Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

06 Oct 2023

UP Los Baños

Online learning had adverse effects on the well-being and mental health of STEM students

This research adds to the growing body of literature pertaining to the extent and consequences of fully online
learning to Science,...

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05 Oct 2023

UP Manila

Teachers are still hesitant to talk about sex education due to cultural and religious factors

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) enables children and young people to learn about the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social characteristics of...

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02 Oct 2023

UP Manila

Smart-city projects will not “reduce inequality, hold policymakers accountable or address the root causes of Manila’s problems”

The Philippines is said to fall behind when it comes to adopting digital technologies and urged to catch up with...

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14 Sep 2023

UP Diliman

The location and number of language areas in the brain differ among multilingual brain tumor patients

The location of the speech area in the brain may be different or located in several sites in patients who...

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05 Sep 2023

UP Los Baños

Agent-based model reveals a sustainable method of forest tree harvesting

The Philippines requires 6 million cubic meters of wood annually, based on its 2006–2014 average wood consumption. However, due to...

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29 Aug 2023

UP Diliman

Adjusting the rice cropping calendar can improve the production and income of rice farmers

The study assessed the impact of an adjusted cropping calendar on the welfare of rice farming households in the  Mekong...

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15 Aug 2023

UP System

Study reports the first cases of yaws, a chronic and highly contagious skin and bone infection, among the Aetas of Quezon

Yaws is a chronic, highly contagious skin and bone infection caused by a bacteria, Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue, usually affecting...

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09 Aug 2023

UP Los Baños

Villages with a large population of women, older persons and agricultural households are most exposed to drought risk

Islands are highly vulnerable to natural disasters and extreme weather events due to their physical size, remoteness, and limited resources....

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04 Aug 2023

UP System

Continuing ignition practices have transformed Tau-Buhid Indigenous lands into “territories of fire”

The article challenges the assumption that land tenure is contingent on acquiring a land title. It argues that for Indigenous...

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02 Aug 2023

UP Los Baños

Occupational therapists can be tapped to design age-friendly cities and communities

Urban planning for age-friendly environments is an important issue, and occupational therapists and occupational scientists could contribute to planning such...

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31 Jul 2023

UP Manila

Injuries suffered by workers on the job such as from falls and contact with sharp objects had been fatal

Although Occupational Health and Safety has been introduced as early as 1971, the protection of workers remained insufficient globally as...

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27 Jul 2023

UP Cebu

Human population growth threatens the largest and only protected key biodiversity area in Cebu Island

The continuing pressure on the natural environment exerted by human activities such as land conversion has been threatening to drive...

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Research

The genus Rafflesia, which includes the world’s largest flowers, has aroused curiosity among scientists for centuries and features prominently in local culture across Southeast Asia. The plant has long been used in ethnobotanical medicine and, more recently, as a source of revenue from ecotourism. But despite its acclaim, Rafflesia remains poorly understood in many respects. Taxonomy is disputed, new species are described each year, and the plant has proven recalcitrant to cultivation. This has hindered conservation, and most of the 42 known species are now severely threatened, yet only one is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is estimated that 60% of Rafflesia species face a severe risk of extinction (equivalent to Critically Endangered [CR]). Moreover, it is predicted that at least 67% of known habitats fall outside protected areas, exacerbating their vulnerability. Alarmingly, recent observations suggest taxa are still being eradicated before they are even known to science. The researchers present recent scientific discoveries and probable extinctions and highlight case studies of conservation success, with a focus on the role of local people. They propose a multi- pronged conservation approach combining strengthened taxonomy, ex situ propagation, ecotourism, and an extension of protected areas. The authors suggest action devolved to local communities and awareness campaigns linked to social media networks will be crucial outside of protected jurisdictions. Finally, they propose to establish Rafflesia as a new icon for plant conservation in the Asian tropics. A combined approach might just save some of the world’s most remarkable flowers, most of which are now on the brink of being lost.

Significance

The paper emphasizes the critical need for urgent conservation measures to safeguard the world’s largest flowers, the Rafflesia genus, as the majority of its 42 known species teeter on the brink of extinction. With the Philippines as the center of Rafflesia diversity, hosting 15 known species, it serves as an important area for future research focus. The study highlights the need for a holistic conservation approach, encompassing habitat preservation and the empowerment of local community action groups, while advocating for Rafflesia as a potential emblem for conservation endeavors in the Asian tropics. Furthermore, the paper provides essential data on the provisional conservation status of all species, including factors like geographic range (e.g., EOO and AOO), which should serve as crucial input for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, rectifying the current underrepresentation of Rafflesiaceae. In essence, the paper sheds light on the precarious plight of Rafflesia species, urging immediate action for their protection and underscoring the significance of habitat preservation, community engagement, and the recognition of Rafflesia as a symbol of conservation. Its findings have the potential to significantly enrich ongoing conservation efforts and offer invaluable insights for the IUCN Red List.

Read the full paper: https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ppp3.10431