Researchers found that left-handed chiral gold nanoparticles increased the immune response in human cells even without an antigen, leading to a 25.8% increase in vaccine efficacy. The discovery uses chirality to enhance immune responses, potentially applicable to various vaccines.
Researchers found that adolescents who consumed ultra-processed foods were more likely to be obese, having abdominal and visceral obesity. The study used data from 3,587 US adolescents aged 12-19, dividing them into three groups based on the amount of ultra-processed foods in their diets.
Researchers have discovered three strains of Pseudomonas bacteria that can inhibit and even kill the fungus responsible for pineapple sett rot, a disease that affects sugarcane yields. The study found that these bacteria produce volatile organic compounds that downregulate genes essential to fungal growth, leading to cell death.
A study on women-only Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Brazil found that participants experienced rejection and loneliness due to social stigma. The women-only format provided a safe space for self-expression and reclaimed dignity, differing from mixed meetings where men-focused testimonials prevailed.
Researchers found that T. domingensis absorbed more iron than H. tiliaceus, making it a promising phytoremediation technique for rehabilitating contaminated water and soil. The study's findings could help mitigate the environmental damage caused by the 2015 iron mine tailings dam disaster in Brazil.
Research reveals extracellular vesicles facilitate coordinated responses among pathogenic fungal cells, enabling them to overcome host defenses. The discovery could lead to the development of more effective therapies to combat fungal infections.
Research suggests that physically active individuals experience a milder form of COVID-19, with a reduced risk of hospitalization and death. Studies have found that physical activity can prolong vaccine effectiveness and boost the immune response, offering promising avenues for future research.
A new Brazilian database of whole-genome sequences brings diverse genetic information to international databases, shedding light on the genetics of aging and disease in Brazil's elderly population. The study identified over 2 million novel genetic variants, providing insights into the health and well-being of older adults.
Researchers created cortical organoids from patients' skin cells, mimicking focal cortical dysplasia and identifying mechanisms involved in its emergence. The model can be used to screen existing medications for patients with severe epilepsy.
A booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine significantly increases antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, reversing a drop in immunity after two doses. In subjects given CoronaVac or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, the booster raised immunity by a factor of 25 and 7, respectively.
Researchers found that post-COVID patients displayed altered autonomic nervous system functioning, with increased sympathetic activity and decreased parasympathetic activity. Obesity and physical inactivity were key factors contributing to these changes.
A Brazilian study proposes a methodology to involve secondary school students in mapping natural disaster hazards and impact prevention. The students, aged between 2019-2021, were trained to identify areas prone to flooding and landslides using aerial photographs taken by drones.
Researchers at São Paulo State University have developed an edible bioplastic with a tensile strength comparable to petroleum-based plastics. The material is made from gelatin, clay and a nanoemulsion of black pepper essential oil, extending shelf life and preventing microbial contamination.
Researchers in Brazil developed a computer program that locates swimming pools and rooftop water tanks in aerial photographs, using artificial intelligence to identify socio-economically deprived urban areas at risk for diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti. The innovation can be used as a public policy tool for dynamic socio-economic ...
Researchers warn that deforestation and climate change are exacerbating drought conditions in Brazil's agricultural frontier, threatening soybean yields. The study analyzed changes in hydrology and weather patterns over four decades, highlighting a rise in temperatures, dry days, and decreased precipitation.
Researchers identified a mechanism that helps explain how certain kinds of genetic disorders are transmitted from mother to child. The study showed that mutant mtDNA builds up in the final stages of egg formation and can impair mitochondrial function, leading to disease.
A study found that a subtype of Newcastle disease virus caused the deaths of dozens of pigeons in São Paulo City. The researchers sequenced the viral genome and identified tissue wounds to determine the cause of death, revealing subgenotype VI.2.1.2 as the responsible pathogen. The risk to humans and poultry is considered low.
A Brazilian study of 2,777 patients hospitalized between January 5 and September 12, 2021 found that vaccination was the sole predictor of mortality in those over 60 with kidney failure. Vaccination also reduced hospitalization risk among non-vaccinated patients with comorbidities.
A new synthetic substance, PECS-101, has been shown to prevent neuropathic pain caused by chemotherapy while improving cancer treatment outcomes. The study, conducted in mice, found that PECS-101 had no adverse effects and did not cause dependence.
A study by Brazilian researchers found that regular fires enhance functional diversity and carbon fixation in savannas. They measured species numbers, attributes, and carbon dynamics in two areas, one with frequent fires and the other without fires for 16 years.
Researchers in Brazil and Portugal create biodegradable plastic film using eutectic solvents and natural pigments extracted from yeast. The process is environmentally sustainable and has potential applications in smart packaging with antioxidant and anti-microbial properties.
Scientists discovered two new targets, EPPIN domains, to block sperm motility, a complex process that allows sperm to reach the egg. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using mice as models for in vivo trials, simplifying preclinical studies and paving the way for novel male contraceptives.
A study tracking 425 patients post-COVID-19 found high prevalence of cognitive deficits, psychiatric impairments, and significant memory decline. Researchers observed no correlation between the severity of the disease or socio-economic factors with psychiatric alterations, suggesting a possible link to delayed inflammatory processes.
The detection of high-frequency gravitational waves would offer insights into the early Universe's phases, inaccessible to electromagnetic wave investigations. Currently, technological challenges limit the sensitivity of proposed projects to six orders of magnitude lower.
A study by the Brazilian High-Risk Cohort Study for Childhood Psychiatric Disorders found an association between child poverty and externalizing disorders in adolescence and early adulthood. Child poverty was particularly harmful to women, increasing their risk of developing mental health problems and affecting educational attainment.
Researchers attribute vaccine effectiveness to mutations shared with previous variants, resulting in relatively small severe cases and deaths among vaccinated patients. The study analyzed over 200,000 genomes and found identical mutations that could serve as targets for future vaccines.
Researchers found nanoparticles from human activities rapidly grow in atmosphere and influence cloud formation, affecting raindrop formation and changing rainfall regime. The study provides new insights into the impact of small aerosols on precipitation and improves climate change studies based on mathematical models.
Researchers found sublingual immunotherapy with house dust mite extract to be effective in reducing signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis. The treatment, administered over 18 months, resulted in significant improvements in pruritus and lesions, with rare side effects.
The study demonstrated that photodynamic therapy (PDT) using chlorin e-6 can effectively reduce bacterial plaque biofilms containing cariogenic microorganisms, including Streptococcus mutans. The treatment eliminated S. mutans and decreased total microorganisms by up to 3.7 units, with approximately 99% efficacy of antimicrobial activity.
A Brazilian study found that SARS-CoV-2 can persist in patients for over a month before becoming negative on diagnostic tests. Researchers tracked 38 COVID-19 patients and found that the virus remained detectable in three cases for more than 70 days, raising concerns about quarantine periods.
A study found that 31.4% of trauma patients at Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo, Brazil, tested positive for psychoactive substance use, including alcohol (23%), cocaine (12%), and marijuana (5%). The study contributes to the development of public policies to prevent accidents.
A study by Brazilian researchers found that these large mammals help regulate plant diversity, productivity, and biomass in understory areas. The spatial structure of plant communities is also influenced, with the Jussara palm playing a key role in attracting animals and dispersing seeds.
A study found that preventing mental health problems among schoolchildren, particularly externalizing disorders, could have prevented grade repetition and dropout. The study involved 2,511 families with children aged 6-14 and showed that girls with externalizing disorders were more likely to be held back a grade.
A Brazilian study found a correlation between dealing with COVID-19 and environmental disasters, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and community resilience. The study also identified a lack of continuity in funding for disaster relief and pandemic response.
A study of 118 conservation units in Brazil found that 60% use unsuitable methods to detect deer presence. Visual analysis of droppings, fur, and footprints is a reliable method for most species, but others require DNA testing or camera traps.
Researchers discovered nine genes in S. mansoni's autophagy pathway inhibited by the primate's immune system, preventing parasite multiplication and contaminating the host. The study suggests a potential novel therapy and vaccine against schistosomiasis.
Researchers found that inhibiting gasdermin D, a protein involved in septic patients' organ lesions, can prevent multiple-organ damage and improve prognosis. Disulfiram, a drug originally indicated for alcohol dependence, was shown to inhibit gasdermin D and reduce tissue injury.
Researchers found that zika virus injections destroyed brain tumors in mice and reduced tumor size in cerebral organoids, with immune cells alerting the system to its existence. This approach opens up prospects for virotherapy treatment of central nervous system tumors.
Researchers found that local gravitational tides modulate the cyclical behavior of organisms, even in the absence of other rhythmic influences. The study questions the validity of free-run experiments and highlights the importance of considering gravitational oscillations in biological research.
Researchers at TU Delft and UNICAMP successfully teleported the quantum state of a single photon to an optomechanical device containing billions of atoms. This achievement paves the way for creating signal repeaters in a future quantum internet, enabling long-distance quantum communication.
Researchers at UNICAMP discovered that total parasite biomass is a better predictor of complications in patients with P. vivax malaria than parasitemia. The study highlights the importance of parasite biomass in the bone marrow and spleen, which play a major role in vivax malaria complications.
Researchers found that slowness of gait alone can predict loss of capacity to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living (BADL and IADL) in older adults. The study analyzed data from over 3,000 people aged 60 and over, concluding that measuring gait speed is sufficient for efficient prediction of functional disability.
A study by researchers at the University of São Paulo developed a model that can predict the likelihood of politicians being convicted of corruption based on their voting histories. The model achieved 90% accuracy in identifying corrupt deputies.
A study of over 4,000 Brazilian crowdfunding campaigns found that cities with higher income inequality led to successful campaigns, while diverse rewards and lower fundraising targets improved outcomes. Researchers also developed an algorithm to predict campaign success using artificial intelligence.
Children with congenital zika syndrome exhibit different neurological development profiles, with varying abilities to respond to stimuli. Larger head circumference is associated with higher cognitive and motor scores, according to the study published in PLOS ONE.
A bile acid derivative, TUDCA, reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure in mice with an Alzheimer's-like disorder. The treatment improved quality of life by mitigating metabolic abnormalities associated with the disease.
Researchers developed a novel computer simulation method that can analyze key proteins in the reproductive cycle of SARS-CoV-2, promising to accelerate the search for bioactive compounds against COVID-19. The method estimates a reduction in research time from two to three years to under a year.
Researchers from Brazil and international collaborators demonstrate the conversion of low-cost waste biomass into bioplastic, electronic devices, and other high-value materials. The study highlights the potential of this approach to address global waste management challenges and promote a circular economy.
A recent study by Brazilian, Argentine, and US researchers has revealed 28 new species within the Aurelia genus of jellyfish. The identification was made possible through combining morphological data with four molecular markers derived from both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA.
A study from the University of São Paulo found that people infected with Chikungunya may develop partial immunity to Mayaro virus. The researchers observed a significant reduction in disease severity and viral load, suggesting cross-protection through neutralizing antibodies and immune memory.