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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo


Identified mechanism involved in development and intensification of cancer treatment-related pain

A study found that immune checkpoint inhibitors enhance chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain by blocking interaction between macrophages and neurons via PD1-PDL1 synergy. This discovery could lead to the development of therapeutic alternatives to prevent pain while maintaining anti-neoplastic effects.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCancer Immunology Research·DateJan 30, 2023

Loss of muscle mass in acute stage of COVID-19 is associated with persistent symptoms, study shows

A study by researchers in Brazil found that loss of muscle mass during COVID-19 hospitalization is associated with the development of persistent symptoms such as weakness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The study also showed that patients who lost more muscle mass had higher healthcare costs six months after discharge.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association·DateJan 30, 2023

Exotic water ice contributes to understanding of magnetic anomalies on Neptune and Uranus

Researchers used density functional theory to investigate the mechanical properties of superionic ice XVIII, which is thought to make up a large part of Neptune and Uranus. The study found that dislocations in the crystal lattice produce shear, leading to macroscopic deformations and potentially influencing the planets' magnetic fields.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2023

Increase in marine heatwaves expected to affect organisms at bottom of food chain, study suggests

Researchers found that larvae of the Atlantic mangrove fiddler crab survived less in warmer water and underwent physiological changes due to higher acidity. Marine heatwaves will be harmful to species and those that feed on them, with potential economic losses to fisheries. Further research is needed to understand the effects.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEstuarine Coastal and Shelf Science·DateJan 18, 2023

Survey reveals physical and mental problems among health workers during pandemic

A study by researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos found that 86% of health workers reported burnout and 81% suffered from stress. They also experienced depression, slept badly, and complained of aches and pains. The study aimed to assess the effects of long working hours and burden on physical and mental health.

Aggressiveness of pet dogs is influenced by life history and owner’s characteristics, study suggests

A study of 665 pet dogs found that life history, owner gender, and breed can influence canine behavior. The results highlight the importance of environmental interactions in shaping animal behavior, suggesting that traits like weight, height, and cranial morphology impact the dog-owner relationship.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalApplied Animal Behaviour Science·TypeSurvey·DateJan 12, 2023

Study proves that antivenom reduces risk of skin necrosis in patients bitten by brown recluse spider

A six-year study involving 146 patients found that antivenom reduced the risk of skin necrosis in those bitten by brown recluse spiders. Administration of the substance was safe with minimal adverse effects, particularly when given within 48 hours of the incident.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateJan 11, 2023

Multidisciplinary, cross-border collaboration and stable levels of funding extend knowledge of the oceans

Researchers analyzed 300 oceanographic projects funded by FAPESP, revealing a shift from USP to other institutions. FAPESP's support for long-term projects and collaborative research has significantly increased knowledge of Brazilian oceans. Deep-sea research remains a gap to be filled, requiring further collaboration and funding.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalBiota Neotropica·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 4, 2023

Researchers succeeded in developing a light source that produced two entangled light beams

Scientists successfully created a light source that produced two entangled light beams using rubidium atoms. The entanglement was achieved by adding new detection steps to measure the quantum correlations in the amplitudes and phases of the fields generated, enabling applications in quantum computing, encryption, and metrology.

Researchers analyze performance of bacterium in combating coffee rust

A study analyzed the potential of a bacterium to combat coffee rust, a major challenge for Brazilian coffee growers. The researchers found that the bacterium produces antibacterial and antifungal compounds, as well as proteins associated with protection against water stress, making it a promising candidate for biological control.

Religion is not the factor that most influences rejection of evolutionary theory in schools, study says

A survey of 5,500 Brazilian and Italian students aged 14-16 found that nationality, social perceptions of science, and household income were more influential than religion in rejecting evolutionary theory. The study published in PLOS ONE reveals a significant gap in understanding geological time between Italian and Brazilian Catholics.

Effects of antidepressants taken during pregnancy are poorly understood, scientists note

A review of over 100 scientific articles suggests that the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy is endorsed by science, but their effects on fetal neurodevelopment are poorly understood. Brazilian researchers propose using lab-grown mini-brains to investigate this impact and identify potential alterations.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalSeminars in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 13, 2022

Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of losing muscle strength by 78%

Researchers found that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of dynapenia, an age-associated loss of muscle strength, by 70-78%. Vitamin D supplementation was shown to reduce this risk. The study analyzed data from over 3,000 individuals aged 50 and over, highlighting the importance of vitamin D for maintaining muscle strength.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCalcified Tissue International·DateDec 13, 2022

Study links genetic variant to digestive disturbances in patients with Chagas disease

Researchers identified a genetic variant linked to digestive disturbances in patients with Chagas megaesophagus, a disorder characterized by esophageal dilation and loss of motility. The study suggests that increased interferon-gamma production leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, contributing to the development of the disease.

Study conducted at hospital in São Paulo state detects measles antibodies in only 75% of under-fifteens

A study conducted in Brazil reveals that only 75.8% of under-fifteen children in São Paulo have antibodies against measles, falling short of the ideal 94% target to prevent outbreaks. The finding is a warning sign that Brazilian children are not achieving herd immunity, making them susceptible to infection.

Climate crisis and anthropic pressure are destabilizing the Pantanal

Researchers found that summer rainfall and autumn-winter dry days are increasing, leading to fluvial discharge and sediment load in rainy seasons and water deficits in dry seasons. The Pantanal's complex geomorphology, including mega-fans and self-affine landforms, makes it susceptible to anthropic interference.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of South American Earth Sciences·DateNov 17, 2022

Tiger sharks that interact with tourists are larger and have higher hormone levels, study shows

Researchers found that female tiger sharks that frequently visit Tiger Beach in the Bahamas are larger and have higher hormone levels than other individuals. The study suggests possible effects of mass tourism on these sharks, with females having better nutritional states and more omega-3 in their blood.

Fire in the Amazon is associated more with agricultural burning and deforestation than with drought

A recent study analyzing Amazon Rainforest fires from 2003-2020 reveals that most fires are caused by uncontrolled human use of fire for agriculture and deforestation. The study found that Brazil accounted for an average of 73% of detected fires, with pasturelands and natural grasslands being the main burned areas.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateNov 4, 2022