One key theme running through human skeletal research from early studies in the 18th century to today is a focus on shape. Unfortunately, early research fell prey to racist ideas about human biology. But thankfully, over the last 100 years, there has been a refocus on how to interpret the shape of human bones and what we can learn from it. We now answer a variety of questions using shape, ranging from how and why certain anatomical traits evolved to constructing a biological profile of an individual. Advancements in the methods used to capture and analyse shape also enable archiving and sharing of large amounts of digital data. This paper reviews how shape has been used to study the human skeleton, outline advancements, and reflect on trajectories for future research. It also presents ethical considerations of shape analyses and open science within human skeletal research from a global perspective.
Philippine single-origin coffee is gaining international recognition and local interest, yet domestic production is declining, and scientific research remains limited. This study applies untargeted metabolomics to uncover the chemical diversity of Philippine Coffea sp. beans. Molecular profiles of green and roasted Coffea arabica, C. canephora, and C. liberica var. liberica beans collected across the Philippines were generated using UHPLC-QToF-MS. Key metabolite classes – alkaloids, hydroxycinnamic acids, triglycerides, diterpene esters, and carboxylic acid-5-hydroxytryptamides – were putatively identified through molecular networking. Multivariate analyses (PCA and PLS-DA) revealed species and location associated trends primarily driven by caffeine, trigonelline, and triglycerides. Notably, kahweol palmitate, caffeoyl tryptophan, and methylliberine emerged as potential species-specific markers for Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica, respectively. As the first LC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics study on Philippine coffee beans, this work establishes a molecular baseline to support future efforts toward improving the value and origin traceability of local coffee.
Beta-lactamase genes (bla) such as bla(TEM), bla(CTX-M), and bla(SHV) are antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) of public health concern. These ARGs have been reported to be prevalent in many environments and may vary seasonally. Laguna Lake in the Philippines is fed by its several tributaries with reported failing water qualities. This study reports the seasonal prevalence of E. coli-harbored bla(TEM), bla(CTX-M), and bla(SHV) in selected tributaries of Laguna Lake. Water samples were collected during months representing both wet and dry seasons. E. coli isolates were obtained through membrane filtration and selective culturing and confirmed via uidA detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotypically confirmed E. coli isolates were subjected to multiplex-PCR to determine the presence of the targeted ARGs. Results showed a higher prevalence of E. coli isolates during the wet season and the overall predominance of bla(TEM). These findings confirm the presence of the targeted beta-lactamase genes in E. coli isolates from Laguna Lake tributaries and highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and source tracking of ARGs to enhance environmental management and public health measures.
This work examined the development of amylose-lipid complexes in green banana flour (Musa x paradisiaca) incorporated with virgin coconut oil (VCO), focusing on their spectral, thermal, and in vitro digestibility characteristics. Firstly, the native banana flour was analyzed for apparent amylose content using a spectrophotometric assay. To facilitate amylose-lipid complexation, both hot-pressed and cold-pressed VCO were incorporated into the banana flour under controlled thermal conditions, after which amylose-lipid interactions were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy for spectral features and differential scanning calorimetry for thermal behavior. The banana flour exhibited an AAC of 26.40 +/- 0.002%. GCMS analysis of FAME derivatized VCO detected medium- to long-chain fatty acids, including octanoic (C8:0), decanoic (C10:0), dodecanoic (C12:0), tetradecanoic (C14:0), and hexadecanoic acids (C16:0) stearic acid (C18:0) and oleic acid (C18:1). FTIR coupled with multivariate analysis and Raman spectra confirmed lipid incorporation/retention in green banana flour through characteristic O-H, C-H, and C=O bands. While DSC revealed distinct endothermic transitions at 89.56 +/- 2.17 degrees C (Delta H-m = 0.8587 +/- 0.1014 J g(-1)) for hot-pressed VCO and 89.18 +/- 0.98 degrees C (Delta H-m = 0.6267 +/- 0.0777 J g(-1)) for cold-pressed VCO, consistent with the melting of V-type amylose-lipid complexes. Morphological analysis revealed that thermal treatment transformed native banana flour from irregular granular structures into an amorphous matrix via starch gelatinization, whereas subsequent incorporation of VCO promoted aggregation. In vitro enzymatic digestion showed a slight reduction in starch hydrolysis in VCO-treated samples. The incorporation of an exogenous lipid, such as VCO, into green banana flour promotes the formation of thermally stable amylose-lipid complexes that reduce enzymatic digestibility.
Ecological resettlement (ER), or conservation-led displacement, is widely implemented to safeguard biodiversity but often produces complex socio-ecological outcomes. This study assessed the environmental justice (both social and ecological) impacts of ER in Nepal's Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) using an enhanced (including social, ecological, and environmental aspects) environmental justice (EJ) framework. Data were collected from 240 households across all resettled villages within the Chitwan and Parsa National Parks (NPs) of Nepal through household interviews, key informant interviews, focus groups, and field observations, supplemented by policy reviews, reports, and unpublished documents. Household demographics indicated an average family size of 5.5, gender parity (664 females, 658 males), and diverse caste/ethnic composition (ethnic: 146 households; higher caste: 64; lower caste: 6). Wealth distribution and literacy were uneven, with disparities in land ownership, assets, and social positions. Social and ecological justice outcomes were analysed using chi-square and McNemar tests. We observed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in substantive justice (food, shelter, clothing, and security) attributes before and after the resettlements. Similarly, significant improvements post-resettlement were observed in procedural and recognition justice: participation in decision-making increased from 43% to 62% (chi(2) = 12.34, p < 0.05). However, recognition of Indigenous knowledge and FPIC rights remained low, with 93% of households reporting inadequate acknowledgment (chi(2) = 198.5, p < 0.05). Distributive justice indicators, including access to compensation and forest resources, showed mixed outcomes, with 52% reporting fair compensation and 48% citing inequities (p < 0.05). Ecological outcomes also shifted significantly: forest cover decreased in 65% of surveyed areas post-resettlement, while grassland extent increased in 28% (chi(2) = 27.4, p < 0.05). Water source accessibility declined for 48% of households (chi(2) = 21.6, p < 0.05), and bushfire incidence decreased by 15% (chi(2) = 9.8, p < 0.05). Composite scoring revealed strong linkages between social justice deficits and ecological downturn in the resettled areas, suggesting that inadequate participation, recognition, inequitable compensation, and ecological degradation shift the issues from parks to the outside and exacerbate environmental vulnerability. These findings demonstrate that ER can achieve partial ecological objectives inside the parks but often perpetuates social inequities and ecological downturn in the resettled areas, undermining the long-term sustainability of the socio-ecological landscape. The study highlights the critical need to integrate social justice, participatory governance, and ecological monitoring into resettlement planning. Future policies should be grounded in the understanding that conservation effectiveness and social equity are mutually reinforcing, and that ignoring justice dimensions risks undermining both biodiversity outcomes and human wellbeing.
