News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 29-Oct-2026 21:16 ET (30-Oct-2026 01:16 GMT/UTC)

2-Dec-2020

 

Drug attenuates weight gain in animals fed a high-fat diet

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

Medication originally developed to kill bacteria displayed the capacity to increase cell energy expenditure in tests with mice. Researchers are testing compounds with a similar structure that could give rise to novel approaches to the treatment of obesity

Funder

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

1-Dec-2020

 

Genomic analysis of mako shark reveals genes relating to tumor suppression in humans

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

Genetic mapping of the shark's liver and eye tissue showed overexpression of nine genes known for action in tumor suppression, wound healing, and probable monochrome vision. The species is considered globally endangered and caught on a large scale by industrial fishing vessels.

Journal

Genomics

Funder

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

1-Dec-2020

 

Study sheds light on immune mechanism that triggers cytokine storm typical of COVID-19

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

In lung tissue from a person who died after contracting COVID-19, active inflammasomes (puncta, represented as red specks) can be seen in some cells. Collagen fibers, lung cell nuclei and epithelial cells are stained green, blue and pink respectively

Journal

Journal of Experimental Medicine

Funder

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

1-Dec-2020

Molecule that regulates muscle adaptation to exercise is discovered

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

An article in Cell shows that the metabolite succinate is released by muscle cells during physical exercise and triggers a process of tissue remodeling that makes muscles stronger and enhances metabolic efficiency.

Journal

Cell

Funder

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

30-Nov-2020

 

Surprising trove of sorghum diversity discovered in Australia -- but it's disappearing fast

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

New research found that wild cousins of sorghum, the fifth-most important cereal crop globally, are most concentrated in Australia, despite having been domesticated in Africa. But with 12 of the total 23 wild relative species possibly endangered, four vulnerable, and four near threatened, these economically important wild plants are in peril.

Journal

Diversity and Distributions

30-Nov-2020

 

Scientists uncover the mysterious origin of canal grass in Panama

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

How did canal grass arrive in Panama? STRI staff scientist Kristin Saltonstall compared the DNA of sugar cane relatives from around the world to find out.

Journal

Biological Invasions

24-Nov-2020

Young Brazilians are increasingly keen on conservation- and biodiversity-related topics

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

An article in Science Advances shows high school students are steadily becoming more sensitive to environmental and scientific ideas. However, interest is uneven in regional terms. It is most intense in the North, less so in the Southeast

Funder

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

23-Nov-2020

 

In the Cerrado, topography explains the genetic diversity of amphibians more than land cover

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

Study shows that a tree frog endemic to a mountainous region of the Brazilian savanna is unable to disperse and find genetically closer mates when the terrain is rugged, potentially endangering survival of the species

Journal

Diversity and Distributions

Funder

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

20-Nov-2020

 

Adipose tissue may be the source of inflammatory factors that aggravate COVID-19

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

Preliminary results of patient tissue analysis show that the virus infects adipocytes and alters the quantity of signaling molecules released by these cells into the bloodstream.

Journal

Advances in Nutrition

Funder

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

19-Nov-2020

 

Plastic film used to protect foods and surfaces inactivates novel coronavirus

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

In laboratory tests, the material eliminated 79.9% of SARS-CoV-2 particles in three minutes and 99.99% in up to 15 minutes (photo: Alpes).

Funder

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