News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Dec-2025 16:11 ET (21-Dec-2025 21:11 GMT/UTC)

26-Apr-2018

Zika virus eliminates advanced human tumor in central nervous system of rodents

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

A group of Brazilian researchers confirmed for the 1st time in vivo the efficiency of Zika virus in infecting CNS tumor cells -- tests even showed that the resulting viral particles were less harmful than the ones created from infection of healthy cells. The team's plans include applying for patent on pharmaceutical kit and moving on to clinical trial phase in near future.

Journal

Cancer Research

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

26-Apr-2018

Whale shark logs longest-recorded trans-Pacific migration

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A whale shark named Anne swam all the way across the Pacific from Coiba National Park in Panama to the Marianas Trench, setting a record as the longest-recorded migration.

Journal

Marine Biodiversity Records

Funder

Panama's science and technology bureau (SENACYT), Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Candeo Fund at the ICF, International Community Foundation

25-Apr-2018

Novel technique achieves 32-fold increase in nanometric bactericide's activity

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

Silver nanoparticles used in hospital materials and cutting-edge medical research can be obtained by a method that intensifies their potency and also reduces production costs, as demonstrated by Brazilian researchers in a Scientific Reports article.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

19-Apr-2018

Blowfly uses saliva to keep cool

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

The insect moves droplet of saliva in and out of its mouth to promote evaporation and lower body temperature, according to study by researchers in Brazil.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

17-Apr-2018

Chip developed by Brazil researchers will be linchpin of LHC upgrade

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

The Large Hadron Collider will be entirely upgraded, and ALICE, one of its four major experiments, will be equipped with a new particle detection system comprising 88,000 units of the SAMPA chip.

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

16-Apr-2018

Music intensifies effects of anti-hypertensive medication

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

A research shows anti-hypertensive drugs improving heart rate more in patients who listen to music after taking medication. Among musical genres, classical music is the one with greatest efficiency at reducing arterial pressure; Brazilian authors of the study speculate whether music acts on the patients' parasympathetic system, increasing their capability of absorbing medication.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

12-Apr-2018

Research shows how genetics can contribute for advances in 2G ethanol production

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

The study focused three fungi species which produce enzymes with application in biomass degradation; scientists in Brazil reveal how these substances are regulated and how they can interact synergically.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation -- FAPESP

11-Apr-2018

Research reveals new aspects of superconductivity and correlated phenomena

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

The exotic behaviors displayed by organic compounds subjected to low temperatures are explored in a study developed in Brazil, whose results were published in Physical Review B.

Journal

Physical Review B

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

10-Apr-2018

Biomarker panel can guide treatment of brain cancer

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

Brazilian researchers have identified seven biomarkers that could be used at the time of the primary diagnosis to show which glioma patients will tend to progress to a more aggressive form of the disease

Journal

Cell Reports

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

9-Apr-2018

Substance that guides ant trail is produced by symbiotic bacteria

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

A research with ant from genus Atta reveals that a bacteria in their microbiota plays a key role in communication among individuals and also on the colony's defense against pathogens. A Brazilian group of scientists also showed how a type of fungus participates on stingless bees' development cycle.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP