Did you see my newest crabby friends? The dudes at De La Salle University in Manila found four new species of Insulamon freshwater crabs endemic to Aqua Palawana. Such pretty colours – I’d be green with envy if I wasn’t green already.
Insulamon palawanense © Senckenberg
It’s been a busy week for my BioMed Central buddies.
The 25th of April was World Malaria Day with the theme “Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria”. According to the World Health Organization, in 2010 malaria was responsible for 655 000 deaths worldwide, mostly among African children. 
The good news is that the lives of 842,800 children have been saved worldwide over the last decade by anti-malaria programs. But the bad news is that there have been 75 episodes of malarial resurgence (since the 1930s) in areas where the disease used to be under control. So there is a real possibility that the success of the past decade will be overturned by resurgence of the disease if support for anti-malaria programs is not maintained.
I’m looking forward to our 6th Annual Research Awards. There are loads of new categories this year and the winners have just been announced. The winners are automatically in the shortlist for the overall BioMed Central Research Award. The shortlist for the Open Data Award sponsored by our pals at LabArchives was also announced.
I might know who the winners are – I might not – I’m certainly not telling! I’m a tight-lipped turtle! You’ll just have to wait until the BioMed Central Research Awards ceremony where the awards for the Case Report of the Year, Open Access Advocate/Institution of the Year and Editor of the Year will also be presented.
Vote for ‘Turtle of the year’ anyone?
Manila ey? So your staying in the Philippines? Awesome!