News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 22-Dec-2025 17:11 ET (22-Dec-2025 22:11 GMT/UTC)

31-Aug-2018

Patent mining indicates promising routes for research

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

Methodology developed by Brazilian scientists uses big data tools, has been validated in an analysis of studies on hemophilia, and can also be used to search for partnerships and technology transfer opportunities.

Journal

Nature Biotechnology

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

30-Aug-2018

In test with rats, cannabidiol showed sustained effects against depression for 7 days

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

First results appeared 24 hours after one single dose of the marijuana component; scientists concluded that CBD activates mechanisms which repair neuronal circuitry in patients' prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.

Journal

Molecular Neurobiology

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

29-Aug-2018

Ultralaser treatment for fibromyalgia yields 75 percent pain reduction when applied to the hands

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

Medical device with simultaneous laser and ultrasound application was developed in Brazil. Scientists enhanced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects by moving the treatment's focus away from the tender points.

Journal

Journal of Novel Physiotherapies

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

28-Aug-2018

New phase proposed in the relationship between figs and wasps

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

A Brazilian researcher describes 129 species of fig tree parasites which compete and even prey upon the fig wasps during the many phases of the fig-wasp mutualism that helped to shape both plant and its pollinator.

Journal

Acta Oecologica

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

24-Aug-2018

Tree species richness in Amazonian wetlands is three times greater than expected

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

Compilation of data from forest inventories and botanical collections generates a list of 3,615 tree species in wetland areas of the Amazon Basin.

Journal

PLOS One

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

22-Aug-2018

What is the maximum possible number of Atlantic tropical cyclones? See the year 2005

Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Climate simulations and analyses of Atlantic hurricane activity indicate that the record number of tropical cyclones that occurred in 2005 (28 storms) is close to the maximum number that might occur in this region, given existing climate conditions.

Journal

Science Advances

Funder

Risk Prediction Initiative, Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences

22-Aug-2018

Brazilian D'Or Institute and L'Oréal R&I develop functional human sensory neurons

D'Or Institute for Research and Education
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists were able to generate, in the laboratory, human neurons responsive to sensorial stimuli. After 5 years of collaboration between the D'Or Institute for Research & Education and L'Oreal R&I, in partnership with UFRJ, Unicamp and Embrapa, the discoveries were published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience.

Journal

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience

Funder

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos, L'Oreal USA, Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

15-Aug-2018

Mechanism that affects multiplication of dengue virus lineage is discovered

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

A study aiming at the development of a dengue vaccine shows that the prevalence of a virus lineage upon the other does not rely on the highest replication rate: it is rather based on the virus' ability in triggering weaker activation of the patient's immune response.

Journal

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

15-Aug-2018

Old species learn new tricks...very slowly

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

No species lasts forever, and, just as the saying goes, it seems like old species may get stuck in their ways and can't adapt to environmental change as fast as younger species do.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Technology and Innovation, SENACYT, Panama's National Bureau of Science, National Geographic, Panama's National System of Researchers, National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

14-Aug-2018

Substances associated with bee ferocity are discovered

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

Chemical compounds identified by Brazilian researchers may explain why less aggressive bees become ferocious. Study is published in Journal of Proteome Research.

Journal

Journal of Proteome Research

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP