Peer Reviewed

Three articles from the latest issue of Humanities Diliman of the University of the Philippines, Diliman analyze common knowledge in language, arts and society in the Philippines.

Summaries of newsworthy papers appearing in Nature Vol.446 No.7133 dated 15 MARCH 2007: Fossil sheds light on middle ear evolution, The aftermath of a catastrophic collision, The shape and evolution of subduction zones, Life history of a photon, Light fantastic, Tracking tremor beneath Japan and Surprise addition to flowering plant family tree

Batek or tattoos were known to signify headhunting and bravery during the early 16th century in the Philippines. However, it has been found that these intricate designs have other functions in the culture of the native Filipinos other than symbolism of a man’s bravery.

According to Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, author of Ukkil, art in the Sulu Archipelago, South of the Philippines, is found everywhere in different forms. It is passed on by self-taught artists rather than taught in institutions. Artistic creations are better kept than sold for those creations express the creators’ feelings and satisfy their souls.

Scientists have identified unforeseen mechanisms by which quinolones - a family of broad-spectrum antibiotics among the most widely prescribed - induce bacterial cell death. The study is published online this week in Molecular Systems Biology.

Militia is a word with negative connotations these days and no militia likes to be described as such. In most cases, this term implies a group of armed men behaving like outlaws and conducting its business outside the state's control. This is especially true in relation to the Iraqi political scene.

The study explores CSR conception and implications in context of Bangladesh and illustrates practices in specific industry sector in particular. In keeping with global movement, CSR is being seen as the source of new competitive edge for the companies operating in Bangladesh.

A possible mechanism for green tea’s anticancer activities is reported online this week in Laboratory Investigation. The reported effect of green tea extract on lung cancer cells supports the increasing evidence of green tea’s anticancer properties.

At a time when the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are attempting multi-dimensional changes that bear the potential to transform the region and Asia is experiencing a renaissance, there exists an opportunity for synergy to accomplish optimum mutual benefits even beyond the economic realm.

Summary of newsworthy papers appearing in Nature Journals on 11 March 2007: Seeing antigen-presenting cells in action, Multiferroics as the ultimate memory? How stress causes anxiety in adolescent mice, Bacteria-mediated immune system paralysis, Jumonji family removing the mark & A cheap alternative for large scale RNA interference screens.

The parasite that leads to sleeping sickness can be lulled to sleep itself using a newly discovered pathway, according to research published online this week in EMBO reports. Trypanosoma brucei is a parasite that causes sleeping sickness resulting in neurological damage and death.

IBN’s Nano-Bio Kits help teachers show the latest applications in bioengineering and nanotechnology through interactive experiments

Hugo W. Moser and colleagues discuss recent clinical trial data indicating that Lorenzo’s Oil - the discovery of which was the subject of the 1992 film of the same name - can delay the onset of X-ALD symptoms.

Commentary: Trial and distribution, Hydrology: Water on Mars revisited, Materials: Silica to silicon, Evolution: Small genome paved the way for flight?, Plant biology: Size matters, Planetary science: Sun makes an asteroid spin faster

ICARDA and its partners in Afghanistan are promoting mint and mint products as a profitable alternative to cultivation of opium poppies. Research focuses on mint production technologies, processing methods, value addition, training, and development of markets and trade capacity – and mint cultivation is expanding rapidly.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Genomic marker for lung cancer, A natural barrier to HIV transmission, Mitochondrial point mutations do not limit lifespan, New immune cell exit strategy

For several years now, suggestions about an Al Qaeda recruitment network in Europe have preoccupied the public and officials alike. More recently, however, a new terminology has emerged in the counter-terrorism dictionary -- 'Iraqi recruitment network in Europe'.

The 11 case studies featured illustrate how local innovations in participatory natural resource management can strengthen livelihoods, build capacity for local governance, and spark policy change.

Tobacco is a crop as addictive to growers in the developing world as it is to any user. For them, dependency is economic rather than physical or psychological – but while ready cash is attractive, farmers are beginning to realize that growing tobacco is threatening the health of their families, their land, and their local ecosystems.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Microscopy: Microscopes offer chemical ID, Immunology: Silkworm virus sussed, Developmental biology: Skin deep, Materials: How flat can flat get?, Organization in the zebrafish spinal cord

18-year-old’s award-winning research project brings her to the Nobel Prize ceremonies; Other students inspired to take up research scholarships

A research group headed by Takashi Tsuji of the Tissue Engineering Research Center has developed a new cell manipulation technology whereby organ germs are artificially recombined from single cells. This technology has the potential for application to artificial "tooth regeneration" and "hair regeneration".

Los Baños, Philippines – The important role, and impact, of women in rice research has been highlighted with the awarding of the L'Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science awards for 2007

Water problems in the Middle East region are diverse and changing as the gap between supply and demand is widening. Water issues are linked to scarcity, misdistribution, and sharing. The paper addresses many important aspects along with identifying relevant Islamic laws and principles to establish binding agreements among riparian states.

The response to drug combinations critically depends on how their biological targets are connected, according to a study published online in Molecular Systems Biology this week. Understanding how multi-drug combinations work is vital in medicine, in order to rationalize their use and discover novel targets.

Making a splash, or not, Ballistic breakthrough, NanoBuds are here, Genetic variant associated with triglyceride levels, Genetic variant protects against four infectious diseases, Potential therapeutic target in Down syndrome

The National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines (UP) has miniaturized the Oblation (UP’s trademark) as part of its project on micro-fabrication of functional micro-devices using non-linear multi-photon absorption. The research project aims to use micro-structures as components in an integrated miniaturized laboratory.

In the last quarter of 2006, Universiti Teknologi Mara took part in exhibition in Brussels, Nuremberg, London and Seoul and won numerous award. These award winning research projects are listed here.

Summaries of other newsworthy papers include Glaciology: Subglacial lakes discovered in East Antarctica, Insight: Getting under the skin, Chemistry: Halogen soup, Palaeoceanography: Feedback mechanisms on climate change and Animal behaviour: Planning ahead

Research on detection of microscopic defects in integrated circuits at the National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines has been selected by Optical Society of America as one of the most exciting to emerge in 2006.