News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 17-Dec-2025 16:11 ET (17-Dec-2025 21:11 GMT/UTC)

20-Jan-2023

Exotic water ice contributes to understanding of magnetic anomalies on Neptune and Uranus

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

A key aspect of the study was the deployment of density functional theory (DFT), a method derived from quantum mechanics and used in solid-state physics to resolve complex crystalline structures.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

20-Jan-2023

Brazilian research uncovers why congenitally blind people show activity in visual-processing areas of the brain

D'Or Institute for Research and Education
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Recently published in the scientific journal Human Brain Mapping, a Brazilian study has identified for the first time the reorganization of anatomical structures in the brain of people with congenital blindness. The research was carried out by the D'Or Institute of Research and Education (IDOR), the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and the Center for Specialized Ophthalmology, Brazil.

Journal

Human Brain Mapping

19-Jan-2023

Study points to link between schizophrenia and vascular alterations in the brain

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

In the study, the researchers focused on the role of astrocytes in development of the Schizophrenia. Astrocytes derived from schizophrenic patients promote less vascularization when compared to control.

Journal

Molecular Psychiatry

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

18-Jan-2023

Increase in marine heatwaves expected to affect organisms at bottom of food chain, study suggests

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

Larvae of the Atlantic mangrove fiddler crab (Leptuca thayeri, left) survived less in warmer water and underwent physiological changes due to higher acidity.

Journal

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

17-Jan-2023

Survey reveals physical and mental problems among health workers during pandemic

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

Stress, burnout, pain and poor sleep were some of the most frequent symptoms reported by nursing and other staff who care for patients in a study conducted by researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos in São Paulo state, Brazil.

Journal

Healthcare

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

16-Jan-2023

Toxins produced by Amazonian spider have potential for development of drugs and insecticides

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

Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo and Butantan Institute used several advanced techniques to analyze the venom of the Orange banded tarantula Acanthoscurria juruenicola and tested its capacity to paralyze crickets. The findings could contribute to the development of biodiversity-based solutions

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

13-Jan-2023

Soccer goalkeeper foot forward, allowed by a 2019 law change, improves penalty diving save performance

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

Researchers at the University of São Paulo measured the improvement in experiments with ten goalkeepers, using 3D body reconstruction technology to analyze their dives.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

12-Jan-2023

Aggressiveness of pet dogs is influenced by life history and owner’s characteristics, study suggests

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

Based on questionnaires completed by 665 volunteers detailing the physical and behavioral characteristics of their pet dogs, researchers at the University of São Paulo investigated how morphological, environmental and social factors modulate canine aggressiveness.

Journal

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

11-Jan-2023

São Paulo to host advanced school in epidemic preparedness

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

The school will provide a set of mini-courses delivered by renowned scientists and aimed at early-career researchers working with fields ranging from epidemiology to applied mathematics to political and social sciences. Registrations are due on February 2.

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

11-Jan-2023

Study proves that antivenom reduces risk of skin necrosis in patients bitten by brown recluse spider

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

The study involved 146 patients, 74 of whom were treated with an antivenom produced by Butantan Institute in São Paulo. The results showed the antivenom to be safe and effective, especially if it is administered within 48 hours.

Journal

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo