News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 18-Jun-2025 16:11 ET (18-Jun-2025 20:11 GMT/UTC)

8-Mar-2022

Mapping of exposed water tanks and swimming pools based on aerial images can help control dengue

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

A study conducted in Brazil combined use of aerial photography and artificial intelligence to identify socio-economically deprived urban areas at risk for diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti.

Journal

PLOS One

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

4-Mar-2022

Deforestation and climate change threaten Brazil’s new agricultural frontier

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

These factors combined have worsened the severe drought conditions in the transition zone between the eastern Amazon and the Brazilian savanna, where the main soybean-producing region (MaToPiBa) is located. The researchers who detected the trend warn that crop yields could fall.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

4-Mar-2022

A decade of deep-reef exploration in the Greater Caribbean

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The use of submersibles exponentially increased the recorded diversity of islands’ deep-reef fish faunas

Journal

Frontiers in Marine Science

Funder

National Geographic Society, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, University of Washington, Burke Museum

3-Mar-2022

Research reveals mechanism involved in transmission of genetic disease from mother to child

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

The study could serve as the basis for novel strategies to ensure that future generations are not affected by such diseases. Existing treatments are palliative, aimed at improving quality of life for the patient or delaying progression of the disease.

Journal

Science Advances

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

2-Mar-2022

Study identifies virus responsible for high mortality rate among pigeons in São Paulo City

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

A multicenter research team investigated an outbreak in 2019, which proved to be due to a subtype of the pathogen that causes Newcastle disease. According to the researchers, the risk to humans and poultry is low.

Journal

Viruses

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

24-Feb-2022

Vaccination has changed the profile of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and those who die from the disease

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

Brazilian researchers analyzed data for 2,777 patients hospitalized between January 5 and September 12, 2021. For those who had been fully vaccinated, being over 60 and having kidney failure were the sole predictors of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

Journal

Journal of Infection

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

23-Feb-2022

Smelly ocelot habitats may scare off seed-dispersing rodents

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An experiment in Panama’s Parque Natural Metropolitano and Gamboa revealed that agoutis were less likely to disperse and pilfer seeds in sites where ferocious felines roam

Journal

Behavioral Ecology

Funder

Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado at the University of Panama

23-Feb-2022

Substance analogous to cannabidiol can enhance chemotherapy by preventing neuropathic pain

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

In a study conducted by researchers at the University of São Paulo involving experiments on mice, the synthetic substance not only prevented the neuropathic pain typically induced by chemo drugs but was also beneficial against cancer.

Journal

Neurotherapeutics

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

21-Feb-2022

Properly managed fire enhances functional diversity and carbon fixation in savannas

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

A study led by Brazilian researchers measured species numbers and attributes, as well as carbon dynamics, in two areas of the Brazilian savanna – one is regularly burned and no fires have occurred in the other for 16 years.

Journal

Science of The Total Environment

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

17-Feb-2022

Scientists use “green” solvent and natural pigment to produce bioplastic

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

The process is sustainable and is described by researchers at universities in Brazil and Portugal in the journal Green Chemistry. The article is one of those highlighted as “hot” by the journal’s editors and referees.

Journal

Green Chemistry

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo