Tag Archives: Universiti Sains Malaysia

Did Fukushima Water Kill Thousands Of Fish In Penang?!

Claim : Fukushima Water Killed Thousands Of Fish In Penang!

People are sharing a video on WhatsApp, which claims to show that thousands of fish floating on the water, after being killed by the radioactive Fukushima waste water!

Nuclear sudah sampai pantai Penang… Mati penang

Nuclear [contamination/radiation] has arrived at Penang beaches. Penang is dead.

If it is true, horrible japanese

The Japanese is helping America to depopulate the world

Truth : Fukushima Water Did Not Kill Thousands Of Fish In Penang!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS surrounding the release of treated waste water from the Fukushima NPS, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : This Happened On 26 August 2023

The viral video appears to be recorded on Saturday, 26 August 2023, when thousands of fish were found dead along the shores of Teluk Bahang in Penang.

Fact #2 : Fukushima Only Started Releasing Waste Water On 24 August

The Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power station only started releasing its treated waste water on Thursday, 24 August 2023.

As the crow flies, Penang is over 5,400 kilometres away from Fukushima. Even if the radioactive waste water is a missile, it would need to fly non-stop at over 110 km/h to reach Penang in time to kill the fish two days later. And this is only possible if the Fukushima waste water can actually FLY OVER Pattani in Thailand and Kedah to reach Penang!

If the evil Japanese people fired the Fukushima waste water like a homing torpedo at Penang, it would need to travel some 7,000 km to reach Teluk Bahang. That radioactive torpedo will need to “swim” non-stop at 145 km/h or 78 knots to kill fish in Penang two days later.

Fact #3 : No Dead Fishes Were Reported En-Route

For the Fukushima waste water to reach Penang, it would need to travel past southern Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, southern China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Sabah and Sarawak, before going around Singapore, and past Johor, Melaka, Selangor and Perak.

Yet no dead fish were reported elsewhere. How is that possible if the Fukushima waste water is so toxic? Did the evil Japanese design the waste water to only kill fish in Penang?

Fact #3 : Fish Were Killed By Red Tide Bloom

On the day the fishes were found dead in Penang, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) deputy director Dr. Annette Jaya Ram spotted pink tide in Teluk Bahang.

CEMACS later confirmed that the thousands of fish found dead were likely killed by the red tide bloom. CEMACS director Professor Datuk Dr. Aileen Tan said on Wednesday, 30 August 2023, that several fish that they retrieved were found to be in a state of asphyxiation with their mouths wide open.

We found them deprived of oxygen, resulting in unconsciousness or death due to suffocation.

She also said that while the algae is not known to have any direct toxicity or toxic effects, it was possible that the fish died due to high levels of discharge by the plankton.

It is more intense this time compared to April because it happened during neap tide (compared to spring tide in April). The blooms were not drifted or carried away by the tides or waves this time.

Fact #4 : DOE Confirmed Fish Were Killed By Algal Bloom

The Department of Environment (DOE) issued a statement on Wednesday, 30 August 2023, confirming that the thousands of fish found dead were killed when the algal bloom deprived them of oxygen.

Several samples were taken and initial analysis found that the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water was at 1.59mg/L to 2.09mg/L for depths between 1m (and) 4m.

Investigations found that it does not fulfil Class 2 of Marine Water Quality Standard to support aquatic life.

DOE Director General Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said that observations from two monitoring stations at Teluk Bahang suggested that the algal bloom was not caused by pollution.

Fact #5 : Algal Bloom Species Was Identified

On Wednesday, 30 August 2023, the Penang Fisheries Department identified the algal bloom as caused by Noctiluca scintillans, a species of marine dinoflagellates that is also known as sea sparkle.

Preliminary results of the analysis carried out by the Batu Maung Fisheries Research Institute found that the algae is non-toxic. It is from the Noctiluca scintillans species and is not dangerous to humans.

The department also pointed out that the very high density of algal in the water can cause fish to die, due to a decrease in dissolved oxygen.

Fact #6 : This Is Just Fake News About Fukushima

There is no doubt that Japan is facing a LOT of criticism over its release of the Fukushima waste water, even though IAEA and many experts have endorsed the plan.

However, this is just another example of FAKE NEWS being created around the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster. Here are other examples I fact checked earlier:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did 2 University Students Get Cancer From This Plant?!

Claim : Two University Students Got Cancer From This Plant!

This photo and warning keeps going viral on WhatsApp, and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook:

My daughters Sis- in- law age 31 died yesterday cos of leukemia.
She got leukemia while doing master in botanical at USM.
Research on the plant above.
Her friend doing the same research also got CA and died last year.
USM and Health Ministery proved that these two uni students got leukemia due to the plants above.
Action (perhatian)
If u have these plants, destroy it by burning it before it flowers.
Pass the info to the group to remind the danger of this plant. Don’t know how true but better be safe than sorry. 🙏🏻

Truth : No University Students Got Cancer From This Plant!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and social media platforms, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : This Has Been Circulating Since 2015

First, let me just point out that this viral warning and photo have been circulating for many years now, at least since December 2015.

Like many of such viral fake news, it keeps reappearing and going viral every year or so.

Fact #2 : USM Refuted The Claims As Fake News

When the photo and story first went viral in December 2015, University Sains Malaysia (USM) was inundated with queries about it. In response, the USM Media and Public Relations Centre director Mohamad Abdullah publicly refuted the claims, and said that it was “false news”.

We have been bombarded with many queries on this. We would like to urge those posting this up to prove their claims so we can conduct an official investigation.

USM would like to plead to all to stop spreading the false news on the matter immediately.

Needless to say, no one ever stepped forward to share with USM which 31 year-old university student of theirs died from cancer, after doing research on the plant.

Fact #3 : Plant In Photo Is Likely Zanzibar Gem

The viral message never identified the plant, but after a close examination and reverse image searches, the plant appears to be the Zanzibar Gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia).

While some fact checkers have claimed that this is the money plant (Epipremnum aureum), that’s incorrect. The leaves of money plant have light and dark green patterns, while the Zanzibar Gem (also known as ZZ) has even green leaves.

Fact #4 : Neither Plants Cause Cancer

Both the money plant and Zanzibar Gem are considered poisonous houseplants, and toxic to humans and pets. However, neither the money plant or Zanzibar Gem cause cancer.

The money plant is known to be toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble raphides. It is also mildly toxic to humans if consumed, due to its calcium oxalate content. However, it does not cause cancer.

The Zanzibar Gem is also toxic to humans and pets, because it contains calcium oxalate. However, it also does not cause cancer.

Incidentally, both plants are toxic to consume and irritating to touch at all times, not just when they are flowering as the viral message claims.

Recommended : Do Amaravalli Flowers Look Like Birds?!

Fact #5 : This Is Just Fake News About Nature

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created about nature. Here are other examples you may have seen on WhatsApp, and social media platforms:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did Dr. Rohan Jeevaraj Die From COVID-19 Booster Dose?

Claim : Dr. Rohan Jeevaraj Died From COVID-19 Booster Dose!

Antivaxxers have been sharing the obituary of Dr. Rohan Jeevaraj on Facebook and WhatsApp, claiming that he died from cardiac arrest after taking the COVID-19 booster dose.

Dr. Rohan took his booster shot and after 5 days had a cardiac arrest. His heart attack was a surprise to his family as there are 6 doctors in the family. He was a specialist and 36 years old.

DOCTOR DIED, 5 DAYS AFTER BOOSTER DOSE. F##K THE VACCINE. I DON’T TRUST THE VACCINE.

WHAT HAS THE HEALTH MINISTER AND THE GOVT GOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS?

SO MANY OF MY FRIEND DIED BECAUSE OF THE VACCINE. SOME SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK.

THE VACCINE IS BULLSHIT. IT’S A BLOODY KILLER. PEOPLE WAKE UP BEFORE THE VACCINE KILL YOU, NOT COVID 19.

Truth : Dr. Rohan Jeevaraj Did NOT Die From COVID-19 Booster Dose!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created by antivaxxers, to scare people into not protecting themselves against COVID-19.

I cannot express how angry I am at these antivaxxers who stoop so low as to create fake news about someone who just died. They have no shame.

My deepest condolences to Dr. Rohan’s family, for their loss and this unwarranted abuse of his memory.

Fact #1 : Dr. Rohan Jeevaraj Had His Booster Dose Months Ago

As a medical professional and healthcare worker, Dr. Rohan Jeevaraj would have received his COVID-19 vaccine booster dose months ago, not 5 days ago.

Malaysia first approved the Pfizer COMIRNATY vaccine as a booster dose back in October 2021, and started giving it to frontliners and vulnerable people.

Dr. Rohan would have received his Pfizer booster dose in October or November 2021, together with other healthcare professionals.

After all, the Malaysia Health Ministry (KKM) opened up booster dose vaccinations to all adults by 24 November, and made it mandatory for vulnerable individuals to get a booster dose on 16 December 2021.

He certainly did NOT get his booster dose just 5 days ago.

Fact #2 : One Of The Fake News Creators Apologised

The earliest example of this fake news can be traced to a Mr. K, who has since apologised for his post on Facebook.

Please don’t be like Mr. K. Stop creating and/or sharing fake news!

I would like to unconditionally apologize for my posting on Dr Rohan just now ,I was informed it was not true, as the late Dr Rohan received his booster shot 3-4 months ago .I am sincerely sorry and for those who have shared the posting kindly remove it and inform your friends to not share the same.

Fact #3 : Dr. Rohan Jeevaraj Was A Post-Grad Student

The fake news creators are not aware of how much time and effort it takes for doctors to study and become specialists.

Dr. Rohan Jeevaraj was a third year MMed (Neurosurgery) post-graduate student at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

He was not yet a specialist, even though he had already spent years studying and training to be one.

Fact #4 : Cardiac Arrest Is Not Heart Attack

The fake news creators are confusing cardiac arrest with heart attack. They are two completely different heart problems.

Cardiac arrest is an electrical malfunction of the heart, that causes an irregular heartbeat or even stops the heart from pumping completely. Victims will immediately collapse unconscious, and may not breathe or have a pulse.

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is caused by a sudden loss of circulation to the heart. The heart doesn’t stop beating, but its muscles will slowly die from the lack of oxygen.

Fact #5 : Cardiac Arrest + Heart Attack Are Not Myocarditis

To be clear – both cardiac arrest and heart attack are not related to myocarditis – a rare but known side effect of COVID-19 vaccines based on mRNA technology.

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, with victims complaining of chest pain, shortness of breath or feelings of a pounding / fast-beating heart.

Vaccine myocarditis is mainly a risk factor for young men below the age of 30. It also occurs soon after vaccination, not months later.

Fact #6 : Much Higher Risk Of Myocarditis From COVID-19!

Just in case you are worried about the risk of myocarditis from COVID-19 vaccines, you should know that you can get myocarditis from a COVID-19 infection too.

In fact, the risk of getting myocarditis from a COVID-19 infection is MUCH HIGHER than the risk of getting myocarditis from a COVID-19 vaccine.

Using data from the new SAFECOVAC study, here is the extrapolated risk of myocarditis for people who were vaccinated three times (including booster dose) versus a COVID-19 infection.

Myocarditis Risk	Per Million People	vs Sinovac	vs AstraZeneca	vs Pfizer
COVID-19	450	+300x	+214x	+167x
3x Pfizer	2.7	+1.8x	+1.3x	Baseline
3x AstraZeneca	2.1	+1.4x	Baseline	-0.2x
3x Sinovac	1.5	Baseline	-0.3x	-0.4x

It is very clear that the risk of myocarditis is GREATEST with a single COVID-19 infection, than it is with THREE doses of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Sinovac vaccines.

So please protect yourself against myocarditis, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19. Get vaccinated!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!