Human-built environments, such as the spaces we live in, can influence our health through microbiomes—communities of microbes like bacteria and viruses. People have long been unconsciously influencing microbes through the way we design our built environments. With the right knowledge, we can intentionally shape these microbial communities to support better health—an idea currently explored by Filipino researchers in a recent study.

Ang Mindoro ay nagsisilbing tahanan ng natatanging kasaganahan ng endemic mammalian wildlife na hindi matatagpuan saanman sa mundo. Kabilang dito ang sikat na tamaraw, ang Mindoro warty pig, at ang hamak na Mindoro shrew. Ngayon, may tatlo pang species ang idinagdag sa listahan, salamat sa bagong tuklas na mga Philippine forest mice—lahat kabilang sa genus ng Apomys.

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.

Filipino fermented foods have long been known to contain bacteria that offer health benefits, also known as probiotics. Burong isda, a traditional fermented fish from Pampanga, contains a bacterium called Limosilactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum), which is closely related to the well-known Lactobacillus probiotics.

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).

Ang groundwater—tubig na nakatago sa ilalim ng lupa—ay isang likas-yamang hindi nakikita, ngunit tiyak na hindi nalalayo sa isipan ng mga Pilipino. Ang hindi tagong yamang ito ay mahalaga para sa pang-araw-araw na buhay, lalo na sa agrikultura, kung saan ito ang nagbibigay-buhay sa irigasyon. Gayunpaman, habang lumalaki ang ating pangangailangan sa pagkain at lumalalim pa ang naabot natin sa ilalim ng lupa gamit ang teknolohiya, nahaharap sa isang malubhang krisis ang estado ng groundwater dahil sa labis na paggamit nito at kontaminasyon na nangangailangan ng agarang pansin.