FlipScience – Top Philippine science news and features for the inquisitive Filipino. https://www.flipscience.ph Top Philippine science news and features for the inquisitive Filipino. Fri, 22 Mar 2024 03:07:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://www.flipscience.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/cropped-fssiteicon2-32x32.png FlipScience – Top Philippine science news and features for the inquisitive Filipino. https://www.flipscience.ph 32 32 Ask Theory Podcast Ep. 153: May Naitutulong Ba Talaga Ang Earth Hour? (with Genea Nichole Cortez) https://www.flipscience.ph/podcast/ask-theory-podcast-153-environmental-awareness-genea-nichole-cortez/ Fri, 22 Mar 2024 03:07:20 +0000 https://www.flipscience.ph/?p=14900 ask theory, earth hour, environmental awareness, genea nichole cortez

Hosted by EIC Mikael Angelo Francisco, Ask Theory shines the spotlight on Pinoy scientific brilliance, in a fun and entertaining "kwentuhan" format. Each episode of Ask Theory  features a Pinoy scientist from one of the various scientific disciplines. In a very casual conversation, guests explain what they do in simple terms, as well as share their fascinating stories: how they got into science, the challenges they face, what motivates them to pursue their fields, what future scientists from the Philippines can look forward to, and so much more.

Episode 153: May Naitutulong Ba Talaga Ang Earth Hour?

In episode 153 of the Ask Theory podcast, Genea Nichole Cortez of Mangrove Matters PH talks about mangrove conservation, the problem of "wrong" mangrove planting, Earth Hour and other similar awareness campaigns, using art to spread environmental awareness, and more.

Links:

Neymatophores on INPRNT: https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/neymatophores/

Neymatophores on Facebook: fb.com/neymatophores

The National Mangrove Map of 2023: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/Du4yZ6xRckSL12PW/?⁠

Listen here:

(Full transcript to follow; watch this page for updates)


This episode was made possible by the British Council Philippines, the United Kingdom’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Now on its fourth year, the British Council is accepting applicants for its Women in STEM Scholarship programme. For more information, visit the British Council Women in STEM website: https://www.britishcouncil.ph/study-uk/women-in-STEM


The Ask Theory Podcast is available via these platforms:

Spotify: LINK
Apple Podcasts:LINK
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/ask-theory
Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/ask-theory
Google Podcasts: LINK
Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/gv6jxkki

Music: Hopeful Cinematic Ambient by bdProductions; My Mysterious Planet by Free Music

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FlipScience Staff
Ask Theory Podcast Ep. 152: Bakit Tayo Nahihiyang Pag-Usapan Ang TB? (with Dr. Trisha Angelie Thadhani) https://www.flipscience.ph/podcast/ask-theory-podcast-152-tuberculosis-awareness-treatment-trisha-angelie-thadhani/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 01:00:46 +0000 https://www.flipscience.ph/?p=14888 ask theory, tuberculosis, trisha angelie thadhani

Hosted by EIC Mikael Angelo Francisco, Ask Theory shines the spotlight on Pinoy scientific brilliance, in a fun and entertaining "kwentuhan" format. Each episode of Ask Theory  features a Pinoy scientist from one of the various scientific disciplines. In a very casual conversation, guests explain what they do in simple terms, as well as share their fascinating stories: how they got into science, the challenges they face, what motivates them to pursue their fields, what future scientists from the Philippines can look forward to, and so much more.

Episode 152: Bakit Tayo Nahihiyang Pag-Usapan Ang TB?

In episode 152 of the Ask Theory podcast, Dr. Trisha Angelie Thadhani of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders talks about tuberculosis in the Philippines, why TB is still a taboo topic for some, the issue of bedaquiline and how it affects TB treatment in the Philippines, current strategies for TB awareness and treatment, why World TB Day matters, and more.

To learn more, visit: https://doctorswithoutborders-apac.org/en/our-work-on-tuberculosis

Listen here:

(Full transcript to follow; watch this page for updates)


This episode was made possible by the British Council Philippines, the United Kingdom’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Now on its fourth year, the British Council is accepting applicants for its Women in STEM Scholarship programme. For more information, visit the British Council Women in STEM website: https://www.britishcouncil.ph/study-uk/women-in-STEM


The Ask Theory Podcast is available via these platforms:

Spotify: LINK
Apple Podcasts:LINK
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/ask-theory
Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/ask-theory
Google Podcasts: LINK
Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/gv6jxkki

Music: Hopeful Cinematic Ambient by bdProductions; My Mysterious Planet by Free Music

Flipscience bookorder Flipscience book on Amazonpreorder

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FlipScience Staff
Pinoy scientists found this six-eyed spider in a hazardous cave. How it got there is a mystery https://www.flipscience.ph/plants-and-animals/recluse-spiders-taxonomy/ Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:00:32 +0000 https://www.flipscience.ph/?p=14836 loxosceles rufescens, spider, mediterranean recluse
Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo

Inside a small, stuffy cave in Batangas, researchers found a species of spider that has never been recorded in the Philippines before—a discovery with potential impacts on environmental policy and local tourism.


A stone’s throw away from the southeastern shoreline of Lobo, Batangas, is a small cave called Kamantigue. Nearly everything about it—a tiny opening that a person can only fit through by crouching, ample deposits of guano in its dry crevices, the looming possibility of death from above via collapsing rocks—suggests that nature designed it specifically to repel visitors. Yet strangely enough, beachgoers seem to feel compelled to enter this unwelcoming chamber (as evidenced, rather embarrassingly, by the food wrappers, plastic bottles, and other types of litter they keep leaving behind).

But not all who enter this cave of hazards do so out of a misguided sense of adventure. In September 2022, as part of Project 3 of the Niche Centers in the Regions for Research and Development-Center for Assessment of Cave Ecosystems (NICER-CAVES) Program, Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo and her team of terrestrial arthropod researchers crawled their way into Kamantigue Cave, which was included in their sampling area in the CALABARZON region.

"We felt that the cave wasn’t all that exciting, because there were so many cockroaches inside," shared Barrion-Dupo, an arachnologist and professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). She also observed that, oddly enough, there were no huntsman spiders or tarantulas there, which are typical roach predators. "We just really wanted to get out of that cave."

The abundance of Periplaneta americana roaches in the cave was far from their only challenge, though. At the time, the Philippines was still officially under a state of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the researchers had to keep their facemasks on, enduring the uncomfortable temperature and stuffy air inside the cave while patiently collecting spider and arthropod specimens. For their own safety, they did time-opportunistic sampling, spending only about 10 minutes in each area of the cave.

"We would enter in batches, alternating whenever a member of the team would start having difficulty breathing," Barrion-Dupo recalled, adding that, in the interest of efficiency, she kept her forceps and removed her gloves, opting to pick up specimens by hand. "We had to do our sampling quickly, and we were only able to check our specimens when we returned to the lab [at the UPLB Museum of Natural History]."

Soon, Barrion-Dupo heard back from the lab team. As it turns out, they noticed an uncommon trait in some of the specimens. "I was told, 'Ma'am, some of these spiders have six eyes.'"

Male specimen of L. rufescens found in Kamantigue Cave, Batangas. (Image: Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo)

A six-eyed spider with a notorious bite

Most spider species have eight eyes. Their main pair of eyes, the principal eyes, enables them to see high-resolution color, albeit with a limited field of view. When used alongside their three pairs of secondary eyes, these arachnids achieve close to 360-degree vision. But a handful of spider families lack the main pair, and are thus six-eyed. The most noteworthy of these, perhaps, is the venomous Sicariidae, the family to which Loxosceles spiders—better known as recluse spiders—belong.

Over the years, Loxosceles spiders have developed an unfortunate, though not entirely unearned, reputation as being among the most dangerous spiders in the world. A bite from one of these 140-odd species can cause loxoscelism, which is the only proven spider-related cause of skin tissue death (dermonecrosis). Moreover, there is still no antivenom or treatment for Loxosceles bites. 

However, based on numerous studies, most Loxosceles bites only result in mild skin irritation; in rare cases, they can cause severe pain, organ failure, bleeding, or death. Additionally, Loxosceles spiders aren’t known to be aggressive, biting only when threatened or pressed against skin. And even when they do bite, their fangs can’t penetrate clothing.

Also worth noting is the fact that while Loxosceles spiders have been recorded in every continent except Antarctica, they have never been found in the Philippines. At least, not until the Project 3 team’s fieldwork.

"When we flagged the six-eyed spiders, we wondered, 'What kind of spiders could these be?' Based on their physical characteristics, we were able to eliminate the possibilities. We suspected they could be Sicariidae, which led us to conduct further observation."

Despite only having a few specimens available, DNA sequencing helped the researchers determine that they were Mediterranean recluse spiders (L. rufescens), confirming their early suspicions. When they returned to Kamantigue Cave in November that same year, they did an opportunistic population count. They spotted at least 153 individuals, which was enough for a viable population.

Their findings, which were published in February 2024, also gave Barrion-Dupo a bit of a shock, as she remembered that she had been collecting these spiders with unprotected hands. "I don’t recall being bitten during our fieldwork, which was a relief. But this still made me realize that in every instance, it’s important to be careful, because you can never truly anticipate what you would pick up in these caves."

Stowaway spiders?

A hallmark of good science is when answering questions paves the way for even more questions. Barrion-Dupo and her team had already solved the mystery of this spider’s identity—but how did this non-native species get there, exactly?

For starters, compared to other spider species, Loxosceles spiders are total homebodies. They don’t engage in ballooning (releasing spider silk "parachutes" into the air, causing updrafts and electric fields to carry them and allowing them to literally ride the wind to new locations), and would much rather stay put in their habitat.

A 2018 study proposed a global model of distribution for L. rufescens, based on environmental factors like humidity and heat. Following these projections, the likeliest place in the Philippines where this species could land would be northern Luzon, specifically Ilocos Sur. But since the team found the spiders in Lobo—nearly 500 kilometers away from Ilocos Sur—this rules out the possibility that abiotic factors facilitated their spread. "This appears to be a case of human-mediated distribution," said Barrion-Dupo.

Their molecular analysis traced the possible roots of Kamantigue Cave's L. rufescens spiders to either India, Portugal, or Spain. Incidentally, locals confirmed that the specific area where Kamantigue Cave is located was part of an old trade route, a port accessible only via boat. Another possible explanation: The spiders may have hitched a ride in the bags of tourists or travelers from those countries. The cave’s dryness, darkness, and humidity made it the perfect new home for the spidery stowaways. Testing these theories requires further research, possibly even collaborations with historians who are knowledgeable about the area’s trade history.

With that said, the team’s discovery does more than contribute to the growing body of knowledge about spiders in the Philippines; it also has implications on policy, tourism, and even local science communication.

Cave of wonders—and dangers

Based on the classification system of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Kamantigue Cave is a Class 1C cave, defined as a cave "with extremely hazardous conditions (e.g., bad air, unstable ceiling, presence of rock fall/breakdown… etc.)." While this takes into account the cave’s obvious geologic hazards, it does not factor in the possible biological dangers inside it, which can create risky situations for stubborn tourists or inadequately briefed scientists.

"It's very important that we know what we’re looking at, and that we be careful in classifying which things are hazardous," shared Barrion-Dupo, who mentioned that they are coordinating with the UPLB College of Public Affairs and Development to help them come up with a policy brief for DENR. "As scientists, we feel that it would be wrong not to voice out [our findings]. We must take the next step to change the policy."

With that said, when it comes to nature, risk management goes both ways. Days after Barrion-Dupo’s team gathered the L. rufescens spiders, another group of researchers under the NICER-CAVES program, the Project 1 team, conducted a field survey of terrestrial vertebrate species in Kamantigue Cave and its surrounding karst areas. In their paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Laksambuhay, they suggested that the unnaturally robust presence of P. americana in the cave points to a "high level of disturbance" there; in other words, the non-native pests could have been brought there unknowingly by tourists. 

"It is therefore recommended to implement and enforce regulations that control and limit human access to Kamantigue Cave to minimize disturbance to cave-dwelling species," the Project 1 team wrote, stressing the need for "responsible tourism practices."

kamantigue cave, lobo, batangas
Map of Kamantigue Cave in Lobo, Batangas. (Image: DENR CENRO-Lipa, Batangas; Barrion-Dupo A, et al)

Web of words

The first confirmed record of L. rufescens in the Philippines opens the floodgates to further scientific inquiry, which can only be satisfied with more fieldwork and research. But while it didn’t take too long for the researchers to confirm the Loxosceles spiders’ species, the journey toward getting their findings published was far from a breeze. When the Project 3 team initially submitted their paper, it underwent a "brutal" review and multiple revisions before ultimately getting rejected. 

Undaunted—and more confident about their results, given the morphological and molecular analyses they had to do as part of the prior review process—they successfully submitted their paper to the Biodiversity Data Journal, a peer-reviewed publication with a "community-type" manuscript editing process that Barrion-Dupo described as "transparent" and "constructive."

Another reason why the authors took a meticulous approach to preparing the manuscript for publication was the subject matter itself. For example, in the paper and even when communicating their findings to the public, the team made sure to mention the friendlier-sounding "violin spider"—a moniker derived from the violin-shaped mark on the spider’s back—as an alternative to "recluse," a name that already has negative connotations. Even the use of the term "invasive" to describe the spiders underwent considerable scrutiny from the reviewers.

Jay Sebastian Fidelino, a research associate at the Biodiversity Research Laboratory of the University of the Philippines Diliman's Institute of Biology, acknowledged that there is a PR aspect to consider in discussions about wildlife conservation, especially when it comes to less appealing species. "Using a less aggressive common name is a classic strategy, as some common names carry a lot of baggage, 'recluse' being a good example," explained Fidelino, who was not part of the study. "I think it's still valid and important to share the trickier common name, but maybe it's best for it to not be the first thing people read."

"We did our best not to invoke fear from the public," recalled Barrion-Dupo. "When people hear about recluse spiders, they typically ask, 'Are those deadly? Are those dangerous? Should we eradicate everything inside that cave?' But this still needs to be reported; otherwise, people might continue to enter the cave, even if it’s restricted. And [the cave is] so close to the community that there’s no guarantee that people won’t come into contact with these spiders.

"That, and we were simply excited to report that this foreign spider was found in the Philippines for the first time."

The taxing tasks of taxonomists

"While the front-facing aspect of taxonomy is the description of new species, the field is so much broader than that," Fidelino shared. "Sometimes, we describe species that 'suck,' for lack of a better term. And as we see in this paper, these kinds of work can also have important implications on conservation."

When the public thinks of taxonomists, the resulting discussion typically revolves around, and is limited to, scientific nomenclature and the discovery of new species. Some may even imagine taxonomists as walking repositories of scientific names who can easily identify a plant or animal with a single glance at a poorly lit smartphone photo. "We don’t just provide species identification unless we’re really sure about it," Barrion-Dupo stressed. "I think that’s the mark of an expert: to search for and use the appropriate tools to identify the organism."

According to Fidelino, the Project 3 team's paper "showed a clear path from the 'basics' of taxonomy, in describing specimens of species, to its application, in the implications of the discovery on the potential impact of [species like L. rufescens] on other biodiversity and on human communities."

Beyond simply attaching a scientific name to an unfamiliar species, taxonomists help lay the groundwork for humanity to better understand its relationship with the rest of the world. Some may question the practical, tangible value of their work. But it shouldn't take any stretch of the imagination to realize that, as they crawl into narrow crevices and wade through bat excrement, taxonomists make it possible for rays of light to penetrate literal and figurative caverns full of the unknown.

To quote Barrion-Dupo in a statement she co-wrote with researcher Camille Faith D. Duran: "Much of what we discover now may not contribute to impacts that are measurable within our lifetime, but we do it, nonetheless. Someone must answer and cultivate curious questions like, 'What’s this?'"—FS


The NICER-CAVES Program receives financial support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

References

  • https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2021.1760
  • http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/paradoryphoribius-chronocaribbeus-10139.html
  • https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/930468
  • https://www.popsci.com/science/rare-tardigrade-fossil/
  • https://news.njit.edu/once-generation-tardigrade-fossil-discovery-reveals-new-species-16-million-year-old-amber
  • https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/incredibly-rare-tardigrade-trapped-in-16millionyearold-amber-is-also-new-species/

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Mikael Angelo Francisco
Ask Theory Podcast Ep. 151: Ano Ang Ginagawa Ng Isang Analog Astronaut? (with Kristine Jane Atienza) https://www.flipscience.ph/podcast/ask-theory-podcast-151-analog-space-missions-kristine-jane-atienza/ Fri, 08 Mar 2024 03:33:12 +0000 https://www.flipscience.ph/?p=14876 ask theory, analog space missions, analog astronaut, kristine jane atienza

Episode 151: Ano Ang Ginagawa Ng Isang Analog Astronaut?

In episode 151 of the Ask Theory podcast, licensed nutritionist-dietitian and space enthusiast Kristine Jane Atienza talks about the field of space nutrition, becoming the first Filipina analog astronaut, the importance of analog space missions, what the government and the public can do to better support women in STEM, and more.

Listen here:

(Full transcript to follow; watch this page for updates)


This episode was made possible by the British Council Philippines, the United Kingdom’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Now on its fourth year, the British Council is accepting applicants for its Women in STEM Scholarship programme. For more information, visit the British Council Women in STEM website: https://www.britishcouncil.ph/study-uk/women-in-STEM


The Ask Theory Podcast is available via these platforms:

Spotify: LINK
Apple Podcasts:LINK
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/ask-theory
Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/ask-theory
Google Podcasts: LINK
Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/gv6jxkki

Music: Hopeful Cinematic Ambient by bdProductions; My Mysterious Planet by Free Music

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FlipScience Staff
Enhancing ASEAN connectivity through digital innovation in conserving wildlife https://www.flipscience.ph/plants-and-animals/world-wildlife-day-2024/ Sat, 02 Mar 2024 20:00:31 +0000 https://www.flipscience.ph/?p=14827 World Wildlife Day
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

By Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim

(Press release) On March 3, we join the global annual observance of World Wildlife Day with the theme, "Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation."

The use of digital technology has been pivotal in the growth of economies across the ASEAN region. Moreso, it has revolutionized approaches to protect and conserve the diverse wild species in Southeast Asia. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), through its various flagship programs and initiatives, has made possible the assessment and monitoring of wild flora and fauna and their habitats through various technological innovations.

Across the ASEAN Member States (AMS), young biodiversity champions help to effectively conserve and safeguard our fragile wildlife and their habitats by combining their innate creativity and technological know-how. They document wildlife using cameras, camera lenses, and drones, while park managers assist them in taking photos using camera traps. The ACB’s Small Grants Programme helped develop technologies and management tools to support wildlife monitoring in some ASEAN Heritage Parks in Indonesia. In Myanmar, a platform was also created, which can be accessed through their mobile phones or gadgets to aid in wildlife monitoring, patrolling, and law enforcement. The ACB also conducted training programs on DNA barcoding designed to provide an in-depth examination of species useful for conservation planning and research. The wealth of biodiversity data gathered through these modern technologies should then be made easily accessible to the public.

To this end, the ACB’s main digital platforms, ASEAN Clearing-House Mechanism and the ASEAN Biodiversity Dashboard, are online tools and databases which guide the AMS in their national and local conservation planning, monitoring, and decision-making. These online platforms contain biodiversity data that are easily accessible to researchers, scientists, students, likeminded organizations, and other online users.

The ACB likewise utilizes digital campaigns for a region-wide public awareness on biodiversity. The #WeAreASEANBiodiversity: Our home, our lives, our stories featured on the ACB website is a strategic communication campaign to promote an inclusive, whole-of-community approach to biodiversity actions, and encourage a wide range of contributions from individual actions to regional cooperation. Prominent personalities in the ASEAN have volunteered to share their voices in this campaign to amplify the call for an integrated and whole-of-community approach including the use of digital media in biodiversity protection among wider local, regional, and national audiences.

Publications such as the ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook, project briefs, or technical reports (both online and in print) now contain QR codes so that readers and website visitors may easily access and download them wherever they are in the world.

New discoveries, exciting developments

Despite centuries of taxonomic research, only less than two million species of animals, plants, and microbes were known to science, with more than 30 million species yet to be discovered.

In the ASEAN region, almost 700 species were discovered from 2000 to early 2024 alone, which include 28 herps (snakes, lizards, and frogs) and 348 insects (16 butterflies, 322 beetles, and 10 ants).

In the Philippines, for example, many new plant and animal species were discovered in Mindanao in 2023. A new species of begonia (Begonia fritschiana) was found growing abundantly on rocky hillsides in Bukidnon. A new orchid species (Pinalia campanulata) was discovered in the Mount Busa Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) in South Cotabato. In Davao Oriental, the first helmet orchid species, Corybas hamiguitanensis, was discovered at the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, an ASEAN Heritage Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moreover, the newest species of turtle in the world was found in Davao City. Gymnures (Podogymnura intermedia and P. minima), known as hairy hedgehogs or moonrats, were discovered during a field survey in northern Mindanao, a new record for the area.

New species were also discovered across ASEAN. Hipposideros kingstonae, a new species of leaf-nosed bat, was discovered in peninsular Thailand and Malaysia, while other specimens have been identified in collections from Borneo. Additionally, a new species of crocodile (Tylototriton ngoclinhensis) was found in Vietnam. A diminutive new species of palm (Pinanga subterranea) was likewise discovered growing on forest floors throughout Borneo, and in Thailand, a new species of electric blue tarantula (Chilobrachys natanicharum) was found in mangroves. Other new discoveries include the following: a “semi-slug” species (Microparmarion sallehi) discovered in the lowland rainforests in northern Borneo; a water snake (Hypsiscopus indonesiensis) described as “flat-tailed water snake” found in Indonesia; and the Ayeyarwady pit viper (Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis) named after the Ayeyarwady River, which was discovered in Myanmar using modern genomic techniques.

Continued species discovery, identification, and documentation will yield many benefits for humanity, including improved comprehension of the natural world, genetic material that could lead to medical advancements, and improvements in food security, poverty reduction, and climate resilience. Digital innovation and technology may be the gamechangers that we need to further uncover and safeguard the incredible diversity of the Earth’s web of life.—MF


About the Author: Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim is the executive director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB). A veterinarian and wildlife management expert, she was the director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines prior to joining the ACB. She also chaired the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) from 2017 to 2018. To know more about the ACB, visit www.aseanbiodiversity.org.

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FlipScience Staff
These unique lizard species are the real-life 'dragons' of Southeast Asia https://www.flipscience.ph/plants-and-animals/unique-lizards-dragons-southeast-asia/ Fri, 09 Feb 2024 04:17:35 +0000 https://www.flipscience.ph/?p=14781 Giant Forest Dragon (Gonocephalus grandis)
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

By Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim

Dragons feature prominently in mythology, folklore, and many cultures across the world. These magical creatures are often described as huge, winged, serpent-like, and fire-breathing beasts. Though these mystical beings inhabit the realm of fantasy, there are real-life "dragons" that are just as fascinating as the legendary ones. Like the dragons of lore, these animals are four-legged, cold-blooded, reptiles—lizards.

There is a wide variety of lizards in Southeast Asia that are found nowhere else in the world. The most popular among them are Indonesia’s komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), Philippine sailfin dragons (Hydrosaurus pustulatus), Sulawesi lined gliding lizards (Draco spilonotus), common flying dragons (Draco volans), and the recently discovered Khammouan/Khammouane karst dragon (Laodracon carsticola).

Lizards are critical for seed dispersal, controlling insect populations, and other important ecological functions. In addition, they are vital food sources for different animals. Learn about these unique species that exemplify the region's biological diversity.

Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
Image: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Living off the coast of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands known as Komodo National Park, komodo dragons are the largest of all lizards, measuring about 10 feet long and typically weighing up to 154 pounds. Komodo dragons can thrive in severe climate conditions, and can live up to 30 years. Although they can be seen on islands, these carnivores prefer to stay in the tropical forests of the islands. They have long tails, can swim, and can even run as fast as 19 kilometers per hour.

Compared to other reptiles, they only have a small population, and are only found in five islands in Indonesia. They help prevent the spread of diseases by eating carcasses, thus promoting the overall health of the ecosystem. With the establishment of patrols and increased community understanding of the need to protect these species, the Indonesian government has improved ecotourism practices at Komodo National Park, thereby strengthening the conservation of these dragons.

Philippine sailfin lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus)

Philippine Sailfin Lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus)
Image: Jason Fernandez

Philippine sailfin lizards (Hydrosaurus pustulatus), also called Philippine sailfin dragons, belong to a large semiaquatic lizard family: agamids, which are closely related to iguanas. Agamid lizards have scaly bodies, well-developed legs, and moderately long tails. Some agamid lizards can also change colors to regulate their body temperatures. They can be found in all major islands of the country, except Palawan. They have large feathers on their backs that look like a sail (crest), and can grow up to 4 feet long.

Like komodo dragons, Philippine sailfin dragons are strong swimmers. Smaller, juvenile lizards can run briefly on the water surface. These omnivores live in areas with dense vegetation along the coasts and near rivers, riverbanks, lakes, mangrove forests, and even in flooded rice fields that are close to natural forests. They go by several local names: their Tagalog name is layagan or balubid, while they are called ibid in the Visayas region.

Sulawesi lined gliding lizard (Draco spilonotus)

Sulawesi Lined Gliding Lizard (Draco spilonotus)
Image: Oleg Chernyshov

Sulawesi lined gliding lizards (Draco spilonotus) are commonly found in forested areas of Sulawesi, an island in Indonesia. They are actually confined to that island, particularly in Northern Sulawesi’s Tangkoko National Park. As medium-sized lizards, their length ranges from 5 to 10 centimeters. They can survive hot and dry climates and have the ability to camouflage. These lizards live in trees, and they feed on ants and termites.

Males have two patagia, winglike webs of skin connecting the lizards' limbs to their bodies, enabling them to glide from one tree to another. Each patagium is yellow with brown lines. Each male also has a round, yellow skin flap called a gular flag attached to its neck. Gular flags serve as the males' main means of communicating with other lizards, especially when they are trying to attract females.

Common flying dragon (Draco volans)

Common Flying Dragon (Draco volans)
Image: Arnaud Delberghe

Common flying dragons (Draco volans), otherwise known as Javan flying dragons, are well adapted to live in trees, which is why they are called arboreal lizards. They can only be found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, especially in densely wooded habitats. They grow to a length of up to 22 centimeters from head to tail; their bodies are tan-colored, with dark flecks. The "wings" of the males are tan to bright orange with dark banding; females have irregular markings instead of banding on their flaps. Like most Draco lizards, this species mainly eats ants and termites. They move from tree to tree not just to hunt for food and attract mates, but also to escape from possible danger.

Green crested lizard (Bronchocela cristatella)

Green Crested Lizard (Bronchocela cristatella)
Image: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The green crested lizard (Bronchocela cristatella) can be found in Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Bright green and sometimes sporting a blue tint on its head, it can change its color to a darker brown when threatened. Its average body length is 13 centimeters; including the tail, this lizard stretches up to 57 centimeters, meaning this appendage makes up 75% of the creature's total length.

Green crested lizards live in primary and secondary forests, but can also be found in parks, gardens, and in many habitats from rural areas. The males have a neck crest for attracting partners. In Singapore, the B. cristatella population is declining due to competition with changeable lizards (Calotes versicolor), an introduced species that is considered invasive in some Southeast Asian countries.

Giant forest dragon (Gonocephalus grandis)

Giant Forest Dragon (Gonocephalus grandis)
Image: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Giant forest dragons (Gonocephalus grandis) or Malayan crested lizards are found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Adult males have large and pointed green-colored crests on their necks and backs, and sport a blue-and-yellow pattern on the sides of their bodies. Adult females, on the other hand, are of a similar color, sans the green crests.

Interestingly, these lizards can change their color from green to black in minutes. Like other members of the Agamidae family, they have long tails and well-developed muscular legs. In fact, these lizards are agile, and can run quite fast on the forest floor or when climbing up on tree trunks.

Khammouan/Khammouane karst dragon (Laodracon carsticola)

Dragon Lizards (Laodracon carsticola)
Image: Nathanael Maury

The Khammouan (or Khammouane) karst dragon (Laodracon carsticola) is a species that's new to science. Discovered in 2022 in a limestone landscape in Khammouan Province, Lao PDR, these dragon lizards eat ants and have an outstanding ability to camouflage themselves. Their black-and-gray scale patterns match the limestone rocks and outcrops upon which they climb; unless they move, it is nigh-impossible to detect them. These lizards are approximately 15 centimeters in length, with blue or gray eyes and some red and blue spots. Thier rough skin helps them climb coarse rocks. Limestone karst formations, such as karst towers, caves, and sinkholes, are important habitats for dragon lizards, as well as many other unique species in the region.

An increase in sustained and coordinated efforts toward conserving their natural habitats would certainly benefit initiatives to protect all of these unique "dragon" species, some of which are known only from small, fragmented populations. Raising awareness on the need to safeguard these dragons is also essential, as they are crucial allies in protecting people against dangerous zoonotic diseases, as well as maintaining balanced, well-functioning ecosystems. —MF


About the Author: Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim is the executive director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB). A veterinarian and wildlife management expert, she was the director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines prior to joining the ACB. She also chaired the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) from 2017 to 2018. To know more about the ACB, visit www.aseanbiodiversity.org.

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2023 Indie-Siyensya Film Fest shines spotlight on Pinoy aquaculture and 'sustainnovation' https://www.flipscience.ph/news/2023-indie-siyensya-film-fest-sustainnovation-philippines-aquaculture/ Sun, 14 Jan 2024 09:07:59 +0000 https://www.flipscience.ph/?p=14752 indie-siyensya, sustainnovation
DOST-STII/JuanFlix

(Press release from DOST-STII) The seventh season of the Indie-Siyensya Film Festival concluded with a celebration of science, technology, and the arts, with films exploring seaweed farming and innovative fish spawning practices claiming top prizes last December 12 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City. The science filmmaking competition, which started in 2016, is an initiative by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

In 2023, the festival received over 60 entries following the theme "Sustainnovation: Harnessing Science and Technology Towards a Greener Community," with the goal of communicating science using film as a medium to document research activities and its contribution to science and technology development in the country.

Indie-Syensya winners: Open Category

indie-siyensya, Sagbot sa Dagat, Out of Sight, Out of Mind, KaKaSa Ba?
Stills from "Sagbot sa Dagat," "Out of Sight, Out of Mind," and "KaKaSa Ba?" from the Open Category. (DOST-STII)

"Sagbot sa Dagat" by Frankie James Balos took home the coveted Best Film award in the Open Category, immersing viewers in the ambitious journey of Mindanao-based start-up All.g as they explore the potential of seaweed to combat climate change. The film, which features the seaweed farming community in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, also won the Viewers’ Choice Award.

"The first intention of All.g is to try to find an alternative for carbon crediting using seaweed, but it turns out that that is not possible. Upon discovering the importance of seaweed farming, they shifted into a different goal, which is to help seaweed farmers produce more seaweed. With that, they developed this technology, which you can see in the film," said scriptwriter Barby Gwynne Ebardo.

Ebardo, a sophomore Computer Engineering student from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, emphasized the film's aim to educate the public about seaweed farming and its potential to benefit communities and the environment. "Not all people know seaweed farming, and it is very great that we have this opportunity to show people how important it is, especially to Sir Teodulo, Sir Jojit, and the rest of the people who work in the seaweed farming industry, especially that it has a lot of uses in a lot of fields like cosmetics. It is used in soaps and a lot of necessities in human life."

"Out of Sight, Out of Mind" by Nathan M. Gumba clinched the second spot, shedding light on a company revolutionizing the packaging industry with biodegradable alternatives crafted from cassava starch. Meanwhile, third place went to "KaKaSa Ba?" by Van Allen Eltagonde, a documentary delving into the eco-friendly practices of Villa Socorro Farm, proving that sustainability and entrepreneurship can go hand in hand.

Indie-Syensya winners: Youth Category

indie-siyensya, semilya, Plugged in for Progress: The Power 4 All Mission, anigham
Stills from "Semilya," "Plugged in for Progress: The Power 4 All Mission," and "Anigham" from the Youth Category. (DOST-STII)

The ten-minute film documentary "Semilya" by Marck Palpal-Latoc explored hormone-induced fish spawning and its impact on Filipino fisherfolk. It was named the Best Film in the Youth Category.

"First, we mainly want to focus on agriculture, but since we are from Rizal, mas malapit po sa amin 'yung Laguna de Bay, so we focused on the aquaculture or fisheries sector. We went to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Tanay, and we asked the experts there for innovations na pwede naming i-feature na ginagamit din ngayon ng mga fisherfolks po namin for entrepreneurship para magamit po siya in line with this year’s theme of Indie-Siyensya,” said Palpal-Latoc, a Grade 12 student from Rizal National Science High School.

Second place went to "Plugged in for Progress: The Power 4 All Mission" by Dominicq Emanuelle Peña, a film that follows the journey of social enterprise “Power 4 All” in uplifting the lives of Filipinos by providing sustainable and innovative solutions to communities without access to power and clean water. Quezon Province students’ comeback film "Anigham" by Jerick Marc Laurence C. Grimaldo, which blends the words ani (harvest) and agham (science), won third place. It features the coffee and salabat farming community in Dolores, Quezon.

Special awardees

All winners from both categories received trophies and cash prizes amounting to Php 200,000 for the Best Film, Php 150,000 for the Second Best Film, and Php 100,000 for the Third Best Film.

Selected films were also recognized through special awards:

  • Best Screenplay: "Bagong Bihis" by Michael Joe Gerona
  • Best Editing: "Lusaw: Exploring Urban Agriculture" by Miko Buan Acuña
  • Best Cinematography: "Daing" by Darryl Villafuerte
  • Most Gender-Sensitive Film: "Natatanging Palayok" by Ein Gil Camuñas
  • Viewer’s Choice Award (Youth): "3Cs: Coconut Cultivation and Culture" by Carlos Miguel Enriquez
  • Viewer’s Choice Award (Open): "Sagbot sa Dagat" by Frankie James Balos

"As the agency dedicated to fostering scientific progress, the Department of Science and Technology takes immense pride in supporting the Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition, a platform that celebrates the convergence of science, technology, innovation, and the arts," said DOST Secretary Renato Solidum.—MF


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UPLB scientists develop AI-driven system for early detection of liver cancer https://www.flipscience.ph/technology/uplb-scientists-develop-ai-driven-early-detection-liver-cancer/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:00:38 +0000 https://www.flipscience.ph/?p=14673 CANDLE researchers, IMSP faculty
Cedric Katigbak

By Ma. Angelika Dinglasan, Marianne Jaraplasan, and Cedric Katigbak

Inside room D405 of the University of the Philippines Los Baños’ Institute of Mathematical Science and Physics (UPLB-IMSP) building, scientists sit across a long table in front of their working computers.

Dr. Ranzivelle Marianne Roxas-Villanueva heads the institute's physics division and holds a doctorate in Physics. Across from her is Princess Silva, an Applied Mathematics graduate who analyzes and prepares reports on genomic data. Desiree Villanueva and Gabriel Manzanilla, both Applied Physics graduates, handle ultrasound and clinical data, respectively. Finally, Nicole Astrologo, also an Applied Physics graduate, is in charge of multimodal data, which includes all the data analyzed in the project – genomic, imaging, and clinical.

They work in a place called DARELab (Data Analytics Research Laboratory), a research laboratory that investigates biological health, environmental, and agricultural systems using applied physics, complexity science, and machine learning approaches. Currently, the lab, which was established in January 2021, is focused on developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven system for the early diagnosis of liver cancer in chronic hepatitis B patients, better known as the CANDLE study (Early CANcer Detection in the LivEr of Filipinos with Chronic Hepatitis B using AI-Driven Integration of Clinical and Genomic Biomarkers). This is the second part of the undertaking, with the first (patient recruitment and data gathering) initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) via the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and researchers from the University of the Philippines Manila.

The second deadliest cancer

A 2021 epidemiology study reports that liver cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and the fourth biggest cause of cancer death globally. In the Philippines, as of 2020, liver cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death, with more than 10,000 new cases that same year, as stated in the Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine.

Liver cancer is usually diagnosed very late in its course, as the symptoms become apparent when the disease has already reached its advanced stage. According to the National Nutrition Council, most liver cancer patients are able to survive only a year after diagnosis, and the five-year survival rate is only below 5% without treatment and less than 35% with treatment.

This late detection can be seen in the case of Ligaya Reaño, a 78-year-old resident of Barangay Sto. Domingo, Bay, Laguna, who was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2021. 

Kasi nung 2021, nag-positive siya sa COVID-19 [at] nagpa-confine siya. Lumabas na fatty liver siya, eh parang lagi s’yang nanlalambot kaya nagpa-check up ulit doon sa ibang doctor, sa Calamba. Nung ma-detect, positive agad sya sa [Stage 3 liver cancer]. Syempre malungkot ako. Naiiyak nga ako,” said Juanito Reaño, Ligaya’s husband, while narrating their experiences two years ago.

(In 2021, she was confined and tested positive for COVID-19. Her test results showed that she had a fatty liver, and she seemed to always feel weak, so we took her to another doctor in Calamba. She was already positive for Stage 3 liver cancer by the time it was detected. Of course, I feel sad. I was on the brink of tears.)

Reaño said that they were surprised, as there were no symptoms seen or felt besides weakness and fatigue. Unfortunately, since Ligaya’s cancer was detected at an old age, she was no longer eligible for surgery. Thus, she only relies on herbal medicine as treatment. 

The Department of Health reported that an efficient method for early detection of liver cancer has yet to be released and made available for use by Filipinos. Blood tests, imaging tests (ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans), or a liver biopsy are the only means of diagnosis available. 

In a liver biopsy, to get a tissue sample, the doctor inserts a small needle through the skin and into the liver. Doctors analyze the tissue under a microscope for cancer cells, and a liver biopsy may increase the patient’s risk of bleeding, bruising, and infection. Because of this, less invasive methods, without compromising the urgency of detection, are called for, and one of these possible methods involves using AI.

AI in Philippine healthcare

AI or machine learning models can be used to monitor patient symptoms, predict a patient's likelihood of having a disease, and alert medical staff when a particular risk increases. However, AI does not intend to replace medical practitioners. 

“‘Yung AI or ‘yung framework na ginagamit natin for healthcare or disease detection [ay nangangailangan] pa rin ng higher being which are the doctors, nurses, or anyone from the field. AI is just an instrument or like a bridge kung pa’no natin mapapa-automate ‘yung early detection, pero ‘yung end tunnel natin sa pagda-diagnose is still the medical practitioners,” said Sophia Lanuzo, an AI Engineer from InterVenn Biosciences. 

(The AI or framework that we are using for healthcare or disease detection still needs a higher being, which are the doctors, nurses, or anyone from the field. AI is just an instrument or like a bridge that helps automate early detection, but the end tunnel for diagnosis is still the medical practitioners.) 

In the Philippines, relatively few medical practitioners use AI or machine learning to help diagnose or predict disease susceptibility. With this, researchers in the country continue to develop models and examine them against various medical cases. 

Dr. Roxas-Villanueva said that Filipino researchers have access to technologies that would enable them to create models that will assist them to catch up with global advances in machine learning as a cancer diagnosis tool. Their methods are up to date and their equipment is capable of reading new algorithms that can be used in research. 

Moreover, Dr. Roxas-Villanueva affirmed that the Philippine government, specifically the DOST, is supportive of the project, as digital frontiers in AI research are one of the government's top priorities. 

In September 2022, the Department of Trade and Industry inaugurated the Center for AI Research (CAIR), which will serve as an avenue for researchers and data scientists to collaborate in AI research and development. One of the target clusters is the health and life sciences cluster. Sadly, according to a 2023 report, the AI research facility remains unfunded in the 2024 national budget.

What DARELab is doing differently

The attempt to study better ways for earlier and more convenient disease detection is not new. 

Various genome-wide association studies (GWAS) used statistical methods to aid in identifying significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs (pronounced "snips") are genetic variations that, although not the cause of disorders, can be associated with a disease. Scientists who explore early detection methods, like the DARELab team, look for SNPs that affect a person’s genetic tendency to develop a disease.

However, Dr. Roxas-Villanueva and her team claimed that GWAS are not a hundred percent accurate all the time due to various deficiencies. This includes the inability to detect SNPs of modest effects and the lack of consideration for SNP-SNP interactions, which are both vital in disease development and progression. 

Sa GWAS kasi, tine-take mo ‘yung SNPs individually, pero may possibility kasi ‘yung disease is due to interaction of multiple SNPs. Kapag clustering approach, mas makikita mo ‘yung interaction mo between the SNPs,” said Dr. Roxas-Villanueva. 

(In GWAS, SNPs are tested individually. However, there is a possibility that the disease is due to the interaction of multiple SNPs. When the clustering approach is used, you will be able to test interactions between SNPs.)

With this, DARELab took the detection of disease-associated SNPs to the next level by using the integration of GWAS and two machine learning approaches:cluster analysis and random forest. 

Here’s what happens

The researchers produced an architecture of the proposed framework of the study to better explain the three stages of how GWAS and machine learning are combined to identify significant SNPs and SNP sets. The key processes in the framework that yield the results of the genomic track are the following:

STAGE 1. Random Forest. Random forest (RF), a machine learning algorithm, will assign scores to each SNP based on how predictive they are for the diseases. 

STAGE 2. Clustering. Highly similar SNPs will then be joined into groups or clusters using a specific similarity measure. 

STAGE 3. Association. Clusters will undergo an association test, and those that are under the set threshold value will be labeled as an SNP set that is associated with the disease. 

The results for the genomic track would then be integrated with the results of other tracks, imaging and clinical, for a more holistic and accurate disease prediction. 

Limitations 

However, like any other research endeavor, the CANDLE study faces several limitations. One is the small sample size that the models are trained in due to the nature of liver cancer cases (late detection and early death). This may affect the performance of the models, as the information that they learn is insufficient. 

Moreover, poor data quality poses challenges on the imaging track, as the models may find it difficult to detect the disease in low-quality ultrasound images.

Another limitation is the paucity or lack of studies backing up some of the methodologies used for detection, as is the case with the genomic track.

Dahil bagong method, walang masyadong magbaback-up na studies. For example, sa cluster analysis, kakaunti lang ‘yung mga related literature na gumamit nito sa pag-detect ng SNPs na related sa isang trait or sa isang disease. ‘Yung paggamit ng RF, medyo matagal na siya na study, pero yung integration na ginawa namin na RF combined with cluster analysis, bago siya," said Dr. Roxas-Villanueva. 

(Because this is a new method, there are no studies yet that back up the framework. For example, there is only a small body of literature that uses cluster analysis in detecting SNPs that are associated with a trait or a disease. RF has been used in studies for a long time already, but the integration that we have done in combining it with cluster analysis is new.)

The need for local data

One of the challenges of AI research in the Philippines is the availability of data, given the costs and long periods of collecting it. For the CANDLE project, it took a long time for the clinical and genomic data of Filipino samples (internal data) to be derived. While waiting for data completion, an external dataset (from a Korean cohort) was used.

“Since trained ‘yung models natin sa Korean population, pwedeng mag-introduce ng bias ‘pag itetest natin siya on another population. So need nating mag-retrain for the Filipino population, para ma-eliminate yung bias sa dataset and ‘di siya mag-result sa model na may mababang accuracy or may mataas na error in generalizability,” stated Villanueva, explaining that the model is aimed to have good generalizability, or the ability to adapt to new and unseen datasets. 

(Since our models were trained using the Korean population, there can be a bias when testing another population. We need to retrain for the Filipino population to eliminate the bias in the dataset, and to avoid huge error in generalizability or the inaccuracy of the model.)

As of September 2023, data collection for all tracks is complete and all samples are in.

Breakthroughs and what’s to come

In its third and final year, Dr. Roxas-Villanueva reported that DARELab has already acquired a computer server, which serves as a repository for its clinical and genomic data and the sonograms. 

Moreover, for clinical, genomic, ultrasound, and multi-modal data, the team also created several machine-learning and deep-learning models. One of the final products of the project, the Philippine Liver Cancer Data Repository (PLCDR), an AI-driven web computational platform, is about 60% finished. Data, particularly clinical data, can already be uploaded to and downloaded from the web app.

For the remainder of 2023, its goal was to work on the integration of the developed AI models from each track to the PLCDR. 

From the laboratory to the people

AI technology in the early detection of liver cancer, and even AI technology itself, is relatively new to Filipinos. The CANDLE researchers recognize and find valid the possible skepticism that people may have for AI in healthcare and the potential preference for traditional methods of disease detection. They see awareness-raising as a solution to this possible lack of receptiveness.

Kung i-integrate mo ‘tong AI sa clinical settings, dapat aware yung public ng kung pa’no ba gumagana itong AI na ito,” said Silva. 

(If you will integrate AI into clinical settings, the public should be aware of how this AI technology works.) 

Silva added that, when integrating AI within the clinical setting, various sectors, such as the developers, doctors, patients from whom the sample is generated, the government, and the media, should be involved to increase public trust for emerging technologies such as AI.

If this project becomes successful, months from now, we may be seeing Filipino doctors utilizing the CANDLE project’s application in the detection of liver cancer, a significant milestone that can help in early intervention and in decreasing its death rate.—MF


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Sun's out, root's out? This cave plant feeds bugs and other arthropods https://www.flipscience.ph/plants-and-animals/cave-plant-balanophora-feeds-arthropods/ Mon, 08 Jan 2024 08:09:05 +0000 https://www.flipscience.ph/?p=14731 Balanophora abbreviata, cave plant, Quezon Province, aimee lynn dupo, cave flora, cave food web, subterranean, Balanophora
Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo/UP Los Baños

By Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo

Cave biologists have long believed that life between caves and forest ecosystems are intricately connected, with the former harboring species with specific needs provided only by the complex and minimally understood forest-cave connection.

Recently, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) NICER Caves Program researchers from the UPLB Institute of Biological Sciences and the Museum of Natural History helped shed light on some of the cave-forest interactions happening in the twilight zone of Dry Cave 1 in Tayabas, Quezon Province, Philippines.

An unexpected find

While doing a routine cave biodiversity monitoring and inventory procedure, the scientists stumbled upon a very interesting population of the holoparasitic plant identified as Balanophora abbreviata Blume.

Compared to other plants that need sunlight to live, holoparasitic plants can survive dark cave conditions because they "steal" vital nutrients and water from the plants they attach themselves to.

According to Assistant Professor Ivy Amor F. Lambio, "The Balanophora are possibly attached to the fig trees within the surrounding forested area since these trees are capable of producing long and strong roots that dig deep in rocks."

Balanophora abbreviata, cave plant, Quezon Province, aimee lynn dupo
Image: Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo/UP Los Baños

Thriving even in darkness

Entomologists of the NICER Caves program also noted the existence of various arthropods like crickets, huntsman spiders, ants, and cockroaches in and within the vicinity of the plant clumps, pointing to the possible role of B. abbreviata as part of the food web within Dry Cave I.

As project leader Dr. Ireneo L. Lit Jr. explains, "Our findings show that B. abbreviata somehow connects the underground habitat with the outside environment, enabling cave-dwelling organisms access to food resources without leaving the cave."

Arthropod cave residents, particularly those that love guano, source out their food, meaning they depend on things from outside their bodies for energy and nutrients. The occurrence of a Balanophora species inside a cave, although not strictly an autotroph, "offers an enlightening piece to the complex food web puzzle of cave organisms, especially arthropods," Dr. Lit adds. —MF


About the Author: Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo is a professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, where she also serves as the curator for moths and spiders at the Museum of Natural History. A seasoned entomologist and araneologist who has done extensive research on various arthropods in the Philippines, she describes herself as a scientist who was raised by scientists, and never forgot the wonders of playing with insects and spiders.

Reference

  • Lambio, I. A. F., Alviola, M. S., Lucañas, C. C., Barrion-Dupo, A. L. A., Duran, C. F. D., Cammayo, M. F. K. M., Taray, K. J., Eusebio, O. L., & Lit Jr., I. L. (2023). First cavernicolous record of the holoparasitic Balanophora abbreviata Blume (Balanophoraceae), from Tayabas, Quezon, Philippines. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2023.11.012

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Systemic lupus erythematosus in the Philippines: it's time to talk about this oft-overlooked disease https://www.flipscience.ph/health/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-sle-philippines/ Sun, 07 Jan 2024 08:09:01 +0000 https://www.flipscience.ph/?p=14695 SLE, Lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus
Nick Youngson/Pix4free

By Abigail L. Tan

What would you do if, right in the middle of a global pandemic, the medicine that you rely on daily to keep your organs functioning properly suddenly became very hard to get? As you scour through both physical and online drug stores, the sudden scarcity makes you more desperate, and so you try asking your doctor. Unfortunately, even your doctor can't help you out because this medicine is only produced overseas.

This was exactly what happened to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — the disease most people think about when they hear the word "lupus" — in 2020. Alongside other anti-malarial drugs, a previously lesser-known medicine called hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) was endorsed by various news outlets, politicians, and other famous personalities for treating COVID-19, even though there was no clinical basis for the claims. It became so popular almost instantly that people who did not even need it began to hoard it, much to the dismay of the SLE patients who depended on it for their lives. This heavy blow came to one of the most vulnerable populations during the height of the pandemic, whose condition made them more susceptible to the virus.

Filipino SLE patients also had a hard time accessing this medicine because of the resulting worldwide shortage, adding to the already-considerable weight of their daily health burdens.

Chronic vulnerability: the sad reality of overlooked Filipino SLE patients

SLE is a chronic autoimmune illness that can affect a patient’s body in a variety of ways. This disease has no known cure, and when it is active, the immune system attacks healthy cells instead of protecting them. This causes pain and damage to the organs, including major organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

The cause of the disease is unknown, but many factors like exposure to the sun, the summer season, stress, hormones, other infections, personal diet, intake of herbal medication, and even cosmetics have been identified as triggers. Before the disease becomes active, otherwise known as a lupus flare, patients can also experience symptoms like body pain, rashes, oral sores, and hair loss.

Around the world, there are approximately 5 million people suffering from lupus, and about 70% of these are cases of SLE. Research has also revealed that women are more likely to suffer from SLE, regardless of age and race. In Asia, SLE affects 30 to 50 of every 100,000 people. The disease manifestations of SLE also appear to be more common and severe among Asians, Hispanics, and African-Americans. The leading causes of death among Asian SLE patients are infections, active SLE, and cardiovascular issues. For Filipino SLE patients, the 5-year survival rate is 88%.

Patients with SLE can still have a better quality of life with early diagnosis and proper disease management. The specific medication needed by patients depends on the organs affected. However, anti-malarial drugs like HCQ are so essential for survival that they are needed by SLE patients despite the status of their flare. So whether or not they have active SLE, they are still usually prescribed this medicine for maintenance.

A heavy cross to bear: the hidden burdens of SLE

Misdiagnosis

Early diagnosis with proper medication is necessary to improve an SLE patient's quality of life. However, since the symptoms SLE patients experience are also commonly found in other diseases and because different organs are affected depending on the patient, a proper diagnosis is challenging. Due to misdiagnosis, the current data on the disease is inaccurate. Moreover, Filipino SLE patients are typically misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed; hence, there is no reliable prevalence data about SLE.

Psychosocial and financial burden

SLE patients who are already struggling financially have an additional burden due to the cost of medication and possible functional disability (which can also affect their ability to secure employment). Unsurprisingly, mortality rates for poor SLE patients are higher due to accumulated damage from SLE.

The financial burden for Filipino SLE patients is particularly heavy, especially for those who are economically deprived. The current minimum daily wage in the Philippines ranges from PHP 271.24 to PHP 500.44, depending on the region. Another factor is if the individual belongs to the non-agricultural or agricultural sector, with the latter having lower rates.

The most basic medication needed by SLE patients with active flares or who are in remission is HCQ, which may cost anywhere from PHP 56.75 to PHP 95.25 for a 200 mg tablet (depending on the brand and pharmacy). HCQ needs to be taken daily, with varying dosages depending on the individual patients (some take more than 1 tablet per day). In other words, a single tablet can take up between 11% and 21% of the daily wage of a Filipino minimum-wage earner with SLE -- and that doesn't include other types of medicine that patients with a more severe progression of SLE may also need.

Some patients who have a Persons With Disability (PWD) ID card can get a discount of up to 20% on their medicine. However, not all SLE patients are eligible for a PWD card, because even though they need to take maintenance medication for their condition, their symptoms are not part of the list of disabilities approved by the Department of Health (DOH) for eligibility.

Policies supporting Filipino SLE patients

In 2010, Senator Manuel Lapid filed the Comprehensive Systematic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) Disease Prevention Act of 2010 (Senate Bill No. 989), which still remains pending to date.

A more recent bill, the Comprehensive Lupus Prevention Act 2018 (Senate Bill No. 2070), was filed by Senator Nancy Binay. The bill outlines strategies that could address the issues and concerns surrounding SLE patient support in the country, such as the promotion of research and collaboration on lupus country statistics through an annual survey for prevalence and incidence of SLE in the Philippines. Another strategy is the establishment of a national program for lupus awareness, prevention, support, and treatment by the DOH.

Programs and services for SLE patients are also indicated in the bill, including orientation and counseling for patients, a national and regional referral system to improve service delivery, publication of results and initiatives for transparency, training for health workers, establishment of an information monitoring system dedicated to statistics on SLE in the Philippines, and protecting patient rights against forced administration of treatment. However, this bill has also yet to be passed.

Support groups for Filipino SLE patients

Even though SLE patients in the Philippines are still not receiving adequate support from the government, there are existing local groups, albeit few, that recognize the plight of Filipino SLE patients.

The Lupus Support Group Philippines [LSGP] Facebook group has over 3,200 members who are patients or relatives of patients with SLE and other chronic illnesses. Another organization providing support for Filipino SLE patients is the Hope for Lupus Foundation, Inc., a local non-profit organization whose goal is to increase awareness about lupus so that patients can be diagnosed early and given proper treatment. This foundation was established in 2016 by Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, a lupus patient who spent years suffering from symptoms without being properly diagnosed, alongside two other patients and two rheumatologists.

Through these social support programs, reliable information about SLE and disease management can be disseminated to both SLE patients and their relatives. The inclusion of patient relatives in this discussion underscores the importance of social support in the self-management of chronic illnesses, which is essential in promoting positive health outcomes for the patient.

As we hope for a better and healthier future for Filipino SLE patients, raising awareness and facilitating inclusive discourse may seem cliché. But understanding the Filipino SLE patients’ journey in navigating life with this chronic illness goes a long way. Creating a network of people who care enough to empathize with and support patients and their relatives can help ease psychosocial and mental stress by providing them with a supportive environment.—MF


About the author: Abigail L. Tan is a Deakin University alumna under the Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion degree. She is a health promotion practitioner and research consultant from EpiMetrics, Inc. working on different public health research projects in partnership with organizations like the Department of Health, World Health Organization, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Institute for Development Studies. She also works at Ateneo de Manila University as part-time faculty in the Health Sciences program, and is the Executive Director of T3 Foundation Inc.

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