A computational model generates a digital twin of the human thorax to predict the path of light radiation and tailor noninvasive therapies to each patient's anatomy. This allows for personalized dosimetry and a more effective therapeutic response in the treatment of pneumonia.
A new study proposes using supercurrent to read quantum information without destroying it, eliminating the need for auxiliary circuits. This method uses the oscillating electric supercurrent produced by an Andreev qubit to encode and decode the qubit's state, enabling virtually non-destructive quantum readout.
A recent study reveals that natural forest regeneration can effectively reduce the density of non-native trees and restore ecosystems. As native trees grow and shade the forest, non-native species decline in density, indicating that native species can dominate in mature forests.
A study published in Nature reveals that deforestation and wildfires have reversed the Amazon's CO2 balance, rendering it unable to sequester greenhouse gases. The region's carbon balance has shifted, with emissions exceeding absorption by nearly 40% annually.
A Brazilian biobank is being developed to create risk assessment tools tailored to the Brazilian population's diversity, using genetic, epidemiological, and lifestyle data. The biobank aims to identify individuals at higher risk of developing certain types of cancer and offer personalized prevention and screening strategies.
A global survey of 102 cities across 31 countries has revealed over 40,000 new viral species, with 77% of them having never been described before. The study sheds light on the vast biological diversity of microorganisms in urban environments, revealing complex interactions between viruses and their hosts.
A recent study revealed that corn cultivation played a crucial role in the subsistence and development of large villages in the Brazilian savanna. The research, which analyzed minute chemical variations in human bones and teeth, provided a record of diet throughout life. Corn consumption was comparable to that of Mayan and Andean popul...
Researchers have discovered a 42-centimeter snake fossil in Brazil that provides new insights into the origin of snakes. The fossil, named Tametara mirim, had an endocranial anatomy and inner ear consistent with an underground lifestyle, suggesting that snakes already existed 80 million years ago in an ecologically diverse population.
A study of 4,200 adolescents revealed that cyberbullying rarely occurs in isolation, but is often an extension of physical and verbal aggression in the school environment. The study found that young people involved in multiple contexts of violence show a strong association with psychological distress and substance use.
A recent study reveals that extreme drought and heat from the last El Niño event may become a recurring phenomenon in tropical forests unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. The Amazon is the most vulnerable region, with the likelihood of severe droughts increasing ninefold by the end of the century.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo found that anti-cancer molecules effective against malaria parasites, eliminating them at both the asexual and gametocyte stages of development. This discovery paves the way for the development of new effective drugs.
Researchers developed a safer alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy, targeting only one estrogen receptor to promote metabolic protection and prevent tumor growth. The approach restored metabolic balance, improved liver function, and reduced risk of diseases like diabetes and high cholesterol.
Researchers developed a biodegradable sensor using cobalt chloride to detect moisture levels in food packaging, enabling easy monitoring of crispiness and quality. The sensor changes color from blue to pink as moisture levels rise or fall, reflecting actual changes in storage conditions.
A study with mice found that seven days of strength training activated lipid breakdown mechanisms, reduced fat cell size, and decreased fat around the intestines. This effect occurred even before any weight loss was observed on the scale.
Researchers developed a microscopic technology that can grow cells in three dimensions, enabling more accurate assessment of toxicity of drugs, nanomaterials and pollutants. The device, manufactured from PDMS, enables the automated conduct of multiple experiments and recovers intact cellular models for further analysis.
Researchers from São Paulo State University tracked moisture sources and predicted droughts in the Amazon using water isotopes. The study demonstrated that daily precipitation monitoring can provide an early warning system for droughts, which are caused by El Niño and the warming of the North Atlantic.
A new technique has identified stars that have consumed planets, revealing that stable systems like the Solar System may be less common than thought. The technique analyzes the abundance of beryllium, a rare chemical element, and has opened a new window into studying planetary system evolution.
A study of nearly four million Roman coins reveals how Rome's economic integration facilitated its territorial expansion. The research, led by Eduardo Amaral Haddad and Inácio Fernandes Araújo, used digital archaeology and data science to reconstruct the monetary circulation of the Roman Republic from 155 BCE to 2 CE.
A clinical trial demonstrated that increasing daily steps is as effective as aerobic exercise in managing asthma, improving quality of life and alleviating respiratory and anxiety symptoms in the medium term. Both approaches provide flexible, accessible, non-pharmacological treatment alternatives.
A study analyzed 1,694 articles and found an annual growth rate of 9.5% in research addressing climate change and animal production. The study also noted an increase in interdisciplinarity, methodological sophistication, and new agendas focused on sustainability, adaptation, resilience, and animal welfare.
A study published in Ecological Monographs reveals that large mammals like tapirs, peccaries, and deer alter soil chemistry and increase fertility in the Atlantic Forest. By trampling and rooting around, these animals reduce soil acidity and increase nutrient availability, leading to increased forest soil fertility.
Researchers discovered that three bacteria, including P. inefficax, can alter the soil microbiome to protect wheat from a fungus that causes root rot. The bacteria increase root biomass, exhibit growth-promoting genes, and produce beneficial plant compounds, strengthening the plant's defenses.
Researchers discovered that Trypanosoma cruzi, the Chagas disease parasite, alters its RNA to adapt to infect mammals, a process that could lead to new treatments. The study found that modifications in transfer RNA facilitate protein production, influencing the parasite's transformation from a non-infective to an infectious phase.
A study conducted at São Paulo State University found that low concentrations of caustic soda increase methane production from banana waste, reducing reagent consumption and process costs. The optimal concentration of 0.2% NaOH promotes the greatest solubilization of carbohydrates and highest rate of gas production.
Researchers developed a hybrid nanoparticle that targets chronic wounds by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and promoting fibroblast migration. The treatment promotes full cell regeneration and near-complete closure of simulated lesions in 72 hours.
Researchers found that exposure to PM2.5 worsens periodontal disease by exacerbating inflammation and intensifying alveolar bone loss. The oral mucosa also shows significant changes, including thickening of the tissue lining the tongue and increased keratin deposition.
Researchers evaluated 21 language models, finding they alter their discourse to align with users' bias, creating echo chambers that reinforce preexisting beliefs. The models' behavior varies by topic, with greater shifts in stance on public safety and the economy, but consistency on corruption and democratic institutions.
A Brazilian study analyzed the fate of 1,116 new mammal species described over 35 years and found that most were native to poor or developing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. However, their holotypes are mostly stored in wealthy countries in Europe and North America.
Researchers have identified unusual regime of quantum oscillations in a three-dimensional topological insulator, deviating from conventional theory. The study shows that electrons in zirconium pentatelluride exhibit behavior indicating a topological origin rather than many-body interactions.
Researchers have found evidence of two episodes of significant Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) intensification between 17,800 and 14,800 years ago. The study suggests that the AMOC may be more dynamic than previously thought, with potential consequences for global climate patterns.
Researchers identified Adenomera varcena through call and DNA analyses, revealing a hidden diversity in the Amazon's floodplain forests. The discovery highlights cryptic diversity and underscores the need for further research to understand amphibian diversification in the Amazon.
An international study of 58,000 adolescents found that unstructured free time is strongly associated with delinquent behavior and exposure to violence. The study, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed data from 21 countries and found that association with delinquent peers was the strongest predictor of involvement in crime.
Researchers have developed a technique that can map protein movements over time, revealing dynamic behaviors in molecules with similar structures. This insight improves understanding of protein function and paves the way for training AI models to predict protein behavior.
A study found that combining omega-3 and low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was comparable to antibiotics in treating severe periodontitis, reducing the need for antibiotics. The treatment combination showed significant benefits, with patients experiencing a similar rate of deep pocket reduction as those receiving antibiotics.
Research found that six gratitude interventions had a greater impact than three control measures, with greatest effect from social connection-based practice. Gratitude interventions led to improvements in psychological states linked to human flourishing, including positive affect, feelings of social reciprocity, and life satisfaction.
A Brazilian engineer's family is diagnosed with hereditary medullary carcinoma after genetic testing reveals an inherited mutation in the RET gene. The condition was initially reactive but shifted to preventive and precision strategies, allowing for earlier interventions and improved outcomes.
Researchers developed an innovative vaccine strategy that uses genetically modified viruses to protect against Chikungunya and other diseases. The new approach generates antibodies without causing disease, paving the way for a robust vaccine platform with broad protective potential.
A Brazilian study found a bidirectional relationship between hypothyroidism and sleep apnea, with participants experiencing more frequent and severe OSA when diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Hormone replacement therapy improved sleep quality by an average of 49 minutes per night.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo have developed an algorithm for optimal pruning using LiDAR technology, which creates a detailed 3D model of tree architecture. By simulating wind forces on these models, they can identify vulnerable branches and recommend precise cuts to improve tree stability.
A study of 5,500 individuals aged 50+ found that both conditions alone increase the risk of death, but together it more than doubles. Abdominal obesity and vitamin D deficiency create a vicious cycle, exacerbating chronic inflammation and impairing bodily functions.
A study covering 52 Atlantic Forest fragments found that natural dispersal of new plants is boosted by surrounding forest and rainfall regime. Seed richness increased as forest cover and precipitation increased, regardless of fragment size.
A Brazilian research team used synchrotron light techniques to analyze a super-deep diamond and found that goethite can withstand extreme pressures and temperatures all the way to the planet's interior. The study suggests that goethite may transport and release water into the lower mantle, reinforcing the hypothesis.
Researchers found changes in tooth enamel mineralization in rats exposed to secondhand smoke, with increased carbon content and reduced phosphorus levels. This suggests a potential impact on tooth strength and hardness.
A recent study reveals that the Pimentel Barbosa Indigenous Territory, home to the Xavante ethnic group, has maintained its environmental configuration amidst agricultural expansion and deforestation. The area, dominated by Cerrado vegetation, has been preserved despite surrounding areas being converted to soybean farming and livestock...
For the first time in Brazil, scientists have detected bacteria that cause columnaris disease, a serious disease in farmed fish. The study found that six out of eleven isolated strains were of the Flavobacterium oreochromis species, infecting native Brazilian species such as tambaqui, pacu, and Amazon spotted catfish.
Researchers at University of São Paulo develop tool using isotopes to track origin of Amazon timber, identify regions where logging is most intense. The methodology involves analyzing ratios of different isotopes in wood cellulose to pinpoint harvesting location.
A 10-year study in São Paulo, Brazil, found that social inequality widens the gap between people's opportunities and experiences. Women from racial minorities with low education have the lowest rates of physical activity during leisure time.
A study found that patients with proximal humerus fractures often avoid movements due to fear of re-injury or discomfort, leading to chronic pain and impaired mobility. Early identification and targeted interventions can help boost confidence and facilitate faster recovery.
A study of 43 fathers, mothers, and newborns found that higher ultra-processed food consumption by fathers was associated with higher birth weights and greater fat accumulation in babies. The quality of the father's diet before conception may influence fetal development.
Researchers detected chlorinated organophosphorus esters in solid waste, linked to toxic effects on the endocrine and reproductive systems. The substances, used as flame retardants, can cause cancer and harm human health if not managed properly.