Science Club_Lepanto National High School

15/09/2026

TANGLAD RESEARCH🔬

Tanglad is usually associated with soups, teas, and its distinct citrus aroma. But in a 2024 laboratory study, researchers found that its essential oil was also among the strongest performers when 20 different essential oils were tested against human breast cancer cells.

The researchers used two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and SKBR3, and found that lemongrass essential oil significantly reduced their ability to multiply. Chemical analysis showed that the oil was composed largely of citral, making up about 70% of its volatile compounds.

Citral then became a major focus of the study. When researchers tested it separately, they found that it not only reduced breast cancer cell growth but also weakened the ability of SKBR3 cells to move and invade surrounding material, behaviors commonly studied because they are involved in the spread of cancer.

The researchers linked much of the activity seen in tanglad oil to its high citral content, particularly the compounds geranial and neral.

Their results suggest that these naturally occurring components may be worth studying further for their effects on cancer cells.

The findings came from cells grown in the laboratory, not from patients, so the study does not show that drinking tanglad tea or using lemongrass essential oil can treat breast cancer.

What it does show is that a familiar plant contains compounds capable of producing measurable effects on breast cancer cells under controlled conditions.

Tanglad may be common in the kitchen, but the chemistry behind its aroma is giving scientists another reason to study it.

29/07/2026

KETTLE CHEMISTRY 🧪💧

That white, chalky crust inside your electric kettle may look like dirt — but most of the time, it is actually limescale.

Limescale is a mineral buildup that forms when hard water is repeatedly heated. Hard water contains dissolved minerals, especially calcium and magnesium. These minerals are usually invisible when dissolved in water, but boiling can change that.

When water is heated, some dissolved calcium compounds become less stable. Calcium bicarbonate, one of the common minerals linked to temporary water hardness, can break down during boiling. This reaction releases carbon dioxide and leaves behind calcium carbonate, a solid mineral that does not dissolve easily.

In simpler terms, invisible minerals in the water can turn into visible white crust after boiling.

This calcium carbonate can stick to hot surfaces inside the kettle, especially near the heating plate or metal base. Over time, repeated boiling leaves behind more deposits. A thin white film can eventually become a rough, chalky layer.

That is why kettles used every day may form limescale faster, especially in areas with harder water. The more calcium and magnesium the water contains, the more mineral residue can be left behind after heating.

Limescale is usually not a sign that the kettle is unsafe. Hard water itself is not generally considered a health problem, and calcium and magnesium are naturally occurring minerals. However, limescale can still affect the appliance.

A thick layer of mineral buildup can reduce the kettle's heat efficiency because heat has to pass through the crust before reaching the water. This may make boiling slower, use more energy, and sometimes affect the taste or appearance of hot drinks when tiny flakes break off.

The same chemistry explains why vinegar, lemon juice, or citric acid can help remove it. Limescale is mostly calcium carbonate, and mild acids can react with it, helping dissolve the mineral deposit. After descaling, the kettle should be rinsed thoroughly before use.

So the next time you see white crust inside an electric kettle, it is not just random residue.

It is water chemistry in action: dissolved minerals, heat, calcium carbonate, and the quiet science left behind after boiling water.

27/07/2026

18/07/2026

Watch and Learn!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DDJsp3kDM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

From black holes to brain cells. We decode the wonders of the universe in facts you’ll actually remember. Smart, simple, and always science.
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20/03/2026

INSPIRING: Gwendolyn Pascua from Tabuk, Kalinga works with Astronaut in Europe

Ever since grade school, Gwendolyn Pascua has been collecting pictures of astronauts because she dreamed of becoming one. She worked hard in school, spending her time and effort to gain the knowledge she needed to reach her dream.

Now in her 30s, Pascua works as a ground controller at the Biotechnology Space Support Center (BIOTESC) in Switzerland, where she collaborates with scientists and astronauts. In November 2019, she was part of the successful space mission of Thomas Pesquet aboard the Soyuz MS-03.

Gwendolyn Pascua has built an impressive track record of accomplishments. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics and Master’s degree in Physics from the University of the Philippines. Her academic journey expanded internationally, taking her to Université de Rennes I in France and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Germany, where she deepened her expertise.

At BIOTESC, she played a vital role in high-profile missions, including the successful launch of astronaut Thomas Pesquet aboard the Soyuz MS-03.

From her roots in the Cordillera to her contributions to major space agencies, Pascua’s career is a testament to her dedication and resilience. Her inspiring journey begs the question: could she be among the next pioneers to make history in space exploration?

03/03/2026

MAKE SURE TO WATCH THE SKIES TONIGHT! 🌑

A total lunar eclipse will be visible in parts of the Philippines on Tuesday, according to PAGASA. The maximum eclipse will occur at 7:34 p.m.

14/02/2026

Filipino terms for academic fields.

04/12/2025

AMMO YO KADI?

December’s Full Moon is called the Cold Moon.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the name Cold Moon reflects the frigid season. It is also known as the Long Night Moon because it rises during the longest nights of the year, near the winter solstice, and remains above the horizon for an extended period.

The December full moon is a supermoon, the third series of three consecutive supermoons at the end of 2025. A supermoon occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit called perigee.

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06/11/2025

In the Netherlands, innovation in farming has taken a sustainable turn — mushrooms are now being cultivated inside vertical columns built entirely from recycled egg cartons. These breathable, compostable structures provide the perfect environment for fungi to flourish while eliminating plastic waste and reducing pests naturally.

Each tower is designed to retain humidity and promote airflow, mimicking the damp, dark forests where mushrooms naturally thrive. The cartons absorb moisture and nutrients, helping species like oyster, shiitake, and lion’s mane grow in abundance — all within repurposed urban spaces such as old warehouses and containers.

This creative approach reflects the Netherlands’ ongoing commitment to circular farming, where waste becomes a resource and agriculture meets eco-design. By transforming something as ordinary as egg cartons into a thriving food system, Dutch farmers are redefining what sustainable innovation looks like — one mushroom at a time.