Leafcutter ants can predict adverse weather by sensing changes in atmospheric pressure, allowing them to collect and store the largest possible amount of food. Under low pressure, scouts leave the nest faster, increasing foraging efficiency and cutting more leaves.
Researchers discovered that Stenotrophomonas maltophilia uses a secretion system to inject toxins into competing bacteria, eliminating them. The study also identified a key toxin molecule that can reduce bacterial replication rates.
A study of six beaches in Brazil found a direct correlation between urbanization, metal contamination, and increased metabolic stress in mussels. The researchers suggest that this evidence should be used to inform public policy and mitigate the effects of human activities on marine ecosystems.
Researchers have mapped 373,869 genes in commercial sugarcane, achieving 99.1% genome coverage. This feat will facilitate genetic improvement of the world's largest crop to increase efficiency and productivity.
A Brazilian team at FAPESP-supported Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases identified the strategy used by immune cells to combat the pathogen Mayaro virus. The study provides a basis for the development of drugs against this disease, targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome and its role in producing proinflammatory molecules.
A new study reveals an unusual diversity gradient in the Amazon Basin, with higher species richness in the western portion than expected. The research, led by scientists from France and Brazil, analyzed data from 97 subdrainage basins along the main stem of the Amazon and its tributaries.
A Brazilian consortium is working with international partners to develop new treatments for Malaria, Chagas disease and visceral leishmaniasis. The goal is to create a rapid-acting anti-malarial molecule that can eliminate the parasite without resistance development.
Brazilian researchers have reinterpreted the second law of thermodynamics by introducing statistical fluctuations, revealing that entropy can sometimes decrease. This study has practical interest for nanoscale machines and establishes a floor for fluctuations in thermodynamic quantities.
Despite increased use of mechanized harvesting, aerosol and ozone particle concentrations remain unchanged since the prohibition of burning sugarcane in 2002. The researcher suggests that greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter come from other sources.
Researchers at UFABC in Brazil developed a glycerol fuel cell powered by niobium, promising to replace batteries in small devices and power electric vehicles. The technology reduces the need for fossil fuels and offers a sustainable energy solution.
International researchers have found that most of the black carbon transported to the Atlantic Ocean is 'young' and likely results from recent forest fires. The study, published in Nature Communications, used radiometric dating and molecular composition analysis to quantify and characterize the black carbon flowing in the Amazon River.
Researchers analyzed stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in fur samples from 29 species of mammals to measure the impact of agriculture on their diet. The study found that herbivores and omnivores inhabiting forest fragments consumed agricultural resources, while carnivores close to croplands preyed on prey that feed on these resources.
The study estimates that preserving 270 million hectares of native vegetation yields Brazil USD 1.5 trillion per year in ecosystem services such as crop pollination, pest control, and water security. This research supports the importance of Legal Reserves and Permanent Conservation Areas in maintaining environmental services.
Physicists observe unusual quantum critical point in a heavy fermion compound, breaking the Kondo effect and exhibiting strange metal behavior. The discovery could lead to the creation of new sustainable materials for quantum information devices and superconductors.
A study by Brazilian researchers found that listening to instrumental music attenuates cardiac stress while driving, increasing parasympathetic nervous system activity and reducing sympathetic nervous system activation. This can contribute to the creation of cardiovascular preventative measures for situations of acute stress.
Researchers have discovered a critical point in supercooled water where thermal expansion and compressibility exhibit anomalous behavior. Theoretical model developed by Brazilian researchers can be applied to any system with two energy scales, including iron-based superconductors.
A new genetic mapping system for polyploid species has been developed in Brazil, allowing researchers to analyze the genes of complex organisms like sugarcane, kiwi, and blueberry. The open-source software package, MAPpoly, can be downloaded free of charge and has already been adopted by researchers at seven institutions worldwide.
Researchers at HUG-CELL identified a microRNA inhibitor that reduces tumor size and improves survival in mice with aggressive brain tumors. The synthetic miR-367 inhibitor prevents the regulation of proteins involved in cell growth, leading to an attenuation of tumor aggressiveness.
Researchers developed a novel method using quartz and feldspar grains from the Parnaíba River in Brazil's Northeast region. The analysis reveals significant differences in luminescence between samples from headwaters and lower reaches of the river, reflecting changes in precipitation patterns over the past 30,000 years.
Researchers found that the two species have complementary ecological functions, favoring seed dispersal and growth of adult trees. The loss of these herbivores could lead to significant effects on ecosystem dynamics, equivalent to the eradication of elephants from African and Asian forests.
Researchers in Brazil have successfully developed a modified strain of Uncaria guianensis, a medicinal plant native to the Amazon Rainforest. By modifying its alkaloid production using 'precursor-directed biosynthesis,' the team was able to create more potent chemicals with enhanced therapeutic effects.
A study of 993 Brazilian protected areas found 258 moderately vulnerable and 17 highly vulnerable to climate change. The Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest biomes are at greatest risk due to climate-driven changes in vegetation and native species distribution.
Brazilian researchers have discovered a new species of fungus gnat that emits blue light, which is the first record of such a species in the Neotropics. The larvae produce three lanterns and emit blue light, while adult insects do not.
A Brazilian study found that removing sugarcane straw could double fertilizer requirements by 2050 due to interrupted nutrient cycling. The researchers suggest leaving a substantial proportion of the straw on the ground to maintain soil health and productivity.
Researchers developed an injectable drug formulation using lipid nanoparticles to sustain the effect of naproxen in treating temporomandibular joint inflammation. The study showed significant reduction in inflammation and absence of side effects, making it a potential treatment option for this condition.
Researchers discovered that stingless bee larvae depend on a symbiotic relationship with three fungi species to develop and reach adulthood. The interaction between these fungi modulates larval development and highlights the importance of preserving this relationship against pesticide use.
A large group of ecologists contests an article proposing 'reforestation' of the Cerrado, Brazil's most biodiverse tropical savanna. The critics argue that the plan is based on flawed calculations and could worsen climate change by reducing surface albedo and intensifying global warming.
Researchers detected energy transfer from excited electrons to the crystal lattice on the femtosecond timescale, enabling the development of materials that retain energy for longer periods. This study contributes to the retardation of decoherence and the creation of quantum information devices such as optical switches.
Researchers have identified a novel compound that selectively inhibits the cyclin-dependent-like protein kinase PfCLK3 in Plasmodium falciparum, disrupting its lifecycle. The molecule TCMDC-135051 has shown promise in treating malaria and preventing transmission to vector insects.
Scientists discover a hitherto unknown mechanism behind the formation of nitroso thiols, important reaction products of nitric oxide. This process occurs during the formation of dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs), which are also products of nitric oxide.
A new composite material with enhanced antifungal activity was created by irradiating metallic tungstate with electrons and femtosecond laser pulses. The modified compound displayed antifungal activity 32 times greater than original silver tungstate, while also showing promise in treating bladder cancer cells.
Researchers identified a new species of parasite causing a disease similar to visceral leishmaniasis, resistant to current treatments. The parasite was found to infect both internal organs and skin, leading to severe symptoms and death in patients.
Researchers have discovered that a lipid produced by brown adipose tissue, called 12-HEPE, helps reduce blood sugar levels in obese mice. The study found that 12-HEPE promotes glucose uptake into both skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue, leading to improved glucose tolerance.
Researchers at the Center for Cell-Based Therapy identified microRNAs involved in pluripotency maintenance and cell differentiation. The study found that these molecules play a crucial role in regulating ESC behavior, with some miRNAs contributing to both pluripotency and differentiation.
Researchers have discovered a new bioluminescence mechanism in railroad worm Phrixothrix hirtus, emitting red light through the size of its luciferase cavity. This discovery has potential for biomedical applications like imaging muscles and blood tissue.
Researchers have isolated four compounds from Mimosa caesalpiniifolia that show effective antifungal activity against Candida species, including drug-resistant strains. The compounds will be tested in the form of ointments to combat candidiasis, a potentially lethal disease.
Brazilian researchers used computational tools to analyze blood cells from patients infected with chikungunya virus, identifying genes associated with the disease and potential biomarkers of predisposition to chronic joint pain. The study suggests that certain gene signatures can be explored as therapeutic targets.
Researchers have identified three species of electric eels, including one that can produce up to 860 volts, the strongest discharge ever recorded. The discovery opens new avenues of research into strong electric discharges in other fish species.
A Brazilian research group, supported by FAPESP, has developed a nanostructured titanium oxide material through electrospinning and atomic layer deposition. The material exhibits high surface area and reacts with UV light to degrade organic matter.
Researchers at São Paulo State University discovered that breaking time-reversal symmetry creates molecules with spin-polarized orbitals, allowing for the encoding of information. This phenomenon could be exploited in quantum computing and spintronics to develop faster, more efficient devices.
A new study has found that systematic eradication of plants contaminated with the cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) can keep passion fruit orchards producing for at least 25 months. The technique, known as roguing, involves removing weak or diseased plants to prevent the spread of the disease. In experiments conducted in Brazil, ...
The study found that ancient geological events, such as mountain range uplift and river formation, drove the emergence of new species of harvestmen in the southern portion of the Atlantic Rainforest. This discovery challenges the assumption that climate fluctuations are the primary cause of high biodiversity in this biome.
A study analyzing data from almost 30,000 nurses found that physical activity in adolescence and later life cumulatively reduce the risk of advanced adenomatous polyps, a precursor to colorectal cancer. The study showed that adequate physical activity in both adolescence and adulthood reduces the risk by 39%.
Researchers have identified markers capable of predicting mortality in patients with symptoms of yellow fever, potentially helping to prevent severe conditions. The study found that older patients, high neutrophil counts, and high viral loads at hospital admission are significantly associated with mortality.
The study found that elephants change the structure of African tropical forests, increasing aboveground biomass by 26 to 60 tons per hectare. This process contributes to a corresponding increase in carbon storage, making the forests more resilient to climate change.
A clinical trial published in Appetite found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can reduce or increase appetite depending on a patient's genetic profile. The study used a current of 2 milliamperes and 17 thirty-minute sessions over a month, with participants monitored for six months.
Researchers developed a novel, biodegradable larvicide system using thymol from thyme essential oil, which is effective against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The system uses microcapsules made of corn starch particles to control the release of larvicide, making it suitable for small water containers and reducing environmental harm.
A method developed by Brazilian and US researchers confirms a three-fold increase in thyroid cancer incidence among WTC responders compared to the general population. The four-biomarker panel distinguishes between malignant and benign tumors with no false positive results, enabling early detection and treatment.
A study of individuals over 65 years old found that low appendicular muscle mass significantly increased all-cause mortality risk nearly 63-fold in women and 11.4-fold in men. The researchers used DXA body composition analysis to determine the correlation between body composition factors and mortality risk.
A Brazilian study found that cannabidiol attenuates social isolation-induced aggression in mice by facilitating the activation of serotonin and CB1 receptors. The researchers used a resident-intruder test model to demonstrate that lower doses of cannabidiol inhibit aggressive behavior, while higher doses have little effect.