Research

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

24 Nov 2025

The sedimentary rocks in the Central Cordillera, formed about 33–17 million years ago, came from volcanic rocks produced by an underwater volcanic region

Approximately 90% sedimentary rocks cover the Earth’s surface. These rocks are formed from the erosion and weathering of pre-existing rocks....

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21 Nov 2025

A guitar-based program resulted in improvements in hand function among stroke patients comparable to those from conventional therapy

This study aims to determine the effects of guitar lessons (intervention group) in comparison to conventional occupational therapy sessions (control...

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20 Nov 2025

The commemoration of Juan Luna as a nationalist illustrates the dynamic and selective nature of public memory

This paper examines the creation and configuration of public memory in the Philippines by studying the case of Juan Luna....

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19 Nov 2025

Except for changes in the settings featuring women and men, gender portrayals in TV ads in 2010 and 2020 remained largely stereotypical

This study compares Philippine television advertisements in 2010 and 2020 to examine possible differences in gender representation. We conducted a...

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17 Nov 2025

Young adults face many personal conflicts rooted in the belief that personal gain at others’ expense is morally wrong

This study examined how Filipinos in their 20s use different moral discourses to negotiate their personal conflicts. Many conflicts centered...

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14 Nov 2025

Two in five individuals do not want to live in socialized housing, saying the units are too small, poor in quality, and still unaffordable

The most common housing concerns in the Philippines are affordability and supply. In response, the government divided the housing market...

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13 Nov 2025

Evidence shows that during the Pleistocene, Luzon—long thought to lack native large mammalian carnivores—was home to a sizeable predator

Fossils are preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, often turned to rock. Body fossils include parts like shells, teeth,...

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12 Nov 2025

Some communities in Los Baños, Laguna still face challenges in accessing safe and clean drinking water

Due to rising costs or the inaccessibility of commercial water, many rural communities rely on artesian well (“poso”) water as...

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11 Nov 2025

Walkability in urban cities should also consider the varying accessibility needs of people of all ages

Cities are meant to be places where people can easily access everything they need within a short walk or bike...

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24 Oct 2025

A new approach to volunteerism encourages schools to treat volunteer activities as long-term commitments

This research explored the motivations of students as a basis for deeper and more meaningful engagement among educational institutions in...

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23 Oct 2025

Gay and bisexual teachers in rural schools need clear policies that protect LGBT educators

This research explored the experiences of gay and bisexual teachers working in rural schools in the Philippines. It involved interviews...

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22 Oct 2025

Fishing communities in Taliptip, Bulakan face risks from natural hazards and the New Manila International Airport project

The New Manila International Airport (NMIA), currently under construction in Taliptip, Bulakan along the shores of Manila Bay, is intended...

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Research

This study explored the tiny algae called Pinnularia—a group of microscopic organisms known as diatoms—in the Marikina River, which flows through the eastern part of Metro Manila. Using a microscope, scientists identified 17 different kinds of Pinnularia living in the river. Out of these, 13 have never been officially recorded in the Philippines before, making them new additions to the country’s list of known freshwater diatoms. Collected from various sections of the river spanning upstream to downstream areas, which encompass a range of land uses within the watershed, each species was carefully described with in-depth taxonomic descriptions and habitat data. While most species identified are cosmopolitan, the presence of Pinnularia divergens var. mesoleptiformis, previously known only from tropical South America, adds a valuable biogeographic insight and may suggest broader distribution patterns or long-distance dispersal events.

These microscopic organisms are important because they can help scientists understand the health of freshwater ecosystems. Thus, this research not only adds to what we know about the biodiversity of the Marikina River, but also helps build a scientific foundation for future studies on water quality, river health, and environmental protection in the Philippines.

This study holds importance as it presents the first comprehensive taxonomic examination of the diatom genus Pinnularia Ehrenberg in the Philippines. Through detailed morphological analysis, a total of 17 taxa were identified from the Marikina River, including three unidentified forms, thereby bringing the total number of known Pinnularia taxa in the country to 57 based on updated nomenclature from Guiry and Guiry (2024) and Kociolek et al. (2024). Overall, this study not only contributes to the enrichment of the global inventory of freshwater diatoms but also establishes a crucial baseline for future ecological, biogeographic, and applied research involving diatoms in the Philippines.

Authors: Milagrosa R. Martinez-Goss (Institute of Biological Sciences, and Museum of Natural History,
University of the Philippines Los Baños), Taisuke Ohtsuka (Lake Biwa Museum), Eldrin DLR. Arguelles (Philippine National Collection of Microorganisms, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Tohru Ikeya (Research Institute for Humanity and Nature | College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University), Elfritzson M. Peralta (Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas), Rey Donne S. Papa (Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas) and Noboru Okuda (Research Institute for Humanity and Nature | Research Center for Inland Seas, Kobe University)

Read the full paper: https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/annotated-checklist-and-illustrations-of-pinnularia-species-in-the-marikina-river-rizal-luzon-the-philippines/