News from Latin America

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

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

2-Feb-2021

Researchers develop 10-minute COVID-19 diagnostic test that wage workers can afford

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Business Announcement

Technology based on nanoparticles identifies IgG antibodies and costs only about a fifth of similar devices now on the market. It was developed by scientists at the University of São Paulo and Brazilian startup Biolinker.

Funder

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

1-Feb-2021

Why it is harder for Brazilians of African descent to find bone marrow donors

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

According to a study published in Frontiers in Immunology, the reason is their genetic heterogeneity and lack of proportional representation in the Brazilian bone marrow bank.

Journal

Frontiers in Immunology

Funder

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

29-Jan-2021

Startup develops yeast-based COVID-19 diagnostic test

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Business Announcement

Based on a reaction between yeast and the novel coronavirus, the test will rapidly detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva and will be available by mid-2021.

Funder

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

27-Jan-2021

Melatonin produced in the lungs prevents infection by novel coronavirus

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

The hormone acts as a barrier against SARS-CoV-2, blocking the expression of genes that encode proteins in cells serving as viral entry points, according to a study by researchers at the University of São Paulo.

Journal

Melatonin Research

Funder

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

26-Jan-2021

Study helps understand why kids of obese mothers may be susceptible to metabolic diseases

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

The phenomenon may be associated with a deficiency of the protein mitofusin-2 in the mother's eggs, which affects the shape and functioning of mitochondria. The finding was based on experiments with mice conducted at the Federal University of São Carlos and reported in the journal Molecular Human Reproduction.

Journal

Molecular Human Reproduction

Funder

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

21-Jan-2021

Advances in modeling and sensors can help farmers and insurers manage risk

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

A review of index insurance for smallholder farmers shows the potential of high-resolution satellite imagery to help poor farmers be compensated for potentially devastating losses.

Journal

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment

Funder

Risk and Resilience, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Markets, United States Agency for International Development

21-Jan-2021

The downward trend: Nature's decline risks our quality of life

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

Scientists conducted a sweeping review of nature's contributions to humans in order to present a clear breakdown of global trends since 1970. Not surprisingly, the results are grim

20-Jan-2021

Inflammation caused by scorpion venom should be blocked immediately, study shows

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

In an article published in Nature Communications, Brazilian researchers show for the first time that in severe cases of scorpion envenomation it is the neuroimmune reaction triggered by the venom that leads to death.

Journal

Nature Communications

Funder

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

19-Jan-2021

Lack of physical exercise during COVID-19 confinement may lead to a rise in mortality

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

In a review article published in Frontiers of Endocrinology, Brazilian researchers estimate a reduction of 35% in levels of physical activity and a rise of 28% in sedentary behavior in the initial months of confinement imposed by the pandemic.

Journal

Frontiers in Endocrinology

Funder

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