8-Jan-2026 Research shows how immune system reacts to pig kidney transplants in living patients Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication Results indicate that the innate immune response remains activated even with immunosuppressant use, paving the way for new therapies to prevent organ rejection. Journal Nature Medicine Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
7-Jan-2026 Artificial saliva containing sugarcane protein helps protect the teeth of patients with head and neck cancer Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication In patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy, applying radiation very close to the mouth can destroy some salivary glands and compromise saliva production, which is essential for controlling bacteria and disease Journal Journal of Dentistry Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
7-Jan-2026 Advances in liquid biopsies as a tool for detecting lung cancer mutations Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication Researchers used a panel to assess the presence of circulating tumor DNA in plasma samples and detected changes in genes related to the development of adenocarcinoma that indicated both actionability by drugs and resistance to treatment. Journal Molecular Oncology Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
5-Jan-2026 Second spider-parasitic mite described in Brazil Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication The parasitic mites were found on juvenile arachnids in the Butantan Institute collection. The larvae of Araneothrombium brasiliensis were collected in Rio de Janeiro. Previously, the genus had only one known species in Costa Rica. Journal International Journal of Acarology Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
2-Jan-2026 Allowing coral reef fish stocks recover could feed millions Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Peer-Reviewed Publication A new study shows that allowing coral reef fish populations to recover could help fight global hunger, meeting seafood intake requirements for millions more people worldwide Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
19-Dec-2025 Four years after the Mariana mining disaster in Brazil, river fish remained contaminated Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication A comprehensive analysis conducted in 2019 detected the accumulation of 13 heavy metals and other toxic substances, advising against consumption due to risks to human health. Journal Total Environment Advances Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
19-Dec-2025 Potentially toxic elements in bananas grown in the Mariana disaster region exceed FAO limits Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication The study also assessed the risks of consuming cocoa and cassava grown in Linhares, a municipality in an area affected by the Fundão dam collapse in Minas Gerais, Brazil, ten years ago. The research group warns that continued consumption of food grown in contaminated soil may pose a carcinogenic risk due to the long-term accumulation of potentially toxic elements in the body Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
18-Dec-2025 Latin American research indicates a lower prevalence of a type of head and neck cancer Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication After analyzing over 1,400 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, the study found that more aggressive histopathological variants occur at a rate of 4.6%. Previous estimates pointed to a rate of up to 15%. Journal Annals of Diagnostic Pathology Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
18-Dec-2025 Bromeliads promote plant diversity in the forest by enriching the soil with nutrients Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication Water accumulated in the tanks of these plants living high up in trees has much higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and iron than rainwater. Plants irrigated with this nutrient-rich water produced almost twice as many leaves. Journal Plant and Soil Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
17-Dec-2025 The COVID-19 virus manipulates host cell RNA to shut down the immune system Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication A study by the Federal University of São Paulo describes how SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the RNA of infected lung cells in an unprecedented way. The results may guide the search for new treatments and vaccines. Journal NAR Molecular Medicine Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo