Center for Research on Biodiversity Dynamics and Climate Change
Acetic acid, a component of vinegar, was used by researchers in the state of São Paulo to fractionate kraft lignin. The method produces nanoparticles with different properties, including UV protection.
A project in the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve shows that rubber provides adequate income to sustain livelihoods and conserve the forest. However, nut collection yields low pay, which contributes to the adoption of unsustainable practices such as extensive cattle ranching.
Antimicrobial Resistance Institute of São Paulo (Aries Project)
FAPESP will begin supporting the Latin American Center for Medical Mycology, a global network of laboratories led by the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, which also has a unit in South Africa and will soon open another in Asia. Over five years, the foundation will contribute approximately £ 750,000, while the British institution will invest an additional £ 1 million.
Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center
In tests with rodents, researchers from the State University of Campinas and their collaborators found that hyperactivation of the PARP1 protein after exhaustive training was associated with decreased performance, fatigue, and behavioral symptoms of overtraining. Animals treated with a drug that inhibits the molecule’s activity did not exhibit the condition.
Researchers at a FAPESP-supported research center have combined innovative techniques to determine the chromosome number of species of the genus Vellozia, typical of this montane savannah ecoregion. The result provides support for conservation programs and biotechnological applications.
Center for Research on Redox Processes in Biomedicine
A yeast experiment conducted at a FAPESP-supported research center shows how deficiencies in the proteasome, which is responsible for eliminating damaged and non-functional proteins, affect the metabolism of mitochondria, the organelles that generate energy for cells.
Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center
An experiment conducted at the State University of Campinas showed that FGF19, produced in the intestine, acts on specific regions of the brain, causing the body to burn energy to produce heat; the discovery paves the way for new drugs.
By analyzing patient samples, Brazilian researchers identified the species Fusobacterium nucleatum in nearly 60% of cases, with a higher prevalence in oropharyngeal tumors. This microorganism has also been associated with the development of colorectal cancer.
Blood and urine analyses of the population living in the Mundaú lagoon complex revealed a greater presence of chemical contaminants and metabolic alterations that can exacerbate chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. These results underscore the need to monitor the health of the inhabitants and control the sources of contamination.
Center for Research on Biodiversity Dynamics and Climate Change
An experiment carried out by researchers from São Paulo State University on zucchini crops indicated that a 30% drop in rainfall would reduce the availability of calories in the sweet liquid that serves as food for pollinators, such as bees, by 34%, while extreme drought practically wipes out the resource. These results are particularly concerning for plants that depend on cross-pollination.
The assessment was made by Barbara Pompili, the French Ambassador for the Environment, at the opening of a forum at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. The event is part of the FAPESP Week France program.
The goal of reintroducing the bird is to restore the original fauna of the forest and its functionality. Supported by FAPESP, the project was presented at the Brazil-France Forum on Forests, Biodiversity, and Human Societies in Paris.
At a symposium in Paris, a University of São Paulo professor of zoology explains how new technologies allow for the use of degraded DNA from specimens preserved for decades, contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge and the conservation of biodiversity.
