NewsMakers
Nat Geo, WWF outfit Mindoro tribesmen, rangers with solar lamps & patrol kits
The National Geographic Channel (NGC) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) recently gave 50 portable solar lamps to the Taw’Buid – an indigenous Mangyan group inhabiting the remote mountains of Mindoro. Park rangers protecting the Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park also received new hammocks, raingear and all-weather patrol uniforms from the Primer Group of Companies.

The National Geographic Channel (NGC) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) recently gave 50 portable solar lamps to the Taw’Buid – an indigenous Mangyan group inhabiting the remote mountains of Mindoro. Park rangers protecting the Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park also received new hammocks, raingear and all-weather patrol uniforms from the Primer Group of Companies.
Newly-outfitted park rangers and their Taw’Buid tracker spot wildlife from the summit of Mt. McGowen in the Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park, last refuge of the critically-endangered Tamaraw, a legally-protected species. (Gregg Yan / WWF)
Fifty Mobiya solar lamps were given to Taw’Buid families, funded by the proceeds of National Geographic Channel’s Earth Day Run 2015. Ranger patrol kits and camera traps to photograph wildlife were also purchased. (Gregg Yan / WWF)
A family of Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) photographed in the wild. The Tamaraw Conservation Programme, Far Eastern University, WWF and many allies have been working to double the number of Tamaraw from 300 to 600 by 2020. Tamaraw numbers have grown to 413 from 327 in 2012. (Gregg Yan/WWF)
Taw’Buid elder Henry Timuyog shows off his family’s new solar lamp, courtesy of NGC and WWF. The reclusive Taw’Buid live simple lives as upland farmers and hunt game in the rugged mountains of Mindoro. (Gregg Yan / WWF)
Park Rangers led by Mts. Iglit-Baco Park Superintendent Rodel Boyles (holding the Philippine flag) show off their new uniforms, provided by the Primer Group of Companies, National Geographic Channel and WWF. (National Geographic Channel)
The deployment is part of NGC’s Earth Day Run, which has been supporting WWF projects since 2013. Race proceeds reforested Isabela forests with 20,000 fruit-bearing trees in 2013 and deployed fibreglass bancas for Palawan fishermen in 2014.
Proceeds from NGC’s 2015 race funded the solar lamp deployment, which was held inside the Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park last 3 September. About 15 million Filipinos lack regular access to electricity and Mindoro’s Taw’Buid tribesfolk are no exception, relying on kerosene and firewood to light their homes.
“We gave portable solar lamps because burning fossil fuels accelerates climate change,” says WWF-Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma. “Solar energy is an economical and safe power source because there are no emissions to trigger respiratory ailments. Our goal is to cover basic Filipino needs while fighting climate change.”
The reclusive, forest-dwelling Taw’Buid or Batangan tribe is the most numerous of the eight Mangyan subgroups, with approximately 20,000 members. Most live in simple thatched huts, few of which have been seen by outsiders, owing to the traditional fear harbored by Taw’Buid for outsiders, called Siganon. Many still wear Amakan loincloths made from pounded tree bark and smoke potent tobacco in pipes called Bakto.
As very few have access to electricity, most cut trees for firewood, used to both light homes and provide heat in fire pits, where families congregate and talk each night. The solar lamps will help ease the strain on Mindoro’s forests while giving tribes both light and a means to charge what few electronic gadgets they have. “No longer shall our people rely on fire for light. Thank you for the gift of eternal light,” saidTaw’Buid Overall Tribal Chief Fausto Novelozo during the deployment.
The 24-strong corps of Park Rangers were equipped by the Primer Group of Companies with all-weather khaki uniforms. “With the proper clothing, our rangers will be better able to protect themselves from the elements to more vigorously fulfill their tasks. We’re glad to be part of the project,” adds Primer Group of Companies program manager Kristine Villaflor.
“Each of our park rangers patrol around 1000 hectares of land. Constantly pelted by both sunrays and raindrops, they need proper gear such as all-weather uniforms, boots, hammocks and rain ponchos to help dispatch their duties. Thank you for the help as it will help us better protect the park,” says Mt. Iglit-Baco Park superintendent Rodel Boyles.
Since 2012, WWF has been working with the Tamaraw Conservation Programme (TCP), Far Eastern University (FEU), Banco De Oro Unibank (BDO), local government of Occidental Mindoro and the Taw’Buid people to restore the forests of the Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park, which hosts the world’s largest population of Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) a critically-endangered dwarf buffalo and one of the country’s national icons.
A pressing objective is to double the number of wild Tamaraw from 300 to 600 by 2020. From 327 heads in 2012, the wild buffalo’s numbers soared to 413 by April 2016. The project, dubbed ‘Tams-2’ or Tamaraw Times Two by 2020, aims not just to conserve Tamaraw, but to protect the cultural identity of the Taw’Buid people while protecting upland forests and ensuring a steady flow of water for the people of Mindoro. The Philippines celebrates Tamaraw Month each October.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to gift Mindoro’s Taw’Buid tribesfolk with economical lighting solutions like solar lamps. The Nat Geo Earth Day Run raises awareness on sustainable environment solutions and helps as many people as possible. We hope the solar lamps will make a positive impact on the lives of the Taw’Buid and contribute to keeping Mindoro’s forests intact,” says FOX Networks Group SVP and GM Jude Turcuato.
Held last April, NGC’s Earth Day Run 2016 will next fund WWF’s marine conservation drive for Apo Reef in Mindoro, the largest coral reef in Asia.
NewsMakers
Surgery in kids with mild sleep-disordered breathing tied to fewer doctor visits, meds
Surgery, called adenotonsillectomy, was tied to a 32% reduction in medical visits and a 48% reduction in prescription use among children with a mild form of the condition.

Surgical removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids in children with mild sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) appears to significantly reduce the frequency of medical office visits and prescription medicine use in this group, according to a clinical study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The findings, published in JAMA Pediatrics, show that the surgery, called adenotonsillectomy, was tied to a 32% reduction in medical visits and a 48% reduction in prescription use among children with a mild form of the condition.
SDB refers to breathing disturbances during sleep that can range from loud snoring to occasional breathing pauses. About 6 to 17% of children in the United States have it, and for those with moderate to severe cases, adenotonsillectomy is a standard treatment commonly used. It can help reduce breathing problems, minimize behavioral issues, and also lower the risk of high blood pressure, full-blown sleep apnea, and other problems that may occur if the condition is left untreated. A recent NIH-supported clinical trial showed that for children with mild SDB, the surgery helped lower blood pressure and improve sleep and quality of life.
In the new study, researchers sought to determine whether adenotonsillectomy in comparison to watchful waiting (non-intervention) with supportive care is associated with fewer health care encounters and prescriptions. To find out, the researchers analyzed data from a randomized clinical trial that involved 459 children and adolescents with mild SDB who were recruited between 2016 and 2021 and followed for one year. The participants were ages 3 to 12 and were studied at seven academic sleep centers in the U.S.
During the trial, half the participants received an adenotonsillectomy, and the other half received supportive care without surgery, which included standardized education on healthy sleep and lifestyle and referral for untreated allergies or asthma. An analysis after the 12-month study period found 32% fewer health care encounters and 48% fewer prescriptions used among participants who underwent adenotonsillectomy, compared to those who did not undergo the surgery. For every 100 children, this equates to 125 fewer health care encounters and 253 fewer prescriptions — including for pain, skin, and respiratory medications — administered during the first year following surgery.
The reduced health care encounters included fewer office visits and outpatient procedures, particularly for sleep- and respiratory-related problems, but the mechanisms linking SDB treatment to health care outcomes are not clear.
NewsMakers
Maternal depression can lead to children’s emotional overeating, study shows
“In our sample, almost 12% of mothers met the criteria for postpartum depression, and we found that maternal postpartum depression at six weeks negatively influenced children’s executive function with inhibition and emotional control at 24 months and overeating at 48 months.”

Up to 25% of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression, which can significantly impact their parenting behavior and the wellbeing of their children. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at long-term effects of early maternal depression on children, underscoring the need to provide adequate support for mothers who might be struggling.
“We wanted to explore how mother’s early postpartum depression might influence children’s executive function and emotional overeating, focusing on the psychological mechanisms driving the effects,” said lead author Samantha Iwinski, postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Illinois.
“Emotional overeating is about using food to cope with stress or emotions rather than using it to satisfy hunger. Instead of thinking about food as a source of nourishment or enjoyment, it becomes a coping strategy for negative emotions. If children aren’t able to talk about their emotions or show how they really feel, they may react to a stressful situation by grabbing something to eat,” Iwinski said.
The study included families participating in the Midwest STRONG Kids2 project, which investigates how individual biology interacts with the family environment to promote healthy eating habits in young children. Mothers filled out questionnaires to assess postpartum depression at six weeks, children’s emotional functioning at 24 months, and children’s eating behavior at 48 months.
The researchers analyzed the data using the biopsychosocial pathways model, which outlines how interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors affect health outcomes, including appetite self-regulation. They focused on postpartum depression as a critical social factor predicting children’s emotional overeating, mediated through emotional and cognitive psychological processes.
“In our sample, almost 12% of mothers met the criteria for postpartum depression, and we found that maternal postpartum depression at six weeks negatively influenced children’s executive function with inhibition and emotional control at 24 months and overeating at 48 months,” Iwinski said.
“Inhibition involves being able to control one’s attention, behaviors, and thoughts. This can include doing what may be appropriate in a given situation, which may involve overriding internal predispositions For example, if a child is doing their homework and the TV is playing, they can direct their attention and focus on their homework rather than the TV. Emotional control is about being able to regulate oneself when certain situations are happening; for example, crying might help in response to distress.”
In addition to the indirect effects on eating behavior through executive functioning, there was also a direct correlation between maternal depression and children’s overeating.
Mothers who suffer from postpartum depression may be less responsive to their children’s cognitive and emotional needs, which can affect healthy development and capacity for self-regulation. Women with postpartum depression symptoms may also engage in appetite fluctuation, modeling this behavior for their children.
The researchers say their findings underscore the need for early intervention and support for women who suffer from depression.
“By supporting the mother’s mental health, we’re really supporting the families, because of the long-term effects on children. It’s important to have early identification of what might be happening in order to help families teach their children healthy strategies for coping with emotions, such as play, mindfulness, or even just talking about our feelings,” Iwinski stated.
“Teachers and other supportive adults can also participate in supporting children and families. For example, they can be looking at eating patterns, noticing how children might be reacting in certain situations, and if food might be a coping mechanism for them. They can then use that information to talk about other ways to deal with emotions and bring the family more into the conversation.”
The paper, “Maternal postpartum depression and children’s emotional overeating: The mediating role of executive function,” is published in Eating Behaviors. Authors include Samantha Iwinski, Sehyun Ju, Qiujie Gong, and Kelly Bost.
NewsMakers
Poor sleep health linked to increased Type 2 diabetes risk in high-risk women with history of gestational diabetes
By prioritising better sleep, women with a history of GDM can take proactive steps toward reducing their long-term risk of developing T2D and improving overall metabolic health.

Underscoring the critical role of sleep in diabetes prevention, investigators from the Global Centre for Asian Women’s Health (GloW) and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, based at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), in collaboration with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, has identified a significant link between sleep health and the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (T2D) among women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM).
GDM is one of the most common pregnancy complications, affecting up to 30% of pregnancies globally. Women with a history of GDM are nearly 10 times more likely to develop T2D later in life compared to those without GDM. More strikingly, in Singapore, more than 40 per cent of women may develop T2D within 5 years following pregnancies complicated by GDM. While lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise are well-known preventive measures, this study sheds light on the often-overlooked role of sleep health in mitigating diabetes risk.
By prioritising better sleep, women with a history of GDM can take proactive steps toward reducing their long-term risk of developing T2D and improving overall metabolic health. Led by Professor Zhang Cuilin, Director of GloW, and Dr Yin Xin, Research Fellow at GloW, their team analysed data of nearly 3,000 women with a history of GDM over 17 years from the Nurses’ Health Study II and found that those who slept six hours or fewer per night had a 32 per cent higher risk of developing T2D compared to those who met the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep.
Additionally, regular snoring—defined as snoring most nights per week or every night—was associated with a 61% increased risk of T2D. Women who experienced both short sleep duration and regular snoring faced more than double the risk compared to those with healthy sleep patterns. Beyond increasing diabetes risk, regular snoring was also associated with unfavourable glucose metabolism biomarkers, including elevated levels of HbA1c, insulin, and C-peptide, all of which signal potential metabolic dysfunction.
“Our research highlights that improving sleep habits—such as increasing sleep duration and addressing snoring—can be a powerful, actionable step in preventing Type 2 diabetes among women with a high-risk of diabetes,” said Prof Zhang. She further emphasised, “Given the rising prevalence of GDM and diabetes, particularly in Asia, it is crucial to expand prevention strategies to include the improvement of sleep health, especially for women with a history of GDM. Dr Yin also pointed out that, “Women with GDM may have had sub-optimal glucose metabolism even before pregnancy.”
Having opened new avenues for diabetes prevention, the study’s researchers are now looking to develop tailored interventions for Asian women that include improving sleep quality, diet, and other lifestyles, and to better understand underlying molecular mechanisms.
The study titled ‘Sleep Characteristics and Long-Term Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Women With Gestational Diabetes’ was published in JAMA Network Open.
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