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News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 27-Jan-2026 16:11 ET (27-Jan-2026 21:11 GMT/UTC)

‘Almost half of the beaches will disappear by the end of the century,’ warns researcher

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

Coastal ecosystems are undergoing a process of crushing due to rising sea levels associated with urbanization. Marine scientist Omar Defeo, a professor at Uruguay’s University of the Republic, addressed this topic during the FAPESP Day Uruguay symposium.

Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Brazilian startup creates therapeutic vaccine to block the transmission of canine visceral leishmaniasis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

The vaccine prevents infection spread by inducing an immune response in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. This response prevents the parasite from being transmitted to the insect vector. This means that if a sand fly bites a vaccinated dog, the parasite cannot be transmitted. Current preventive measures include the use of repellent collars and insecticides, but these options are only moderately effective.

Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Research uncovers mechanism of bacterial resistance involving vitamin C

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

A major contribution of the study is the structural determination of a protein involved in the virulence of a medically important bacterium. Findings contribute to the search for new targets against hospital infections.

Journal: Redox Biology
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Rainfall and temperature shape mosquito fauna in Atlantic Forest bromeliads, including malaria vectors

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

Results from a study conducted in a natural area in the municipality of São Paulo (Brazil) may help estimate the effects of climate change on disease transmission risk in the biome.

Journal: Scientific Reports
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Gene editing produces plants that are indigestible to pests

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

Researchers revisit advances in generating genetically modified plants that prevent bedbugs, beetles, weevils, and woodworms from digesting starch.

Journal: Biotechnology Journal
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Biotechnology from the tropics: Ecuador fights back against the fungus that withers bananas

Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral

Ecuadorian scientists have, for the first time, edited the gene of a fungus that destroys banana plantations. Using an optimized, low-cost CRISPR-Cas9 protocol, they successfully modified the SIX9 gene in Fusarium oxysporum (Foc1), which is linked to banana wilt. This breakthrough opens new avenues for protecting tropical crops and strengthening food security.

Journal: Frontiers

FAPESP Day Uruguay symposium begins tomorrow in Montevideo

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

The event will have a similar structure to FAPESP Week, but with a shorter program focused on three themes: Oceanography, Forestry, and Sustainable Animal Protein Production.

Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Researchers develop chemical compound with potential against Alzheimer’s disease

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

A group from the Federal University of the ABC tested the substance on rats and obtained positive results. The group is now seeking partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical trials.

Journal: ACS Chemical Neuroscience
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Toys contain worrying levels of toxic elements

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

An analysis of 70 plastic children’s products sold in Brazil revealed chemical contamination in most samples, with levels up to 15 times higher than permitted. Barium, lead, chromium, and antimony were the most commonly found toxic elements.

Journal: Exposure and Health
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Thinking hydrogels: Toward automatic insulin without electronic pumps

Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral

Can you imagine a future where insulin releases itself—without sensors or human intervention?

Researchers at ESPOL have developed an advanced mathematical model that simulates a device capable of doing just that. Based on glucose sensitive hydrogels, this system could revolutionize diabetes treatment, offering a more autonomous, safe, and biocompatible approach.

Journal: Advanced Theory and Simulations

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