Research

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

04 Mar 2026

There are some cases where individuals can reasonably believe in claims of miraculous events

When people claim that a miracle has happened—like someone suddenly healing from an incurable illness or holy bread turning into...

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03 Mar 2026

Indigenous myths are closely connected to the lived experiences and ongoing struggle of the Lumad for self-determination

Myths that involve sacred spaces largely make up local knowledge among Indigenous Peoples across continents. Often, these myths are dismissed...

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02 Mar 2026

Study uses machine learning to predict whether a patient is intoxicated due to pesticide exposure

In response to a growing human population, greater attempts to correspondingly increase agricultural production become necessary. To boost crop production,...

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27 Feb 2026

Researchers use ChatGPT in their writing mainly out of trust in the technology than perceived usefulness

ChatGPT has attracted the attention of the scientific community. Unlike existing writing tools that are conventionally capable of checking styles,...

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26 Feb 2026

Croplands in Tarlac have been reduced due to their conversion into farms for solar power plants

Clean energy, such as solar power, is an important solution for reducing carbon emissions and ensuring a stable energy supply....

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25 Feb 2026

Films function as visual records of national violence and their inclusion in cinematic archives is crucial to preserve historical memory

This research revisits the discourses surrounding films about the regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. It proposes the employment...

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24 Feb 2026

Scientists develop a model that shows how heat moves during femtosecond pulsed laser ablation

Imagine a laser so fast, it can zap tiny bits of metal in the blink of an eye. This process,...

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23 Feb 2026

Density is not only experienced by residents but also actively produced through their discursive and material practices

While there is a long and varied history of research on urban density, there is little work examining how
high-density urbanism...

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20 Feb 2026

Nine plant species in the beach forest of Hijo in Davao del Norte are considered threatened

Philippine flora, noted for its high levels of endemism, is increasingly threatened by deforestation, climate change, illegal logging, and infrastructure...

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19 Feb 2026

ASEAN would benefit from a shared regulatory framework for business competition, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence

Big tech companies are facing more and more scrutiny over their business practices, especially in the US and Europe, where...

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18 Feb 2026

A comprehensive approach to landfill management is essential to enhancing urban resilience in the context of climate change

In 2050, the global waste levels are expected to rise by 69% from 2016 levels, reaching 3.4 billion tons. Unfortunately,...

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16 Feb 2026

New mechanical cacao bean huller achieves high-efficiency separation with high-purity nib output

Cacao beans are the key ingredients in making chocolate, and their quality and processing efficiency greatly affect the taste and...

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Research

The genus Rusa, native to South and Southeast Asia, lives in diverse habitats ranging from dense forests to grasslands. Among its members is the Visayan spotted deer, also known as the Philippine spotted deer and Rusa alfredi, one of three endemic species in the Philippines. It is a highly rare and endangered species indigenous to the Visayan Islands, a region considered a top conservation priority due to its many threatened endemic species and the severe risks to its habitats. The Visayan spotted deer is characterized by its soft, dark brown coat and distinct nominal spots. It once played a crucial role as an herbivore in influencing vegetation dynamics. However, its disappearance from most areas makes it difficult to fully determine its historical ecological impact. R. alfredi has been classified as endangered in the Red List of Endangered Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 1988. It is estimated that only 700 mature individuals were in the wild as of 2016. More broadly, the genus Rusa is experiencing a rapid decline in biodiversity worldwide and is facing a high risk of global extinction.

Despite its importance to local ecosystems, little is known about the genetics of the Visayan spotted deer, which is crucial for understanding its survival and conservation needs. In this study, we created the first draft genetic map (or “genome”) for this species, providing a comprehensive set of its genetic instructions. This genome, named RusAlf_1.1, contains over 24,000 genes and encompasses more than 95% of the expected genetic material for mammals, making it a high-quality resource for researchers. By comparing this genome to those of other deer, we found that the Visayan spotted deer is closely related to species in the Cervus group, such as the Red Deer. This information will help conservationists track genetic diversity, identify unique adaptations, and improve breeding programs, ensuring a healthier, more resilient population. The genome is critical to protecting this unique species from extinction.

Authors: Ma. Carmel F. Javier (Philippine Genome Center Visayas, University of the Philippines Visayas), Albert C. Noblezada (Philippine Genome Center Visayas, University of the Philippines Visayas), Persie Mark Q. Sienes (Biology Department, Silliman University), Robert S. Guino-o (Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, Silliman University), Nadia Palomar-Abesamis (Biology Department, Silliman University), Maria Celia D. Malay (Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman), Carmelo S. del Castillo (Institute of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas | National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines Visayas) and Victor Marco Emmanuel N. Ferriols (Philippine Genome Center Visayas, University of the Philippines Visayas | Institute of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas)

Read the full paper: https://gigabytejournal.com/articles/150?fbclid=IwY2xjawIuIY5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXYBX6eGtjXnpIF2sKdnTWVtrVj_PK0M6MMFdtunoX2cT0wN-FYYcLpqaQ_aem_2rMyZCQgCZntaUlc7XyEow

You can read more about the research in this feature by the UP System Media and Communication Office: https://up.edu.ph/up-su-gene-scientists-share-groundbreaking-draft-genome-of-endangered-visayan-spotted-deer/

Image by Leandro Cabrera