News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 27-Jan-2026 11:11 ET (27-Jan-2026 16:11 GMT/UTC)

26-Jan-2026

First known lichen in the fossil record helped structure terrestrial ecosystems

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

Study confirms that the symbiosis between fungi and algae that dissolves rocks and was widely distributed across Earth 410 million years ago helped form the first soils.

Journal

Science Advances

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

22-Jan-2026

Platform helps children with neurodiversity and anxiety

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Using biofeedback and gamification, the solution teaches emotional self-regulation strategies to child patients with disorders such as ADHD and ASD.

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

21-Jan-2026

Fossilized vomit reveals first filter-feeding pterosaur in the tropics

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

A flying relative of dinosaurs, Bakiribu waridza (“comb mouth” in the Kariri language) filtered crustaceans and other small organisms from rivers and lakes, where it was likely swallowed by a predator that regurgitated it in the Araripe Basin in northeastern Brazil.

Journal

Scientific Reports

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

20-Jan-2026

Brazilian research reveals how some types of breast cancer ‘evade’ treatment

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Discovery increased the number of known variations of the HER2 protein, the target of advanced drugs against the disease, from 13 to 90; diversity may explain resistance to therapies.

Journal

Genome Research

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

20-Jan-2026

Registrations open for São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Immigration, Environmental Violence and Colonialism

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Meeting Announcement

The School aims to foster critical training and collective production of knowledge on the main challenges set by the convergence of crises faced by contemporary society.

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

16-Jan-2026

Deadly to amphibians, a fungal strain emerged in Brazil and spread around the world

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

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is responsible for the decline of toad and frog populations across the globe. The origin of the fungal strain was the subject of a study led by researchers at the State University of Campinas.

Journal

Biological Conservation

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

14-Jan-2026

Study reveals protein linked to spread of pancreatic cancer through nerves

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Brazilian research shows that stellate pancreatic cells produce periostin, remodeling tissue and facilitating tumor infiltration, a key mechanism of the aggressiveness and high mortality of the disease. 

Journal

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

13-Jan-2026

Smart device reminds older adults to take their medication and monitors intake

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

The organizer holds all the pills for one week (Monday through Sunday) and can be set for up to four different times throughout the day. Real-time monitoring reduces medication waste and increases treatment effectiveness. the system not only acts as a reminder but also records each patient’s action.

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

13-Jan-2026

Starch sachets release fertilizer in a controlled manner and can replace petroleum-derived polymers

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Nanoparticle-reinforced wrappers can be filled with various formulations of the granular products needed for crops, a versatility that facilitates application by agribusiness.

Journal

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

8-Jan-2026

Research shows how immune system reacts to pig kidney transplants in living patients

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

Results indicate that the innate immune response remains activated even with immunosuppressant use, paving the way for new therapies to prevent organ rejection.

Journal

Nature Medicine

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo