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Research conducted by scientists at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in São Paulo, Brazil, reveals that epiphytic tank bromeliads play a crucial role in boosting plant diversity and enriching the soil in the Atlantic Forest ecosystem. Published in the journal Plant and Soil, the study highlights how these unique plants contribute to nutrient availability, particularly in sandy soils that typically lack essential nutrients. The Atlantic Forest, particularly in regions close to the [...]

Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) in Brazil have discovered that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, uses a sophisticated tactic to evade the human body's defense system. In addition to its ability to evade the immune system before invading the host cell, which is common to other viruses, SARS-CoV-2 acts on a second front by manipulating the host cell's genetic material in a way never before seen in other pathogens.  The study, published in the [...]

Many people know that too much belly fat can be bad for their health. But a new study shows that when belly fat is combined with muscle loss, the risk of dying goes up by 83%. This is compared to people who don’t have these problems. The study was done by scientists from the Federal University of São Carlos in Brazil and University College London in the UK. This dangerous combination is called sarcopenic obesity. It happens when a person loses muscle and gains fat at the same time. [...]

Researchers in Brazil have discovered that a native plant known as Joseph’s Coat (Alternanthera littoralis) may be useful in treating inflammation, pain, and arthritis. The study, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, was conducted by scientists from the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and São Paulo State University (UNESP). Joseph’s Coat grows along the Brazilian coast and has long been used in traditional medicine [...]

In Brazil, researchers from the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and São Paulo State University (UNESP) conducted a study that confirmed the safety and anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic properties of the Joseph's Coat plant (Alternanthera littoralis). Native to the Brazilian coast, it has been used in folk medicine to combat inflammation, microbial infections, and parasitic diseases. Until now, there has been little [...]

A genus of fungi previously considered a parasite of fungi associated with ants may actually have much more complex ecological functions. According to a study published in the journal Communications Biology and supported by FAPESP, one piece of evidence is that they appeared 18 million years before the ants with which they are associated today. The results are based on the analysis of 309 strains of the genus Escovopsis collected in eight countries in the Americas. By observing fragments [...]

Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life are among the factors that most influence the immune system. Like a seesaw, variations in estrogen and progesterone affect cellular levels and alter the immune and inflammatory profiles. For example, inflammatory activity is most intense in the days leading up to the menstrual period (luteal phase). During menopause, a drop in sex hormones promotes a pro-inflammatory state. Despite our understanding of the relationship between hormonal [...]

Despite being the third-largest producer and consumer of beer worldwide, Brazil depends almost entirely on hop imports. Less than 1% of the ingredient responsible for the bitterness, aroma, and flavor of beer is grown locally. However, a new project involving Brazilian scientists and producers in the Vale do Ribeira region of the state of São Paulo seeks to change this scenario. The project aims to make domestic hop production more efficient and viable while boosting the development of [...]

The cost of restoring forests has long been a formidable obstacle, raising questions about how to make such projects economically viable. And whilst native forest management, carbon credits, and payments for ecosystem services are often cited as solutions, they remain long-term prospects. Now, a group of researchers argue that the answer may lie in the overlooked potential of non-timber forest products, potentially valued at more than US $88 billion, to generate income whilst keeping forests [...]