Genetics news | Genetics news

By JINNY GUDMUNDSENGannett News Service 03/13/2006 With "Fish Tycoon," a simulation game for Windows PCs, families can have all the fun and none of the mess while maintaining three tropical fish aquariums.

At the same time, the program teaches kids about As your fish grow to maturity, you can pick one of them up and move it to a small observation tank.

There, you can discover the genetic background of the fish and about how much it is worth.

If you put another fish into the observation tank, the first fish will become pregnant.

Unless you turn the "Time" off, this simulation runs in real time, even when the program is closed or the computer is turned off.

However, fish pregnancies within this program only take a few hours for gestation and birth.

You can create more than 400 species of fish by combining different species.Advertisement As in the real world, fish breeding requires money and attention.

You need money for such items as medicines, new fish eggs and fish supplies...

"While I don't expect to be able to buy mouse-in-a-can in my lifetime," the next best thing is a poultry-based wet food, Gaspar says.

(Among the canned brands she recommends are Merrick's, Wellness and Prairie; choose chicken, turkey or duck.) Dry foods are not the ideal, because they are high in grains and low in moisture (a problem with felines, which, because of their arid origins, have a low thirst drive and are prone to dehydration).

Home cooking is the best option, Gaspar adds, although convenience is a stumbling block for many owners.

And do-it-yourselfers must remember that cats have an absolute need for the amino acid taurine, as well as the correct balance of calcium and phosphorus.

When it comes to dietary modifications, sooner is better, Gaspar warns.

Taste and texture preferences can become quickly and deeply ingrained, and some cats, particularly older ones, will lite...

I live an ordinary life," the 18-year-old with a lively sense of humour assured reporters who mobbed her at her school, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Raja Lumu Pelabuhan Klang, here Monday.

Her secret is the age-old recipe for success, which is hard work.

"Just study hard and pay attention to lessons in class.

I believe if you want to succeed, you have to work for it," she said.

And she did just that, studying six hours a day and sometimes burning the midnight oil until 1am to revise her lessons.

The other student with a similar score is Chin Shiang Jin of Sekolah Menengah Kian Kok in Kota Kinabalu.

The SPM results were announced today by Education Director-General Datuk Dr Ahamad Sipon.

Esther scored 1A in Bahasa Malaysia, English Language, Moral Knowledge, History, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Science, Geography, Commerce, Basic Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Language for Science and Technology and Bible Knowledge.

She studied Commerce, Basic Economics, Geography and Bible Knowledge on her own after school hours.

"I did hope to do well but certainly did not expect to be the best in the country.

I feel fortunate," she said.

She is now studying for her A-Levels in Sunway University College in Petaling Jaya and aimed to pursue medicine in the United Kingdom (UK).

"Specifically, I want to study cardiology.

I just love science and studying medicine will enable me to learn more about the human anatomy," ...