Biology

Genetics

Telomere degradation determines lifespan

A study compared how telomeres change over the lifetimes of a variety of animals

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Biodiversity

A deadly month for right whales

At least six right whales were found floating dead in the icy waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, off the east coast of Canada

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Biology

The cockatoo that just wants to have fun

The bird's rhythmic behavior can provide insights into how this parrot species' brain functions

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Biology

Giants with their own light source

Researchers have now isolated the substances involved in Dosidicus gigas bioluminescence

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Archaeology

Ancient use of psychoactive substances in Bolivia

An international team of anthropologists and bioarchaeologists has identified traces of hallucinogenic substances in a 1,000-year-old leather bag found in the Bolivian Andes

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Biology

The changing venom of a stingray

Stingray venom changes as the fish mature

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History

Secrets of the forest

Using a multidisciplinary approach, a book recovers legends and records of naturalists to reveal little-known aspects of the Amazon

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HEALTH

Early-term births on the rise

In 2015, 40% of babies were born before reaching biological maturity, partly because of elective cesarean sections

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Zoology

The origin of perching birds

A group representing more than 60% of bird species originated in Australia 47 million years ago, study finds

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Zoology

The Alta Floresta titi

A new species of monkey is discovered in northern Mato Grosso State

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biodiversity

Faster than a cheetah

Instead of waiting for insects to fly into its web, a small spider in the Theridiosomatidae family launches itself like a slingshot to catch the prey

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PHOTOLAB

Medicinal necklaces

Crnkovic studied microalgae in fresh water as part of her PhD research, which involved bioprospecting for compounds that could help fight cancer

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Evolution

The origin of the butterfly

Studies based on gene and fossil analysis estimate that butterflies emerged between 120 and 100 million years ago

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Zoology

Bees capable of adding and subtracting

Apis mellifera bees can learn to recognize quantities

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Food science 

Microorganisms of flavor

Study identifies the bacteria that give 11 types of Brazilian artisan cheese their distinctive traits

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INTERVIEW

Glaucius Oliva: Complex structures

Self-declared molecule tamer, physicist marries scientific research with administrative management

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Photolab

Microscopic giants

In samples collected off the coast of Rio de Janeiro and from saline lakes in the Pantanal, virologist identified giant viruses with the longest tails ever recorded

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Interview

Alexandre Antonelli: At the forefront of science in royal gardens

In February, Brazilian biologist will take the role of scientific director of Kew Gardens in the United Kingdom

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Microbiology

Bacteria hungry for works of art

Some microorganisms destroy works of art while others protect them

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Biodiversity

The long life of parrots

Genetic mutations help the turquoise-fronted Amazon parrot live for up to 80 years

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Good practices

Transparency on the rise

A study published in the journal PLOS Biology suggests biomedical research is becoming more open and transparent

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HISTORY

Secrets of the forest

Using a multidisciplinary approach, book recovers legends and records of naturalists to reveal little known aspects of the Amazon

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Biometrics

A face in the crowd

Facial recognition systems are becoming increasingly popular in Brazil and are already in use to prevent fraud, identify university exam participants, monitor travelers, and check in air passengers

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Biometrics

Brazilian technology at the Pentagon

Brazilian identification systems company Griaule has won two contracts in the United States worth a total of US$82.5 million—one with the Department of Defense

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Biochemistry

Green, yellow, or red

Bioluminescence research sheds new light on the mechanisms behind firefly colors

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Ecology

The fragile DNA of sharks

Overfishing could further decrease the naturally low genetic diversity of some commercially valuable species

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Biology

Termite mounds in the Caatinga occupy an area larger than Great Britain

Murundus are up to 9 m in diameter, and occupy an area of approximately 230,000 km2 and were formed between 690 and 3,820 years ago

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Good practices

Arbitration in authorship conflicts

Canadian biologist Zen Faulkes proposed a new way of resolving disputes over the authorship of scientific articles

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Retrospect

The chemistry of success

USP’s School of Pharmaceutical Sciences reaches its 120th anniversary as a leading institution in medicines, clinical and toxicological testing, and food science

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OBITUARY

In order to understand Brazilian populations

Francisco Salzano bolstered genetic research of the country’s human populations

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