Research

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

21 Apr 2026

Areas of the Abra River watershed, particularly near human settlements, show signs of declining ecological health

The Abra River Basin and its associated watershed is one of the 18 major river systems in the country, flowing...

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17 Apr 2026

A community health club has seen improvements in the number of members with hypertension but not in those with diabetes

From 2013 to 2021, the UP Manila Community Health and Development Program partnered with the province of Cavite and its...

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16 Apr 2026

Tensions and disagreements within indigenous communities over representation and creative innovation influence indigenous traditional practices

Street protests led by Igorot left-wing activists feature sharp rhythms of gangsa (flat gongs), political speeches over loudspeakers, and chants...

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15 Apr 2026

Clear communication, strong mentorship, and approachable faculty help reduce student stress and enhance engagement

College students in health-related courses, like medicine, nursing, and occupational and physical therapy, often deal with stress, burnout, and mental...

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14 Apr 2026

Study examines the latest Small Modular Reactor technologies and which designs may be considered for use in the Philippines

As the Philippines continues to grow, our need for electricity is also increasing. At the same time, our natural gas...

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10 Apr 2026

Using machine learning, study finds that key factors influencing poverty include country, whether people live in urban or rural areas, and their level of education

Relying only on income to determine poverty is not enough to fully understand someone’s well-being. Other factors, such as where...

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08 Apr 2026

Nearly 50% of isolates of Salmonella enterica from chicken meat collected from Metro Manila markets are resistant to three or more types of antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when medicines used to treat infections no longer work effectively, often due to their overuse and...

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07 Apr 2026

Plant-based milk alternatives have lower caloric, fat, and cholesterol content than dairy milk but often contain more sugar and sodium

The global market for plant-based milk alternatives (PBMiAs) is projected to grow steadily, reaching an estimated USD 30 billion by...

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06 Apr 2026

Many Filipinos lack full awareness of colorectal cancer, its risk factors, and screening options

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadliest malignancies in the Philippines. However, it can be prevented...

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01 Apr 2026

Gaps in a city’s urban landscape, also known as urban voids, have the potential to drive urban revitalization

Suburbanisation is the expansion and spatial reorganization of a growing metropolitan region. For Davao City, this phenomenon has notably damaged...

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31 Mar 2026

Study examines ethnomedicinal evidence on 97 plants traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the world’s 18 mega-biodiverse countries, accounting for two-thirds of global biodiversity and 70-80% of plant...

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30 Mar 2026

New method enables more reliable skin cancer detection by automatically predicting skin lesion types with greater accuracy

Skin cancer is one of the most common and dangerous cancers globally, but early detection can significantly reduce mortality rates....

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Research

Thyroid conditions affect millions of people worldwide and can greatly affect daily life. Since managing these conditions usually takes a long time, having support from others — especially emotional and informational support — is very important. With the rise of social media, platforms like Facebook have become important spaces for people to share health experiences and support each other.

This study looked at how Facebook users interact on an endocrinologist-moderated Facebook page called the “Endocrine Witch.” The goal was to understand what kind of support patients are giving and receiving through their comments. By analyzing 4,327 comments from January 2019 to March 2023, researchers found three main types of posts: health-related questions and information, personal stories, and messages to the page moderator.

Health-related comments included questions about symptoms, treatments, tests, and clinic hours. Personal comments involved users sharing their experiences, reacting to others’ stories, and encouraging friends to follow the page. Many also expressed thanks to the doctor for providing clear and helpful information.

These findings show that social media, especially when guided by a healthcare professional, can be a powerful tool for both emotional support and trusted health advice. For people living with long-term conditions like thyroid disease, these online communities offer connection, encouragement, and reliable information. Doctors participating in these platforms can make the experience even more beneficial for patients. The study highlights the growing role of social media in healthcare and the value of understanding how patients use it to manage their health.

Authors: Robbi Miguel G. Falcon (College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila), Hannah G. Babaran (College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila), Beatrice Dominique B. Caragay (College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila), Rianna Patricia S. Cruz (College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila), Alyssa Nadine A. Ferrer (College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila), Bryan Allen Q. Gonzalez (College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila) and Iris Thiele C. Isip-Tan (Medical Informatics Unit, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila | Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-025-04255-2