News from Latin America
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 22-Oct-2026 00:17 ET (22-Oct-2026 04:17 GMT/UTC)
24-Apr-2026
Brazil has lost 1.4 billion tons of soil carbon due to the conversion of natural areas to agriculture
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloPeer-Reviewed Publication
According to calculations by scientists at a FAPESP-supported research center, the amount is equal to the emission of 5.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent. The authors point to the potential to meet Brazilian mitigation targets by “recarbonizing” soils through sustainable agricultural practices.
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Funder
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
23-Apr-2026
Fires, droughts, and windstorms reduce the diversity of Amazonian vegetation
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloPeer-Reviewed Publication
A study led by Brazilian researchers shows that species are being replaced by generalists, and there is no trend toward savannization; however, recovered areas are more vulnerable.
- Journal
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Funder
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
22-Apr-2026
Connected habitats favor more diverse, disease-preventing frog microbiomes
Smithsonian Tropical Research InstitutePeer-Reviewed Publication
New research shows that forest connecting different types of habitats may help frogs fight a deadly amphibian fungus
- Journal
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
22-Apr-2026
Study identifies network of autoantibodies in neurodegenerative diseases
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloPeer-Reviewed Publication
Research from the University of São Paulo shows that a dysregulated immune system can trigger systemic attacks on neural connections, expanding our understanding of the complexity of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis.
- Journal
- iScience
- Funder
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
22-Apr-2026
Biosensor identifies pancreatic cancer in early stages
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloPeer-Reviewed Publication
Device developed at the University of São Paulo aims to enable rapid and accessible diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, thereby increasing the chances of effective treatment.
- Journal
- ACS Omega
- Funder
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
17-Apr-2026
Study suggests a path to enable the use of Majorana states in quantum computing
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloPeer-Reviewed Publication
Theoretical model indicates how topologically protected quantum excitations can support qubits that are less sensitive to noise and environmental imperfections.
- Journal
- Physical Review B
- Funder
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
17-Apr-2026
More than half of the victims of violent deaths in Brazil had consumed alcohol or drugs shortly before
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloPeer-Reviewed Publication
Postmortem analyses of 3,577 cases in four state capitals reveal a consistent association between psychoactive substances and homicides, accidents, and suicides, with distinct regional patterns. Among all victims, 53% tested positive for at least one psychoactive substance. The study identified cocaine as predominant in homicide cases, alcohol in traffic accident deaths, and benzodiazepines in suicides.
- Journal
- Toxics
- Funder
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
17-Apr-2026
Sustainable concrete using rice husk ash, pet, and tire rubber as fine aggregate substitutes
Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral
The current environmental crisis is not only linked to climate change, but also to inadequate waste management and the intensive consumption of natural resources. In 2023, approximately 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste were generated, and this figure is projected to reach 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. A significant portion of this waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, releasing greenhouse gases. In the case of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), 35% is incinerated, contributing to approximately 534 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year.
- Journal
- Construction and Building Materials
17-Apr-2026
Abdominal fat is linked to a higher risk of urinary incontinence in women
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloPeer-Reviewed Publication
A study conducted at the Federal University of São Carlos concludes that visceral fat has a greater impact on the problem than total body weight.The results showed that women with higher amounts of body fat were more likely to experience incontinence. However, the main finding was the role of visceral fat. The presence of this type of fat increased the likelihood of stress urinary incontinence by about 51%.
- Journal
- European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
- Funder
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo