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Deconstructing sustainability, food wastage concerns of unli-KBBQ establishments

Every year, approximately a third of the world’s food is lost or thrown away, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.  In the Philippines, efforts to reduce food waste have been initiated but not all have been successful. Although Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,…

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Afflicted: Examining the re-emergence, outbreak of infectious diseases

“The only protection [a] community can have is [through] vaccination,” pushes Assistant Regional Director III Dr. Ma. Paz Corrales, from the Department of Health’s (DOH) National Capital Region Office, referencing the last September’s poliomyelitis outbreak. The Philippines had been polio-free for 19 years—until a new case suddenly emerged in 2019. Now, with eight confirmed cases…

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Restless nights: Dealing with sleep deprivation

It has become a common reality for undergraduate students to sacrifice hours of sleep. Reasons could range from staying up to accomplish school work, getting home late because of traffic conditions, or simply spending time on social media, video games, or other hobbies. Such are the reasons for sleep loss that were recurrently cited by…

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New year, new resolutions: Misconceptions and tips on switching to healthier lifestyles

The new year can signal a fresh start for some individuals. Yearning to try something new, people might begin looking toward changing something about them. Their quests could range from learning a new skill, like playing the piano, to changing their appearance, by losing weight. Yet in trying to achieve their goals, hindrances would often…

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Harnessing technology: Illegal wildlife trade in the digital age

“We live in the Anthropocene, an era where humans are modifying landscapes at unprecedented rates. We are—because of our demand for land—taking land from nature, transforming natural habitats [of other species] for [our own benefit].”  This was what Dr. Enrico Di Minin, one of the leading scientists from the University of Helsinki in Finland, warned…

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Uneasy and unrest: Ongoing effects of Taal Volcano’s eruption

When hot liquefied rocks called magma emerge out of an opening on the earth’s crust, this phenomenon becomes known as lava as it rises to the surface. Seeping to the outer reaches of the landmass, it cools off into the surrounding area, dries up, and forms a new landmass. The creation of volcanoes belies their…

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Language learning: Not as easy as ABC

The increasingly globalized world has allowed cultures and languages to transcend borders; from Hollywood to K-pop to anime, we consume foreign media often without batting an eye. With more exposure to foreign languages than at any other point in human history, mixed-language contexts are normal scenarios in our everyday lives.  Our exposure to other languages…

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To Science!: The decade-closing 2019 in retrograde

Every year, innovations, breakthroughs, and discoveries are recognized in different fields of Science and Technology. This year has been bountiful in terms of scientific achievements—both at the international and local level—that further bolster our grasp of the world and our ability to solve various problems like world hunger, climate change, and sustainability.  This year marks…

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Looking back on Barretto’s giant Apolaki caldera discovery

A caldera, which means cauldron in Spanish, refers to a hollow volcanic feature formed by the collapse of a volcano’s peak. While a caldera may only be viewed as an aftermath of a volcanic eruption, it has become the topic of widespread research—primarily to determine the possibility for these structures to cause natural disasters like…

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Well-deserved recognition: Remembering the Nobel Prize 2019 scientist awardees

Annually, the scientific community would anticipate the announcement of the newest recipients of the Nobel Prize. First awarded in 1901, the award was established as part of the will of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist and businessman, and recognized people who made outstanding contributions to the fields of Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine, Economics, Literature,…