Two articles published in the journal Science by an international group of researchers that includes Brazilians present an up-to-date review of existing knowledge of the island’s rich biodiversity and how it is protected. Maintaining harmony between the species found on this tropical island off the coast of Africa and its human population is a daunting challenge.
On a visit to Brazil, the scientific director for LICR and one of the most cited researchers in the field of oncology spoke about advances in cancer treatment and the development of tools that in his view enable physicians to detect tumors very early on.
Researchers who participated in the groundbreaking initiative met at the Genome Workshop 20+2 to celebrate past achievements, analyze the current situation and assess future opportunities in the genomics of pathogens, cancer and agri-environmental management.
The second day of the Genome Workshop 20+2 featured speakers who participated in the Human Cancer Genome Project and paid tribute to former FAPESP President Ricardo Brentani.
Brazilian researchers infected fat cells from subcutaneous and visceral tissue with SARS-CoV-2. Fat cells from organs in the abdominal cavity had a higher viral load and produced more pro-inflammatory molecules after contact with the virus.
The firm is supported by FAPESP and has developed a solution that uses high-resolution images to obtain information on root systems without drilling or digging.
The worst-ever outbreak of fungal disease caused by the same strain of Candida parapsilosis in severe COVID-19 patients was reported in a hospital in Salvador. Novel drug-resistant strains of Candida will emerge in Brazil, the authors predict.
Brazilian scientists have developed a biosensor using zinc oxide combined for the first time with an electron-conducting glass substrate and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The results outperformed ELISA, the current gold standard for diagnosing infectious diseases.
A total of 252 children living in a city in northwestern São Paulo took part in the study, in which blood samples from hospitalized children were analyzed. The percentage with measles antibodies was less than the 94% target considered ideal to prevent outbreaks.
A study conducted at a FAPESP-supported research center shows that light interacting with free electrons in a metal can traverse nanometric structures far smaller than its wavelength.
According to a mapping exercise by a group of Brazilian researchers, 56.8% of the areas that should be priorities for conservation are not legally protected. They identified 21 large forests that could be converted into new conservation units.
Researchers documented the size and weight of the stones used as tools by three populations of these primates living in Central Brazil, as well as the hardness of the nuts and seeds the tools were used on. Even when more suitable tools were available, some animals preferred the heaviest stones, possibly as a result of cultural learning.
Researchers at São Paulo State University tested machine learning techniques to estimate parameters such as step length, width and velocity. The method makes clinical diagnosis more precise and can determine the stage reached in progression of the disease.
A study conducted at the University of São Paulo shows that flaws in the metabolization of ATP, one of the main sources of cellular energy, can lead to dysregulation of the immune system and a dangerously exacerbated inflammatory response to infection by the novel coronavirus.
A firm supported by FAPESP is developing self-cleaning products with flame-retardant, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties that afford protection against ultraviolet radiation.
A study reported in Nature analyzed floods and droughts that affected the same place twice, finding that the second occurrence caused more damage, generally speaking. The authors included scientists affiliated with the University of São Paulo.
The importance of organizing and assuring access to the government’s healthcare data via the SUS was highlighted in a presentation by Ester Sabino, a professor at the University of São Paulo, to a webinar hosted by the São Paulo State Academy of Sciences. Data integration and access would benefit researchers and the Health Ministry, and help to direct investment in the sector.
To confirm this hypothesis, researchers in Brazil and France are conducting an experiment to find out how tree diversity influences carbon uptake and drought tolerance. The project was discussed by participants in an event held at IPT, the São Paulo State Technological Research Institute.
A team at a FAPESP-supported research center investigated over-90s who were resilient to SARS-CoV-2 and identical twins who had severe COVID-19 with different outcomes, including long COVID. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of vaccines and treatments for this and other viral diseases.
Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo set out to discover why proteins that should be found in cell nuclei ended up in cytoplasm or elsewhere in certain situations. This unexpected phenomenon may indicate a relevant pattern for diagnostic and treatment purposes.
Three scholars from different countries show how medieval evangelization succeeded by winning individuals’ hearts and minds, and refute the classical idea that contact between clergy and laity was mainly coercive.
Brazilian researchers investigated the complexity of the world’s largest wetland biome, predicting heavier rainfall and longer dry periods, and proposing six guidelines for sustainable governance of the region.
Researchers at the State University of Campinas conducted experiments on rats and human kidney cells. Their findings, published in Scientific Reports, show that irisin, a hormone secreted in muscle tissue during exercise, avoids the cellular degeneration that leads to diabetic nephropathy and kidney failure.
In partnership with private enterprise and government, scientists in São Paulo state (Brazil) plan to strengthen domestic production and consumption of aquatic products.
An article by researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo describes how the functioning of RNA changes in cells infected by the COVID-19 virus. The findings provide clues as to how different variants can escape the immune system, and serve as a basis for the development of novel treatments.
Sharks that frequent diving tourism sites where food is provided have higher levels of testosterone and corticosteroids than others that spend less time in these areas, as well as a better nutritional state. The effects of shark-human interaction are poorly understood.