Scientists in Brazil and Denmark found that adding enzymes to cassava flour can improve its baking properties, making it suitable for bread production. The study showed that cassava flour could replace between 20-30% of wheat flour without significantly altering the sensory characteristics or leavening process.
Researchers found that exposure to forest fire pollutants caused severe DNA damage and stopped lung cells from dividing. Retene, a chemical compound in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), was the main culprit, leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, and genetic damage.
Researchers found that supplementing cell cultures with nicotinamide riboside protects cells and prevents malignant transformation. The compound may be used in chemoprevention to prevent cancer development.
Researchers found that an experimental drug stimulates alpha-7 nicotinic receptors, reducing inflammation and improving lung function in mice with chronic allergic conditions. The treatment also activated M2 macrophages, associated with tissue repair, and reduced pro-inflammatory molecules.
A Brazilian scientist proposes a new definition of glass as a non-equilibrium, non-crystalline state of matter that appears solid on a short time scale but relaxes towards the liquid state. This definition challenges traditional views of glass as a solid and highlights its unique properties.
Researchers found that early-onset cocaine users exhibited pronounced differences in sustained attention, working memory, and declarative memory compared to late-onset users. The study also revealed higher frequencies of cannabis and alcohol use among early-onset individuals.
EnterUp's AI-driven system uses spatial collaborative filtering to personalize online searches, resulting in a 25% increase in property sales conversions. The technology also extends the range of offerings by suggesting areas with similar characteristics, such as nearby shopping malls.
Researchers warn that Zika virus is rapidly mutating in Brazilian patients, potentially leading to the emergence of new serotypes. This could hinder the production of effective vaccines and diagnostic tests, posing significant public health risks.
Researchers in Brazil are testing a technique combining low-intensity electric current with nanoencapsulated chemotherapy to treat skin cancer. The study found that topical application combined with iontophoresis resulted in a significantly greater reduction in tumor size and made the tumor less aggressive.
Researchers have identified two microRNAs, miR-294 and miR-721, that are upregulated in macrophages infected with Leishmania parasites, potentially inhibiting the immune system's response. By analyzing the expression of these microRNAs, scientists hope to identify molecular targets for developing new treatments against leishmaniasis.
Researchers compare sanitation systems in Brazil and USA, finding presence of contaminants in drinking water, including industrial compounds, pesticides, and endocrine disrupters. The study suggests that complementary treatments are needed to obtain clean water that can be safely consumed.
Researchers develop microneedle technology to increase topical anesthesia penetration, reducing patient discomfort during dental procedures. The method has shown promising results in preliminary tests, with patients tolerating deeper injections.
A genetic study aims to improve the tenderness and productivity of Brazilian beef cattle. Researchers bred over 800 animals to identify genomic areas associated with meat quality characteristics, revealing molecular processes related to muscle deposition and fat thickness.
Researchers investigate alternatives to address ruminal acidosis, a serious disease affecting intensive farming systems. Feed additives, such as ionophores, can control lactic acid production, reducing the risk of acidosis and improving animal productivity.
Researchers found that a diet rich in saturated fats damages the brain's hunger control system within days, while gut bacteria changes occur weeks later. The study suggests that this sequence of events may contribute to weight gain and obesity.
A team of scientists from five countries analyzed sediment cores to reconstruct the past 1 million years of the Atlantic Rainforest biome in southern Brazil. The research aimed to understand how vegetation responded to climate change, using sediment samples that contained information about plant cover, rainfall, and subsoil communities.
Researchers found that chronic migraine patients are three times as likely to suffer from severe temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which causes difficulty chewing and joint tension. The study suggests that TMD may increase the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, but it does not directly cause the condition.
Researchers use metabolomics to analyze chemical compositions of Espeletia plants and confirm hypothesis on their origin and migration routes along the northern Andes. The study suggests that geographic isolation favored allopatric speciation in this plant genus.
Scheme Lab develops a portable DNA sequencing kit for rapid detection of genetic variations in meat quality, seedlings, and plants. The 'point-of-care' test can be used anywhere - in factories, on farms, or at home.
A study found that if Santos doesn't adapt to climate change, losses could be up to ten times higher due to flood- and global warming-related diseases. The model estimates R$1.5 billion in physical building costs versus R$3 billion in total losses including health and education.
A Brazilian startup has developed an animal detection system that uses sensors and transmitters to warn drivers of potential wildlife crossings. The system, called Passa-Bicho, aims to reduce roadkill and collisions by providing early warnings to drivers, covering hundreds of meters ahead.
Researchers found that stingless bees control worker reproduction through pheromones, allowing workers to care for the queen's offspring instead of their own. This adaptation creates a conflict between the queen and workers over reproductive interests.
Kimera Biotecnologia's biotech eCG has proven as effective as conventional eCG, reducing production costs by 30-50% and eliminating animal blood use. The hormone is produced in the lab, hastening puberty, inducing superovulation, and increasing fecundity.
A study by Valeria Valente identified genetic alterations promoting aggressiveness in astrocytomas, with correlations to patient survival prognosis. The research aimed to customize treatment to patient needs, potentially predicting tumor behavior through gene signatures.
A study associates schizophrenia with defective processing of messenger RNA in cells, suggesting a link between the spliceosome complex and brain dysfunctions. The researchers found altered proteins in two brain regions, including those involved in calcium-mediated signaling and myelination.
The study highlights São Paulo State as a prime example of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, where firms can benefit from each other's presence. Knowledge-intensive firms should connect to optimize resources and expand their competencies. The analysis also explores cross-border developing zones and innovation policies.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) was less effective than escitalopram, an antidepressant, in treating depression. The researchers concluded that tDCS cannot be recommended as first-line therapy due to its lack of efficacy and adverse side effects.
Lasertools, a Brazilian company, has extended its use of solid-state neodymium-doped lasers to increase power levels and processing speed, making micromachining more feasible. The company developed laser manufacturing methods for biocompatible metal implants, including coronary stents.
Research reveals that stingless bee queens rearing high rates of diploid males are sacrificed in up to 20 days, threatening the colony's survival. The emergence of these male bees with both paternal and maternal genetic material leads to reduced reproductive chances for the colony.
A study in São Paulo City found that switching from bio to fossil fuels in flex-fuel cars results in a 30% increase in ultrafine particulate matter. The rise in ethanol prices led to a decrease in its consumption, causing an increase in nanoparticles pollution.
Researchers suggest that combining drugs blocking PAF-R protein may increase radiotherapy's killing of tumor cells by one third and reduce tumor repopulation. Analysis with human oral cancer cells and murine cervical cancer cells showed promising results, supporting a new therapeutic strategy.
Researchers discovered the role of cytokine TNF in causing herpetic neuralgia, a common symptom of shingles. The study provides insights into novel therapeutic approaches to combat acute and chronic pain associated with the condition.
A nine-month research project involved a control group and two groups of older people who learned to play video games or developed their own games. The results showed that the game developers performed significantly better than the control and player groups in terms of mental health, quality of life, cognition, and functional capacity.
The Oropouche virus is a serious public health risk for Brazil, spreading to major cities after being confined to villages in the Amazon. The virus causes acute fever and may lead to meningitis and meningoencephalitis.
Researchers identified lipid accumulation mechanism in oocytes, limiting in vitro bovine embryo success. Excessive fat buildup impairs embryo development and viability.
Researchers have created a new national map of seismic hazards for Brazil, highlighting regions prone to tremors. The survey found that the Northeast, Mato Grosso, and Pantanal biome are at higher risk, with low-intensity tremors capable of causing significant damage.
A study by the University of São Paulo found that aerobic exercise facilitates the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria from heart cells, increasing energy supply and reducing toxic molecules. Regular exercise can help prevent heart failure and improve cardiac function.
A new study reveals significant differences in the genes expressed by human and mouse microglia, with unique human genes playing a crucial role in immune response. The findings provide valuable insights for studying neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A research project has developed fiber cement panels and biomass particleboard using agroindustrial waste, offering alternatives to toxic raw materials. The use of plant-based materials reduces the environmental impact of construction products.
Researchers at Inprenha Biotecnologia have discovered a molecule that increases bovine pregnancy rates and reduces early embryo loss. The product, which enhances reproductive efficiency in domestic animals like cattle and horses, has been tested by the company and shown to be effective.
A Brazilian company's device uses low-field NMR to analyze food products in a few seconds, measuring sugar content, fat content, moisture, tenderness, flavor, and succulence. The technology has been used to analyze beef and palm oil without dehydrating samples.
Researchers used a portable DNA sequencer to track the movement of the Zika virus, understanding its evolution and predicting future outbreaks. The study analyzed 254 whole genomes of the pathogen, revealing that Zika circulated silently in all regions of the Americas at least a year before the first confirmed cases.
Virtual.Pyxis software enables designers to create stronger and more versatile parts while shortening lead time and development cost. It can process a larger number of variables and constraints at a lower cost than commercially available programs.
The Amazon rainforest emits at least three times more isoprene than previously thought, influencing ozone levels and greenhouse gas balance. Isoprene emissions vary with terrain elevation and increase at higher altitudes, sparking hypotheses for further research.
Fine Instrument Technology developed a low-field NMR device, SpecFIT, that performs chemical and physical analyses of fruit, grains, olive oil, milk, and meat. The device uses signal fade duration to measure sugar content, fat content, moisture, tenderness, flavor, and succulence.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo's Biomedical Science Institute have discovered a new virus in a migratory bird species. The virus, type 15 avian paramyxovirus, was found to be closest to viruses previously identified in South America and does not pose a threat to humans or birds.
A recent study conducted in São Paulo, Brazil found that prior dengue infection does not intensify Zika disease severity. The research involved 65 individuals who contracted Zika virus during the 2016 epidemic, and analyzed their viral loads, finding no significant difference between those with prior dengue exposure and those without.
Researchers developed silver-silica nanoparticles with an ampicillin coating that target antibiotic-resistant bacteria while being inert to human cells. The nanoantibiotic showed efficacy against both resistant and non-resistant strains of E. coli, offering a promising strategy for combating drug-resistant infections.
Bee-Zed asteroid, discovered in 2015, orbits the Sun every 12 years, corresponding with Jupiter's orbital period, and shares its orbit despite moving in the opposite direction. This retrograde co-orbit is rare, occurring only in about 82 of the more than 726,000 known asteroids.
Researchers created a quantum dot transistor that can store and process information directly in memory. The device simulates the functions of neurons by using light to control electrical charging and discharging of quantum dots.