The study predicts that climate change will lead to the loss of 99% of plant species in the Caatinga biome by 2060, resulting in a decrease in vegetation diversity and complexity. Biotic homogenization is expected to affect approximately 40% of plant assemblages, simplifying their composition due to the loss of rare species.
A novel biodegradable optical fiber made from agar has been developed to measure or modulate electrical currents in the body. The fiber can be used to monitor bioelectrical stimuli produced in the brain or muscles, serving as a biodegradable alternative to conventional electrodes.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 195 clinical trials found that cell therapy can reduce the risk of death from COVID-19 by 60%. The studies, conducted in 30 countries between January 2020 and December 2021, used various types of cells, including mesenchymal stem cells and natural killer cells.
A study warns that Brazil's hydroelectric power plants are threatening the Williams' side-necked turtle, which depends on rapids for survival. The study estimates that 30% of its habitat could be lost, heightening the risk of extinction due to highly suitable areas becoming increasingly rare and less interconnected.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo estimate that Brazil's active legal mines will release 2.55 gigatonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere if not managed sustainably. The country's technosols, derived from mine tailings and waste, could offset up to 60% of soil-related emissions, according to a new study.
A comprehensive review of sedentary behavior's effects on health found excessive sitting to lead to insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction, and increased body fat. The study emphasizes the need for more research on effective interventions to reduce sedentary behavior.
A novel method to obtain acetone has been developed by a scientific collaboration between researchers in Brazil and Germany, using only light and photoactive iron chloride. The process is direct, safer, and cheaper than traditional methods, with fewer stages and no high temperatures or flammable intermediaries.
A study published in NPJ Aging reveals that COVID-19 exacerbates production of auto-antibodies associated with blood clotting disorders and aging. Researchers found that severe COVID-19 cases display a significant age-related increase in auto-antibodies, which can lead to tissue injury and organ damage.
Researchers found that adding niobium oxide to silicate glass increases bond density and connectivity, enhancing mechanical and thermal stability. This discovery could lead to the development of innovative glass formulations for various applications, including optics, medicine, and data transmission.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery leads to an increase in caries and periodontitis, as well as alterations in salivary inflammatory markers. The study's findings emphasize the importance of dental assessment for patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
Researchers at State University of Campinas found that coconut oil supplementation led to significant alterations in food intake, weight gain, and anxious behavior in mice. The study suggests that long-term consumption of coconut oil can contribute to the development of obesity and associated comorbidities.
The study found that despite invasive strains, all yeast lineages belonged to the ethanol fermentation environment, keeping the industrial process stable. The researchers plan to investigate yeast population dynamics in more detail, including the impact of external agents like bacteria.
Research on minimally processed vegetables reveals unsatisfactory microbiological safety, with Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. found at high prevalence rates. The study calls for best practice assurance to guarantee products with quality and safety for consumers.
Researchers found that telomere shortening, a biomarker of cellular aging, accelerated in untreated obstructive sleep apnea patients. However, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) attenuated this damage. The study suggests that CPAP can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to slower aging.
A study by researchers at the University of São Paulo found that glitter can hinder the growth of cyanobacteria, a key component of aquatic ecosystems. The toxic effects of glitter on microorganisms have not been well-studied, but the findings suggest that even low concentrations can negatively impact susceptible organisms.
Brazilian researchers discovered an enzyme that can replace traditional catalysts in the production of aviation biokerosene, increasing renewable biofuel output. The enzyme, OleTP RN, promotes deoxygenation and is selective for different sizes and types of carbon chain.
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to analyze brain imaging data and identify changes associated with autism spectrum disorder. The study found that the methodology could determine ASD diagnosis with above 95% accuracy, highlighting potential for improved diagnostic methods.
The study analyzed the Parnaíba and São Francisco River basins, highlighting vulnerabilities to deforestation, fire, drought, poverty, and climate change. The SEVI index measures socio-environmental vulnerability, revealing 'very high' levels in 53% of the São Francisco basin.
Researchers found that occasional long-distance dispersal events between North and South Brazil allow red mangrove trees to exchange genetic material, maintaining their unique populations. Mangroves play a vital role in coastal ecology and carbon storage, making conservation efforts crucial.
A child patient was co-infected with Leishmania infantum and an unnamed Crithidia parasite species, revealing a rare case of non-ulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis. Genome sequencing confirmed the presence of both parasites, sparking new research questions on disease transmission and host susceptibility.
A study in Brazil found that 35.4% of restaurants on a popular food delivery app are 'dark kitchens' with no direct contact with consumers, serving mainly Brazilian food at lower costs. The research highlights health and safety issues, consumer perceptions, and the need for legal viability to ensure sanitary inspection.
Researchers found that tolerant animals can replace sensitive species, maintaining ecosystem stability despite harmful practices. The study suggests protection for swamps and ponds on the edge of croplands to promote biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found Amazon dark earth boosts tree growth by twice to five times normal height with 20% ADE and three to six times with 100% ADE. The soil also contains more nutrients, including phosphorus, and has a higher pH. Biotech applications aim to replicate these characteristics without requiring the finite resource.
A study analyzing genomic data from 34 fossils, including the famous sambaquis shell mounds, found that Luzio, São Paulo's oldest skeleton, was a descendant of the ancestral population that settled the Americas at least 16,000 years ago. The research also revealed differences between coastal and inland communities, suggesting two disti...
Researchers highlight the importance of tropical montane ecosystems and their limited data availability. The study proposes refining models to include socio-ecological diversity, emphasizing the need for a transdisciplinary network to quantify ecosystem services.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo's Institute of Biosciences successfully developed blastoids from bovine pluripotent stem cells, creating an accessible in vitro model for studying embryogenesis. This breakthrough could lead to improved farm animal reproduction and enable breeding cattle with desirable characteristics.
Researchers identified a new class of molecules capable of preventing excessive inflammation in severe COVID-19. Blocking the link between peptide C5a and its cellular receptor reduced lung damage and other complications in mice. This finding suggests that antagonists of C5aR1 could be useful for treating severe COVID-19.
Research shows that a diet rich in soluble fiber like inulin can renew intestinal epithelial cells and improve intestinal health. The study found that gut microbiota plays a key role in this process.
Researchers discovered that long non-coding RNAs are essential for the survival of the parasitic worm causing schistosomiasis. Silencing these RNAs prevents reproduction and egg release, leading to parasite death. This finding offers a promising new approach to treating this neglected disease.
A study found that SARS-CoV-2 infects liver cells, leading to hyperglycemia and a severe form of COVID-19. Researchers discovered the mechanism used by the virus to impair glucose metabolism, pointing to potential strategies for treating patients.
The Brazilian coast, particularly in South and Southeast regions, is experiencing increasingly extreme surface air temperatures and more frequent swings from heat to cold. Biodiversity and public health are affected, with rising mortality rates among animals and humans.
A new biodegradable film was developed by Brazilian researchers using a derivative of limonene and chitosan to improve the preservation of food quality. The film outperformed those with limonene alone, exhibiting enhanced antioxidant activity and stability.
Researchers discovered a hormone in adipose tissue that protects beta cells, which make insulin, in lean individuals and reverses damage in obese people. The study provides hope for developing novel therapeutic strategies to mitigate obesity-related health problems.
A study analyzing bloodstream infections by Candida fungi reveals persistently high mortality rates in Brazil, despite therapeutic advances. The authors warn that diagnostic techniques must improve to address this issue.
Researchers discovered that combining brilacidin with two classes of antifungals cleared up lung infections in animals. Brilacidin alone blocked growth of drug-resistant fungal species and developed disease in an animal model of keratitis, a corneal infection affecting millions worldwide.
French philosopher Georges Canguilhem was influenced by Immanuel Kant's ideas on 'technique', 'technical activity' and 'practice', which shaped his conception of medicine. Canguilhem prioritized the egalitarian principles symbolized by the French Republic's motto, emphasizing the importance of social well-being in health.
Researchers found that four weeks of resistance training with weights reversed behavioral and physical alterations characteristic of the disease in mice. The study's results suggest that physical activity can be an effective strategy to avoid or delay the appearance of symptoms of sporadic Alzheimer’s, which may be associated with aging.
Researchers found that cigarette smoke and HPV interact to heighten the risk of head and neck cancer by increasing oxidative stress and DNA damage. The study's results pave the way for novel strategies in prevention and treatment.
Researchers analyzed MRI scans and test data to detect biological alterations in brain structure and function. Long COVID has been found to cause cognitive dysfunction, with grey matter atrophy and cerebral hyperconnectivity observed in infected patients.
Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon's Indigenous Territories led to the emission of 96 million metric tons of carbon dioxide between 2013 and 2021. The rate of deforestation increased by 129% between 2013 and 2021, with 59% of emissions occurring between 2019 and 2021.
A daily dose of 500 mg propolis improved immunity, reduced free radicals, and attenuated chronic inflammation in asymptomatic HIV patients. The study showed a significant reduction in plasma levels of malondialdehyde and an increase in total antioxidant capacity.
Researchers developed a pilot study to address the issue of thermal discomfort in social housing projects. They proposed replacing conventional windows with fully openable tilting windows, monolithic expanded polystyrene walls, and green-tinted tempered glass, which can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
A Brazilian study compared treatments for idiopathic and refractory tinnitus, finding low-level laser therapy with photobiomodulation to be the most effective. The treatment had lasting therapeutic effects when combined with other therapies.
A 225-million-year-old Brazilian fossil provides the oldest evidence of air sacs in dinosaurs, which enabled these creatures to grow into giants. The discovery sheds light on how these structures evolved over time, contradicting previous assumptions about their development.
A review article proposes zero-waste methodologies to convert 100% of marine macroalgae (seaweed) into cosmetics ingredients using industrially available green technology. This enables the cosmetics industry to meet environmental sustainability and ESG requirements, while leveraging the potential of Brazilian seaweed.
Researchers found a peptide from venomous fish Thalassophryne nattereri that controls lung inflammation and airway hyperreactivity. The molecule, TnP, inhibited cytokine production and prevented mucus-producing cell hyperplasia, making it a potential candidate for treating asthma.
A Brazilian study combined urban expansion and land-use changes with hydrodynamic models to identify flood-prone areas of cities. The methodology, validated using actual data for São Caetano do Sul, can be used by other cities to devise public policies and make decisions to address flooding impacts.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo identified a protein in Amblyomma ticks essential to their survival while feeding, making it a promising target for developing a vaccine. The study found that silencing gene expression of an inhibitor of apoptosis protein reduced bacterial proliferation and made ticks more resistant to infection.
The CAETÊ algorithm projects the future of vegetation in the Amazon, presenting scenarios for transformation driven by climate change. It shows that a drier climate could increase biodiversity but lower carbon storage, with carbon absorption dropping between 57.48% and 57.75% compared to regular climate conditions.
A new working group of the Global Research Council aims to map existing funding mechanisms for global research collaboration. The group will assess opportunities for multilateral engagement and figure out how to implement them, despite legal barriers that prevent public resources from crossing national borders.