PNHRS

: Latest News; 29 November 2016; Hits: 2993

DOST holds 2nd Balik Scientist Program (BSP) Convention, tackles agriculture, industry, and health researches

PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA- Filipino research efforts received another major boost as the three councils of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conducted the 2^nd Balik Scientist Program (BSP) Convention on 18 November 2016 at Hotel Jen Manila.

Dr. Jaime Montoya with speakers and moderator of the "Health Sciences" parallel session.

With the theme “Strengthening Science, Technology, and Innovation Capacity for Sustainable Countryside Development,” the Convention aims to provide updates on the recent technologies or researches in the areas of health, agriculture, aquatic, industry, and energy, as well as engage new stakeholders and potential institutions in the availment, development, and improvement of the program.

Three parallel sessions on “Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources,” “Health Sciences,” and “Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology” were held.

Following were the topics discussed:

Aquatic Health Management: Challenges for Aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific Region
Hybrids and Chimeras: Strain Improvement in Commercially Valuable Seaweeds
Exploring Philippine Biodiversity for Anti-senescent Interventions
The Efficacy of Medicinal Plants on Allergic Contact Dermatitis using Trinotrocholorobenzene (TNCB)-induced Contact Hypersensitivity (CHS) Mouse Model
Current Trends in Plasma Science and Technology Research
Developing a Feature-based Approach for Estimating Damage to Urban Areas Based on Analyzing Building Models in Virtual City

Speakers included Dr. Eduardo Leaño of Aquatic Animal Health Programme Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, Dr. Michael Velarde of Buck Institute for Research Aging, Dr. Hernando Salapare of Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, Dr. Michael Roleda of BioForsk-Norwegian Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research, Dr. Reginald Salonga of Mejio University, and Dr. Pher Errol Quinay of Niigata University.

DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña emphasized the importance of Balik Scientist Program in the country reiterating that it is one of the solutions to brain drain. “I would like to see the local government undertaking their own S&T programs. The BSP can help,” he added.

The 2^nd Convention was headed by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Office of the Undersecretary for Research and Development. n

: Latest News; 18 November 2016; Hits: 5156

OL Trap tech among R&D 100 Awards finalists

The Ovicidal/Larvicidal (OL) Trap System, a local technology that targets the control of the dengue-causing Aedes aegypti population, was chosen as one of the R&D 100 Awards finalists by the R&D Magazine in their October 2016 Special Issue.

The R&D 100 Awards honors leading companies, technologies, and products that are considered game changers in their respective fields. In this year’s list, R&D Magazine chose to honor 100 technologies that are deemed to have great contributions to S&T development. In her editorial article, Bea Riemschneider, R&D Magazine Editorial Director, said that the list features top innovations that have created “lasting impact” to the industries.

The OL Trap technology makes use of simple and readily-available materials – black tumbler, lawanit strip, and larvicide pellets made up of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) extracts, that attracts female Aedes aegypti to lay eggs on the strip soaked in larvicide solution. The solution, when absorbed by the lawanit strip, eventually kills the egg and larvae preventing the mosquito to reach its adult stage.

OL Trap kits are already commercially-available and may be purchased in selected supermarkets nationwide.

: Latest News; 09 November 2016; Hits: 3351

Siquijadnons opt for herbal home cures vs. modern medicine

Residents of communities surrounding Mt. Bandilaan, the highest peak in Siquijor island, prefer self-medications and folk healers than a visit to the doctor when seeking medical cure.

In a study led by Dr. Josel B. Mansueto, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Siquijor State University, doctors and hospitals are considered the last treatment option for the residents of barangays San Antonio, Cantabon, Cangmatnog, and Ibabao in Siquijor. Mt. Bandilaan, being a protected nature reserve, is home to several plants species that locals often use to treat several illnesses. In a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) conducted with the community residents, it was found out that these Siquijadnons resort to self-medication and folk healing through herbal medicines because such methods are readily available and more affordable for most of them. Also, the use of these herbal plants as cures had already been proven and passed on from generations to generations. This has contributed to the respondents’ high regard for traditional medicine.

While they do not discredit the curative effects of modern medicine in treating the sick, respondents consider this as the last curative resort. In cases where the use of modern medicine cannot provide a cure for their illness, the community residents still return to herbal medication, study says.

The study, “Folk Healing Practices of Siquijor Island: Documentation of Philippine Traditional Knowledge and Practices on Health and Development of Traditional Knowledge Digital Library on Health” was awarded as one of the five Outstanding Research Presentations during the 1st Philippine Herbal Medicine Summit Research Competition at the Century Park Hotel, Manila last 27 October 2016.

