LAUNCHING AND PUBLIC OPENING OF ITDI’S METROLOGY IN CHEMISTRY LAB
PINASINAYAAN ang kauna-unahang Metrology in Chemistry Laboratory sa bansa nitong nakaraang Nov. 9 at magbubukas na rin ito sa publiko.
Dumalo ang mga representante buhat sa mga industriya ng tubig, pagkain at maging sa sektor ng agham o sa komunidad ng agham ng bansa .
Pinangunahan ang pasinaya at pagbubukas nito ng mga opisyales buhat sa Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute kabilang ang Director ng ITDI na si Dr. Annabelle Briones, at ang DOST Sec. Fortunato T. de la Pena.
Ang apat na palapag na gusali ng MiC Laboratory ay matatagpuan sa Science Complex sa Bicutan, Taguig City.
Ayon sa DOST-ITDI ang pagtatayo ng MiC Laboratory ay naglalayong tulungan ang lokal na mga testing laboratories na makapag comply sa mga traceable chemical measurements upang makalikha ng reference materials (RMs) at makagawa ng mga accuracy-based Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes.
Dinaluhan rin ng mga mamamahayag ang aktibidad ng personal at via zoom .///Michael Balaguer, 09262261791, michaelbalaguer@yahoo.co.uk at konekted@diaryongtagalog.net
-30-
Scientists go “social” in communicating science webinar
By Rachel R. Perez, DOST-STII, S&T Media Service
Scientists and researchers got social and “magnetized” during a recent webinar organized by the Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology Information Institute as a pre-National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) offering last 18 November 2021.
In this latest edition of the Science Journo Ako webinar titled “#ScienceJournoAko: Be Social and Get Noticed! Converting Scientists into Media Magnets,” former TV patrol reporter and science communicator Kristine Sabillo shared her knowledge on how scientists and researchers can build a niche as a multimedia personality using interesting stories, compelling visuals, and informative contents. The webinar also tackled the importance of effectively communicating science and its importance in reaching broader audiences to contextualize information that are more relatable and understandable to its intended audience.
Surprisingly, although science information is readily available to the public in various forms, many people still finds this daunting. Moreover, with the rise of misinformation and various unreliable sources of news especially on COVID-19, people are now in search for popular platforms where they can easily get information on the topics that they are interested on. Similarly, the rise of Tiktok viral videos by numerous medical practitioners have made information more accessible but still subject to further verification and discretion.
Sabillo underscored the need for the scientists to use the digital media to be able to reach and educate the public. She emphasized that scientists should consider sharing their studies on social media because it can encourage young Filipinos to become interested in science. Likewise, it can correct misinformation by providing facts that are verifiable.
By creatively engaging in this kind of platform, Sabillo explained, this can also be a way to make people realize the importance of protecting the environment, make people appreciate lesser known science, and help people understand the importance of investing in this field.
Sabillo reminded the participants to be creative and precise at the same time.
And in closing, she encouraged scientists and researchers to “keep on practicing and improving your skills in communicating science” to reach more listeners and followers who can also be future allies.
The 2021 NSTW is happening on 22-28 November through various virtual platforms. Various technology exhibits, webinars, e-learning sessions, and other virtual activities are open to the general public. To know more on the various NSTW activities, log-on to NSTW website at http://nstw.dost.gov.ph/, or check-out the NSTW official Facebook page at NSTWDOST.
-30-
Science Week tackles ‘repurposing natural resources for COVID-19’
By Rachel R. Perez, DOST-STII, S&T Media Service
Photos courtesy of everydayhealth.com & DOST
The upcoming celebration of the 2021 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW), organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), will banner two of the country’s natural remedies, Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) and Lagundi, that have been further studied by our local researchers for any value against COVID-19.
For one, VCO has been known to have effective antiviral compounds that can benefit humans and animals, also a popular food supplement – GRAS (generally recognized as safe), and already widely consumed in many countries.
On the other hand, according to previous published studies, “Lagundi (Vitex negundo) tablet/syrup is a proven bronchodilator with its registered indication for the treatment of cough. Several studies have also explained its antipyretic (fever), analgesic (pain), anti-inflammatory activities as well as its antiviral activity.”
Due to the alarming number of cases, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the DOST supported projects that aim to repurpose these natural products against COVID-19. This will be tackled in the webinar entitled, ‘Repurposing Natural Resources for COVID-19’ to be held on 25 November 2021 as part of this year’s NSTW celebration.
The projects to be highlighted in the webinar are the following:
- Virgin Coconut Oil as adjunctive therapy for hospitalized COVID19 patients. The project aims to determine the safety and efficacy of VCO [as adjunctive therapy] for COVID19 patients with moderate, severe, and critical conditions. Results from this study will prove the efficacy of VCO in contributing to the improvement of health status and recovery of a COVID-19 patient.
- The beneficial effects of VCO among suspect and probable cases of COVID-19. If the results of this study prove to be successful, VCO can be used as a potential supplement of suspect and probable cases of COVID-19 to prevent worsening of the condition.
- Two-stage, Randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial on the efficacy and safety of Lagundi (Vitex negundo) tablets/syrup (NIRPROMP formulation) with standard treatment compared to placebo with treatment in patients with mild COVID-19 disease without comorbidities. The study evaluates the efficacy and safety of Lagundi in providing symptomatic relief for COVID-19 patients as well as determine if it can decrease the number of patients who progress from mild disease to moderate or severe disease.
Speakers who will join the webinar are: Dr. Cecilia C. Maramba-Lazarte, Director of Institute of Herbal Medicine, National Institutes of Health, UP Manila; DOST Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) Director, Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa; and, UP Manila College of Medicine Professor, Dr. Marissa M. Alejandria.
*The virtual celebration of the 2021 National Science and Technology Week will run from 22-28 November, with its theme, ”Agham at Teknolohiya: Tugon sa Hamon ng Panahon”.
-30-
DOST AT IBA PANG SCIENCE RELATED STORIES AY NASA AGHAM PAGE