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Bamboo and corn are known to harbor PGPB in their roots. “Corn is one of the most in-demand grains in the world and the second most valuable staple in the Philippines. Bamboo is an economically significant and high-value crop in the country, with the Philippines being the 5th leading exporter of bamboo globally. Increasing the yield of these crops could boost our economy,” Relucio-San Diego said.

A total of 27 bacterial strains were collected and identified through DNA analysis. These bacteria were tested in the laboratory to determine their plant-growth promoting abilities. Results showed that all the strains exhibited at least two beneficial traits. Four had genes for nitrogen fixation, including dinitrogenase reductase (nifH); 11 could solubilize phosphate in the soil, helping plants absorb it more effectively; all 27 produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a natural plant hormone that promotes growth; and 24 produced siderophores, which help plants absorb iron.

Notably, two standout strains—Enterobacter roggenkampii B1-01 and Klebsiella oxytoca B1-04—exhibited all of the beneficial traits tested, demonstrating that bamboo and corn roots can host diverse bacteria capable of promoting plant growth, with potential applications in agriculture.

“If these microorganisms can be developed into a biofertilizer, they could help farmers improve the yield and quality of their crops,” Relucio-San Diego added. She noted, however, that this would require a long process involving additional funding, manpower, and appropriate facilities.

The first step in developing these strains into commercial biofertilizers is ensuring that the microorganisms used do not pose a threat to any form of life, especially humans and the environment. This involves checking whether they carry genes associated with human diseases or antimicrobial resistance. “Next is determining whether the microorganisms can improve plant growth, as observed in our in vitro tests and predicted by their genomic features. The best way to do this is through in planta or pot experiments,” Relucio-San Diego explained.

During pot experiments, the microorganisms are introduced to a specific plant model to assess their effects on plant growth (e.g., root elongation, increased biomass, stem elongation, etc.). These experiments must then be verified through appropriate tests before progressing to field trials. Only after successful field trials can these strains be developed into commercial biofertilizers.

The paper, titled “Multiple Plant Growth–Promoting Activities Exhibited by Root-Associated Bacteria Isolated From Bamboo and Corn,” was included in the International Journal of Microbiology, an open access journal publishing papers on microorganisms and their interaction with hosts and the environment. The research was also funded by NSRI, and the whole-genome sequencing was supported by Project 4, Probing Microbial Diversity in Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).

References:

Flores, C. A., Siringan, M. A., & Relucio-San Diego, M. A. (2025). Multiple plant growth–promoting activities exhibited by root‐associated bacteria isolated from bamboo and corn. International Journal of Microbiology, 2025(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/6374935

Siniyasat nina Maria Sabrina Tabeta at Simeon Gabriel Bejar ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas – Diliman College of Science’s Institute of Biology (UPD-CS IB) ang mga pampublikong post at group post sa Facebook na nagbanggit ng mga Philippine tarsier.

Pagkatapos mangalap ng kabuuang 1,125 post na nai-publish sa pagitan ng 2006 at 2024, nag-mapa ang mga mananaliksik ng mga lokasyon kung saan naka-engkuwentro ng mga tao ang mga tarsier at natukoy kung ang mga lugar na ito ay nasa loob ng Protected Areas o Key Biodiversity Areas.

“Nagulat kami sa aming natuklasan—nag-ulat ang mga tao ng mga engkuwentro ng mga tarsier sa 29 na lalawigan, na higit sa dalawang beses ang bilang na nakalista sa mga opisyal na conservation records tulad ng Red List ng International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) o kahit na ng citizen science platform na iNaturalist,” ibinahagi ng mga biologist sa isang email interview.

Marami sa mga engkuwentro sa pagitan ng mga tao at mga tarsier ay naganap sa labas ng mga protected areas, kadalasan sa mga lugar na apektado ng mga aktibidad ng tao. Batay sa mga resulta ng pag-aaral, tila ang mga tarsier ay madaling masanay sa mga kapaligirang binago ng tao, na taliwas sa mga naunang haka-haka.

“Habang ang karamihan sa mga post ay nagpapakita ng mga tarsier sa konteksto ng ecotourism, ang iba ay nagtatampok ng wild sightings ng naturang primate, mga indibidwal sa pangangalaga ng mga tao, mga handover sa mga awtoridad, rescues, at kahit na mga kaso ng mga nasaktan o namatay,” dagdag pa nila.

Sa pamamagitan ng ilan sa mga post sa Facebook na kanilang sinuri, natukoy din ng mga biologist ang mga umuusbong na banta sa mga tarsier, tulad ng mga pag-atake ng mga alagang aso at pusa, sunog sa kagubatan, at mga proyekto sa imprastraktura. Ang mga ito ay nagpapatunay sa pagtaas ng engkuwentro ng mga tao at mga tarsier, na maaaring ilagay sa panganib ang naturang species.

“Ipinapakita ng pag-aaral na ito kung paano ang mga post sa social media ay maaaring makapagdulot ng mga makabuluhang pananaw tungkol sa mga mailap na species tulad ng Philippine tarsier at tumulong na punan ang mga di pa nasasagot na katanungang iniwan ng traditional research,” paliwanag ng mga biologist. “Higit pa rito, itinatampok nito kung paano ang lahat ay maaaring makapag-ambag sa conservation sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagbabahagi ng kanilang mga obserbasyon sa wildlife.”

Upang mapanatili ang momentum, inilunsad ng mga biologist ang Philippine Tarsier Conservation and Research Initiative sa Facebook—isang plataporma para sa pagbabahagi ng kaalaman, pagpapataas ng kamalayan, at pagpapasigla ng pagkilos upang protektahan ang mga tarsier.

Ang kanilang pag-aaral, na pinamagatang “Improving Our Understanding of a Cryptic Primate, the Philippine Tarsier (Carlito syrichta), Through Social Media,” ay inilathala sa International Journal of Primatology, isang multidisciplinary forum na nakatuon sa mga pinakabagong pananaliksik ukol sa mga bagay tungkol sa pag-aaral ng mga primate.

References:

Tabeta, M. S. G., & Bejar, S. G. F. (2025). Improving Our Understanding of a Cryptic Primate, the Philippine Tarsier (Carlito syrichta), Through Social Media. International Journal of Primatology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-025-00495-1

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.

After gathering a total of 1,125 posts published between 2006 and 2024, the researchers mapped out the locations where people encountered tarsiers and identified whether these places were within Protected Areas or Key Biodiversity Areas.

“What we found was astonishing—people reported encountering tarsiers in 29 provinces, which is more than twice the number listed in official conservation records like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List or even the citizen science platform iNaturalist,” the biologists shared in an email interview.

Many of the encounters between humans and tarsiers took place outside protected areas, often in environments altered by human activity. The results of the study suggest that tarsiers may be more adaptable to human-altered environments than what was initially thought.

“While most posts showed tarsiers in the context of ecotourism, others featured wild sightings of the primate, individuals kept in captivity, handovers to authorities, rescues, and even cases involving injury or death,” they added.

Through some of the Facebook posts they analyzed, the biologists also identified emerging threats to tarsiers, such as attacks by pet dogs and cats, forest fires, and infrastructure projects. These trends point to increasing contact between people and tarsiers, which could put the species at risk.

“This study shows how social media posts can offer meaningful insights about elusive species like the Philippine tarsier and help fill in gaps left by traditional research,” the biologists explained. “Furthermore, it highlights how everyone can play a part in conservation just by sharing their observations of wildlife.”

To keep the momentum going, the biologists launched the Philippine Tarsier Conservation and Research Initiative on Facebook—a platform for sharing knowledge, raising awareness, and sparking action to protect tarsiers.

Their study, titled “Improving Our Understanding of a Cryptic Primate, the Philippine Tarsier (Carlito syrichta), Through Social Media,” is published in the International Journal of Primatology, a multidisciplinary forum devoted to current research in fundamental primatology.

References:

Tabeta, M. S. G., & Bejar, S. G. F. (2025). Improving Our Understanding of a Cryptic Primate, the Philippine Tarsier (Carlito syrichta), Through Social Media. International Journal of Primatology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-025-00495-1

Sina Vince Angelo Gicaraya mula sa Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) at Institute of Biology (IB) sa UPD-CS, Dr. Carmela Española mula rin sa IB at Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI), at mga biologist mula sa Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at iba pang kawani ng DENR mula sa Pampanga, kasama ng mga lokal na guide at volunteer, ay nagsagawa ng isang survey ng mga established at off-trail route sa Subic mula Pebrero hanggang Hunyo 2022.

Nakahanap ang grupo ng mga pugad ng 10 species ng mga ibong namumugad sa butas sa kapwa buhay at patay na mga katutubong puno, kabilang na ang kupang (Parkia timoriana) at puting lauan (Shorea contorta). Gamit ang multinomial logistic regression modeling, natuklasan nila na ang mga katangian ng butas—gaya ng lalim, volume, at entrance area—ay may mahalagang ginagampanan sa kung paano pinipili ng mga species ng ibon ang kanilang mga pugad. Ang pananaliksik ay hindi lamang dinidiin ang kahalagahan ng pag-aalaga at pagtatanim ng mga katutubong puno upang suportahang mamugad ang mga ibong ito; nagbibigay din ito ng baseline data (mga sukat) para sa pagbuo ng mga conservation tool (tulad halimbawa ng mga artipisyal na pugad na hugis kahon at naaayon sa bawat species) lalo na para sa Philippine Red Listed na Critically Endangered Blue-naped Parrot (Tanygnathus) at Vulnerable na Lupinellas (Tanygnathus).

Ipinakita rin ng pag-aaral na 63% ng mga ginagamit na pugad ng mga non-excavator na ibon ay ginawa ng mga woodpecker, na nagbibigay-diin sa kahalagahan ng mga woodpecker sa pagbibigay ng mga pugad sa maraming species ng ibon.

“Ang uri ng pag-aaral na ito ay ang pangalawa lamang sa Asya—at ang una sa Pilipinas—na sumusuri sa nest web interactions sa level ng ecological community,” paliwanag ng grupo ng mga biologist. Ang web nest interactions ay tumutukoy sa paraan ng pagkonekta ng iba’t ibang hayop, lalo na ng mga ibon, batay sa paggamit ng mga butas ng puno bilang mga pugad. “Hindi tulad sa Europa na di hamak na mas malamig at maging sa Timog Amerika na may klimang subtropikal, na kung saan ang mga woodpecker sa mga lugar na ito ay hindi itinuturing na keystone species—o mga hayop na may malaking ginagampanan sa kanilang kapaligiran—ang pag-aaral na ito sa Subic ay nagpapatunay sa mahalagang ginagampanan ng mga woodpecker sa mga tropikal na kagubatan, na maihahambing sa mga resulta ng ibang pag-aaral sa India at Canada.”

Vince Angelo Gicaraya from the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) and the Institute of Biology (IB) at UPD-CS, Dr. Carmela Española from UPD-CS’s IB and the Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI), and biologists from the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and from Pampanga, together with local guides and volunteers, conducted a tree cavity survey along established and off-trail routes in Subic from February to June 2022.

The group found nests of 10 species of cavity-nesting birds in both living and dead native trees, primarily belonging to kupang trees (Parkia timoriana) and white lauan trees (Shorea contorta). Using multinomial logistic regression modeling, they discovered that cavity characteristics—such as depth, volume, and entrance area—play an important role in how bird species choose their nesting sites. The research not only underscores the importance of conserving and planting native trees to support the nesting opportunities of cavity-nesting species but also provides baseline data (measurements) for developing conservation tools (e.g., species-specific nest boxes) for the Philippine Red List Critically Endangered and Vulnerable species Blue-naped Parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis) and Luzon Hornbill (Penelopides manillae), respectively.

The study also showed that 63% of nests used by non-excavator birds were made by woodpeckers, highlighting the importance of woodpeckers in providing nest sites for many  bird species.

“This study is the second of its kind in Asia—and the first in the Philippines—that examines nest web interactions at the community level,” the team of biologists explained. Nest web interactions refer to the way different animals, especially birds, are connected through their use of tree cavities for nesting. “Unlike in temperate Europe and subtropical South America, where woodpeckers are not considered keystone species—or animals that have a particularly large impact on their environment—this study provides evidence of their keystone role in tropical forests, similar to findings in India and Canada.”

Dr. Cyril Salang of the UPD-CS Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSEP), together with Dr. Arnel Salvador, Dr. Armando Somintac, and Dr. Elmer Estacio of the UPD-CS National Institute of Physics (NIP), and Dr. Joselito Muldera of RIKEN—a national scientific research institute in Japan—have introduced a new design for semiconductor components. It features a substrate, a buffer layer, and an epitaxial layer— a thin crystal layer grown on top.

What makes their design unique is the use of a mismatched buffer layer—a material whose atomic structure (called lattice constant) differs significantly from both the substrate below and the epitaxial layer above. While such mismatches typically lead to defects or poor performance, the scientists’ invention surprisingly results in high-quality layers that perform just as well as, or even better than, traditional materials used in THz emitters.

The team added a growth-interrupted region and a superlattice—a structure made of alternating thin layers—to strengthen the adhesion between components despite the lattice mismatch. The p-type indium arsenide (p-InAs) layer was grown on top of a superlattice which was deposited on top of a main buffer layer over a growth-interrupted region over a more affordable gallium antimonide (n-GaSb) substrate. When tested, the invention delivered impressive results.

Its performance was comparable to traditional bulk materials when using a 0.80 μm laser, and even better with a 1.55 μm fiber laser—which is cheaper and more practical for mainstream use—making this invention a potential game-changer for THz-TDS systems.

Dr. Salang shared that it took 11 years from the initial idea in 2013 to the patent approval in 2024. “My paper was published in 2015, followed by an invention disclosure later that year. With support from the UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD), the patent application was filed in February 2016 and was officially granted in 2024,” she said.

With their newly granted patent, Dr. Salang and her team are in a much stronger position to contribute to the growing terahertz industry. “Receiving a national patent means that the originality of our work is recognized. It encourages me to do further innovation,” she added.

Imagine a very thin rubber band morphing into a donut. This transformation, known as the ‘birth of a torus’, is used to mathematically describe the behavior of systems undergoing transitions. While the birth of a torus is common in classical systems, it has only existed theoretically in quantum systems—until now. An international team led by UP physicist Dr. Jayson Cosme has experimentally observed this phenomenon in quantum systems for the first time, using lasers, mirrors, and time crystals.

Many repeating behaviors in nature can be described by shapes such as a rubber band or a donut. One example is the beating of the heart, which cycles between “lub” and “dub.” Scientists can visualize this cycle by drawing a two-dimensional loop in a mathematical space called the phase space. This loop represents all of the heart’s states: lub corresponds to one side of the loop, while dub corresponds to the other. This lub-dub loop captures the behavior of a stable heart, but when the beating becomes irregular, more complex shapes are needed to represent the behavior more accurately—like a donut, or more formally, a torus.

Quantum systems also exhibit repeating behaviors that can be mapped in the phase space. One such system is the time crystal, or ultra-cold atoms that switch back and forth between two states over time. Like the rhythm of a heartbeat, time crystals can be represented by a loop in the phase space. Physicists created the first time crystals in 2016 by shining a pulsating laser on ultra-cold atoms. The laser’s rhythmic pulses cause the atoms to cycle between two states.

In 2022, Dr. Cosme of the UP Diliman College of Science National Institute of Physics (UPD-CS NIP), together with physicists in Germany, showed that time crystals can form even without a pulsating laser. They sandwiched ultra-cold rubidium atoms between two highly reflective mirrors and directed a laser onto the setup. The mirrors repeatedly reflected the laser, effectively trapping it and forcing it to interact continuously with the rubidium atoms.

The team adjusted the laser’s brightness and observed how the atoms responded. They found that when the laser reached a specific intensity, the atoms began oscillating between two states, becoming time crystals. The physicists called it a “continuous time crystal,” marking the first experimental realization of its kind.

Now, using the same experimental setup and working with the same collaborators, the team has taken the idea even further. “In this new study, we showed that cranking up the intensity of light to even brighter or stronger levels will lead to another critical transition,” said Dr. Cosme.

When exposed to a stronger laser, the time crystal begins to behave in a way that can no longer be accurately described by a simple loop in the phase space. Instead of switching periodically between two states, it starts oscillating in an unstable, more complex manner. Its representation in the phase space transforms from a loop to a torus — the birth of a torus.

The time crystal’s extreme sensitivity to light made this transition difficult to observe. Still, the team’s cold atom experiment was exceptionally precise, allowing it to capture the transition for the first time in history. Their study is now published in the prestigious journal Physical Review Letters.

Beyond fundamental physics, the findings could pave the way for new kinds of ultra-sensitive light detectors. “The transition between loop and torus depends on the light intensity,” explained Dr. Cosme. “Below the critical point, it will be a loop, while above, it will be a torus. As such, a system operating close to this transition point can be used as a sensitive detector for light or electromagnetic fields.”

The team is now investigating whether bifurcations in quantum systems can be predicted before they occur. They also plan to use their experimental setup to explore other quantum phenomena, such as the Kibble-Zurek mechanism, which they examined in a paper published last year. “We’re quite excited about that one, and we hope we can share some exciting news about it soon,” concluded Dr. Cosme.

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.

Pursuing interdisciplinary collaborations

Ma. Beatrice Villoria of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, also the owner of the thesis that started this research, collaborated with Vina Argayosa of the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science’s Natural Sciences Research Institute (UPD-CS NSRI), Angelo Rosalinas of Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited – Philippines Branch, Daniel Nichol Valerio of De La Salle University, Christian Lyle La Madrid of LLUID, and Michael Xavier Ticzon of Fundamental Design Experts—who come from diverse fields of expertise—to create a conceptual framework for translating microbial research into design tools for the urban built environment.

The study found that ventilation and the number of people in a space have a huge impact on the amount of indoor bacteria. A framework showing how microbial research can be done to produce data usable by architects and other designers for building design – similar to the experiments in the study- was developed by a team of architects, a microbiologist, and engineers led by Villoria, an architecture graduate.

“It started in my thesis, I looked for a microbiologist [Argayosa] who was willing to work on this idea, and the effort paid off,” Villoria shared. “Having different fields working together is a big help in our evolving society. So far, I’ve collaborated with people from the fields of architecture, microbiology, and engineering. For sure, there are other disciplines we need to work with to further develop the study.”

Application to existing building code

Building codes, such as the National Building Code of the Philippines, set standards for design and construction within a country. These standards typically take the local climate, site conditions, anthropometry, and many more into account. However, the impact of building design set by building codes on microbial presence has yet to be explored.

The researchers used the National Building Code of the Philippines, particularly its guidelines on the minimum habitable room, as the basis for their study. Three experiments were conducted in Metro Manila using passive air sampling—a method for collecting airborne bacteria and fungi—to measure bacterial and fungal counts under different conditions: ventilation, window size, and human presence. The findings were used to conceptually design an indoor space that considers microbial presence.

“How do we measure a healthy amount of microbes in a built environment? It would actually be good to define that. Hospitals and manufacturing sites follow certain standards based on the acceptable levels of microbes they should have. Now, it’s like we’re examining our daily lives with a more studied approach—especially as things become more urbanized,” Argayosa said.

Global relevance from a local study

Although the research was conducted in the Philippines, the methodology can be applied in other parts of the world. Since each country follows its own building codes and regulations, the framework can be adapted to different contexts—considering factors such as the country’s temperature and humidity. “Other countries have their own design standards that fit the needs of their country. In our case for example, our tropical climate has a different effect on humidity, temperature, which influences the types of microbes that grow here in our country,” Villoria added, saying that their team hopes that the findings of their study can serve as a reference point for international efforts to improve overall indoor environmental health.