News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 18-Jan-2026 15:11 ET (18-Jan-2026 20:11 GMT/UTC)

16-Jan-2026

Deadly to amphibians, a fungal strain emerged in Brazil and spread around the world

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

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is responsible for the decline of toad and frog populations across the globe. The origin of the fungal strain was the subject of a study led by researchers at the State University of Campinas.

Journal

Biological Conservation

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

14-Jan-2026

Study reveals protein linked to spread of pancreatic cancer through nerves

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Brazilian research shows that stellate pancreatic cells produce periostin, remodeling tissue and facilitating tumor infiltration, a key mechanism of the aggressiveness and high mortality of the disease. 

Journal

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

13-Jan-2026

Smart device reminds older adults to take their medication and monitors intake

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

The organizer holds all the pills for one week (Monday through Sunday) and can be set for up to four different times throughout the day. Real-time monitoring reduces medication waste and increases treatment effectiveness. the system not only acts as a reminder but also records each patient’s action.

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

13-Jan-2026

Starch sachets release fertilizer in a controlled manner and can replace petroleum-derived polymers

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Nanoparticle-reinforced wrappers can be filled with various formulations of the granular products needed for crops, a versatility that facilitates application by agribusiness.

Journal

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

8-Jan-2026

Research shows how immune system reacts to pig kidney transplants in living patients

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

Results indicate that the innate immune response remains activated even with immunosuppressant use, paving the way for new therapies to prevent organ rejection.

Journal

Nature Medicine

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

7-Jan-2026

Artificial saliva containing sugarcane protein helps protect the teeth of patients with head and neck cancer

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

In patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy, applying radiation very close to the mouth can destroy some salivary glands and compromise saliva production, which is essential for controlling bacteria and disease

Journal

Journal of Dentistry

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

7-Jan-2026

Advances in liquid biopsies as a tool for detecting lung cancer mutations

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

Researchers used a panel to assess the presence of circulating tumor DNA in plasma samples and detected changes in genes related to the development of adenocarcinoma that indicated both actionability by drugs and resistance to treatment.

Journal

Molecular Oncology

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

5-Jan-2026

Second spider-parasitic mite described in Brazil

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

The parasitic mites were found on juvenile arachnids in the Butantan Institute collection. The larvae of Araneothrombium brasiliensis were collected in Rio de Janeiro. Previously, the genus had only one known species in Costa Rica.

Journal

International Journal of Acarology

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

2-Jan-2026

Allowing coral reef fish stocks recover could feed millions

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study shows that allowing coral reef fish populations to recover could help fight global hunger, meeting seafood intake requirements for millions more people worldwide

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

19-Dec-2025

Four years after the Mariana mining disaster in Brazil, river fish remained contaminated

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

A comprehensive analysis conducted in 2019 detected the accumulation of 13 heavy metals and other toxic substances, advising against consumption due to risks to human health.

Journal

Total Environment Advances

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo