The ubiquity of microplastics in our environment presents a growing concern. Such is the breadth of the issue that microplastics have now reached Mount Everest, one of the most remote places on Earth. These miniscule particles can now be found even inside the stomachs of animals and consequently, humans. Though tiny plastic particles are one…
Author: Kenneth Edward Tan
If you have been on the internet for the past year, you have probably heard of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs are digital assets that represent ownership of unique items, which lets users earn up to millions of dollars by selling digital items and collectibles such as digital art, basketball video clips, or virtual properties. However,…
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, 5G, or the fifth-generation wireless cellular technology, still managed to expand globally. China became the country with the highest 5G subscription penetration, reaching 11 percent of its mobile subscription base, as stated in the November 2020 Ericsson Mobility Report. Telecommunication service providers (TSPs) and consumer electronics companies around the world…
From October to November 2020, four typhoons made landfall in the Philippines. Already in an economic and social slump brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the country was spared no destruction by Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) and Super Typhoon Rolly (Goni) in particular, which dealt P19 billion and P17.9 billion in damages, respectively, according to the…
What currently stands as the largest contributor to the world’s carbon emissions is energy generation, a sector dominated by fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil. Despite being non-renewable, these extracts are constantly being exhausted, which is worrying as they supply a majority of the world’s energy. While various forms of renewable energy (RE)—energy…
To protect against certain infectious diseases, the immune system must be able to recognize and attack certain pathogens or disease-causing microorganisms. This can typically be acquired through either natural immunity—where one contracts the disease, generates a sufficient immune response, and remembers how to fight it—or vaccination, a type of medical intervention that aims to train…
“Rabies has a fatality rate of almost 100 percent…It is responsible for the death of about 200 to 300 Filipinos every year,” emphasizes Dr. Ronaldo Quintana, program manager of the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP) of the Department of Health (DOH) Infectious Disease Office. The disease in question causes the inflammation of the…
A haven of biodiversity, the Philippines is home to 645 endangered and threatened species—like the Philippine eagle or the Mindoro dwarf buffalo, whose population numbers are dwindling rapidly—due to various factors such as habitat loss and human exploitation. Wildlife sanctuaries are vital in carrying out animal conservation and preservation efforts. These serve as a refuge…
Infectious disease is a constant companion to societies, propelling research and innovation to understand its transmission and prevention, and assess distribution of health resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has characterized the scientific foundations behind vaccines and its underlying issues to empower the public during a health crisis. These conversations were enriched by COVID-19 Vaccine: The Race…
Stereotypes water down the complex narratives hidden in every person in favor of prevailing societal perceptions, and scientists are no exception. In media, experts in fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are usually portrayed as glorious inventors and spotless, laboratory coat-wearing white men. This gives an impression that, despite their presence in such…