26-Sep-2019 Living coral cover will slow future reef dissolution Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Peer-Reviewed Publication The living tissue on corals protects their skeleton from dissolving as a result of ocean acidification according to an in situ experiment on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Journal Nature Ecology & Evolution Funder Pacific Blue Foundation, Queensland Government's Smart State Premier's Fellowship, National Science Foundation, Australian Research Council, Schmidt Marine Technology Partners
24-Sep-2019 Bats use private and social information as they hunt Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Peer-Reviewed Publication As some of the most savvy and sophisticated predators out there, bats eavesdrop on their prey and even on other bats to collect a wide variety of information as they hunt. Journal Functional Ecology
24-Sep-2019 Traditional fisherfolk help uncover ancient fish preservation methods Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Peer-Reviewed Publication Archaeologists have little insight into the methods used for the long-term processing and preservation of fish in the past. A study of traditional fish preparation employed by fisherfolk in Panama and Egypt, revealed patterns of modifications to the fishes' skeletons which are comparable to those found among fish remains recovered in archaeological sites Funder the Morris M. Polver Scholarship Funds, Smithsonian Institution, Weitzman Institute of Science: the Aharon Katzir Centre and the National Center for Collaboration between Natural Sciences and Archaeology, Irene Levi Sala CARE Archaeological Foundation
24-Sep-2019 New mechanisms that regulate pluripotency in embryonic stem cells are discovered Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication A study by researchers at the Center for Cell-Based Therapy, which is supported by FAPESP, identified microRNAs involved in pluripotency maintenance and cell differentiation. Journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy Funder São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab
19-Sep-2019 Researchers show how railroad worms produce red light Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication Differences in the molecular structures explain the different colors of this bioluminescence in different species. This discovery has the potential for new biotechnological applications, such as the imaging of muscles, blood and hemoglobin-rich tissue. Journal Scientific Reports Funder São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab
16-Sep-2019 Compounds extracted from Cerrado plant combat fungus that causes candidiasis Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication Four substances isolated from Mimosa caesalpiniifolia were found to be more effective against thrush and candida than was fluconazole. Brazilian researchers are developing an ointment. Journal Journal of Natural Products Funder São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab
16-Sep-2019 Acute chikungunya infection studied at the molecular level in Brazilian patients Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication Using a systems biology approach, Brazilian researchers identified several genes that can be explored as therapeutic targets and as biomarkers of predisposition to chronic joint pain. Journal PLOS Pathogens Funder São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab
13-Sep-2019 Land restoration in Latin America shows big potential for climate change mitigation The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture Peer-Reviewed Publication Land restoration in Latin America and the Caribbean is picking up pace and scaling up projects will help the region meet its pledges under the Bonn Challenge, which aims to restore 350 million hectares of degraded and deforested land worldwide by 2030. A new study supplies a first map of restoration projects in Latin America and shows their potential to mitigate climate change through restoring forests. Journal Forests
10-Sep-2019 A new species of electric eel produces the highest voltage discharge of any known animal Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication An article shows that three species of electric eel exist, not just one as previously described, and that one of them produces an electric shock up to 860 volts. The researchers were funded by FAPESP, the Smithsonian and National Geographic. Journal Nature Communications Funder São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab
5-Sep-2019 Zika virus infects the adult human brain and causes memory deficits in animal models Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (INBEB) Peer-Reviewed Publication A new study conducted by Brazilian researchers found that Zika virus infects and replicates in adult human brain tissue. Scientists also found that infection causes long-lasting learning and memory deficits in adult mice. The results demonstrate that the adult brain (and not only the developing brain, as previously thought) is attacked and damaged by ZIKV, and indicate the need to investigate memory and cognitive deficits as potentially serious comorbidities in ZIKV-infected adults. Journal Nature Communications