Bea Clarisse B. Garcia, Ma. Angela Z. Dimasupil, Pierangeli G. Vital and Windell L. Rivera
Institute of Biology
Natural Sciences Research Institute
College of Science
UP Diliman
Fecal Contamination in Irrigation Water and Microbial Quality of Vegetable Primary Production in Urban Farms of Metro Manila, Philippines. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 50 (10): 734-743 2015.
Catchy title of research: Contaminated surface water is used for the irrigation of fresh produce in farms of Metro Manila.
Food contamination causes diarrhea and other diseases, especially to children, elderly and immunocompromised people. These diseases are caused by harmful bacteria that can be 
passed on to the food through several means. In fresh produce such as vegetables, contamination can be acquired through the use of irrigation water of questionable source such as human and animal wastes. The use of contaminated irrigation water causes risks to consumers because the harmful bacteria from waste material can reside onto the vegetable surfaces. In this study, it was found that contaminated irrigation water is indeed used in the irrigation of vegetables here in Metro Manila. This is a serious health risk as vegetables are sometimes consumed fresh or slightly-cooked to preserve their nutritional content. Moreover, vegetables sold in the market do not undergo safety inspection due to the lack of regulatory standards.
Link to the article: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03601234.2015.1048107#.Vgs9b-xViko
Impact Factor: (2014/2015) 1.202
Maria Herminia Balgos, Jessica Pauline Afalla, Sheryl Vizcara, Deborah Anne Lumantas, Elmer Estacio, Arnel Salvador and Armando Somintac
National Institute of Physics
College of Science
UP Diliman
Temperature Behavior of Unstrained (GaAs/AlGaAs) and Strained (InGaAs/GaAs) Quantum Well Bandgaps. Optical and Quantum Electronics, 47 (8): 3053-3063, August 2015.
Catchy title of research: Broadening of quantum well energy bandgaps with temperature.
An equation that describes how bulk semiconductor bandgaps has established by Y.P. Varshni (1967) and modified by M. Cardona (2004). By simply changing material properties, 
the two equations can describe bandgaps of widely used semiconductors. In our work, we show that the Cardona bulk equation can be modified and applied to quantum wells, semiconductors whose motion of carriers are confined in two dimensions. We have shown in this work that the modified Cardona equations can faithfully describe the behavior of experimentally obtained quantum well bandgaps as we change the temperature from 11 K-300 K. We applied the equation to obtain confinement energies and strain energies in GaAs-based quantum wells.
Link to the article: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11082-015-0192-4
Impact Factor: (2014/2015) 0.987
Allan Abraham B. Padama
Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics
College of Arts and Sciences
UP Los Baños
Understanding the Mechanism of H Atom Absorption in the Pd(1 1 0) Surface. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 645 (1): S123–S127, 5 October 2015.
Catchy Title of Research: Agreement between experimental and computational data: The case of H atom absorption in Pd(110)
The topic of H-metal systems is recognized to be of utmost importance in basic science and in 
various technological applications. This is due to the simplicity of H and to the possibility of using it as energy carrier. In particular, Pd based materials are widely used for H-related technologies due to its known reactivity toward H. The Pd(110) surface is acknowledged by previous works to be the most reactive single crystal surface of Pd. Despite the numerous studies conducted on this surface with H as adsorbate, there are limited attempts to explain the experimentally observed smooth penetration of H in the subsurface. While other studies hypothesized that the presence of defects is responsible for this phenomenon, the instability of the surface stimulated the necessity to conduct further investigations. This present work was therefore conducted, in which, computational methodology based on density functional theory is employed. We found that the penetration of H will only happen when large amount of H is introduced on the surface. Absorption happens when an incoming H pushes an initially adsorbed H, facilitating a facile absorption process. Since both of these involved H atoms gain charge from the Pd atoms, the repulsion between them drives the absorption. Interestingly, a recent experimental study (J. Chem. Phys. 140, 134705) also proposed the same explanation. This marks the agreement between two different approaches yielding the same hypothesis. Furthermore, these findings call for the revision of previous description on H absorption in this material.
Link to the article: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925838815002406
Impact Factor: (2014/2015) 2.999
Tina S. Clemente
ASIAN Center
UP Diliman
“Environmental Governance in the Philippines: Challenges and Prospects” in Environmental Challenges and Governance: Diverse Perspectives from Asia. Sacchidanada Mukherjee and Debashis Chakraborty (editors). Oxon and New York: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, 2015.
Renato S.A. Vega
Animal & Dairy Science Cluster
College of Agriculture
UP Los Baños
“Body Fat and Plasma Leptin Involvement in the Voluntary Feed Intake of Cattle” in Cattle: Domestication, Diseases and the Environment. George Liu (editor). New York, USA: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2013.
John Paul Caesar R. delos Trinos*, Liana Mae J. Lobo, Charmaine Joy A. Cabaña, Shermaine Anne B. De Leon, Abigail Ann A. Guiñez and Abubakar S. Asaad
Department of Parasitology*
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
College of Public Health
UP Manila
Valuation for Cigarettes among University of the Philippines Manila Students through Stated Preference Methods. Acta Medica Philippina, 48 (3): 72-78, 2014.
Catchy title of research: How much for a stick? ; Determining the valuation for cigarettes of UP Manila students through Stated Preference Methods.
The study assessed the valuation for cigarettes among University of the Philippines- Manila students aged 18-24. Iterative bidding (direct) and discrete choice experiment (indirect) 
stated preference methods were utilized to determine the smokers’ Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) and non-smokers’ Willingness-to-Accept (WTA) Of the 212 respondents, 21 (9.90%) were smokers. The smokers’ direct and indirect WTP were ₱6.00 ($0.14) and ₱12.43 ($0.28), respectively. There was a significant difference (p=0.01) between the results of the two methods suggesting the need to employ more reliable methods such as DCE in obtaining the valuation of consumers for certain products. 40.84% of the non-smokers could be induced to smoke, with ₱0 ($0) as their WTA. The type of inducement (58.62%, 17 of 29) and the unlikelihood of becoming addicted by smoking a cigarette stick (44.83%, 13 of 29) were the two most common reasons for the willingness to smoke among the non-smokers. On the other hand, awareness of the health hazards of smoking (58.41%, 66 of 113) is the most common reason why 59.16% of the non-smokers can’t be induced to smoke. No association was found between the smokers’ stated preference and their smoking status and allowance. The average December 2013 retail price of the most expensive and popular cigarette brand, which is ₱4.65 ($0.11) per stick, is 2.67 times lower than the median WTP of smokers which is ₱12.43 ($0.28). Thus further price increase of cigarettes, as well as other tobacco control measures, is recommended.
Link to the article: http://actamedicaphilippina.com.ph/content/valuation-cigarettes-among-university-philippines-manila-students-through-stated-preference-
Impact Factor: Not yet available
Josefa Angelie D. Revilla, Mikel Angelo B. Yap, Haerold Dean Z. Layaoen and Michael John S. Ramos
Department of Industrial Engineering
College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology
UP Los Baños
Baseline Measurement and Analysis of Hand-Arm Transmitted Vibration of an Ergonomically Designed Two-Wheel Tractor. Philippine Agricultural Scientist, 98 (2): 166-173, June 2015.
Two-wheel hand tractors are commonly used in the Philippines and their operators are exposed to the extreme temperatures and vibration. Current hand tractor designs rarely 
considered the vibration levels operators are exposed to. The study aimed to provide the baseline information of vibratory characteristics of the locally available hand-tractors in the Philippines. An anthropometrically fitted ergonomically designed two-wheel tractor was used to assess the vibration transmitted under actual field conditions during plowing and harrowing operations performed on clay loam soil. Tri-axial vibration measurements were recorded through the use of accelerometers mounted on the metacarpal, olecranon, and acromion of the human test subjects and on the tractor engine. Results show that average resultant vibration measured from the engine, metacarpal, olecranon and down to the acromion had a decreasing trend for both plowing and harrowing operations, with plowing operation having an overall higher vibration. There were also significant differences observed between axes with vibration highest at the x-axis for all locations. The resultant vibration at the point of contact was observed to be higher than the maximum permissible exposure limit recommended by the International Organization for Standards (ISO). Further analyses of the results are indicative of early onset of vibration-induced white finger syndrome for 10% of the workers using hand-tractors for plowing and harrowing. Vibration-induced white finger is an occupational injury that damages the nerves, blood vessels, joints, muscles and connective tissues of the hand.
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: (2014/2015) 0.256
Haerold Dean Z. Layaoen, Mikel Angelo B. Yap, Romelyn Mae Palomar and Clarissa M. Pesigan
Department of Industrial Engineering
College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology
UP Los Baños
Optimal Handle Grip and Engine Mount Combination for Minimized Hand Vibration from Gasoline Hand Tractors. Philippine Agricultural Scientist, 98 (2): 157-165, June 2015.
Farmers are exposed to vibration brought about by the hand tractors they are using during land tillage. The study was conducted to reduce vibration experienced by hand tractor users 
through the installation of commercially-available handle grips and engine mounts. Four categories of handle grips with the corresponding number of models were used: the BMX bicycle (3 models), the motorbike grips (3 models), the mountain bike grips (4 models), and tennis grip tape (single-triple layer application). Three brands of engine mounts were also used, each with two models: Suzuki, Isuzu and Mitsubishi. Results showed that the combination of the Suzuki brand model 1120-40N00 and the motorbike handle grip HGBE Brand Model 0066 provided the highest vibration reduction (43.52% total reduced vibration), while the combination of the Isuzu brand model 0066 proved to be the most effective in terms of cost efficiency (with a reduced vibration per unit cost of 1.74% per US dollar and a 36.53% total reduced vibration).
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: (2014/2015) 0.256
Virginia R. Ocampo and Barbara L. Caoili
Crop Protection Cluster
College of Agriculture
UP Los Baños
Infection Process of Entomopathogenic Fungi Beauveria bassiana in the Tetrancyhus kanzawai (Kishida) (Tetranychidae: Acarina). Arthropods, 4 (3): 90-97, 2015.
The infection process of three entomopathogenic fungal (EPF) strains of Beauveraia bassiana, isolated from the Philippines and Indonesia,on Tetranychus kanzawai was 
investigated. Adult Tetranychus kanzawai were sprayed with each EPF suspension with 108 conidia per ml. Fungal pathogenesis was observed using light and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results showed the very high susceptibility of T. kanzawai to the three isolates B. bassiana. Fungal growth was detectable as early as 2- to 4-day post infection. The infection process of the EPF from attachment germination and penetration, extrusion to conidiogenesis was documented using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was presented.
Link to the article: http://www.iaees.org/publications/journals/arthropods/online-version.asp
Impact Factor: Not yet available
Charlene Bridgitte C. Cokieng, Louie Amado R. Gutierrez, Angelica Noelle P. Manaloto, Janel Priscilla C. See, Jolene Hannah C. Tan and Ernani R. Bullecer
Department of Nutrition
College of Public Health
UP Manila
Validity of Dietary Diversity Score as an Indicator of Nutrient Adequacy among Older Adults in Pasay City, Philippines. Acta Medica Philippina, 48 (3): 58-65, 2014.
This study was conducted to determine the validity of Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) as an alternative tool for measuring nutrient adequacy among older adults in Pasay City, Philippines. The study was done among representative sample of older adults (n = 82) in all barangays under the Doña Marta Health Center in Pasay City. A 24-hour food recall was performed to determine the dietary intake of each respondent. Subject’s nutrient intake was obtained using the FCT+Menu Eval software. Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) was then computed using the ratio of subject’s nutrient intake to the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI) for Filipinos. The Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) was then obtained by computing for the average of the NARs, expressed as a ratio ranging from 0 – 1. Dietary Diversity Score was calculated using the DDS Questionnaire recommended by the FAO Guideline. For the statistical analysis, correlation was used to determine the relationship between MAR and DDS. ROC curve analysis was also done to determine the most appropriate cut-off points for using DDS among the older adults. Results showed that the selected older adults of Pasay City had a mean DDS of 4.15 (0.14) and a mean MAR of 0.64 (0.02). There was a significant and strong correlation between MAR and DDS (r = 0.519; P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the best cut-off points for achieving a MAR equivalent to both 0.5 and 0.7 were between DDS 4 and 5. Thus, DDS may be used as an indicator of nutrient adequacy among the elderly.
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: Not yet available
Khris June L. Callano, Visitacion C. Huelgas* and Merlyn S. Mendioro
Institute of Biological Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences*
Crop Science Cluster
College of Agriculture
UP Los Baños
Cytogenetics of Solanum aethiopicum L., S. melongena L. and Their F1 Hybrids and the Mechanism of Hybrid Sterility and Breakdown. Philippine Journal of Crop Science, 40 (2): 33-44, August 2015.
Scarlet eggplant (S. aethiopicum L.), a wild relative of eggplant is a potential donor of genes for resistance to bacterial wilt, and root-knot nematode. This species holds great promise 
for the genetic improvement of cultivated eggplant species (S. melongena L.). Interspesific F1 hybrids between S. melongena and S. aethiopicum were produced through this study. However, recovered crosses were observed to have high percentage of flower abscission and fruit setting was never noted in them. Cytogenetic evaluation among the parentals and hybrids revealed their association. There was an observed close affinity between S. aethiopicum and S. melongena. Although some aberrations were noted, these abnormalities may just be part of the chromosome’s structural adjustment since S. aethiopicum and S. melongena belong to different sections and series (section Aethiopoca series Oliganthes and section Melongena series Incarniformia Bitt, respectively). Pre-fertilization barriers were identified. Inhibited pollen tube growth was observed in the selfed F1 hybrids. These phenomena including low pollen fertility would likely be the reason for high percentage of flower abscission and zero fruit setting. Furthermore, failure to obtain fruits in the F1 hybrids can be due to physiological malfunctions during pollen germination and tube growth. The mechanism of hybrid sterility and breakdown has been elucidated by pollen tube growth study. Over the years, this protocol paved the way in ascertaining pre-fertilization barriers across different plants species and cross incompatibilities in many interspecific and intergeneric crosses.
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: (2014/2015) 0.170
Leonila Corpuz-Raros
Crop Protection Cluster
College of Agriculture
UP Los Baños
A New Subgenus and Two New Species of Oribatid Mites of the Genus Neoribates (Acari, Oribatida, Parakalummidae) from the Philippines. Zootaxa, 3956 (2): 224-238, 2015.
This paper reports the discovery of two new species of oribatid mites, Neoribates (Pseudoneoribates) negrosensis from 
Negros Island, and N. (P.) kontschanifrom the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Mindanao Island, Philippines. They are so morphologically different from all previously known species of the family Parakalumnidae to merit erection of a new subgenus under the genus Neoribates. A key to the three known subgenera is provided and a species from the United States that was previously included in the nominal subgenusas N. (Neoribates)corticis(Ewing) is transferred to the subgenus Parakalumna as indicated by the combination,N. (P.) corticis).These new taxa represent the first Philippine record of the family Parakalumnidae which was previously known to occur in the Oriental Region only in Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The new subgenus and species are described in detail as required by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Thereby, the scientific names assigned herein become available to all scientists worldwide and through time. The characters by which the new species can be identified are illustrated. Like other oribatids, parakalumnidsform part of the soil microfauna that are important in nutrient cycling because of their role in comminution of organic debris to sizes suitable for chemical action by microbial agents of decomposition,and by dispersing spores of these microbes in the soil subsystem. Knowledge on oribatid taxonomy therefore provides part of database needed for managing the soil towards environment-friendly crop production systems.
Link to the article: http://www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3956.2.4/0
Impact Factor: (2014/2015) 0.906
Pedro A. Alviola IV
School of Management
UP Mindanao
The Effect of Food Deserts on the Body Mass Index of Elementary Schoolchildren. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 98 (1): 1-18, 1 January 2016.
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: (2014/2015) 1.327
Jeffrey C. Pagaduan
Department of Sports Science
College of Human Kinetics
UP Diliman
Acute Effects of Loaded Whole Body Vibration Training on Performance. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, 6 (1): e24054, 7 pages, 1 March 2015.
This study aimed to determine the acute effects of various exercise protocols on whole body vibration on counter movement jump, speed and agility. Experimentation protocols were performed by college football players. Results suggested that additional external load on whole body vibration exercise produced better gains in counter movement jump, speed, and agility.
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: Not yet available
Roland M. Hipol*, Teresita U. Dalisay**, Edna Y. Ardales**, Maria Lourdes O. Cedo** and Virginia Cuevas***
*Department of Biology
College of Science
UP Baguio
**Crop Science Cluster
College of Agriculture
UP Los Baños
***Institute of Biological Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
UP Los Baños
Endophytic Yeasts Possibly Alleviate Heavy Metal Stress in their host Phragmites australis Cav. (Trin.) ex Steud. through the Production of Plant growth Promoting Hormones. Bulletin of Environment, Pharmacology and Life Sciences, 4 (3): 82-86, February 2015.
Catchy title of research: Growth promoting hormones from yeast endophytes of Phragmitesaustralis.
The three endophytic yeasts of the heavy metal tolerant plant Phragmitesaustralis found along the banks of the copper rich active tailings pond of Lepanto Consolidated Mining 
Company in Mankayan, Benguet, Philippines possess the capacity to produce plant growth promoting hormones indole acetic acid and gibberellic acid. Under the stressful conditions of the tailings pond, these endophytes may have helped their host plants survive these conditions resulting to their hosts’ luxuriant growth. By possibly contributing to the increased the biomass of P. australis, a diluting effect of the heavy metals in the plant tissues is possibly experienced by the hosts. In this case, the microorganisms contribute to the reduction of stress due to metal toxicity. This may partly explain the verdant growth of these plants under inhospitable conditions of their habitat. In view of the very little information regarding the impact of yeasts to plant growth, this study provides valuable contribution addressing this gap. To generate more useful information about these organisms, it is suggested that further research be done; e.g. characterization of associated genes and optimization of conditions to elicit the maximal growth promoting potentials of these isolates. These proposed researches may lead toward the development of possible phytoremediation strategies for the management of pollution impacted sites. Also, there may be possible agricultural or horticultural applications for these culturable yeast endophytes
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: Not yet available
Roland M. Hipol, Sigrid Minette A. Tamang and Buena Flor Gargabite
Department of Biology
College of Science
UP Baguio
Diversity of Fungal Endophytes Isolated from Marchantia polymorpha Populations from Baguio City, Philippines. Bulletin of Environment, Pharmacology and Life Sciences, 4 (3): 87-91, February 2015.
It is postulated that we only know around 7% of the total fungal diversity of the earth. Efforts to determine and discover 
fungi in various habitats are therefore important in discovering this unknown diversity. This is the primary objective of the research. The thalloid liverwort Marchantiapolymorphawas investigated for its fungal symbionts found occurring within the plant’s tissue without causing any overt symptom of disease. There were a total of eighteen (18) distinct species that were isolated, 17 were ascomycetes and only one was a basidiomycete. Diversity analyses by Shannon-Wiener, Simpson’s indices, and Evenness showed that the diversity of fungal endophytes from liverwort were not high. Possibly, the reason behind this is the relatively simple structure and short lifespan of these organisms. Chao-1 revealed the number of expected missing species in the total sample is approximately nine. The Chao-1 value for the computed total species count was 27; implying that there are species that were not detected with the sampling protocol. Possibly, more sample segments plated may have detected these. This is confirmed by the species accumulation curve, which did not reach asymptote.
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: Not yet available
Alexander G. Flor
Faculty of Information and Communication Studies
UP Open University
“The Internet and Indonesian Women Entrepreneurs: Examining the Impact of Social Media on Women Empowerment” in Impact of Information Society Research in the Global South. Arul Chib, Julian May and Roxana Barrantes (editors). New York, USA: Springer Science, 2015.
Alexander G. Flor
Faculty of Information and Communication Studies
UP Open University
“Constructing Theories of Change for Information Society Impact Research” in Impact of Information Society Research in the Global South. Arul Chib, Julian May and Roxana Barrantes (editors). New York, USA: Springer Science, 2015
Narcisa Paredes-Canilao*, Ma. Ana B. Diaz, Ma, Nancy B. Florendo and Tala Salinas-Ramos
*Department of History and Philosophy
Department of Social Anthropology and Psychology
College of Social Sciences
UP Baguio
“Indigenous Psychologies and Critical-emancipatory Psychology” in Handbook of Critical Psychology. Ian Parker (editor). London and New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2015.
Patrick D. Flores
Department of Art Studies
College of Arts and Letters
UP Diliman
Fall of Grace: Nora Aunor as Cinema. Kritika Kultura, 25: 46-74, 2015.
Nora Aunor as actress and star in this essay embodies the cinematic medium. In other words, Aunor is not only situated in the context of cinema; she is cast as cinematic.
Link to the article: http://kritikakultura.ateneo.net/
Impact Factor: Not yet available
Brian S. Santos
Institute of Biology
College of Science
UP Diliman
Distribution Patterns of Tiger Beetle Species in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Journal of Entomology And Zoology Studies, 2 (4): 271-275, 2014.
Catchy title of research: High tiger beetle species richness in the Philippines
Philippine biogeography is a topic of interest and has been a platform for testing several hypotheses. The distribution of tiger 
beetle in the Philippines was used in this study to test the equilibrium theory and to infer patterns of colonization to the Philippine islands. The Philippines is one of the countries with the highest number of tiger beetle species. Most of these species are endemic, or can only be found in the country. Tiger beetles are likely to have colonized the country from Borneo via Palawan and via Sulu archipelago. After colonization, speciation rates within the country proceeded at a faster rate compared to temperate counterparts and this accounts for the high tiger beetle species richness in the Philippines.
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: Not yet available
Augusto E. Serrano Jr.
NIMBB
UP Visayas
Kinetic Parameters of Leucine Aminopeptidases, Optimal pH and Temperature in the Mud Crab Scylla serrata and the Brine Shrimp Artemia salina. ELBA Bioflux, 7 (2): 109-116, 2015.
Catchy title of research: The digestive enzyme leucine aminopeptidases in the mud crab and brine shrimp is characterized
Abstract: The present study shows that the characteristics of a digestive enzyme that attacks the ends of protein in the gut of the mud crab and in the brine shrimp (that is, leucine aminopeptidases) is such that they both require slightly basic environments. However, the enzymes from the two crustaceans differ in their preference for their stability such that the mud crab enzyme is more stable at a slightly basic condition while that of the brine shrimp, an acidic condition. On the aspect of activity as affected by temperature, the mud crab enzyme was very vulnerable to any increase in temperature above 0oC while that of the shrimp was not, exhibiting the best activity at room temperatures of 25oC to 35oC. The speed of the action of the digestive enzyme is doubly faster in the brine shrimp than in the mudcrab. The amount of substrate that trigger sudden increases in the enzyme activity are similar to the enzymes of both the mud crab and brine shrimp. Further analysis of the kinetic parameters (that is, the speed of the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme and the substrate concentration threshold) shows that the efficiency in converting substrate by the enzyme (termed catalytic efficiency) is more than double in the brine shrimp that in the mud crab. Significance of the study: it has shown that one of the protein-attacking digestive enzymes, leucine aminopeptidases, is utilized by the mud crab in consuming its live prey, the brine shrimp. In this way, protein digestion is made faster since the brine shrimp contributes its enzyme to its predator the mud crab.
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: Not yet available
Rene N. Rollon, Betty May R. Villamayor, Giannina Marie G. Albano* and Fernando G. Siringan*
Institute of Environmental Science & Metreology
Marine Science Institute*
College of Science
UP Diliman
Attributes of the Earthquake-uplifted Intertidal Habitats and their Implications to the Maribojoc and Loon Coastal Fisheries. Ocean & Coastal Management, 111: 12–24, July 2015.
Catchy title of research: Environmental impacts of the 7.2 Mw Bohol Earthquake on coastal habitats
The impacts of the strong 7.2 Mw earthquake that hit the province of Bohol on 15 October 2013 were vast and mostly irreversible. Other than the damage on infrastructure and loss of 
human lives, it also caused massive destruction of coastal habitats. This includes the collapse of many coral reefs due to the generated cracks on the seafloor (see Photo 1), lowered elevation of existing mangroves and seagrass beds and the loss of various intertidal habitats such as mangroves, seagrass beds, sandflats and rocky shores. The pre-quake conditions of the uplifted areas were assessed in terms of its attributes, extent of intertidal habits and assemblages of intertidal communities. Such assessments translated to losses approximately equivalent to US% 4.4 million annual economic losses. Their evaluation also confirmed the presence of rich assemblages of important invertebrates and other taxa in the uplifted regions.
Link to the article: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964569115000836
Impact Factor: (2014/2015) 1.748
Marilen M. Parungao-Balolong and Eufrocinio C. Marfori*
Department of Biology
College of Arts and Sciences
UP Diliman
*BIOTECH
UP Los Baños
Acute Oral Toxicity of Trichsetin in Mice (Mus musculus L.). Philippine Journal of Science, 143 (2): 99-106, December 2014.
This study characterizes the toxicity profile of trichosetin, a novel drug which showed pronounced activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Different doses of this drug were orally administered to male and female ICR-strain Swiss Webster mice. Characterization of toxidromes was executed during a 14-d observation period. Gross examination of the liver, heart, spleen, kidneys, and lungs of mice was performed at the termination of the study. Trichosetin showed a dose-related increase in the magnitude of biological response observed in the toxidromes and body weights of mice. However, no dose-related changes were observed in the weight and gross morphological anatomy of the major internal organs of mice. The median effective dose (ED50) for analgesia was 325.1 + 71.7 mg kg-1. The median toxic dose (TD50) for dyspnea was 417.6 + 67.4 mg kg-1. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of trichosetin was 160 mg kg-1 under the conditions of this study. The results of this study suggest that the possible target organ system of trichosetin toxicity is the central nervous system, which exhibited the most number of toxidromes.
Link to the article:
Impact Factor: Not yet available
Margarita T. De la Cruz, Jerome Benedict P. Cabansag and Ma. Brenda P. Gajelan-Samson
Tacloban College
UP Visayas
Diversity and Abundance of Shallow-water Sea Cucumbers in Samar and Leyte, Philippines. Asian Journal of Biodiversity, 6: 49-79, January 2015.
Catchy title of research:Sea cucumbers come in different shapes, sizes, colors, textures and numbers
An interview with a Sea Cucumber Trader in Maasin City, Southern Leyte
An unidentified sea cucumber species, locally known as “Kamote” found in Leyte, Leyte.
Sixty (60) different types of shallow-water sea cucumbers were identified from field surveys in the fishing grounds and marine protected areas in Samar and Leyte and from buying stations in the area. Fifteen (15) species were unidentified, where in three are believed to be new species report in the Philippines. There is high diversity of sea cucumber species in Samar and Leyte however, the number of individuals of each species especially the commercially important species is low. This low density is associated to over exploitation of sea cucumbers. Test fishing in Palompon, Leyte produced about 235 sea cucumber individuals in an hour, but the species collected are mostly of no commercial value in the international market. More sea cucumber individuals in marine protected areas (MPAs) in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and in Tabuk Marine Sanctuary, Palompon, Leyte were observed. This can be attributed to protection and no-take policy of protected areas. Still, most of the species found are of low commercial value.
Link to the article: http://asianscientificjournals.com/publication/index.php/ajob/article/view/695
Impact Factor: Not yet available
