News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 8-Nov-2025 22:11 ET (9-Nov-2025 03:11 GMT/UTC)

10-Dec-2021

Access and equity around biodiversity data is at the forefront of international negotiations

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

Ahead of critical meetings in 2022 which may determine the fate of global treaties on the governance of biodiversity and genetic resources, scientists have published a series of peer-reviewed research, review, and opinion articles examining the importance of, and challenges to, sharing and using data critical to global food security and biodiversity conservation.

Journal

Plants People Planet

9-Dec-2021

Experimental treatment prevents Alzheimer’s-associated weight gain in mice

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

In a study conducted at a FAPESP-funded research center, a bile acid derivative known by the acronym TUDCA reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure in mice, improving quality of life. The results are promising for humans.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

8-Dec-2021

Study shows how waste can be converted into materials for advanced industries

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

A paper by a research group including Brazilian scientists and international collaborators shows that low-cost waste biomass can be upcycled to make bioplastic, electronic devices, equipment for power generation, storage and transmission, and other high added-value products.

Journal

Advanced Materials

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

8-Dec-2021

Novel computer simulation method can accelerate COVID-19 drug discovery

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

The technique was used by researchers affiliated with institutions in Brazil, Germany and Finland to study the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), a key driver of the virus’s reproductive cycle.

Journal

Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

7-Dec-2021

New description increases number of known species in jellyfish genus from seven to 28

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

Aurelia cebimarensis, a new jellyfish species described for Brazil, is named after the University of São Paulo’s Center for Marine Biology (CEBIMAR-USP), and can be found on the beach in São Sebastião where the center is located.

Journal

PeerJ

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

3-Dec-2021

Infection by Chikungunya produces partial immunity against Mayaro virus

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

Scientists at the University of São Paulo confirmed the finding in experiments with mice and blood serum from patients.

Journal

Journal of Virology

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

3-Dec-2021

A conservation incentive yields increase of protected Atlantic Rainforest areas, but with limited results

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

The ICMS-E mechanism, whereby states pay municipalities to conserve biodiversity and water resources, is effective but its impact decreases as the number of conservation units increases. In addition, it mainly stimulates creation of units with relatively few restrictions on land use change.

Journal

Ecological Economics

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

1-Dec-2021

Modified protein from rattlesnake venom permits development of drug to modulate blood clotting

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

Procedure tested by researchers in Brazil and Belgium made the molecule more stable in the organism. Potential applications include anti-coagulants and wound dressings.

Journal

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

1-Dec-2021

Eat, Grow, Save Agrobiodiversity: Congress gathers participants from around the globe

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Reports and Proceedings

The 2nd International Agrobiodiversity Congress brought together over 3,100 participants from varied sectors in a 4-day virtual event to explore the role of agricultural biodiversity in transforming our food systems.

30-Nov-2021

Researchers, practitioners and community members call for greater inclusion in ecosystem restoration

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

Restoration efforts hold unique potential for improving environmental outcomes and human wellbeing. They are the focus of the recently launched UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Yet, ignoring the social dimensions of environmental initiatives is likely to fail to achieve ecological and other objectives. Ten people-centered rules for successful restoration are proposed by experts involved in restoration efforts around the globe.

Journal

Restoration Ecology