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Sao Paulo, May 8 (AP) The administration of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva frequently touts how it has sharply slowed deforestation in the Amazon, and indeed it has. When the next official annual numbers are released in October, the deforestation rate is expected to be the lowest since 2012. Despite gains in keeping forest standing, however, many other threats, ranging from climate change to potential legislation on the horizon, are putting the forest at risk. Forest [...]

A patch of poor soil on a former cassava field in Amazonas turned into a small test of an old Amazonian secret. Researchers in Brazil found that tiny amounts of Amazonian dark earth, a human-made soil built up over centuries by pre-Columbian peoples, gave two native tree species a clear early advantage in degraded land. In the first 180 days after planting, pink trumpet tree seedlings grew up to 55% taller and developed stems 88% thicker than untreated plants. Brazilian firetree seedlings [...]

Researchers have made a significant discovery involving natural compounds derived from a Brazilian tree that exhibit promising antiviral activity against the COVID-19 virus. The compounds, known as galloylquinic acids, were sourced from the leaves of the Copaifera lucens Dwyer tree, a species that thrives in Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Preliminary laboratory tests indicate that these compounds can disrupt the virus through multiple mechanisms, offering a more comprehensive approach compared [...]

Researchers in Brazil have discovered a new species of giant dinosaur in the northeastern state of Maranhão. The dinosaur, named Dasosaurus tocantinensis, measured about 20 meters in length and lived nearly 120 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. The fossil was uncovered during construction work for a road-rail terminal in the city of Davinópolis. Scientists say the animal is now the largest dinosaur ever identified in Maranhão state. The study describing the species was [...]

Researchers recently highlighted how Moringa water purification techniques can effectively remove microplastics from drinking water sources. This natural method offers a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical treatments. Consequently, it could revolutionize water safety in small communities and rural areas. Microplastics pose a significant threat to human health globally. For instance, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is known for its mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Scientists [...]

New Delhi: A natural and centuries-old solution may hold the key to tackling one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges, microplastic contamination in drinking water. Researchers from São Paulo State University have found that seeds from the moringa tree can effectively remove microplastics from water, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical treatment methods. “Moringa trees have been used to purify water for millennia, with evidence of their use by ancient Greeks, [...]

A trip to the moon might not need to break the bank, as scientists have discovered a shortcut that could slash the cost of future missions. Much like flying on a jet, one of the biggest costs associated with getting to our lunar satellite is the fuel. NASA's Space Launch System rocket uses over two million litres of propellant at an estimated cost of $4bn (£2.8bn) per launch, while the Orion spacecraft needs yet more to navigate to the lunar surface. However, scientists have now [...]

Hidden deep within the Amazon rainforest, there's a 2,000-year-old archaeological legacy revolutionising modern reforestation practices. This soil, called Amazonian Dark Earth (ADE) or ‘Terra Preta,’ was crafted by ancient pre-Columbian communities. They mixed charcoal with organic waste and minerals to create it. Current studies reveal that ADE not only provides nutrients for plants but also alters the soil's microbiome. It attracts beneficial microbial consortia that boost root [...]

Hidden deep within the Amazon rainforest, there's a 2,000-year-old archaeological legacy revolutionising modern reforestation practices. This soil, called Amazonian Dark Earth (ADE) or ‘Terra Preta,’ was crafted by ancient pre-Columbian communities. They mixed charcoal with organic waste and minerals to create it. Current studies reveal that ADE not only provides nutrients for plants but also alters the soil's microbiome. It attracts beneficial microbial consortia that boost root [...]