News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 8-Jun-2025 00:09 ET (8-Jun-2025 04:09 GMT/UTC)

13-Aug-2024

Study finds that dopaminergic medication improves sleep quality in Parkinson’s disease patients

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

The analysis was conducted by researchers at São Paulo State University (UNESP), showing that when the patients took the drug, the number of times they woke up during the night fell by 25% and the amount of time they remained awake fell 30% on average.

Journal

Journal of Sleep Research

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

12-Aug-2024

Framing sustainability strategies for the enactment of corporate actions with positive macro-level impact: Evidence from a developing country

Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The research redefines sustainability by examining how strategic framing can elevate corporate actions to achieve significant macro-level impacts. Moving beyond individual and community-focused efforts, the study highlights broad-scale changes that enhance societal and environmental well-being, including nationwide poverty reduction, environmental improvements, and public health advancements. 

Journal

Business Strategy and the Environment

12-Aug-2024

Chip that entangles four photons opens up possibility of inviolable quantum encryption

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

The device can be used to implement sharing systems in which any attempt at unauthorized access is immediately detected because it alters the quantum correlations.

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

9-Aug-2024

Organic farms certified by peers display higher product diversity

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

A study conducted in São Paulo state (Brazil) showed that farms with peer-to-peer certification had 58.8 organic items on average, while farms conventionally certified by third parties had 22.2.

Journal

Organic Agriculture

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

9-Aug-2024

How farmers and tech teamed up to better test crops

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Peer-Reviewed Publication

For over a decade, farmers across the world have been working hand-in-hand with researchers at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and their collaborators to develop a better way to test new crop varieties and improve food security in their communities.

Journal

Crop Science

8-Aug-2024

Study reveals mechanism used by tegu lizard to raise own temperature

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

Salvator merianae, a giant tegu lizard endemic to South America, regulates its own body temperature during the mating season without relying on external heat and without shivering. Experiments conducted by researchers at São Paulo State University pointed to rising levels and activity of mitochondria in skeletal muscle as the basis for this endothermic ability.

Journal

Acta Physiologica

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

7-Aug-2024

Common tree in São Paulo (Brazil) tolerates extreme drought and can help mitigate adverse effects of climate change

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

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo shows that Tipuana tipu grows faster at higher temperatures and can contribute to the city’s resilience.

Journal

Urban Climate

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

7-Aug-2024

Pixels to pasture: how AI can help farmers predict their pasture

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT have paved the way for farmers (from small-holders to big ranchers) information about the quantity and quality of their grazing pastures, right there on their smartphone. 

Journal

Remote Sensing Applications Society and Environment

6-Aug-2024

Treatment with smoke can favor seed germination in the Cerrado

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

The study investigated the effect of two concentrations of smoke on seeds of 44 species typical of the Brazilian savanna-like biome. The results could be used in management and restoration strategies.

Journal

Plant Ecology

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

31-Jul-2024

New discoveries regarding tomato hormones can increase total yield

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

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) and colleagues in other countries conducted a study showing that strigolactones – substances hitherto associated only with plant development – can directly influence flowering and fruiting.The discovery could have a significant impact on tomato crop yields.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo