PETALING JAYA: Health experts have advised the public to take precaution amid confirmation that the Arcturus viral subvariant has been detected in the country.
Professor in Public Health Medicine and Health Economy in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said although the SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.16 (Arcturus) viral subvariant is highly infectious, nothing pointed to it being more dangerous than other Omicron variants currently in circulation.
“It is advisable for people to get a booster shot if they have not received one and wear a face mask whenever in crowded spaces,” she said, adding the government will soon be offering Bivalent vaccines which are especially effective for Omicron variants.
Prof Sharifa said symptoms of the Arcturus subvariant included itchy or sticky eyes, as well as high fever and cough – particularly among children.
“The Arcturus subvariant is highly infectious because it is difficult to be traced by our antibodies and because of that, it can cause people who already had Covid-19 in the past to be reinfected.
“This will cause an increase in Covid-19 cases in time to come, and the World Health Organisation has classified the Arcturus subvariant as a ‘variant of interest’ (VOI) that will be under careful observation,” she added.
Public Health Medicine Specialist Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the subvariant was fairly new and not much details was known about it so far.
“It is predicted to be more infectious and may cause a rise in cases, but regardless, people should be vigilant and follow the SOP including masking up and getting a booster shot,” he said.
Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health in Universiti Malaya Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming said Arcturus was the dominant variant in India and causing a new wave but added that cases were mostly with mild symptoms.
“According to WHO, while this variant seems to be spreading faster and escapes immunity, it does not seem to be causing more severe illness in individuals or in the population infected with Arcturus.
“However, even though it is not more lethal than other Omicron subvariants, we should take it seriously as it may cause severe illness to vulnerable groups,” she said.
Prof Moy said whether a variant will cause a wave in a country depended on the immunity of the population as well as the variant which was last dominant there.
“The public should practice TRIIS: Test, Report, Inform, Isolate and Seek medical help if infected.
“Those who do not have their vaccination up to date and have not taken a booster dose should do so as soon as possible,” she said.
On Monday, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said a total of 12 cases involving the Arcturus viral subvariant had been detected in the country.
Six cases were detected in Sarawak, four in Selangor and two in Kuala Lumpur, she said.
The XBB.1.16 subvariant was first detected in the country in March, but the minister said the situation was under control and that health facilities were not under any pressure.
EVERY year on April 25, the global scientific community unite to celebrate DNA Day, marking the momentous completion of the human genome project in 2003 and the discovery of the double helix in 1953.
On April 25, 1953, James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin and colleagues published papers in the journal Nature on the structure of DNA. By commemorating DNA Day, scientists and enthusiasts seek to emphasise the significance of DNA research and inspire future generations to pursue advancements in genetics.
DNA is like a recipe book for living things; it stores vital information that is passed down from one generation to the next. The information is stored in the form of genes that determine the characteristics of an organism, and is protected and held in place by chromosomes. In humans, the genome is made up of approximately three billion base pairs of DNA. Studying the genome and its variations can therefore provide insights into the causes of genetic disorders and help researchers develop new treatments.
DNA holds significant potential in the fields of medicine, anthropology and forensics. In forensics, DNA is frequently used to determine the guilt or innocence of suspects as well as to identify unknown deceased individuals, by analysing DNA collected from hair, skin or blood samples. DNA can also be used to trace a person’s ancestry and determine their ancestral homeland.
In medicine, genetic testing can identify mutations in a person’s DNA that increase his/her risk of developing certain diseases, such as breast or ovarian cancer. DNA sequencing can also help doctors develop personalised treatment plans for patients with cancer or other diseases by identifying specific genetic mutations driving the disease’s growth. In some cases, DNA testing can also diagnose rare genetic diseases that might be difficult to identify otherwise.
Additionally, newborns can be screened for certain genetic conditions that may not be apparent at birth, allowing for early interventions or treatments that can improve outcomes for them.
Precision medicine is an advanced approach that considers the individual characteristics of each patient, in particular their genetic profile. This approach has the potential to revolutionise scientific and medical progress and improve the health of families by providing doctors with the resources to identify specific treatments for various illnesses.
Historically, most medical therapy development has focused on the “average patient” using a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treatment. While this may be beneficial for some individuals, it can be completely ineffective for others. With precision medicine, doctors can develop tailored treatments that are customised to a patient’s specific needs, leading to more effective and personalised care.
That’s why it’s so crucial for us to have a full picture of the human genome, and why the discovery of the genome’s sequence was welcomed by academics and doctors everywhere.
As our knowledge of DNA and the information it encodes grows, we may one day live in a society with fewer and better-managed diseases, longer lifespans, and individualised medical care rather than mass-produced pharmaceuticals designed for the general population.
- PROF ZILFALIL ALWI, ABDUL HALIM FIKRI HASHIM and NOR RAFIDA MOHD SENI Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan
Prof Zilfalil heads the Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project and is also Unesco Chair in Human Genetics on Thalassaemia, a programme that involves over 850 institutions across 117 countries.
Did you know that China is doing stem cell experiments in space? Get to know more about China's space explorations in this episode.
Guest: Prof Dr Kee Keh Kooi (Scientist, Tsinghua University)
Kampung boy leads space stem cell research at top varsity
KUALA LUMPUR: It may seem like a galaxy far, far away when human beings from earth can stay for a long period of time in a spacecraft or even on the moon or Mars, but Malaysian scientist Prof Dr Kee Keh Kooi is already doing research on its effects on human bodies.
The Tsinghua University lecturer is heading a team to study how gravity and even radiation affect the development of human embryonic stem cells in space.
In short, understanding how human reproduction will affect human beings who will spend a long time in space.
The research is also to find answers as to how the human embryonic stem can differentiate in space.
“It is already happening as Chinese astronauts could stay for a period of time in a station on the moon, astronauts could orbit around the earth, and even ordinary people could travel to space,’’ he said.
The Sitiawan-born renowned academician was interviewed online from Beijing by Star Media Group adviser Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai on his webcast programme @realchunwai on Thursday.
His accomplishment was highlighted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he spoke at Tsinghua University during an official visit to China last month.
China recently announced its readiness to start its lunar base on the moon within five years, ahead of landing astronauts there in subsequent years.
Dr Kee has also conducted his research via China’s first cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-1, which was launched in 2017.
Its main task was to deliver fuel and supplies to the orbiting Tiangong 2 space lab, but it also played host to ground-breaking scientific experiments conducted remotely by earth-based scientists in China.
Dr Kee specialises in stem cell research and how it can be cultured for medical technologies to help patients suffering from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and even spinal cord injuries.
Besides devoting his time in laboratories, he also lectures undergraduate and post-graduate students at Tsinghua, which is regarded as China’s top university.
He spent decades in the United States, where he obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Iowa State University. This was followed by a PhD at Weill Cornell University.
Later, he worked at the University of California, San Francisco, before taking up a three-year stint as a research associate at Stanford University.
The opportunity for him to take a leading role as a principal researcher came when he applied for a post at Tsinghua University after seeing a vacancy advertised in an academic journal in 2009.
“There was an opening for stem cell research at the university, and it caught my interest immediately,’’ he said.
Asked about the differences in the manner in which research is conducted in China and the United States, Dr Kee said that in the United States, individual research was common, while in China, a team of between 50 and 100 people could be involved in a big project.
Despite having spent over 12 years in Beijing, Dr Kee, who grew up in Johor Baru, makes it a point to visit Malaysia annually, especially during Chinese New Year.
His parents, who moved to Johor Baru from Sitiawan to run a coffee shop, are still operating at the premises in Gelang Patah.
Dr Kee is a former student of Foon Yew High School, one of the elite independent schools in Johor.
“Balik kampung is always on my mind. The minute China reopened its border, I took my family home to Malaysia for three weeks,” he said.
Dr Kee, who was born in Kampung Remis, a small fishing village, described himself as a kampung boy. His family, he said, is “a simple Teochew family”.
Dr Kee said he would be happy to conduct talks on his work at Malaysian universities if there are opportunities.
His advice to Malaysians who wish to study at Tsinghua or Peking University is simply to study hard, get good grades and be focused.
However, he added that there are many other universities in China besides these top two.
He said Tsinghua also offers other disciplines, especially at the post-graduate level in economics, architecture, and law, which are conducted in English for international students.
To watch the full interview with Dr Kee, follow @realchuwai on Facebook and YouTube.
Dedollarise move: a file picture of us banknotes. Economists say there are incentives to move away from using the greenback as the primary currency for trade settlement and reserves.
— afp
THE US-dollar dominance as the anchor of the international financial system is being challenged on several fronts simultaneously – and ever more intensely – in recent months.
From several countries opting to conduct trade in their local currencies, instead of using the US dollars to the BRICS nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa seeking to develop a new common currency for the economic bloc, the risk of the mighty greenback being dethroned appears serious.
As some economists say, it is no longer a question of “if” the US dollar’s dominance will crack, but “when”. Is this a good thing for small and open economies like Malaysia?
According to economists, there are incentives to move away from using the US dollar as the primary currency for trade settlement and reserves.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist and social finance head Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid points out that the high dependence on the US dollar will make the global economy highly susceptible to changes in the US monetary policy.
The move to dedollarise will not only reduce financial-market volatility caused by US monetary conditions, but it can also help reduce costs, he says.
Afzanizam: Hedging is cost to businesses and investors. therefore, the incentives to do away with the us dollar is high.
Afzanizam explains: “Any change in the US monetary policy will affect the global financial market. This is a problem, as it can sometimes create excessive volatility in foreign-exchange markets.”
“Because of this, companies and investors have to hedge their exposure to mitigate currency risks. Hedging is cost to businesses and investors. Therefore, the incentives to do away with the US dollar is high,” he says.
Afzanizam tells Starbizweek if there were currencies that could provide better alternatives in terms of stability and predictability, dedollarisation would certainly gain further traction.
According to Sunway University economics professor Yeah Kim Leng, dedollarisation, that results in improved global economic and financial stability leading to increased trade and investment flows, will be beneficial to small and open economies like Malaysia.
Yeah: the yuan is expected to see a rising role as one of several alternatives.
“As a trading nation, pragmatic and nimble government and company-level policies and strategies are vital to cope with the potential fallouts and opportunities arising from dedollarisation that may or may not lead to a more stable and progressive global economic order,” he explains.
Cost and benefit
Malaysia is seen to be moving towards dedollarisation. Early this month, the country reached a deal with India, one of its major trading partners, to settle trade in Indian rupees instead of the US dollar.
In addition, Malaysia revived the idea of setting up an Asian Monetary Fund (AMF), proposing to initiate discussions on the matter with China, which is reportedly open to the idea.
These small steps are part of an ongoing global shift away from US dollar dependence.
Socio-economic Research Centre executive director Lee Heng Guie says there are potential costs and challenges during the transition process.
Lee: the wide and deep us dollar fluctuations could impact trade, investment and capital flows.
“Malaysia may face heightened exchange rate volatility if the dedollarisation is disorderly and abrupt, causing a plunge in the US dollar against major foreign currencies. The wide and deep US dollar fluctuations could impact trade, investment and capital flows,” the economist explains.
For example, a sharp appreciation of the ringgit against the US dollar could lower the cost of servicing Malaysia’s Us-dollardenominated debt, but it could dampen the country’s export competitiveness and lower exchange rate translation gains in domestic currency for the export-oriented industries such as palm oil, rubber products and crude petroleum.
“Portfolio investors may undertake portfolio adjustment in anticipation of the dedollarisation. This could induce assets price fluctuations in the debt and equities markets as investors stay on the sidelines, while assessing the potential risks and costs associated with a disorderly transition of the dedollarisation,” Lee says.
Regardless of the transition costs and risks, Malaysia has to continue strengthen its domestic financial markets, enhance policy credibility, and foster regional and multilateral cooperation in the provision of liquidity arrangement.
“The development of deep and liquid domestic financial markets is a prerequisite for buffering against the impact of dedollarisation,” he says.
Meanwhile, Malaysia University of Science and Technology economics professor Geoffrey Williams sees two basic scenarios pertaining to dedollarisation.
Williams: the use of the us dollar will slowly decrease.
“The first is that the use of the US dollar will slowly decrease, as more countries settle trade and investment in bilateral currencies. This will continue as BRICS and smaller countries get onboard.
“The second scenario is that there will be a tipping point where the US dollar will quickly lose reserve currency status as happened to pound sterling after World War II. There are many possible triggers of this, but they are very speculative and involve a major crisis,” he adds.
Williams says the United States will defend the dollar and so long as the dollar is used for oil, metals and commodity trades as well as intergovernmental settlement of debt, it will retain its role.
Gradual transition for stability
It is estimated that the US dollar accounts for 88% of global trades, based on Bureau for International Settlements’ triennial central bank survey 2022.
As it stands, central banks around the world still hold significant amounts of US dollars in their reserves. An estimate by the International Monetary Fund implied that the greenback accounted for about 60% of global foreign exchange reserves as at end2022.
Nevertheless, economists expect the numbers to be on a declining trend, as countries are diversifying away from the US dollar. The dedollarisation process, however, will likely be gradual to minimise disruption to global financial systems and markets.
As Afzanizam puts it, any abrupt transition to other currencies can create uneasiness and uncertainties among businesses and investors.
Therefore, allowing ample time would facilitate the changes and reduce the inevitable market volatility, he says.
The enormous and deep US debt markets have been touted as a major factor for the continuing dominance of the US dollar in global financial markets, according to Yeah.
Therefore, as countries diversify their reserve currencies and reduce dependence on the US dollar, one could expect global financial markets to face higher volatility and uncertainty, he says.
On Malaysia’s effort to wean off US dollar dependence, Yeah points out that it will be a gradual process.
“This will be in line with global shifts in international trade, capital flows and financial markets, whereby the process is driven by market forces and factors such as transaction costs, riskiness, accessibility and convenience,” he says.
As a start, Malaysia can consider trading its oil and other natural resources in local currencies with countries with which it has bilateral agreements, says HELP University economist Paolo Casadio.
Further, he notes, Malaysia can have a meaningful and impactful transition towards less reliance on US dollar by coordinating its effort with other economic blocs, such as BRICS, to set up a new system.
“There are long-term benefits for Malaysia as well as for all the other developing countries in eliminating the (US dollar) monopoly,” Casadio says, pointing to a more stable and equitable exchange rate as an example.
Asian fund proposal
On the setting up of the AMF, Williams says while it is a feasible strategy to reduce reliance on the US dollar, such a move will require “buy-in” across many countries in the region. In particular, pertinent issues such as who will to provide the finance, and securing consensus on the terms on which access to that finance is made available, have to be ironed out.
“It is not just a financial issue, but geopolitical too,” he stresses.
“The main issue is who will fund it, and what will be the contribution rates for each member. It is likely that most will come from China, unless Japan and South Korea join in. Otherwise, most Asian countries are too small to contribute much,” he adds.
Williams says new arrangements, such as the 12-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-pacific Partnership, of which Malaysia is a part, are indications of ongoing shifts in global economic arrangements away from dominance of the United States and other developed economies such as the European Union (EU).
“Moving to bilateral currencies for trade and investment is feasible, but more at risk to exchange fluctuations and liquidity issues. So, it would be a move to multiple currency options, not just one,” he says.
He notes before US or Eu-based systems such as the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or SWIFT, could be replaced, there has to be a viable and reliable alternative for interbank transfers and e-payments.
“Although the systems are contestable and replaceable by new and local providers, the truth is that only stable, reliable and secure financial systems will survive. The US dollar still provides this,” Williams argues.
Importantly, for Malaysia as a small country, it should go with the flow and remain neutral in the shifting geopolitical dynamics, while trade and debt, in whatever currency is best, he says.
Potential alternatives
Amid the ongoing currency shift, China’s yuan, is increasingly seen a potential alternative to the US dollar. This is by virtue of China being the second-largest economy in the world after the United States. However, the country’s strict capital controls are a hindrance.
“As the world’s second-largest economy, China’s yuan is expected to see a rising role as one of several alternatives, including the euro, to the US dollar. Countries trading with China are already increasingly using yuan for payments and settlements,” Yeah says.
“Its internationalisation, however, is being constrained by strict capital controls and lack of liquidity for international transactions outside of China,” he adds.
Concurring with Yeah, Afzanizam says, for the yuan to play an even greater role as an alternative international currency, China’s capital account has to be more open, allowing free flow of funds to allow greater flexibility, especially in terms of the supply of yuan.
Casadio, on the other hand, argues there is no alternative to the US dollar in the prevailing system.
Rather, a “gold-backed system of currencies that constitutes an alternative” is a more viable option, this will provide an equitable system of exchange rates and a stable international financial system, he explains.
“There is a clear shift, at the international level, towards a system in which the dollar has no more monopolistic power as the international currency. The system that is going to emerge from this will limit monopolies and excess financing deficits, thanks to it being anchored to gold,” says Casadio.
Charles Schwab Corp says that there aren’t any viable reserve-currency alternatives to the US dollar.
“A reserve currency needs to be freely convertible and have deep and liquid bond markets to be considered safe for foreign central banks to hold. Central banks need to know that their money is easily and readily available when needed, particularly in times of stress.
“The United States, with a large, open, and liquid market for Treasury securities, fits that role,” the investment bank explains in its commentary.
“That’s why when the Covid crisis hit the global economy, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) expanded its swap lines with foreign central banks to enable access to dollars for countries that were struggling to access dollars for trade and debt payments. While other major countries’ markets have these qualities, the size and openness of the US market is difficult to match,” it adds.
Depreciating dollar
In the meantime, the US dollar is expected to weaken further against most currencies through the year on anticipation of slower interest rate hikes by the Fed.
The greenback has already been on a declining trend over the past few months. This is evidenced by the downtrend of the US dollar index - a gauge of its performance against a basket of major currencies - with the DXY falling to around 100 to 102 points from its multi-year high of 114 to 115 points in September 2022.
From the Malaysian perspective, the ringgit has been volatile against the greenback.
The local note is trading RM4.43 against the US dollar. This is an improvement from RM4.75 in early November last year, but a poorer position from RM4.24 at end-january this year.
With the expected weakening of the US dollar, the ringgit is forecast to strengthen to RM4.15-RM4.25 towards the second half of this year, says Dr Yeah.
“The US economy is anticipated to weaken significantly in the second half and that could warrant unwinding the high interest rates,” he explains.
Similarly bearish on the greenback, Afzanizam says he expects the ringgit to strengthen to RM4.20 against the US dollar by the end of 2023.
“The expectation of slower rate increase in the United States and the potential cut in the federal fund rate could lead to a weaker US dollar,” he explains.
Although on a decline, the US dollar’s dominance is expected to persist due to the absence of a viable alternative.
“The pace of its decline, however, could accelerate if US economic growth sputters, fiscal and debt woes mount and high inflation and interest rates destabilise its banking system.
“Continuing US economic instability coupled with the government’s penchant to apply sanctions for geopolitical reasons will also motivate the rest of the world to band together to find a viable alternative while reducing dependence on the dollar for trade, financing and foreign reserves,” he adds.
The United States' way of weaponising the dollar to control global trade is losing ground and more and more
countries are shying away from using the greenback. — Reuters
The US dollar system will be dominant for a while yet, but the more the dollar is weaponised in terms of sanctions, the more users will want to dedollarise. — Reuters
More people are falling sick and seeking treatment at hospitals as the Air Pollutant Index readings seem to be going up in parts of the country. With the hazy and dry conditions, and Covid-19 still a concern, health experts are advising people to wear face masks when they are outdoors.
PETALING JAYA: Face masks now serve a dual purpose, protecting oneself from Covid-19 and also the haze that has been blanketing the country the past week, say experts.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh is advising the public to continue masking up, especially the elderly and children, to protect them from the harmful effects of the haze.
She said the air pollution consists of fine particles that could enter the human body through the respiratory system and cause health problems.
“The fine particles can go into our breathing system through our throat and lungs, which may cause health issues such as bronchitis. It could also settle on the skin and eyes, which can cause irritation,” the professor and public health expert said.
As Hari Raya Aidilfitri approaches, Prof Sharifa said the public should try to reduce outdoor activities.
“It is important to wear a face mask when outside, especially an N95 that could block fine particles.
“Haze is always related to extreme heat that could lead to heat stroke; hence, staying hydrated is also the best way to ensure good health conditions,” she said.
Prof Sharifa also said that setting up air purifiers in the house would also help ensure the indoor air is free of pollutants.
She also said that before visiting an area during Hari Raya, the public are advised to check the air pollution index (API) of the location.
“If the area records bad API readings, then, if possible, avoid going there,” she said.
Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai concurred, saying that the public must stay informed about the haze and take heed of any warnings or advice from the authorities.
“Face masks will indeed serve a dual purpose if the haze is still around during the Aidilfitri holidays.
“It will also be important to stay hydrated as the heat can cause dryness of the throat and eyes,” he said.
To continuously ensure Covid19 can be contained, Dr Muruga also said the public must wear face masks when visiting houses where there are vulnerable groups, such as the elderly.
“Those with an existing respiratory illness will need to take extra care to avoid exposure to both the haze and Covid-19.
“Whether it’s the haze or Covid19, if you’re having trouble breathing, you should go to the emergency department of a hospital immediately,” he added.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa has advised the public to take precautionary measures as the haze situation is expected to worsen, with air quality dropping in several areas of the country.
“People should limit physical activities during the hot weather that could lead to illness.
“Limit being outdoors, use suitable face masks and protect yourselves from the haze by using umbrellas and caps to prevent direct exposure to the hot weather,” she said in a statement yesterday.
She urged the public to halt activities that would lead to air pollution, such as smoking, and to drink more warm water (at least eight glasses) to prevent dehydration.
According to a Swiss air quality index (AQI) monitoring company, a monitoring station in Kuala Lumpur recently recorded an unhealthy air quality of 117.
However, as of yesterday afternoon, almost all 68 air pollution index (API) stations in the country showed moderate readings below 100.
The website also forecast that the AQI in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (April 21) and Saturday (April 22), when Hari Raya Aidilfitri is expected, would be moderate, with readings of 80 or higher.
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