News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 29-Oct-2026 12:16 ET (29-Oct-2026 16:16 GMT/UTC)

19-Mar-2021

Technique based on artificial intelligence permits automation of crop seed analysis

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

Developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo, the non-invasive methodology facilitates identification of immature or poor-quality seeds without destroying them or creating residues.

Journal

Frontiers in Plant Science

Funder

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

18-Mar-2021

 

Study finds inflammatory mechanism responsible for bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis

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

In a study of the effects of cigarette smoking on exacerbation of the disease, scientists at a FAPESP-supported research center identified a novel pathway in the inflammatory process relating to bone damage.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Funder

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

17-Mar-2021

 

Scientists assess effects of soccer player preparation and recovery on kicking performance

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

Article published by Brazilian researchers in Sports Medicine presents a systematic review of scientific studies on the topic.

Journal

Sports Medicine

Funder

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

16-Mar-2021

 

Project investigates remote control of enzymes using light

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

The study showed that not only the composition of the material but also its geometry influenced the effect of the nanoparticles on the enzyme.

Journal

ACS Catalysis

Funder

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

15-Mar-2021

 

Lessons learned in Burkina Faso can contribute to a new decade of forest restoration

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

In 2018, the West African nation decided to restore 5 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. New research shows what works - and what doesn't - when restoration coincides with degraded landscapes, pressure on natural resources and climate change.

Journal

Sustainability

12-Mar-2021

 

Use of perovskite will be a key feature of the next generation of electronic appliances

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

Nanomaterials of perovskite dispersed in hexane and irradiated by laser. Light emission by these materials is intense thanks to resistance to surface defects.

Journal

Science Advances

Funder

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

11-Mar-2021

 

Deforestation favors an increase in the diversity of antibiotic-resistant soil bacteria

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

Study suggests that replacing native vegetation with pasture or crops increases competition among microorganisms, favoring those with antimicrobial resistance genes. Brazilian scientists advocate more research to find out whether bacteria can migrate to food and reach human.

Journal

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

Funder

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

10-Mar-2021

 

Bacterial competition in situations of food scarcity prevents survival of mutants

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

Study compares the phenomenon observed in the species E. coli to a "tragedy of the commons", in which individual interests take precedence over the collective good. According to the authors, it masks the emergence of bacterial variants and makes the colony's mutation rate appear lower.

Journal

BMC Biology

Funder

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

9-Mar-2021

 

Molecule with potential to treat multiple sclerosis passes toxicology testing in zebrafish

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

Study conducted at a FAPESP-supported research center shows that anti-inflammatory peptide TnP could lead to drug development. Zebrafish Danio rerio is a popular aquarium species widely used as a model for in vivo trials in drug development.

Journal

Toxicology Reports

Funder

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

4-Mar-2021

Innovative cancer treatment found to be promising for the control of fungal infections

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

The use of CAR T-cells reprogrammed to 'recognize' Cryptococcus spp. proved effective to combat the infection in vitro and in mice.

Journal

Cytotherapy

Funder

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