News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 25-Oct-2026 22:17 ET (26-Oct-2026 02:17 GMT/UTC)

5-Aug-2025

 

Corals in Brazilian archipelago capture carbon equivalent to the burning of 324,000 liters of gasoline per year

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

A single species found in the Alcatrazes Archipelago, brain coral, produces around 170 tons of calcium carbonate annually. This represents the retention of approximately 20 tons of carbon in mineral form, which can last for centuries or millennia. A study by the Federal University of São Paulo highlights the potential ecosystem services provided by subtropical corals.

Journal

Marine Environmental Research

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

4-Aug-2025

   

Smithsonian digitizes pollen From 18,000 plant species

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Digitized Pollen Database for Paleontology Research, Allergy Medicine and More

Journal

Plants People Planet

4-Aug-2025

 

A comparison of colorful hamlets from the Caribbean challenges ideas about how species arise

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists have been thinking about how new species evolve since Darwin wrote On The Origin of Species in 1859. The results presented here call into question some of the most common explanations of how species originate

Journal

Science Advances

30-Jul-2025

Study identifies genes that can predict response to immunotherapy in melanoma patients

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

Brazilian researchers develop precision tool that can predict immunotherapy treatment failure, with the potential to personalize therapies and reduce healthcare costs.

Journal

Journal of Molecular Medicine

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

30-Jul-2025

Study proposes a new window for dark matter research

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

Model considers two DM particles, one stable and one unstable, as well as a vector mediator similar to the photon but with mass, which would promote interaction with ordinary matter particles.

Journal

Journal of High Energy Physics

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

30-Jul-2025

 

Registrations open for São Paulo School of Advanced Science in Systems Change and Sustainability

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

The school will integrate multiple forms of knowledge in order to advance towards the systemic changes required for the construction of more equitable and resilient societies. Applicants may submit until August 15.

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

28-Jul-2025

 

New examination of fish considered a ‘living fossil’ changes our understanding of vertebrate skull evolution

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

Researchers reanalyzed the skull musculature of coelacanths, a group of fish that has existed for 400 million years, and concluded that many structures had been incorrectly described. The study was published in Science Advances by researchers from the University of São Paulo and the Smithsonian Institution.

Journal

Science Advances

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

28-Jul-2025

 

Studies confirm influence of country of origin on trust in COVID-19 vaccines

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

During the pandemic, a preference for domestic vaccines or those from countries such as the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom was observed for the first time. This phenomenon, known in marketing as the country of origin effect, is usually associated with products that require consumer research before purchase or that have a long tradition in certain countries, such as Swiss chocolates. However, it had never been linked to free vaccines.

Journal

Management Review Quarterly

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

23-Jul-2025

 

Loss of natural areas and introduction of exotic species reduces fishing yields in the Paraná River in Brazil

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

An analysis of data collected over 20 years in the upper stretch of the river shows a 50% loss in economic gains from fishing. Native fish have become smaller and smaller. Conversely, invasive species, which have a lower market value, are becoming more abundant. The phenomenon has been accompanied by a loss of vegetation cover on the riverbanks.

Journal

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

21-Jul-2025

Study on “blue economy” shows interdependence between Brazil’s coastal and inland regions

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

Economic activities that depend directly on marine resources account for 2.91% of gross domestic product and 1.07% of employment. However, when the indirect effects of their linkages with other sectors are considered, the impact increases to 4.45% of employment and 6.39% of the country’s GDP.

Journal

npj Ocean Sustainability

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo