The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate sexually transmitted infection (STI) epidemics as significant public health threats by 2030. One of the four main non-viral and curable STIs, trichomoniasis, stays persistent, affecting 156 million out of 376 million individuals aged 15–49 in 2016. About 70–85% of persons with trichomoniasis show no signs of infection, highlighting the urgent need for accurate, fast, and accessible detection of Trichomonas vaginalis, the parasite that causes the infection.

Box jellyfishes are known for their distinctive box-like appearance and their potent venom, which can cause severe stings and fatalities. In the Philippines, many coastal communities are well aware of the dangers posed by box jellyfishes, but Filipino scientists noted that the government does not have a systematic plan to address this issue.

Imagine discovering an ancient treasure chest sealed with a complex dual-lock mechanism, requiring two keys that must work together in a precise way. A matrix—a rectangular array of numbers—is like a locked chest holding valuable information that helps us understand the world around us. Matrices need keys like decompositions, which break them down into simpler components while preserving their essential properties, to help us understand them better. At times, special kinds of decompositions are required to have a deeper understanding of matrices.