The January 2021 flash flood in Wake Village, Batu Benawa Subdistrict, Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency, South Kalimantan, was triggered by severe upstream environmental degradation, where deforestation accelerated erosion and landslides, leading to the collapse of natural dams. This study aims to develop a settlement revitalisation plan that integrates environmental standards and disaster mitigation strategies to strengthen resilience in floodprone communities. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines spatial analysis, stakeholder interviews, and a review of secondary data, the research identified key challenges: High building density that risks slum formation if reconstruction follows the old layout, topographical vulnerability in lowlying flood zones, and community resistance to relocation despite government support. Weaknesses in current mitigation measures were found in settlement patterns, green space provision, building structures, and utility infrastructure. To address these issues, five strategic actions are proposed: Optimising spatial and environmental layouts, constructing physical barriers with slope revegetation, developing adaptive drainage systems, promoting resilient building designs, and restructuring settlement layouts based on disaster risk reduction principles. The novelty of this study lies in combining land readjustment with infrastructure reinforcement as a dual strategy, offering a replicable model for enhancing settlement resilience against flash floods in vulnerable areas.

Sago waste, known locally in Maluku as ela sagu has great potential as a natural material for making bioplastics. This study aims to examine and analyse the effects of variations in glycerol volume on the physical and biological qualities of bioplastics made from sago waste through laboratory experiments. The process begins with the extraction of starch from sago waste, followed by bioplastic production, and concludes with tests for thickness, tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus, water absorption, and degradation ability. The results reveal that variations in glycerol volume significantly affect the quality of the bioplastics (Sig. value < 0.05). P1 (1 ml of glycerol) demonstrates the best performance in terms of thickness (0.137 mm), elongation (13.367%), and Young’s modulus (0.146 MPa). Notably, P1 is the best choice for applications requiring light thickness, high flexibility, and elasticity. Meanwhile, P4 (4 ml of glycerol) has the best water resistance (53.333%), although its tensile strength and Young’s modulus are higher than the standard, making P4 more suitable for applications that require water resistance. Note that all treatments were 100% degraded within seven days, indicating that this bioplastic is highly environmentally friendly and meets the biodegradability criteria. Overall, this suggests that bioplastics derived from sago waste can be further developed into environmentally friendly alternatives.

Aquaculture’s rapid growth, driven by rising global demand for fish as a protein source, necessitates the development of sustainable feeding strategies. Zooplankton, particularly cladocerans such as Moina and Daphnia, serve as essential food sources for larval fish and crustaceans. Accordingly, this review critically examines the potential of Cladocera as live feed and explores methods to enhance their nutritional value and improve larval performance. A comprehensive analysis of existing research was conducted, focusing on cladoceran feeding strategies, larval growth, and enrichment techniques. This includes the use of agro-industrial fruit wastes such as banana and orange peels, natural oil emulsions like garlic oil and coconut oil (CO), and yeast. The findings reveal that this enrichment enhances the protein, lipid, and fatty acid profiles of cladocerans, resulting in improved growth and survival of larval fish. As such, cladocerans are recommended as a superior live feed due to their optimal size, motility, and nutrient content, which can be further enhanced through targeted enrichment. In addition, the review emphasises that the implementation of cladoceran enrichment procedures provides a viable option. Still, challenges remain in standardising enrichment protocols and scaling up production for commercial applications. Therefore, further research and collaboration among researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers are essential to integrate Cladocera enrichment into sustainable aquaculture systems.

Skin secretion of two Bornean frogs from the Ranidae family, Pulcharana baramica and Hylarana erythraea was evaluated for their antimicrobial and insulinotropic properties. A comprehensive approach, including various techniques was employed to characterise the Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) isolated from these frogs. Crude skin secretions from the frogs were partially purified using Sep-Pak C-18 cartridges, followed by further purification using the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) AKTA method. The peptide purity was assessed by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), which revealed that the HPLC AKTA method produced clearer, cleaner bands, demonstrating its superior efficacy compared to Sep-Pak. The disk diffusion assay demonstrated significant zones of inhibition against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, underscoring the peptides’ ability to effectively impede bacterial growth. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assay provided specific MIC values for the tested bacteria. The results demonstrated that the AMPs from P. baramica were more potent than those from H. erythraea, with an MIC of 125 µg/mL against E. coli. Purified AMPs from both Ranid frogs induced over 50% blood cell lysis in terms of cytotoxicity, suggesting that they may affect the integrity of mammalian erythrocyte membranes. This research further investigates the insulinotropic effect of AMPs from Ranidae frogs on HIT-T15 cells. AMPs from both frog species increased insulin secretion from pancreatic cells. Statistical analysis indicates a significant difference (p < 0.05) for P. baramica while H. erythraea’s effect is not significant (p > 0.05). The current findings exhibit that these multifunctional peptides play an important role in Ranid frog defence against invading pathogenic microorganisms in their environment and may have future applications as an antidiabetic agent to manage glucose levels and diabetes.

The growing interest in assessing urban vitality stems from the availability of various data sources, such as social media and geographic data. However, while existing literature predominantly focuses on assessing urban vitality, there remains a dearth of studies addressing its practical implementation. To address this gap, this study employs the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline to conduct a systematic review of articles from 2014 to 2024, sourced from Web of Science and Scopus. It utilises a multidimensional assessment at the neighbourhood scale, demonstrating how design and urban management can influence vitality. Focusing on Dongting Street in Wuxi City, China, this study then analyses location-based service data and heat maps to reveal vitality variations across locales and times. The findings highlight the importance of diverse facilities in promoting pedestrian activity and enhancing street-level vitality. By bridging theoretical understanding with practical applications, this research offers a structured approach to guide urban planners, designers, and policymakers in implementing neighbourhood-scale vitality strategies. It also outlines future research directions such as improving vitality measurements for marginalised groups and examining the interplay of multiple indicators in shaping urban vitality.

Microalgae are a potential bioremediation for wastewater treatment due to their capacity to exploit nutrients found in wastewater. Extensive research has been done to improve microalgae-mediated wastewater treatment using a variety of technologies, including membranes, ponding systems, chemical methods, and artificial wetlands. However, addressing the challenges related to cost and energy demands in microalgae cultivation is crucial for wider adoption. Hence, this review highlights recent advancements in microalgae-mediated technology, with a focus on integrating water treatment and recovering valuable products. It discusses the development of microalgaemediated nanomaterials for efficient water treatment and explores the application of microalgae-based biosensors to provide real-time insights for improved environmental management. Furthermore, the sustainable use of microalgae technology in constructed wetlands for water treatment is emphasised. The review also rigorously investigates the challenges and prospects associated with microalgae cultivation in wastewater to produce valuable products. This comprehensive information contributes to advancing sustainable environmental management practices, paving the way for a greener and more resilient future.

This study was designed to determine the impact of the Sungai Tembeling ecosystem on the socio-economic and environmental sustainability of the Batek indigenous community in Kuala Tahan. Utilising a qualitative ethnographic research design, the study employs participant observation and interviews to gather primary data from the Batek people. The findings reveal that the Sungai Tembeling ecosystem plays a crucial role in providing employment opportunities, sustaining livelihoods, and offering essential resources such as water for domestic use. Additionally, it supports recreational and tourism activities, thereby enhancing the community’s socio-economic well-being. However, the Batek community faces significant challenges, including environmental degradation and pressures from modern development, which threaten their traditional way of life. The study recommends the active involvement of the Batek community in decision-making processes regarding ecosystem management, the integration of traditional knowledge into conservation strategies, and the implementation of awareness campaigns to highlight the ecological and cultural significance of the river. Furthermore, it advocates for legal recognition of the Batek people’s land rights and the promotion of sustainable agricultural and fishing practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of their environment.

Malaysia’s adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) necessitates the use of biopesticides, specifically Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), alongside chemical pesticides to combat bagworms in oil palm plantations. However, there are fragmented policy and legal frameworks governing the use of Bt within IPM, which incurs higher costs than traditional chemical pesticides. In light of the fiscal constraints faced by the Malaysian Government, this article explores both public and private funding models in this context and examines the policy and legal implications of these models, particularly in balancing accountability, financial sustainability, and related socio-economic considerations. This article employs a doctrinal/black letter approach to analyse Malaysia’s policy and legal documents concerning the palm oil industry, plant protection, pesticide regulations, and public funding. It finds a necessity for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), but notes that the current scope of PPP policy, law, and practice in Malaysia is limited to project contracts rather than service and goods contracts. The most recent PPP policy document suggests a broader framework for PPP implementation in Malaysia. In response, national farmers’ organisations could play an active role alongside other relevant stakeholders in the oil palm bagworm sector to ensure that PPP implementation aligns with the legitimate objectives of funding initiatives for biopesticide use.

A bitter bolete fungus locally known as “kulat gelam” was recorded near gelam trees (Melaleuca cajuputi) in Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia. Despite being locally consumed, scientific information of the species remains limited. As such, this study aims to identify the species, assess its nutritional composition, and evaluate its antioxidant properties. Morphological characteristics and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) markers were used for molecular identification. The mushroom’s proximate composition (moisture, ash, crude fat, crude fibre, and crude protein) and antioxidant properties were analysed. BLAST analysis of the ITS region showed high genetic similarity (97%-100%) with Tylopilus griseipurpureus strains from Kelantan, Malaysia and Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two clades, suggesting potential spore dispersal between locations. This suggests the existence of different strains or multiple clades of Tylopilus sp. Nutritional analysis showed that T. griseipurpureus contains significant crude protein (18.52%) and crude fibre (11.30%), followed by ash (10.85%) and crude fat (6.45%). The sample extract exhibited positive antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, with a radical scavenging activity of 81.4% at the highest concentration tested. These findings provide valuable insights for further study of this species and highlight the importance of ecological factors in understanding the distribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi.

Utilising game-based learning as a dynamic teaching tool holds promise in enhancing mathematics education. This study investigates its impact, particularly on teachers’ perceptions, through the implementation of the Fun Learning Mathematics Kit (FleMatics). Analysis of pre- and post-survey data from 40 secondary mathematics teachers in Petaling Jaya reveals a significant increase in perception following the implementation of FleMatics. Results indicate a consensus (97.5%) on the effectiveness of game-based learning in fostering student motivation and conceptual mastery. The study highlights FleMatics’ potential to positively influence teaching practices and student engagement in mathematics classrooms, emphasising its role in advancing STEM education and aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) objectives. Despite limitations, findings underscore the transformative potential of game-based learning in mathematics education and its contribution to global education goals and sustainable development.