Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Grace Chen
Leaders urge real-world climate infrastructure plans at PJ congress
Green policies and sustainable development goals must be translated into actionable, real-world solutions that address everyday urban challenges. Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi stressed that town planners must actively listen to local communities whose ground-level knowledge of flooding, mobility, heritage and livelihoods was often missing from technical blueprints.
Leaders urge real-world climate infrastructure plans at PJ congress
(From left) Saidin, Alias, Abang Johari, Mazrina and Mohd Yazid at the closing ceremony of National Planning Congress 2026 in Petaling Jaya. — EZARD FAROUQ/The Star Green policies and sustainable development goals must be translated into actionable, real-world solutions that address everyday urban challenges.
Kepong residents want bigger retention pond
DID to continue desilting maintenance while experts call for study on anti-flood proposal to widen and deepen site FLOODwaters of up to 0.6m have been inundating roads in Taman Antoi and Jinjang Utara in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, leaving residents worried about recurring floods. Residents are calling for remedial works at the Benteng 1 Flood Retention Pond (KTB Benteng 1), saying it can no longer cope with stormwater runoff from surrounding commercial and residential areas.
Kepong residents want bigger retention pond
Prof Teo says major widening could be difficult because the pond is surrounded by development. DID to continue desilting maintenance while experts call for study on anti-flood proposal to widen and deepen site FLOODwaters of up to 0.6m have been inundating roads in Taman Antoi and Jinjang Utara in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, leaving residents worried about recurring floods.
1,000 additional parking bays annually in Subang Jaya
SUBANG Jaya City Council (MBSJ) plans to increase the number of parking bays in its administrative area by a minimum of 2% each year. This will see an addition of around 1,000 lots annually. Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin (pic) said a review on the percentage of increase would be carried out every two years.
1,000 additional parking bays annually in Subang Jaya
Rumaizi says a review on the percentage of increase will be carried out every two years. SUBANG Jaya City Council (MBSJ) plans to increase the number of parking bays in its administrative area by a minimum of 2% each year. This will see an addition of around 1,000 lots annually.
Timeless grace of saree
As pre-pleated styles and online stores gain popularity, veteran tailors and drapers prove custom craftsmanship remains irreplaceable WHEN celebrating the Festival of Lights, bright and colourful clothing sets a joyful mood. The saree, a traditional Indian garment known for its cultural heritage and timeless grace, is an integral part of this occasion.
Timeless grace of saree
Jasmine Law shows off the intricate border design of her light beige saree which she bought during a Deepavali shopping trip in 2024. As pre-pleated styles and online stores gain popularity, veteran tailors and drapers prove custom craftsmanship remains irreplaceable WHEN celebrating the Festival of Lights, bright and colourful clothing sets a joyful mood.
In-store festive shopping still in vogue
In AN age where online shopping has become increasingly popular, are shoppers still flocking to the stores to look for sarees? StarMetro did a quick poll of 10 women from varying backgrounds and ages.
City council to tackle parking, traffic, walkability issues by 2031 in Subang Jaya
Upgrades in SS15 will take four years to complete. — Filepic Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) is set to undertake a phased RM28mil transformation of the SS15 area from 2027 to 2031. Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the project aims to address parking shortages, traffic congestion and walkability issues. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates! Tags / Keywords: subang jaya , ss15 , upgrade , rumaizi What is the issue about?
Elegant menu full of surprises
Scallops Kataifi with Tamari Honey features two large meaty scallops wrapped in filo pastry. To assess what the new executive chef could bring to an international luxury restaurant brand, an osusume menu (chef’s recommendations) was created to test how well the new hire could execute the dishes.
More funds for S’gor river trails, community activities
Friends of Rivers (FOR), a community-driven rehabilitation programme under Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS), will receive RM2.7mil next year for its initiatives. State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the allocation, a hike from this year’s RM700,000, would be used to construct river trails and expand community activation.
Five Local Municipalities Establish EMS Authority in Wake of Crozer Closure
This September, five Delaware County municipalities — Swarthmore, Nether Providence, Upper Providence, Rose Valley, and Rutledge — voted in favor of establishing a new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) authority. The authority is called the Municipal Emergency Medical Services Authority (MEMS) of Delaware County and will provide the five communities with stable funding for emergency health services and equipment, including ambulances.
Next generation takes over clam noodle soup business
One of the most enduring childhood memories that Shreen Ho, her brother Andrew and their cousin Kent Ho have is the act of peeling and washing pail after pail of fresh Venus clams. Shreen’s mother, Cindy Chai is the founder of the Lai Fong Lala Noodles stall. Regulars of the Lai Foong Restaurant in Jalan Tun HS Lee, Kuala Lumpur, will remember how Chai started her stall business selling noodles and fried rice with side dishes in 2008.
‘Early detection key to surviving breast cancer’
Everywhere you looked, it was pink – in the form of ribbons, shirts and even vendor stalls. This was Pink ESG Wellness Campaign 2026 at Pavilion Damansara Heights in Kuala Lumpur, held in conjunction with Pink October, the global breast cancer awareness month. Guest-of-honour Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail shared with the audience her experience as well as the heartbreak of losing a junior colleague to breast cancer in her younger years. “At one point, I also discovered a nodule.
Beyond physical wellness
A WOMEN wellness festival in Kuala Lumpur explored emotional and physical well-being through workshops on managing anger, fitness sessions and talks on personal growth. The two-day Women Wellness Festival in Kuala Lumpur included more than 50 workshops, talks, panels and hands-on sessions. It was organised by Malaysian actress and television personality Sarah Lian, Millennia Village executive director Diane Chia and PurelyB founder Raja Jesrina Arshad.
Segambut seniors win chairobics championships
With high-tempo routine, pro training, they beat 18 other teams A chairobics group from Kuala Lumpur beat 18 other teams to win a national-level competition in Melaka. The team from Segambut's Senior Citizens Activity Centre (Pawe) was crowned champions of SenaMas Chair Fitness National Competition 2026. The Segambut Golden Groovers clinched the first prize of RM2,000 at the Melaka International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Ayer Keroh, where the finals were held.
Segambut seniors win chairobics championships
With high-tempo routine, pro training, they beat 18 other teams A chairobics group from Kuala Lumpur beat 18 other teams to win a national-level competition in Melaka. The team from Segambut’s Senior Citizens Activity Centre (Pawe) was crowned champions of SenaMas Chair Fitness National Competition 2026. The Segambut Golden Groovers clinched the first prize of RM2,000 at the Melaka International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Ayer Keroh, where the finals were held.
Making everyday journeys safer, easier for women
As a beauty consultant, Lim Ying Hua, 25, would naturally want to look her best at work. This also means her makeup has to look flawless at all times. However, having to walk from her home to the KTM Komuter station can sometimes be a hot and sweaty affair. Gao (left) and Ju say the women-only coaches make them feel special. In order to arrive at work looking her best, Lim uses her travel time in the air-conditioned comfort of the women’s coach to apply her makeup.
‘Women-only coaches vital to address sexual harassment’
As a senior lecturer specialising in gender studies, Dr Lai Suat Yan often finds herself having to defend the need for women-only train coaches. “The argument is always on why women cannot share the same train coach as men. “In the name of gender equality, they should not be given preference. “My answer is always, ‘Equality does not always mean treating everyone in exactly the same way’. Davina says bystanders must play an active role to ensure their community remains safe.
Haze: Education Dept needs contingency plan for schools with SPM nearing, says Amirudin
SELANGOR Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has urged the Education Department to prepare a contingency plan for schools following the recent closures due to the haze situation. "Although we expect the haze to clear by mid-October, the latest meteorological report indicates it may drag into November. "If it extends into November and December, we will need a contingency plan for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations," he told a press conference in Sepang on Friday (Oct 9).
Those in power must act as 'park police', says Hannah Yeoh
THE importance of green spaces, such as parks, must never be underestimated as they are places for people to relax, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh. Yeoh said this during the third edition of the Women Wellness Festival at the Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown on Saturday (Oct 3). The two-day event was founded by Malaysian celebrity Sarah Lian and businesswomen Diane Chia and Raja Jesrina Arshad.
MBSJ: Persiaran Kewajipan roundabout upgrade on track
Upgrade works at Persiaran Kewajipan roundabout are on schedule despite concerns from residents over the lack of visible physical progress. Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) Engineering Department director Dr Mohd Ariffuddin Kamari said the works on the roundabout was under the final phase of the four-stage project. On May 27, StarMetro reported that the six-month project would start in July at a cost of over RM100mil.
Subang Jaya eyes global trade via twin-city deals
Twin-city ties with Wuxi in China, Muscat in Oman and Makassar in Indonesia will be proposed by Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin in a bid to open international economic channels for local businesses. Rumaizi, who is the former Ipoh mayor, said the main objective behind forming such municipal partnerships was global marketing. To illustrate the benefits, he cited the twin-sister bond established between Ipoh, Perak, and Fukuoka, Japan, in 1989.
Big malls, bigger ambitions
Selangor's position as a major shopping and retail hub is evident in both scale and demand. It is home to Malaysia's largest mall, IOI City Mall in Sepang, whose lettable space is equivalent to about 33 football fields. Its parking facility can accommodate 14,000 cars. A 2026 National Property Information Centre (Napic) report recorded 152 shopping complexes in Selangor, the highest number in the country.
