News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 20-Jun-2025 07:10 ET (20-Jun-2025 11:10 GMT/UTC)

4-Aug-2021

Enzyme from Amazon fungus could enhance efficiency of second-generation ethanol production

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

The molecule described by Brazilian researchers in the journal Scientific Reports acts on different sugars present in several sources of plant biomass, making it attractive to other industries as well.

Journal

Scientific Reports

2-Aug-2021

Punishment enforces cooperation in the fig-wasp mutualism: The exception proves the rule

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Mutually beneficial relationships are common, but what happens when one partner stops enforcing the other’s good behavior? An exception to the usual relationship between figs and their pollinator-wasps, may hold the answer.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

30-Jul-2021

Scientists explore Bacillus strains to control fungus spread in bananas

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

The Fusiarium wilt TR4 is ravaging banana plantations around the world. The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT and partners in Yunnan, China explored the ability of five Bacillus strains to control the spread of TR4 by identifying its biocontrol activities through RT-qPCR.

Journal

Journal of Fungus

29-Jul-2021

Researchers propose a method of magnetizing a material without applying an external magnetic field

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

The study shows that the phenomenon can be produced by means of adiabatic compression, without any exchange of heat with the environment. The process aligns the spins of the material’s particles and magnetizes the system.

Journal

Scientific Reports

29-Jul-2021

Caribbean asphyxiation

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

For the first time ever, a group of researchers caught a marine hypoxia event in the act and could characterize its ongoing effects on corals, marine invertebrates and marine microbes.

Journal

Nature Communications

Funder

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Smithsonian Institution's Marine Global Earth Observatory (MarineGEO), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

27-Jul-2021

Droughts may increase in South America by the end of the century, study suggests

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

If greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current level, the average temperature will tend to rise by as much as 4 °C in some regions. Under this scenario, extreme weather events will be more intense and frequent, according to projections made using the IPCC’s new climate models.

Journal

Earth Systems and Environment

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

27-Jul-2021

Is this the oldest cashew on the isthmus?

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A fossil tree discovery in Panama offers clues regarding the establishment of the genus Anacardium in Central and South America

Journal

PLOS One

Funder

Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion

22-Jul-2021

Study points to remotely supervised exercise classes as best option during lockdown

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

Based on data for 344 volunteers, Brazilian researchers compared the physical and mental health benefits of workouts led in person by a fitness instructor, unsupervised online sessions, and classes supervised remotely via video call. Gradually increasing intensity was associated with improvements in mental health.

Journal

Psychiatry Research

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab

21-Jul-2021

Study innovates in gluten-free formulations, creating more palatable and nutritious bread

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

Study at the Federal University of São Paulo developed a recipe combining chickpea flour and psyllium, a plant-derived soluble fiber. The product is nourishing and rated highly by consumers in qualitative surveys.

Journal

Foods

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab

20-Jul-2021

Study refutes suspicion that dengue increases risk of microcephaly associated with zika

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

Researchers compared data for pregnant women in two cities who were infected by zika virus in 2015-16. Factors that influenced the risk of fetal malformation were the high zika attack rate in the area and being infected in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Journal

Viruses

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab