Newsletter: UP Study Maps Riverbank Plants in Occidental Mindoro

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Riparian vegetation, or the plants that grow along riverbanks, is crucial for healthy river ecosystems but is sensitive to changes in river flow, sediment, and land disturbance.

Newsletter: UP Study Traces Extreme Waves through Ancient Coastal Boulders

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Large boulders, some weighing as much as a large truck, are scattered along the rocky coastline of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

Newsletter: UP Scientists Apply Green Method to Produce Silver Nanoparticles for Antibacterial Applications

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Scientists from the University of the Philippines–Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) have advanced a greener approach to silver nanoparticle (AgNP) synthesis by using gamma irradiation in combination with the natural seaweed-derived biopolymer ι-carrageenan. While gamma-radiolytic routes for AgNP formation have been reported previously, the specific role of ι-carrageenan in stabilizing and influencing nanoparticle formation during radiolysis has remained largely underexplored.

Newsletter: “From Cradle To Grave”: UP Chemist Explains Chemistry’s Role in Global Treaties

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Chemistry has long driven progress in fields ranging from agriculture and healthcare to energy and infrastructure. Its innovations fuel economic growth, improve quality of life, and help countries meet their fundamental societal needs. Yet chemistry’s dual nature—capable of producing both beneficial and harmful substances—means it can be used for both good and nefarious purposes.

Newsletter: UP Meteorologists Study How Storms Evolve Near PH Coasts, Highlighting Urgent Preparedness Needs

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Landfall distribution according to latitude. (Photo credit: Racoma & Bagtasa, 2025)

An analysis of 45 years’ worth of Philippine tropical cyclone (TC) data reveals insights into how storms behave as they approach and make landfall in the country—considered as one of the world’s most cyclone-prone regions.

Newsletter: Scientists Document New Box Jellyfish Species in PH Waters

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

The Philippines, located within the Coral Triangle, is recognized as one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems. Yet, many marine species—such as carybdeid box jellyfish—remain poorly documented. Their potent venom and ecological significance underline the importance of conducting accurate taxonomic studies on box jellyfish.

Newsletter: UP Chemists Synthesize New Hybrid Molecules That Limit Cancer Cell Spread

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Graphical abstract of the study. (Photo credit: Concio et. al., 2025)

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the Philippines recorded nearly 189,000 new cancer cases and more than 113,000 cancer-related deaths in 2022. Globally, IARC also projects that the number of new cases will rise to over 35 million by 2050, which is a 77% increase from 2022 figures. Meanwhile, the 2025 Philippine National Cancer Summit reports that more than 180,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and cancer is estimated to cause over 300 Filipino deaths daily. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for continued research and innovation in cancer treatment.

Newsletter: ‘Forged in Mentorship and Innovation’: New UPD-CS Dean Outlines Future Plans

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Dr. Cynthia P. Saloma was recently affirmed as the new Dean of UPD-CS last October 20.

As the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) enters a new era driven by guidance and innovation, one of the country’s leading molecular biologists now takes the helm to steer the college towards excellence.

Newsletter: UP Researchers Record First Measurement of Elusive Light Shift in Low-Loss Dielectric Materials

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

A laser reflecting off glass looks like it follows the mirror rule—angle in equals angle out. But with sensitive tools, the spot shifts slightly, no bigger than a strand of hair. This elusive effect, called the Goos–Hänchen (GH) shift, was recently explored by scientists from the UP Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) in materials that barely absorb light—such as those used in semiconductors and photonics.

Newsletter: Bird poop to the rescue: Using bird perches for forest regeneration

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By: Dr. Jelaine L. Gan

Reforestation activities typically involve planting trees in degraded areas. However, tree planting is resource-intensive, requiring labor for the planting and more importantly nurturing of the seedlings, and may be expensive and limited by seedling supply. Moreover, there is always a question of whether the right plant species (i.e., native rather than non-native economically important species) are being planted to benefit biodiversity. 

Newsletter: UPD Study Uses AI Model to Predict Tropical Cyclone Rainfall

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Graphical abstract of the AI-based accumulated tropical cyclone (TC) rainfall model.

(Photo credit: Mesias & Bagtasa, 2025)

The Philippines is often hit by tropical cyclones (TCs), which bring heavy rainfall that can cause floods and landslides. More often than not, the patterns of TCs repeat. For instance, if a typhoon with a certain amount of rainfall passes through Central Luzon, a similar typhoon that will pass through Central Luzon again in the future is likely to have the same amount and distribution of rainfall.

Newsletter: UP Scientists Uncover Influence of Reflected Shock Waves on Plasma Behavior

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By: Eunice Jean Patron

Scientists around the world have extensively studied the expansion of laser-produced plasma (LPP) and the shock waves it generates in a background gas. However, little attention has been given to how the reflected shock wave—one that bounces back from a surface—affects the expanding plasma, despite its potential impact on LPP behavior.

Number density maps of copper and background gas species (helium and argon) at maximum plume compression under different background gas pressures. The times at which maximum plume compression occurs are indicated in the maps. (Photo credit: Emperado et al., 2025).

Dr. Rommil Emperado, Dr. Myles Allen Zosa, and Dr. Wilson Garcia of the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science’s National Institute of Physics (UPD-CS NIP), together with Dr. Lean Dasallas of the UPD-CS Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSEP), analyzed the interaction of copper LPP with surrounding gas through the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, which simulates particle behavior using random numbers.

Newsletter: UP Scientists Identify Plant Boosting Bacteria in Bamboo and Corn

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Farmers usually use chemical fertilizers to grow their crops, but these can be expensive and may harm the environment. A more efficient and cheaper alternative is the use of specific microorganisms called plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). PGPB help plants absorb more nutrients and produce growth hormones that boost crop production. Using PGPB as biofertilizers can provide the same benefits as chemical fertilizers—without the harmful effects.

Newsletter: Recent UP Study Finds Social Media a Valuable Tool for Understanding Philippine Tarsiers

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

The world of social media has become an increasingly important source of data for biodiversity and conservation, especially for rare or little-known species such as the Philippine tarsier. However, despite its popularity, there is still limited information about where it lives and how it behaves in the wild.

Distribution of Philippine tarsiers within the Greater Mindanao Faunal Region based on Facebook data between 2006 and 2024. (Photo credit: Tabeta & Bejar, 2025).

Maria Sabrina Tabeta and Simeon Gabriel Bejar of the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science’s Institute of Biology (UPD-CS IB) explored public posts and group posts on Facebook that mentioned Philippine tarsiers.

Newsletter: Biologists Assess Importance of Tree Cavities for Forest Birds in Subic, Philippines

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Many birds rely on tree cavities, or tree holes, for nesting and raising their young. Woodpeckers, known as primary excavators, can create their own cavities. In contrast, non-excavators—also called secondary cavity nesters—depend on naturally occurring or previously excavated cavities for reproduction. These birds face challenges such as a scarcity of suitable cavities, which can limit their population growth. To protect them, it is important to understand the specific nesting needs of each bird species and how they interact with one another. In regions like the Philippines, where forests are vulnerable to change, there is still limited information on how these birds nest and how they are connected.

Newsletter: UP Scientists’ Invention Could Lower Terahertz Antenna Device Cost

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) have developed a new semiconductor structure that could lead to more affordable and reliable terahertz (THz) technology—used in applications ranging from medical imaging to high-speed wireless communication.

Newsletter: UP Physicists Visualize Evolution of Global Values Over Four Decades

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

Scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science’s National Institute of Physics (UPD-CS NIP) have generated culture maps using data from the Integrated Values Survey (IVS).

Newsletter: UP Researchers Predict Antimicrobial Resistance Using AI Models

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By: Eunice Jean Patron

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common bacterium that lives in the intestines of animals and humans, and it is often used to identify fecal contamination within the environment. E. coli can also easily develop resistance to antibiotics, making it an ideal organism for testing antimicrobial resistance—especially in certain agricultural environments where fecal material is used as manure or wastewater is reused.

Newsletter: UP Biologists Help Discover New Philippine Forest Mice Species in Mindoro

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By: Rio Constantino

Mouse A: A. gracilirostris; mouse B: A. veluzi; mouse C: A. crinitus; mouse D: A. minor (Photo credit: Heaney et. al 2025)

Mindoro is home to a unique bounty of endemic mammalian wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. This includes the famous tamaraw, the Mindoro warty pig, and the humble Mindoro shrew. Now, three more species are added to the list, thanks to the recent discovery of Philippine forest mice—all belonging to the Apomys genus.

Newsletter: The Hidden Crisis - Groundwater Quality in the Philippines and Why It Matters

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By: John Kenneth R. Fraga

PGHI Project staff measuring onsite groundwater quality using a multimeter in one of the forested sites in Ilocos Sur. (Photo credit: Jacquilyn L. Estrada)

Groundwater—water trapped beneath the Earth's surface—is a resource that may be out of sight, but it is certainly not out of mind for many Filipinos. This invisible resource is vital for everyday life, especially in agriculture, where it provides the lifeblood for irrigation. However, as our demand for food grows and technology allows us to tap deeper into the Earth, groundwater faces an urgent crisis of over-extraction and contamination that demands immediate attention.