29-Oct-2021 Heparin dose capable of preventing COVID-19 deaths is four times higher than the dose recommended by WHO Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication This is one of the main findings of a clinical trial involving 465 patients at 28 hospitals in six countries, including Brazil. The likelihood of dying was 78% lower for the group given a therapeutic dose of the anti-coagulant. Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
28-Oct-2021 Artificial intelligence accelerates search for markers of resistance to sugarcane yellow leaf disease Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication Researchers used machine learning algorithms and traditional statistical methods to associate disease resistance with genetic traits. One of the varieties considered resistant has just been launched commercially in Brazil. Journal Scientific Reports Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
28-Oct-2021 Ancestors of whale sharks in Panama may come from distant waters Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Peer-Reviewed Publication Genetic population connectivity study of the endangered whale shark in Pacific Panama provides important baseline data for conservation efforts Journal Frontiers in Marine Science Funder MarViva Foundation, International Community Foundation, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación de Panamá
27-Oct-2021 Scientists discover how forest fires influence rain cloud formation in the Amazon Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication Particles released into the atmosphere by fire modify the water droplet freezing process and can affect precipitation, according to a paper in Communications Earth & Environment. Journal Nature Communications Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
26-Oct-2021 Horse hyperimmune antibody may help the fight against COVID-19, Brazilian study finds Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (INBEB) Peer-Reviewed Publication A Brazilian study has demonstrated that a hyperimmune antibody produced in horses may be an efficient approach to combat covid-19. Tests conducted in hamsters showed the ability of the treatment to reduce viral load in the pulmonary tissues, and to improve the animal clinical conditions. The neutralizing activity of the equine antibody cocktail has been proved to be high against the P.1 (Gamma) and P.2 variants. Journal iScience Funder Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation for Virus Network, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support in the State of Rio de Janeiro (Faperj), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes), National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (INBEB)
26-Oct-2021 Opportunistic bacterium increases its virulence by ‘poaching’ zinc and iron from hosts Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication Researchers at the University of São Paulo have unraveled the strategy used by Chromobacterium violaceum, a pathogen found in water and soil in tropical and subtropical regions, to increase its capacity to replicate and infect host organisms. The discovery offers a route for the development of novel therapies. Journal Infection and Immunity Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
26-Oct-2021 Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences joins ASU’s Global Futures Lab Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences Business Announcement In a major development in the bid to deepen the understanding of the role that the ocean plays in climate science, Arizona State University (ASU) President Michael Crow announced today that ASU, a leading research university, has established a partnership with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), one of the longest-serving research institutes dedicated to studying ocean processes in the Western Hemisphere.
25-Oct-2021 Aquatic fungus has already wiped amphibians off the map and now threatens survival of terrestrial frogs Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication A study detected unprecedented mortality in the Atlantic Rainforest among tiny frogs that live on land, with signs of infection by chytrid fungus. The episode coincided with an atypical period of drought, which may have forced the animals to seek water in streams where the pathogen is abundant. Journal Biological Conservation Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
20-Oct-2021 Unique dinosaur-era fossil bridges a gap in the evolution of crabs Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Peer-Reviewed Publication The oldest and most complete fossil crab ever discovered suggests that these animals ventured onto land at least 25 to 50 million years earlier than previously thought Journal Science Advances Funder Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, U.S. National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Geographic Society, 111 project (China), Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities (China), Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies
20-Oct-2021 Citizen scientists help assure quality of coastal biodiversity monitoring Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication A study conducted in the port city of Santos (Brazil) by researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo shows collaboration between civil society and academia achieving progress toward the goals of the UN Ocean Decade. Journal Frontiers in Marine Science Funder Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo