26-Oct-2020 Modern computational tools may open a new era for fossil pollen research Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Peer-Reviewed Publication By integrating machine-learning technology with high-resolution imaging, scientists are improving the taxonomic resolution of fossil pollen identifications and greatly enhancing the use of pollen data in ecological and evolutionary research. Funder National Science Foundation grants NSF-DBI-Advances in Bioinformatics and NSF-IIS-Information and Intelligent Systems
23-Oct-2020 Regenerated forests offset 12% of carbon emissions in Brazilian Amazon in 33 years Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication A study quantified the size and age of the forests that grow naturally in degraded and abandoned areas, creating 131 benchmark maps for Brazil. The Amazon has the most restored forests and the Atlantic Rainforest biome has the oldest. Journal Scientific Data Funder São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab
22-Oct-2020 Aerial images detect and track food security threats for millions of African farmers The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture Peer-Reviewed Publication New research shows how a combination of imagery from mobile phones, drones and satellites can be used to clamp down on banana threats. The images of varying resolutions are fed into a platform 'trained' through machine learning to identify banana crops and analyze threats with 97% overall accuracy. Journal ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
22-Oct-2020 DNA in fringe-lipped bat poop reveals unexpected eating habits Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Peer-Reviewed Publication By examining the poop of the fringe-lipped bat (Trachops cirrhosus), a team at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) encountered surprising results about its eating habits and foraging abilities. Journal Behavioral Ecology Funder P.E.O. Scholars Award, The Smithsonian Institution, the National Science Foundation DDIG #1210655
22-Oct-2020 The next generation of biodiversity conservation targets must aim higher than ever The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture Peer-Reviewed Publication Writing this week in Science, 40 researchers argue for a set of holistic actions for new biodiversity goals that are unambiguously clear, sufficiently ambitious, and based on the best knowledge available. Most importantly, the goals need to aim higher if they are to be successful in the face of worsening trends for the climate and life on Earth. Journal Science
21-Oct-2020 Word graph analysis confirms that dream report structure varies according to sleep stage Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication Study by Brazilian and South African researchers is the first to prove, using a graph analysis tool, that REM dream narratives tend to be more complex and connected than reports of non-REM dreams. Journal PLOS One Funder São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab
19-Oct-2020 New evidence found of the ritual significance of a classic Maya sweat bath in Guatemala Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Peer-Reviewed Publication An unusual offering in an abandoned and unique-looking Maya sweat bath revealed new evidence of the role it played in the community Journal Cambridge Archaeological Journal Funder Boston University, the National Geographic Society, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
19-Oct-2020 Study identifies key enzyme for development of autoimmune diseases Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Peer-Reviewed Publication An enzyme associated with energy production in cells also participates in the differentiation of immune cells involved in exacerbated inflammation. The discovery could lead to more effective treatment. Journal Journal of Experimental Medicine Funder São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
16-Oct-2020 Long-term data show a recent acceleration in chemical and physical changes in the ocean Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences Peer-Reviewed Publication New research published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment uses data from two sustained open-ocean hydrographic stations (Hydrostation 'S' and the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study) in the North Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda to demonstrate recent changes in ocean physics and chemistry since the 1980s. The study shows decadal variability and recent acceleration of surface warming, salinification, deoxygenation, and changes in carbon dioxide (CO2)-carbonate chemistry that drives ocean acidification. Funder NSF grant OCE-1633215 and earlier awards
16-Oct-2020 Plastic film protects surfaces against novel coronavirus on contact Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Business Announcement Laboratory tests showed film containing silver-silica nanoparticles to be capable of eliminating 99.84% of SARS-CoV-2 particles after exposure for two minutes. Funder São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab