News from Latin America

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

19-Dec-2017

Study resolves controversy about electron structure of defects in graphene

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

Researchers in Brazil calculated the overall electron structure of the vacancy region of a crystal lattice through the unprecedented use of a hybrid functional method, which yielded results compatible which experimental data. The crystal lattice configuration, in which information can be encoded, was selected for artistic appeal by the journal Physical Review B.

Journal

Physical Review B

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

18-Dec-2017

Novel technique expands industrial use of advanced high-strength steel alloys

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

Brazilian researcher develops innovative method of laser welding at high temperatures that enhances properties of AHS steel for applications in automotive and aerospace industries

Journal

Welding Journal

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation -- FAPESP

14-Dec-2017

Startup 'MGov' develops a financial education service via cellphone text message

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

Tests for the Project PoupeMais ('SaveMore'), which involves 10,000 account holders in Brazil who are beneficiaries of State social programs, will be carried out through reverse-charge voice calls and the startup's very own SMS system. MGov's founder made the TOP 10 list of most innovative Brazilian young entrepreneurs from MIT's Technology Review.

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

13-Dec-2017

Sepsis kills most in ICUs, with 55.7 percent mortality rate

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

A global problem according to the WHO, sepsis serves as an indication of a health system's low bed availability in ICUs and lack of preventive measures regarding hospital infection. A study considering Brazilian ICUs understands that investments in intermediate-care units can reduce the incidence of sepsis among in-patients.

Journal

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Fundation - FAPESP

12-Dec-2017

New species of fish displays striking color difference between males and females

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

Adult males of are a deep reddish-orange, while females and juveniles are pale yellow, according to the authors of an article in Journal of Fish Biology describing tetra Hyphessobrycon myrmex. Scientists integrate a Brazilian research project on fish which belongs to Characiformes order living in the headwaters of Amazon rivers, regions whose fluvial biodiversity is potentially threatened by projects for hydroelectric plants.

Journal

Journal of Fish Biology

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

11-Dec-2017

Quantum effects explain changes in nanometric circuit electron flows

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

Study may contribute to the feasibility of transistors with electrical currents consisting of the passage of one single electron at a time, with applications for future computers.

Journal

Physical Review Letters

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

8-Dec-2017

Data center platform on private equity funds levels reliability on investment decision

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

A solution developed by Pebay, a Brazilian firm, aggregates information on cash flow, returns and investor moves from all the 500-plus funds in Brazil, providing investors with comparative analysis.

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

7-Dec-2017

Research dispels misconception of superconductivity in niobium compound

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

Physics manuals have considered niobium boride to be superconductive for more than six decades. In a study conducted by American and Brazilian scientists, scanning electron microscopic analysis showed the material presents two distinct crystalline phases, being that superconductivity is restricted to the minority phase. The discovery paves the way for technological applications of other superconducting materials.

Journal

Physical Review Materials

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

6-Dec-2017

Genes associated with progression of melanoma are identified

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

Screening used synthetic compound similar to curcumin (a pigment extracted from turmeric), which displayed anti-tumor action in preliminary tests. Next step will be evaluating these genes' roles on tumoral progression and exploring them as therapeutic targets -- melanoma is the most lethal and also the most chemotherapy-resistant type of skin cancer.

Journal

Pharmacological Research

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

5-Dec-2017

Colored sunscreen protects skin from damage caused by visible light

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

In article, a study performed by a group of Brazilian researchers elucidates action mechanism of visible light on skin and questions typical use of sunscreen. Most common sunscreens affect D vitamin absorption and fail to block visible light -- which, while not as damaging as UV rays, accounts for 45 percent of the solar radiation. The group patented skin-colored sunscreen which can block visible light.

Journal

Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP