Newsletter: Scientists Confirm Two Domesticated Buffalo Species in PH

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By: Eunice Jean Patron

A Philippine native carabao (Bubalus kerabau Fitzinger, 1860) dam and her calf grazing in Pitogo Island, Bohol. (Photo credit: Lilian P. Villamor, from Ruane et al., 2023)

Domesticated buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the country have traditionally been classified into two subspecies: swamp buffaloes and riverine buffaloes. A recent study, however, provides evidence that these two are not subspecies, but are instead distinct from each other.

Newsletter: Latest PH Marine Mammal Stranding Hotspots and Species Stranding Status Entail Urgent LGU Response

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By: Eunice Jean C. Patron

With a significant number of marine mammals stranded in the Philippines over the past years, it is within the scope of local government units (LGUs) to address this pressing concern, scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) indicated in a recent study that encompasses data from the past almost two decades.

A rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) was stranded alive in Subic Bay on April 19, 2010. Annual stranding frequencies in the Philippines generally increased from 29 in 2005-2007 to 106 in 2020-2022. (Photo credit: PMMSN)

Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, Alessandra Nicole Morado, and Honey Leen Laggui of the Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology (IESM), along with Dr. Marie Christine Obusan of the Institute of Biology (IB), Dr. Jonah Bondoc of the Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI), and Dr. Leo Suarez of Ocean Adventure and Ewen Lawler of University of Canberra, assessed the changes in marine mammal strandings in the Philippines over space and time, as well as the types of species that got stranded in Philippine territory from 2005 to 2022.

Newsletter: UPMV K9, Vanguard Makati push better health for people and pets

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Hundreds of pet owners were able to avail of free medical checkups for themselves and free anti-rabies vaccinations for their pets at the recently-concluded Luntian at Pula held at the UP Diliman DMST Complex last June 29.

Newsletter: Bee nests inspire UP scientists to make new 'smart' materials

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Bee nests are a marvel of natural engineering that have inspired human engineers and inventors for centuries. Now, Filipino researchers are investigating ways to create porous materials that not only mimic the strengths of beehives but are also able to selectively trap microparticles. These new materials have potential uses in everything from water purifiers to medical sensors.

The researchers from the UPD-CS Institute of Chemistry include the paper’s authors (counter-clockwise, from middle left) Jose Jesus Gayosa, Dr. Susan Arco, Gillian Kathryn Yap, and Marco Laurence Budlayan. Not in photo is fellow UP researcher and co-author,  Jonathan Patricio. Also in photo (at back, L to R) are Leo Sabolboro and Miguel Karlo Santos. (Photo credit: Dr. Susan Arco)

Newsletter: Survey confirms disappearing population of critically-endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in Bicol

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No sooner has their existence been confirmed that the rare Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) of San Miguel Bay in Bicol are already at risk of disappearing from the region.