News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 17-Jun-2025 16:10 ET (17-Jun-2025 20:10 GMT/UTC)

12-Nov-2024

Multidrug-resistant bacterium posing a global public health threat is detected in Northeast Brazil

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

This particular strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae had previously been detected in the United States. The bacterium frequently causes infections in hospitals, is not eliminated by any existing antibiotic, and is especially dangerous for people with low immunity.

Journal

The Lancet Microbe

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

8-Nov-2024

Stalling a disease that could annihilate banana production is a high-return investment in Colombia

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

There’s no cure for a fungal disease that could potentially wipe out much of global banana production. Widespread adoption of cement paths, disinfection stations, and production strategies could net 3-4 USD of benefits for each dollar invested in Colombia. 

Journal

PLOS One

7-Nov-2024

Studies point to correlation between preeclampsia and COVID-19 in pregnant women

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

A review article by researchers at the State University of Campinas and Baylor College of Medicine discusses relationships between these two conditions, identifying biomarkers that can help clinicians make a differential diagnosis.

Journal

American Journal Of Reproductive Immunology

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

6-Nov-2024

Study shows how high blood sugar increases risk of thrombosis

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

Discoveries by Brazilian researchers belonging to a FAPESP-supported research center could lead to strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease associated with diabetes.

Journal

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

5-Nov-2024

Water overuse in MATOPIBA could mean failure to meet up to 40% of local demand for crop irrigation

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

Overuse of water resources in Brazil’s main agricultural frontier region, in conjunction with climate change, is reducing replenishment of the Urucuia aquifer and surface water bodies in the basin of a tributary of the São Francisco, the largest river  in the Northeast. 

Journal

AMBIO

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

1-Nov-2024

Applications open for School of Advanced Science on High-Dimensional Modeling

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

Minicourses and sessions featuring renowned researchers aim at enhancing specific aspects of data professionals’ training, such as machine learning applications in economics, finance, and business, as well as training in cryptofinance. Registrations are due on January 17, 2025.

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

31-Oct-2024

Identified 51 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated mutations that could help diagnose the disease

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

The mutations were mapped by a group at the Federal University of São Paulo and collaborators in an analysis of mitochondrial genomes. Thirteen increase the risk of ALS and 38 are protective.

Journal

Muscle & Nerve

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

30-Oct-2024

Rapid horizontal eye movement can improve stability in people with Parkinson’s

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

Vertical eye movements increased body sway in an experiment involving volunteers with the disease conducted by researchers at São Paulo State University (Brazil) and the University of Lille (France). In healthy volunteers, postural stability benefited from both horizontal and vertical eye movements.

Journal

Biomechanics

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

29-Oct-2024

Less than 7 mm in length, this Atlantic Rainforest flea toad is the second-smallest vertebrate described in the world

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

Brachycephalus dacnis is the seventh species of flea toad identified and is larger only than an individual of a closely related species found in southern Bahia state, Brazil. The study published in PeerJ was led by a group at the State University of Campinas.

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

28-Oct-2024

A next-generation catalog of cultivated bananas

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

A new research paper presents a cutting-edge catalog of banana diversity, utilizing innovative genomic techniques to trace the ancestral origins of various banana cultivars. The study involved collaboration between multiple institutions and includes a comprehensive catalog of cultivated bananas.

Journal

Plants People Planet