," explained Dr McComb. "The key thing (that made the purrs more unpleasant and difficult to ignore) was the relative level of this embedded high-frequency sound."

"When an animal vocalises, the vocal folds (or cords) held across the stream of air snap shut at a particular frequency," explained Dr McComb. The perceived pitch of that sound depends on the size, length and tension of the vocal folds.

Impossible to resist: Cats use sounds that humans are "highly sensitive" to

"But cats are able to produce a low frequency purr by activating the muscles of their vocal folds - stimulating them to vibrate," explained Dr McComb.

Since each of these sounds is produced by a different mechanism, cats are able to embed a high-pitched cry in an otherwise relaxing purr.

"How urgent and unpleasant the purr is seems to depend on how much energy the cat puts into producing that cry," said Dr McComb.

Previous studies have found similarities between a domestic cat's cry and the cry of a human baby - a sound that humans are highly sensitive to.

Dr McComb said that the cry occurs at a low level in cats' normal purring. "But we think that (they) learn to dramatically exaggerate it when it proves effective in generating a response from humans."

She added that the trait seemed to most often develop in cats that have a one-on-one relationship with their owners.

"Obviously we don't know what's going on inside their minds," said Dr McComb. "But they learn how to do this, and then they do it quite deliberately."

So how does Dr McComb feel about Pepo now she knows he has been manipulating her all these years?

"He's been the inspiration for this whole study, so I'll forgive him - credit where credit's due."

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Ubuntu 9.04 - Jaunty Jackalope

Ubuntu is actually an operating system (OS) based on Linux, which is free to use and the best part is, it's damn good :) Ubuntu 9.04 codenamed Jaunty Jackalope has just been released this year in April, a huge improvement over its predecessors.

The name Ubuntu comes from the Zulu word "ubuntu" ([ùɓúntú]), translated as "humanity to others", describing the ubuntu philosophy: "I am what I am because of who we all are", a positive aspect of community.

Unlike Windows, Ubuntu comes in a simple basic package without all unnecessary programs installed, and you only need to download some plug-ins to use more features if you actually need them. It is composed of all free software pakages such as GIMP Image Editor; OpenOffice which is like MicrosoftOffice except that it's free. In a way, Ubuntu doesn't force its users to swallow everything that is given to them, which would make the system laggy, like what Windows is doing.

Having said that, Ubuntu promises a smooth, sleek and fast system with little system requirement. And without using high-end graphic card, a user can enjoy great visual effects which can never be seen in any Windows OS.


Here are some of the screen-shots I made on my Ubuntu. For more detailed effects, you can easily find videos on them on Youtube :)

This is the desktop interface in Ubuntu. Quite a big difference compared to Windows's.

Wobbly effect, which makes boxes look like bouncy jelly!

Flipping screens, which can be done using Desktop Cube / Desktop Sphere effect which makes the whole interface turn into a cube or a sphere!

It's raining in my computer!!

Burning the word 'Haha! ^^' on my screen!

Perhaps the one of the best advantages about Ubuntu is that it's immune to virus attack (although not totally)! One of the reasons is because Ubutu doesn't utilize .exe files (executable files) in its system, and viruses are .exe files! Click here to learn more :) It's also a good idea to use Ubuntu to look into your hard disk dedicated for Windows to check for viruses, as they are noticeable under Ubuntu - they can't hide! I deleted an adamant folder which couln't be deleted in my Windows using Ubuntu, how cool is that :)

Installation comes in 3 main ways :)
1) You can load Ubuntu OS straight from a CD without even installing it into your system, however some features are limited. This is more to giving it a try.
2) You can install Ubuntu OS into your Windows just like any other application and you'll have two OS to choose from when you boot your computer.
3) Or you can boot from your hard disk or pen drive :)

For those feeling adventurous, visit http://www.ubuntu.com/ to download your free installation package. It comes in .iso image file, which you can burn into a cd and start using :)


Enjoy! :)

Toys for kids born in 1989

Have you come across kids in public holding PSPs or Nintendo DSs while eating, walking or squatting down? I am not sure about you, but lately I have noticed a trend that the kids as young as 8 to 10 years old are gluing their eyes onto their electronic gaming gadgets while walking and having meals in public.

It's actually a sad scene. People in the past carry books around to read and now look at what has happened to the subsequent generations? There was one point when I thought it was the kids' fault for not thinking wisely about their habits and their future, but ruminating deeper reveals parents who are actually the ones lacking wise parenting skills. They seem to think that by satiating their kids' desire to have fun, they are doing their jobs well. They are not cultivating the vital skill in life - reading. In fact, I have a distant relative who pampered her son with such toy. Big mistake. As I told my gf before, I can't imagine what kind of students or adults they will turn out to be in the future.

This brings me to recall a particular forwarded mail which I received from a friend of mine long time ago, but I have been keeping it 'cause it's interesting. It's titled 'Toys for kids born in 1989', showcasing the toys played by the generation born in 1989 :) It seriously brings back memories as when I was a kid, these are the non-electrical toys that I used to play with. They seem to be non-existent now, substituted by mini gadgets with screens and buttons.

Here are the photos, enjoy :)

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Teaching of Science & Maths in Bahasa Malaysia: Poll!

The decision made by the government to revert the teaching of Science & Maths back to Bahasa Malaysia is indeed frustrating and disappointing. Many views have been made everywhere. The disagreement, anger, sarcasm are palpable from every corner; newspaper, blogs, Facebook etc.

Obviously, the government is trying to please some parties.

I just received an e-mail from Ms. Carole Chung, my Faculty's English tutor, who mentioned in the email that she got an SMS from her friend regarding Tun Mahathir's blog. Apparently he put up a poll there for us public to vote if we are for or against the teaching of Science and Maths in Bahasa Malaysia.

He wrote in his post that he will gather the poll results and opinions from the public and present it to the government.

Here is the link: http://chedet.co.cc/chedetblog/

Please vote to let your voices heard!

Cola video, watch this!

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

"To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting" - Edmund Burke.

I realized most of the time although I enjoyed reading some books I did not quite reflect upon it. Even when I did not quite like a particular book I would just chuck it away and forget about it. So based on the above quote I must be having indigestion now :P

My lovely girlfriend bought me a book named The Audacity of Hope written by then Senator Barack Obama, just because there was an occasion in which she saw me reading it while she was with me in a bookstore. She has always been so thoughtful and sweet :)


I just finished reading up the whole book and am satisfied with it :) However I am quite sure if I knew more about the American History I could have enjoyed better.

In fact, my lack of understanding kind of put me off in the first few chapters because it sounded all so alien to me! I did not know a lot of the people mentioned in the book and much less the nation as a whole. Nonetheless, the more I read the more I found it interesting, and the more I could understand, if not totally.

In his book, the then Senator Barack Obama gave his views on various topics encompassing the history of America, the values of the nation; the changes; the American Constitution; politics, Liberalism, Conservatism, Republicanism, Democratism; issues including abortion, gay marriage, intelligent design, sex escapade; race, family etc. I personally like the last few chapters because it writes the experience of the life of a father, a professor, a senator and a husband, who is of course himself.

It is also great to read about the love between he and Michelle, what happned to them, and how they worked it out in their family. Some parts of his story regarding his campaign trail, the ups and downs, his efforts and his beliefs are of wonderful read too.

I personally learned a lot about the nation from his writings. For those who have a penchant for politics and America would surely find this book interesting and worth-reading :)

Help Save Lives With Just One Signature!

Another petition run by WWF to save the turtles in Malaysia that are at the brink of extinction! Please sign up for this petition, for we can all make a difference!

Visit www.wwf.org.my for full info! :)

H1N1 - The truth behind

As I mentioned in one of the previous posts, there was a time when I thought I got a disease which is currently being publicized so intensely by our local media - H1N1 flu. The truth is, I had no idea how serious this flu could get as I was having quite a bad diarrhea and a strong urge to vomit. Besides, reading about Spanish flu and all other Influenza A pandemics that have happened worldwide before gave me qualms about just staying put at home and not do anything at all.

Putting aside all the theories encompassing antigenic shifts and drifts and whatnot, to sum all up, although Influenza A (which includes H5N1, H1N1 and all other combination) could be very formidable, this particular strain of H1N1 has high virulence but causes low severity of the illness. The Phase 6 set by WHO does not actually indicate its virulence other than its pandemic level.

Prior to knowing this, I was taken aback by how relaxed the staffs and patients in the hospital were when I told them I suspected H1N1 in me. The receptionists did not even wear masks and they did not look worried at all. I was curious because the media seemed to be fueling everyone's fear toward the disease and yet these people were just calm and unwary.

In fact, they were the people who knew the fact. That's why. My parents who came back from Europe last week told me that our government has just been over reacting to the disease and the media didn't help to calm the situation either. They noticed that no one was even worried about it in London and Paris, and people did not even wear any masks on the aeroplane except for a few, which made them look like aliens.

As there are more and more local infections, the death rate is nil. The severity is mild, because the virus only kills those people weak in immunity, namely immunocompromised patients. Healthy beings who contracted it should have nothing to worry about. My friend who came back from Aus unfortunately got quarantined in a local hospital because he was infected. He was remanded for 5 days, having to take pills everyday. After that he was released back home and was ordered to stay at home for another 7 days. The matter is that there was, and still is, no cure to the disease and yet the patients were being released back home because the medical care providers understood that it was not such a big deal after all.

Do you realise that the disease is just like a common cold, which is also caused by viruses and does not have a cure because there are too many strains out there? After a few days of rests the cold usually just goes away, otherwise it would be a bacterial infection. Whereas for current strain of H1N1, it just takes longer with some medicines to ease the symptoms.

Here is an article written by The Star Managing editor P. Gunasegaram regarding the topic. For more information, do visit here by CDC. The more you read, the more you will understand :)

Some useful software products to share :)

I have been trying out quite a number of software yesterday and I am really glad that I was finally able to resume my hobby after such a long time! And these software products are worth keeping and most importantly they are free! :P

1) HDDlife Pro


This software displays your hard disk's temperature, life span, performance and space. It is particularly useful in dealing with hard disk problems which you would otherwise not know. For example, the temperature of the hard disk, which has got a big influence on your hard disk performance, would show you if your hard disk is overheating, and this could be due to your fan malfunctioning and timely intervention can thus be administered.

2) GoodSync


A basic file synchronization tool. Particularly useful if you are like me having the same folder on both your computer and your pen drive and after making changes to the pen drive, you have to copy the changes to your computer to make sure they are the same or vice versa. This freeware scans the drive or folder of your choice and displays a list of files to be copied as well as the space required for both sides to be synchronized and much more!

3) Wise Cleaner


They are actually two separate softwares which are namely WiseRegistryCleaner and WiseDiskCleaner, both of which are used in tandem with each other. As the names suggest, the former cleans up your registry off junk registry and useless keys that slows down your computer as the days progress and they accumulate. Whereas the latter scans and cleans your hard disk off redundant junks that would otherwise, again, slows down and might cause havoc in your computer. After using them your system would definitely feels lighter :)

4) Lenovo VeriFace Recognition


A great software by Lenovo, which can also be used on computers of other brands. This software is only compatible with Vista; whereas for XP, there's another one called KeyLemon, which also works with Vista as well. It discards the need to log in by typing in password; you just show your face! This is a taste of artificial intelligence in which the computer recognizes the owner and unlocks the computer. It's a pretty great software to try out with, but if you can't log in even after a few times of trying, make sure you set the Safety Setup level lower so that it's not so strict in recognizing your face!