Big malls, bigger ambitions
Selangor’s position as a major shopping and retail hub is evident in both scale and demand. It is home to Malaysia’s largest mall, IOI City Mall in Sepang, whose lettable space is equivalent to about 33 football fields. Its parking facility can accommodate 14,000 cars. A 2026 National Property Information Centre (Napic) report recorded 152 shopping complexes in Selangor, the highest number in the country.
Shopping trip at KL store ends in new car
Lecturer wins sports utility vehicle after spending RM250 On the way from Kuantan in Pahang to Ipoh in Perak during the Hari Raya season this year, Salamiyah Mohamad, 48, decided to stop at Sogo Kuala Lumpur to do a bit of shopping. Little did she know that the trip would lead to her driving home a brand new sports utility vehicle in the form of a Perodua Traz.
Cops roll out red carpet for Hafiz
PETALING JAYA: Thinking he was being taken to yet another doctor's appointment, four-year-old Hafiz, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in February, started the morning with a tantrum. But instead of going to Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani, where he is receiving treatment, Hafiz found himself at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters in Jalan Penchala. To the preschooler's amazement, he was given the full VIP treatment.
UCLA Health Identifies Mitochondria Link
Recent research highlights mitochondria as a critical pathway linking air pollution to cardiovascular disease, with UCLA Health identifying specific blood biomarkers that reveal cellular stress from environmental toxins. A growing body of evidence underscores the profound impact of air pollution on cardiovascular health, with new insights from UCLA Health revealing mitochondria as a key mechanism.
Stroke Rates Nearly Doubled Among Young Adults Over Three Decades
Stroke rates among adults aged 20 to 54 nearly doubled between 1993 and 2020, according to a study published September 23, 2026, in Neurology. Researchers analyzing data from the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region traced 2,076 first-ever strokes, finding that ischemic events and documented substance use were associated with the significant multi-decade surge. Medical literature has long categorized stroke primarily as a condition affecting older populations.
Global Cancer Leaders Gather in Brussels for World Cancer Research Day 2026
Global oncology leaders, patient advocates, and policymakers gathered in Brussels for the World Cancer Research Day International Event 2026, marking the tenth anniversary of an initiative founded to highlight the importance of cancer research and strengthen international collaboration across the global cancer community.
Lund University gets $19.4 million grant for Alzheimer’s blood test – News-Medical
Lund University researcher Sebastian Palmqvist has received a $19.4 million grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health to develop a clinical blood test for Alzheimer’s disease. The project, running from 2026 to 2031, aims to create an FDA-approved test based on the biomarker MTBR-tau243 to better stage the disease.
Woman Develops Meningitis After Stem Cell Injections in Baja California
An immunocompetent patient developed Mycobacterium abscessus meningitis after receiving intrathecal stem cell injections at a commercial clinic in Baja California, Mexico, highlighting severe central nervous system risks associated with medical tourism and unregulated cellular treatments. A case documented by researchers detailed the clinical course of an adult woman who developed a serious central nervous system infection following stem cell procedures abroad.
Otitis Externa Risks Linked to Ear Canal Anatomy and Environmental Factors
Otitis externa affects an estimated ten percent of people during their lifetimes, driven by environmental and anatomical factors like swimming, humidity, and ear canal stenosis. While most cases stem from bacterial infections, understanding the anatomy and underlying risks shapes how clinicians approach diagnosis and evidence-based treatment.
Researchers Map Human Brain Transcriptome From Embryonic Stage to Adulthood
Researchers have published a spatiotemporal transcriptome of the human brain covering 1,340 tissue samples across 16 regions, mapping gene expression changes from embryonic development to late adulthood and offering new data for neurodevelopmental studies. Understanding how the human brain develops from embryonic stages through to late adulthood requires looking beyond basic anatomy and examining the complex molecular activity unfolding across neural tissue.
Schuttenhelm and Quinn Begin Friday at Six Series with ‘Prelude’
On Sept. 18, Swarthmore welcomed Philadelphian composer, guitarist, author, and curator Thomas Schuttenhelm to Lang Concert Hall as the first guest in the 2026 Friday at Six concert series. Schuttenhelm featured a collection of guitar works by Neely Bruce, himself, Matthew Kennedy, Eli Wynn, and the music department’s Visiting Assistant Professor Quinn Collins.
Bone Remodeling Cycles Drive Age-Related Bone Mass Decline and Renewal
Skeletal integrity relies on a delicate biological balance between bone resorption and formation, a system increasingly recognized as deeply integrated with the immune response through complex cellular signaling pathways involving inflammatory cytokines and receptor systems.
Boston Children’s Hospital Discovers Receptor-Free Immune Signaling
Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital have published a discovery in Nature detailing receptor-free signal transduction in Toll-like receptors. The finding reveals that these receptors assemble and release signaling proteins to form inflammatory myddosomes, challenging decades of immunological dogma and offering new targets for autoimmune disease treatments.
Menopause Blood Protein Signatures Linked to Brain Aging and Dementia Risk
Researchers have identified a distinct biological signature in blood proteins that maps closely to the menopause transition and links to accelerated brain aging and dementia risk. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, offer a new framework for understanding midlife cognitive health by tracking hormone-driven molecular patterns.
Diabetes Medication Adherence Below 60% With Stark Racial Disparities
A new UCLA Health study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that overall diabetes medication adherence among 587,000 Medicare Advantage patients in 2019 was below 60 percent, with Black and Hispanic patients showing significantly lower adherence rates than White patients across essential drug therapies.
Austria and Germany Launch New Campaigns to Boost Women’s Health Visibility
Health officials in Austria’s Tyrol region and digital activists in Germany are advancing distinct campaigns to make overlooked bodies and health topics visible, introducing regional health information roadshows for women and volunteer-driven Wikipedia editing workshops to expand biographical coverage for female filmmakers.
Medical Language Reform: Researchers Push to Replace Judgmental Terms
Language and public safety intersect as researchers push to modernize medical terms like incompetent cervix to reduce patient distress. Meanwhile, Dutch civic discussions in Amsterdam neighborhoods examine youth safety initiatives following the murder of 17-year-old Lisa in Abcoude, connecting everyday vulnerability with systemic policy changes.
Largest Human Brain Gene Map Created to Aid Alzheimer’s and Psychiatric Research
Researchers have published the largest map to date of gene activity in the human prefrontal cortex, drawing on sequencing data from more than six million individual cells across nearly 1,500 people. Released in a collection of studies, the landmark resource aims to advance research into Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions.
DR Congo Faces Severe Health Worker Shortages Amid Growing Ebola Outbreak
The World Health Organization warned on Wednesday that the Democratic Republic of the Congo faces severe bed and healthcare worker shortages as its fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record continues to spread across seven provinces, with 7,773 confirmed cases straining an under-resourced medical response. The outbreak is spreading across seven provinces in Africa’s second-largest country by area, with cumulative government figures showing 7,773 confirmed cases and 3,759 deaths.
Age-Related Eye Changes: AMD Stages, Dry Eye Risks, and Vision Care Tips
Age-related eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration and chronic dry eye, affect adults as they age. Early detection through regular dilated eye exams, daily monitoring with tools like an Amsler grid, and lifestyle changes can help protect vision and preserve quality of life. Age-Related Macular Degeneration Stages, Symptoms, and Monitoring Age-related macular degeneration, commonly known as AMD, is a progressive disease that impacts central vision.
Depression Brain Study Reveals Five Distinct Neural Profiles in Patients
Researchers at the University of Helsinki measured brain activity in 263 people with major depressive disorder and 75 healthy control subjects, identifying five distinct neurofunctional profiles under a single diagnosis. Depression affects roughly 332 million adults globally, according to 2025 figures from the World Health Organization. Yet two individuals with vastly different symptoms often receive the exact same clinical label.
Injectable Nanoparticles Reveal New Hope for Blind Retinas
Injectable nanoparticles restored light sensitivity in blind retinas during preclinical trials, with results published in Nature Biomedical Engineering and supported by experiments on mice and pig tissue, according to Aarhus University-led research. Researchers at Aarhus University have developed injectable nanoparticles that enable blind retinas to respond to light, marking a breakthrough in retinal prosthesis research.
Czech Republic Focuses on Hepatitis B Eradication by 2030
Operationalizing the 2050 Sustainable Targets The Czech Republic’s updated Strategický rámec Česká republika 2030, approved in 2024, outlines sustainable development goals through 2050, focusing on social, economic, and environmental pillars. This framework operationalizes the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is structured around three governance levels: international, national, and regional.
AstraZeneca’s Etcamah Gets FDA Approval for Advanced Breast Cancer
The Brazilian health regulator Anvisa approved Etcamah (camizestranto), a new oral medication for advanced or metastatic breast cancer, on September 21, 2026. The U.S. FDA had previously granted accelerated approval on September 4, 2026, according to Folha de S.Paulo. The approval marks a significant shift in treatment for patients with hormone-driven breast cancer, offering a targeted approach to overcome resistance.
West Nile Virus Cases Soar in LA
Los Angeles County reported 100 West Nile virus cases, the highest number this early in the season in nearly a decade, with five deaths and widespread mosquito activity linked to record humidity from El Niño conditions. Los Angeles County health officials confirmed 100 cases of West Nile virus, the highest number recorded this early in the season in nearly a decade, with five fatalities and severe illness affecting most patients.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Grace
Contact Grace, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack