Category: Press Releases

Human adaptation to the extraterrestrial environment

Thais Russomano in microgravity on a European Space Agency parabolic flight in 2006.

Earth’s gravity has shaped human beings over thousands of years. It was clear from the first extraterrestrial spaceflight entering orbit that microgravity, due to an object being in free fall, immediately affects human body functions because of the increase, reduction, or absence of gravity. Read More →

Researchers develop symbiotic fermented coconut-based drink

Open coconut on a white surface.

A symbiotic fermented coconut-based drink, developed by researchers from UFRRJ in collaboration with PUCMM and Embrapa, demonstrates a microbiological stability of 28 days under refrigeration, highlighting probiotic and antioxidant benefits. The product is a promising plant-based alternative in the production of probiotic beverages, with the potential to meet the growing demands of vegetarian, vegan, and food-allergic consumers. Read More →

Study suggests that milk ring test can be done on samples with Bronopol

Photograph of a cow with its head resting on a fence. In the background, a blurred grassy field is visible.

Brucellosis is a disease caused by bacteria and can be transmitted to humans through direct or indirect contact with farm animals or by contact with companion animals. The milk ring test (MRT) is one of the ways used to identify the disease at the dairy herd level. Analyses indicate that the MRT can be used on milk samples with a preservative (Bronopol®). Read More →

Domestic workers of Honduran origin in the U.S.A: An approximation

Photograph of a person washing dishes, specifically focusing on a fork. In the image, only a part of their body is visible: the hand.

Honduran women residing in the USA, employed in domestic occupations, typically tend to be younger, have access to bank accounts, and maintain lower savings compared to individuals in other occupations. Additionally, they often earn a significantly lower income. These findings underscore the challenges faced by this particular group and emphasize the importance of enhancing their working conditions and rights. Read More →

Enhancing pandemic predictions by measuring daily contacts

Jaboatão City Hall employees distribute new clothes, masks and hygiene kits to homeless people.

The first global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic challenged existing measurement methods for respiratory diseases. While digital technologies were initially touted for real-time monitoring, the key has proven to be careful measurement of daily face-to-face contacts, which is essential for refining mathematical models to assess infection, recovery, and mortality. Read More →

Pregnant women treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion have better glycemic control

Photograph of a pregnant woman with hands on her belly.

In a comparison of maternal-fetal outcomes among T1D patients treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily injections during pregnancy, a higher frequency of cesarean and a lower occurrence of congenital malformations group were observed in the CSII. Adjusted results might indicate that these are influenced by glycemic control. Read More →

Analysis reveals reduction of pesticides in CEASA/SP strawberries

Several strawberries scattered and overlapping.

Strawberries are popularly known as a crop with pesticide residues. However, after analyzing residues found in 62 samples of strawberries produced in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and sold at CEASA/RS between 2018 and 2019, a reduction in the percentage of strawberry samples with non-conformities regarding the presence of residues was observed. Read More →

Design of an aircraft smart cabin to meet the users’ needs

Preliminary architecture of the smart cabin concept.

Technological advances are changing the needs of air travelers and the new trend are Smart Cabins, aircraft cabins with a smart technologies. The development of these complex systems requires the identification of users’ needs and the feasibility of the technologies to be applied to the product. Read More →

Central fat accumulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome evaluated by different methods

Stock photo. A person wears a tape measure around her body. She is wearing a beige underwear.

In women with polycystic ovary syndrome and normal body mass index, both dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the adiposity indices, visceral adiposity index and lipid accumulation product, are the most sensitive methods to evaluate total body fat and fat accumulation in the central abdominal region. Read More →

Stratifying hypoechogenicity into 3 degrees improves ultrasound thyroid nodule risk stratification

Collage of four ultrasound images. Arrows point to the hypoechoic nodules in different degrees.

The analysis of different degrees of hypoechogenicity in thyroid nodules shows that the classification into three grades (mild, moderate, and severe) allows for better differentiation between benign and malignant nodules. The method can avoid unnecessary invasive procedures, in addition to improving efficiency and accuracy in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. Read More →