PNRI Hosts I-WAVE National Workshop on Isotope Data Interpretation
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Taking another step in supporting water agencies to provide our country with better access to water resources, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute hosted the National Workshop on Isotope Data Interpretation under the International Atomic Energy Agency – Water Availability Enhancement (I-WAVE) Project from February 17 to March 7, 2014.
Renowned experts in the field of isotope hydrology served as resource persons for the training workshop. Among them are Dr. Bhishm Kumar, Dr. Matsumoto Takuya, and Dr. Luis Araguas of the IAEA Isotope Hydrology Section; Prof. Jeffrey McDonnell, University of Aberdeen, School Geosciences, Aberdeen, UK; Prof. Neil Sturchio, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, USA, and Prof. Ian Clark, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada. They provided lectures on the principles of isotope techniques application related to groundwater assessment and groundwater dynamics and facilitated hands-on training on the use of software for groundwater dating. Moreover, through their expert guidance, they engaged the participants in the processing of past and present isotope, chemical and hydrogeological data and in the interpretation of these data to come up with conceptual models of the recharge in their respective study areas.
Read more: PNRI Hosts I-WAVE National Workshop on Isotope Data Interpretation
PNRI Develops Wound Dressing From Honey
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The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology (PNRI-DOST) has developed an effective wound dressing from local honey sources in the Philippines.
Science research specialists from PNRI’s Biomedical Research Section are taking advantage of the antimicrobial properties of these local products to produce a cheaper and comparable alternative – if not a better one already – to antibiotics for treating exudating wounds and burns.
“Honey has, since ancient days, been used for medicinal purposes; its composition makes it a very effective agent for healing wounds,” said Biomedical Research Section head Zenaida De Guzman.
According to Ms. De Guzman, honey is ideal as a wound dressing not only for its antimicrobial and potentially anti-inflammatory composition, but also for its low pH level that is suitable for fast healing.
Its sugar content helps in the granulation of wounds, while its low moisture gives honey a longer shelf-life. Furthermore, honey’s low water activity helps the dressing draw out water and pus, thereby drying the wound and reducing the chances of infection.
PNRI-DOST Establishes Electron Beam Irradiation Facility for Research and Industrial Applications
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The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology (PNRI – DOST) is establishing an Electron Beam (EB) Irradiation Facility at the PNRI compound in Diliman, Quezon City, bringing the country’s technology at par with the international community through the applications of radiation processing in various industries.
With this new facility, the PNRI takes the next step in its use of irradiation technologies. PNRI’s present Cobalt-60 Multipurpose Irradiation Facility has demonstrated many of the applications of radiation processing using gamma-rays and has been regularly serving clients from the food, packaging, medical products and pharmaceutical industries.
While the facility operates on a semi-commercial scale, the institute currently encourages industries to establish commercial irradiators to make an impact on the country’s sustainable development.