: Latest News; 16 November 2016; Hits: 3460

Central Visayas Consortium holds health research conference; emphasizes importance of communication in health research

TALAMBAN, CEBU CITY- As part of the 2016 Central Visayas Health Research and Innovation Conference, communicators including writers, journalists, communication professors, videographers, and bloggers from Cebu met for the first time in a meeting of health research communicators last Thursday at University of San Carlos Talamban Campus.

The meeting aims to gather communicators from the region to form SHARE, an initiative of the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) to reach more stakeholders.

SHARE is a community of health research communicators who believes in the power of communication to share health research stories, advocacies, local and national initiatives. The community will support PNHRS and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) in communicating and translating research to benefit health research stakeholders.

During the meeting, Dr. Laurence Garcia, Central Visayas Consortium for Health Research and Development (CVCHRD) Chair, also presented the plan of the region in establishing their network of health research communicators.

Among their planned initiatives are the use of broadcast media and quad media to enable interactive information-sharing, Youtube to communicate challenging health researches, and capacity-building workshops to capacitate members.

“The community of health research communicators [SHARE] will help improve the dissemination of health research results in the country,” Dr. Garcia emphasized.

For communicators who are interested to join SHARE, you may contact Ms. Ladylove Baurile at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 837-0031. You can also visit www.healthresearch.ph for more information. ■

: Latest News; 07 November 2016; Hits: 4136

1st PH Herbal Medicine Summit pushes for more affordable, accessible herbal meds

MALATE, Manila – The 1st Philippine Herbal Medicine Summit brought together herbal medicine researchers and consumers alike last 25-27 October 2016 at the Century Park Hotel, Malate, Manila.

Dr. Nelia Cortes-Maramba delivers the Dr. Conrado Dayrit Memorial Lecture during Day 1 of the 1st Philippine Herbal Medicine Summit last 25 October 2016 at the Century Park Hotel, Malate, Manila.

Led by the Institute of Herbal Medicine – University of the Philippines Manila, the first herbal medicine summit in the country had discussions on how different stakeholders in the field can work together to ensure the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato T. Dela Peña sent his message of support through his keynote address delivered by Ms. Merlita Opeña, Chief, Research Information Communication and Utilization Division of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. “Today is the best day to start working together and become a community. Let’s reform and reshape the landscape of herbal medicines’ research in the country so that we can address the challenges of the coming generation in terms of provision of quality but affordable medicines using our own resources, “ said Sec. Dela Peña in his message.

Dr. Nelia C. Maramba delivered the Dr. Conrado Dayrit Memorial Lecture and talked about the trials and triumphs of the National Intergrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP) when it started in 1974. In her talk, Dr. Maramba said that there is lack of acceptance in terms of herbal medicine research results. During the early years, the NIRPROMP team saw that validating folkloric claims of plants used as home remedies was a better approach in doing herbal medicine research, she said.

The Dr. Natividad De Castro Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr. William D. Torres, with his talk on assuring quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines through principles used in biopharmaceutics. Meanwhile, Dr. Irene Villaseñor, Chemistry Professor from the University of the Philippines – Diliman presented the different bioactive compounds of several Philippine plants which may be developed into new drugs with further research. Her lecture is in honor of National Scientist Dr. Clara Lim-Sylianco.

Dr. Juntra Laothavorn, visiting Professor from the Institute of Tropical Medicine - Nagasaki University and Former World Health Organization – Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO-TDR) Clinical Coordinator, also reiterated in her lecture that there is a global need of gearing research efforts toward regulation and validation of herbal medicines, especially that some have reportedly caused adverse results when taken excessively. Dr. Laothavorn also shared how herbal medicine research thrived in Thailand. In 1960, Thailand halted herbal medicine research as there was no significant development/knowledge derived from the field. It was only in 1977 when the research field was revived. Since then, herbal medicine data management systems were reformed and were based on Thai Traditional wisdom and existing Thai herbs. Dr. Laothavorn also presented ethical considerations in doing clinical trials in herbal medicine research during her third plenary lecture.

Lectures on herbal medicine production, quality assurance, research methods, and data management were also tackled during the three-day summit. Ms. Merlita Opeña also presented the status of the APEC Regional Database for Herbal Medicine. The database will improve access to herbal medicine research, prevent piracy, and preserve traditional medicine knowledge in the Asia-Pacific region. Stakeholders were also encouraged to participate and contribute in the proposal for a National Herbal Medicine Research Policy presented by Dr. Adovich Rivera.

Summit participants signified their support to the annual conduct of the summit to foster research collaboration enabling the creation of safe, affordable, and accessible herbal medicines for the Filipinos.

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