Ka-Trivia

19/09/2025

“Buwaya” (crocodile) is one of the most powerful metaphors in Filipino culture, especially when describing corruption. Here’s why it fits so well:

Matakaw at Walang Busog – Crocodiles are known for their insatiable appetite. Sa politika at lipunan, corrupt individuals are also portrayed as greedy, never satisfied kahit gaano karami nang nakuha nila.

Tahimik Pero Mapanganib – A crocodile lurks quietly in the water, waiting for the right time to strike. Ganyan din ang mga corrupt nakatago sa mabuting imahe o mabubulaklak na salita, pero biglang susunggab kapag may pagkakataon.

Kumakapit at Hindi Bumitaw – Once a crocodile bites, it rarely lets go. Parang mga corrupt officials na kapit-tuko sa kapangyarihan at pera, mahirap tanggalin sa puwesto.

Makapal ang Balat – Crocodiles have thick, tough skin. It mirrors how corrupt people are often shameless, hindi tinatablan ng hiya kahit nahuhuli o nabubunyag ang kanilang ginagawa.

Nanlalamang sa Mahina – Crocodiles prey on the weak. Similarly, corruption thrives at the expense of ordinary citizens kinakain ang kaban ng bayan na dapat sana’y para sa mahihirap.

👉 Kaya sa kulturang Pilipino, ang tawag na “buwaya” ay hindi lang insulto, kundi isang malinaw na simbolo ng kasakiman, kawalang-hiyaan, at pananamantala.

18/09/2025

Scientists at UCL (University College London) have engineered tiny perovskite-based solar cells that are optimized to harvest energy from indoor lighting — like office lamps, LED bulbs, and ambient light in homes — rather than relying on direct sunlight. These cells achieve a record power conversion efficiency of 37.6% under 1,000 lux (roughly a well-lit indoor room), which is about six times better than conventional indoor solar cells. They also addressed a major issue: defects in the crystal structure (“traps”) that previously caused energy losses and rapid degradation. With a special chemical treatment, these traps are minimized, allowing the cells to retain around 92% of their performance after 100 days, making them far more durable. This could mean battery-free keyboards, sensors, remote controls, and numerous Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the near future.

15/09/2025

15/09/2025

Philippines? More like Philibuwaya 🐊😂

14/09/2025

South Korea has introduced Solar Trees, futuristic-looking structures shaped like real trees pero instead of leaves, solar panels ang naka-install. These trees are usually placed in parks, city squares, and public areas, providing both shade and renewable energy. Kaya nilang mag-generate ng kuryente para sa streetlights, Wi-Fi hotspots, at even charging stations for phones and electric scooters. Bukod sa pagiging functional, they also serve as eco-friendly landmarks, reminding people about the importance of clean energy habang pinapaganda pa ang urban landscape.

13/09/2025

Sa Laguna Lake, the Philippines is now testing floating solar farms—massive solar panels na naka-install sa ibabaw ng tubig instead of sa lupa. This setup helps save valuable land space na usually kailangan pa for agriculture or housing, while also producing clean, renewable energy for nearby communities. Dahil nasa ibabaw ng tubig, the panels stay cooler, making them more efficient sa pag-generate ng kuryente. Bukod pa dito, nakakatulong din sila sa pagbawas ng algae growth at water evaporation. Parang hitting two problems at once: clean energy plus better lake management.

12/09/2025

China has developed one of the world’s first solar panel expressways, na hindi lang basta kalsada kundi power generator din. Built in Jinan City, Shandong Province, this high-tech highway is covered with durable transparent material na kayang tiisin ang bigat ng mga sasakyan while harnessing solar energy underneath. The panels can produce enough electricity to power streetlights, surveillance cameras, billboards, and even electric vehicle charging stations nearby. Ang goal nila is to turn regular roads into clean energy sources, reducing carbon emissions while maximizing land use, parang hitting two birds with one stone.

24/08/2025

Sunwalk naman 🤔

20/08/2025

Japan's innovation 💪

Inspired by the Great Forest Wall Project, volunteers have transformed tsunami debris into elevated mounds along Japan’s Pacific coastline, planting deep-rooting native trees to form a living barrier. These vegetated embankments help slow down and absorb tsunami waves, reducing damage to communities while preserving coastal access and scenery. Studies indicate that when integrated with conventional seawalls, such green infrastructure can enhance protection, support biodiversity, and offer a more sustainable alternative to towering concrete defenses.
Sources

Japan for Sustainability – Volunteers Building ‘Great Forest Wall’ Tsunami Barrier from Earthquake Debr

14/08/2025

Researchers have discovered that the apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) a freshwater mollusk can fully regenerate its camera-type eyes, which share key anatomical and genetic traits with human eyes, including a cornea, lens, retina, and optic nerve. The regeneration process unfolds over approximately 28 days, progressing through distinct stages: wound healing (within 24 hours), formation of a specialized cell mass, development of eye structures, and maturation. Critically, the gene pax6, known for its pivotal role in vertebrate eye development, was shown via CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to be essential: snails lacking functional pax6 failed to develop eyes. This research, published in Nature Communications, positions the apple snail as a powerful model for studying sensory organ regeneration and holds promise for informing future treatments for human vision loss.

Source: ScienceDaily

13/08/2025

10 Remarkable Cases of Preserved Bodies in History

06/08/2025

The Surprising Benefits of Walking Barefoot on Natural Ground

Walking barefoot on natural surfaces like grass, soil, or sand — a practice known as “earthing” or “grounding” — has gained popularity for its potential health benefits. According to emerging research, direct physical contact with the Earth's surface may help reduce stress, improve sleep, lower inflammation, and even support cardiovascular health. Scientists believe this happens because the Earth carries a subtle electric charge that may stabilize the body's internal bioelectrical systems when we're in contact with it. Anecdotal evidence and small studies suggest that people who practice regular grounding report feeling calmer, more rested, and less physically tense.

While more large-scale studies are still needed to confirm all the benefits, the practice is safe, free, and easy to try. Simply spending 20–30 minutes a day walking barefoot on grass, soil, or sand can help reconnect your body with nature and potentially improve mental and physical well-being. As our modern lifestyles often keep us indoors and disconnected from the natural world, grounding offers a simple way to reduce stress and restore balance.

Source:
Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S.T., et al. (2012). Journal of Environmental and Public Health – "Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons"
Environmental Health Perspectives, National Institutes of Health (NIH)