São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) 

São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is one of the country's leading agencies for scientific and technological research. FAPESP supports research through grants and fellowships for projects in all areas of knowledge, submitted by researchers from public and private higher education and research institutions, government agencies, and companies based in the state of São Paulo. You can learn more about FAPESP at www.fapesp.br/en

Read FAPESP news releases in Spanish. 

Latest News Releases from FAPESP

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 9-Jan-2026 18:11 ET (9-Jan-2026 23:11 GMT/UTC)

17-Dec-2025

The COVID-19 virus manipulates host cell RNA to shut down the immune system

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A study by the Federal University of São Paulo describes how SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the RNA of infected lung cells in an unprecedented way. The results may guide the search for new treatments and vaccines.

Journal

NAR Molecular Medicine

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

17-Dec-2025

Obesity and inflammation may accelerate lung aging and increase the risk of COPD

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A study of nearly 900 adults indicates that although smoking is still the main risk factor for lung function loss, systemic inflammation and obesity also increase the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Journal

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

12-Dec-2025

Abdominal obesity and muscle loss increase the risk of death by 83% after age 50

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

A study of more than 5,000 people over 12 years showed that simple measures to assess the two conditions can facilitate the diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity without complex tests, such as MRI and CT scans. This finding expands access to treatment for older adults.

Journal

Aging Clinical and Experimental Research

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

12-Dec-2025

Eight sessions of non-invasive brain stimulation improve postural response in people with Parkinson’s disease

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

A study conducted at São Paulo State University indicates that the non-invasive technique provides lasting benefits by reducing the risk of falls. The study involved 22 volunteers with Parkinson's. disease

Journal

Gait & Posture

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

10-Dec-2025

Study proves the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic actions of a plant used in folk medicine

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Alternanthera littoralis, also known as Joseph’s Coat, is native to the Brazilian coast and has traditionally been used to combat microbial infections and parasitic diseases.

Journal

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

10-Dec-2025

Descriptions of mollusks in the Global South are still, for the most part, the result of ‘parachute science’

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A study analyzing discoveries made over the last 20 years found that nearly half of all snails and slugs were described by researchers who did not work in the countries where they were found.

Journal

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B Biological Sciences

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

8-Dec-2025

Parasitic fungus may have emerged 18 million years before the ants with which it lives today

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Analysis of 309 strains collected in eight countries indicates that the genus Escovopsis emerged 56.9 million years ago, but only began interacting with today’s mutualistic ants 38 million years ago, challenging the theory that they all emerged at the same time.

Journal

Communications Biology

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

8-Dec-2025

Hormonal fluctuations affect women’s immunity, but a lack of rigor in studies still prevents a consensus

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at São Paulo State University are investigating how hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman’s life influence the immune system and how physical exercise can mitigate these effects.Inconsistency in the methods used to control sex hormones makes for diverse and inconclusive results, says the researcher.

Journal

Maturitas

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo