São Paulo Research Foundation

Samples were collected during expeditions conducted in 2018 by researchers affiliated with the University of São Paulo (Brazil) and the University of Southampton (UK). This dark-gray rock is a volcanic basalt deposit. Credit: IO-USPThis section of the South Atlantic seabed harbors abundant cobalt, nickel, and lithium, along with tellurium and various rare earth elements crucial for the energy transition. The researchers intend to further investigate its natural processes.Research conducted by scientists from the…

Brazilian researchers have developed a method to enhance the efficiency and durability of perovskite solar cells by incorporating MXenes into the cells’ structure. This advancement, documented in the Journal of Materials Chemistry C, promises significant improvements in solar cell technology, with potential impacts on industrial production and sustainability efforts.A study by researchers at São Paulo State University (UNESP) has yielded results that could significantly benefit the future of the solar power sector.In an…

The scientists named the jellyfish Santjordia pagesi because of its bright red stomach that resembles the Cross of St George. Credit: Dhugal John Lindsay/JAMSTECThe creature has been observed just twice within the depths of the Sumisu Caldera, a volcanic formation in the Ogasawara Islands. The scientist was part of the group that documented a scarce medusa species discovered at a depth of 812 meters.A gelatinous animal with a diameter of about 10 cm and a red stomach resembling the Cross of St George when seen from above.…

New research found that imbalances in RNA communication, both within and from outside the organism, can shorten the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, offering new insights into the aging process and genetic regulation.Research on the roundworm species C. elegans has demonstrated that disruptions in the transfer of RNA between cells across various tissues can lead to a shortened lifespan.Cells in various tissues interact by sharing RNA molecules. A study conducted by scientists from the State University of Campinas…

Researchers from São Paulo State University have developed a new method to quantify quantum entanglement, challenging traditional theories and potentially advancing quantum computing. This study emphasizes the importance of entanglement in enhancing processing power and offers insights into the limitations of classical computing, highlighting the rapid progress of quantum technology led by companies like Google and IBM.Entanglement is a fundamental principle in quantum physics and a critical factor for the effectiveness…

A groundbreaking study identifies the VAPB gene, previously associated with ALS, as a key player in medulloblastoma, suggesting its potential as a marker and target for therapy in this aggressive childhood brain cancer. This discovery offers new insights into cancer biology and treatment possibilities. Medulloblastoma cells kept in 3D culture (tumor spheroids) or 2D culture at the researchers’ lab. Credit: Amanda Faria AssoniA protein, extensively researched for its connection to neurodegenerative disorders like…

Severe COVID-19 causes early lung capillary thrombosis, leading to respiratory distress, with studies emphasizing prompt anti-coagulation treatment to mitigate complications.Scientists from the University of São Paulo have discovered that severe COVID-19 is primarily caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the lungs, a result of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Blood clot formation (thrombosis) in the small blood vessels of the lungs is an early result of severe COVID-19, often occurring before the breathing difficulties…

Human cells showing cell nuclei (cyan), mitochondria (magenta), and the Coxiella burnetii protein MceF (yellow). The figure evidences the co-location of MceF with cellular mitochondria. Credit: Robson Kriiger LoterioResearchers have discovered a previously unidentified protein with antioxidant properties produced by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium. This breakthrough suggests potential new treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.Researchers at the University of São Paulo, in collaboration…

In Brazil’s Cerrado, Vadim Viviani’s research reveals a concerning decline in bioluminescent beetles, primarily due to agricultural practices and artificial lighting. This loss threatens biodiversity and limits opportunities for scientific and technological applications of bioluminescence. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.comSurveys conducted in the Cerrado since the 1990s show falling biodiversity as the agricultural frontier advances in the vicinity of Emas National Park. Species with biotechnological potential…

Illustration of the process of light scattering inside the cavity directly to the waveguide through interaction between the optical and mechanical domains. Credit: André Garcia Primo/UNICAMP A groundbreaking study introduces advanced nanometric optomechanical cavities, paving the way for more efficient quantum networks and improving quantum computing and communication technologies. The ability to transmit information coherently in the band of the electromagnetic spectrum from microwave to infrared is vitally important to…