News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 10-Nov-2025 00:11 ET (10-Nov-2025 05:11 GMT/UTC)

23-Feb-2021

Models to predict dengue, zika and yellow fever outbreaks are developed by researchers

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

Scientists will monitor areas in which these diseases are endemic, such as São Paulo, the Amazon, the Pantanal and Panama, to investigate the factors that trigger outbreaks (monkey being examined in Manaus área.

Journal

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences

Funder

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

22-Feb-2021

First DNA extracted from modern, ancient and fossil tropical shells

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The next time you eat seafood, think about the long-term effects. Will consistently eating the biggest fish or the biggest conch, mean that only the smaller individuals will have a chance to reproduce?

Journal

Molecular Ecology Resources

18-Feb-2021

Is odor the secret to bats' sex appeal?

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A literature review revealed that odor-producing glands and tissues in bats may play a prominent role in mating behavior

Journal

Mammal Review

Funder

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Universidad de Los Andes (Venezuela) and Boston University

18-Feb-2021

Increasing temperatures will hit meat and milk production in East Africa

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

Heat stress will detrimentally impact future livestock production in East Africa without urgent adaptation measures.

Journal

Nature Food

Funder

CGIAR Trust Fund, CGIAR Research Program on Livestock, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Programme for Climate-Smart Livestock (PCSL), Helmholtz Society Program 'Earth andEnvironment'

18-Feb-2021

South American lizard's blood pressure mechanism is more efficient at cool temperatures

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

The black and white tegu lizard, which depends on external environmental factors to regulate body temperature, can survive swings between 15 and 35 degrees Celsius in a single day while keeping blood pressure steady.

Journal

PLOS One

Funder

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

16-Feb-2021

Application of potassium to grass used as cover crop guarantees higher-quality cotton

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

In an article, Brazilian researchers show that besides simplifying operational logistics and improving production, fertilization of the grass used as a cover crop can reduce fertilizer use in the long run.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

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

10-Feb-2021

Lung ultrasound helps predict COVID-19 patient outcomes

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

Brazilian researchers applied an examination protocol based on an analysis of 12 lung regions to 180 severe patients and found that the higher the lung ultrasound score the greater the risk of ICU admission, intubation and death.

Journal

Annals of Intensive Care

Funder

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

9-Feb-2021

Baby vampire bat adopted by mom's best friend

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The strong relationship formed between two female adult vampire bats may have motivated one of the bats to adopt the other's baby.

Journal

Royal Society Open Science

9-Feb-2021

Scientists create flexible biocompatible cilia that can be controlled by a magnet

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

Filaments made of polymer-coated iron oxide nanoparticles are obtained by exposing the material to a magnetic field under controlled temperature. The applications are myriad and include transporting substances into cells or directing fluids.

Journal

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

Funder

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

4-Feb-2021

Studies use mathematics to analyze the semantics of dream reports during the pandemic

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

Researchers at a center for neuromathematics say dreams reflect the fear and anxiety fueled by the disease.

Journal

PLOS One

Funder

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