News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 4-May-2025 23:09 ET (5-May-2025 03:09 GMT/UTC)

30-Jan-2023

Identified mechanism involved in development and intensification of cancer treatment-related pain

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

Scientists who analyzed the combined use of two drugs – paclitaxel and immune checkpoint inhibitors – made discoveries that could pave the way for future research to combat the pain caused by other diseases.

Journal

Cancer Immunology Research

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

30-Jan-2023

Loss of muscle mass in acute stage of COVID-19 is associated with persistent symptoms, study shows

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

In Brazil, researchers tracked 80 patients with moderate and severe forms of the disease for up to six months after they left hospital. Muscle impairment during hospitalization was also a predictor of higher healthcare costs in the ensuing months.

Journal

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

27-Jan-2023

Novel technique developed to obtain key chemical industry input without emitting CO2

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

The study describes a novel method of producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) without emitting carbon dioxide (CO2). Hydrogen peroxide is used to sterilize medical equipment, to bleach fabric, pulp and paper, and whiten teeth, among other applications.

Journal

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

26-Jan-2023

Study shows that bioprinted artificial skin can be used in cosmetics and drugs testing

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

In experiments conducted by scientists at the University of São Paulo, the performance of a model obtained in a 3D printer was equivalent to that of the conventional model produced manually. The biomimetic material can be produced on a large scale, reducing animal testing by the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

Journal

Bioprinting

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

25-Jan-2023

Keep on flowing: the importance of freshwater corridors in the Amazon

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

Despite widespread knowledge about the Amazon rainforest's environmental importance, there are few studies monitoring freshwater corridors and their contributions to ecosystems services. A new study assesses the critical areas that need to be protected.

Journal

Conservation Science and Practice

24-Jan-2023

Leisure facilities are increasing in Brazil’s largest city but are still mainly in high-income areas

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

A study analyzed changes to the built environment to promote physical activity in São Paulo City between 2015 and 2020, using data from online public libraries as well as the city and state governments.

Journal

Cities & Health

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

23-Jan-2023

Researchers create a low-cost sensor that detects heavy metals in sweat

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

Flexible copper sensor made cheaply from ordinary materials: conductive copper adhesive tape, sheet of transparency film, paper label, nail varnish, circuit fabrication solution, and acetone. It can detect heavy metals such as lead and cadmium that are present in batteries, cosmetics, food and other things that are part of everyday life.

Journal

Chemosensors

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

23-Jan-2023

Microbes could be used by farmers as natural fertilizer for poor soil

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

The discovery could potentially be a basis for the development of biological substitutes for the chemical fertilizers used by farmers, especially those containing phosphorus.

Journal

The ISME Journal

20-Jan-2023

Exotic water ice contributes to understanding of magnetic anomalies on Neptune and Uranus

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

A key aspect of the study was the deployment of density functional theory (DFT), a method derived from quantum mechanics and used in solid-state physics to resolve complex crystalline structures.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

20-Jan-2023

Brazilian research uncovers why congenitally blind people show activity in visual-processing areas of the brain

D'Or Institute for Research and Education
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Recently published in the scientific journal Human Brain Mapping, a Brazilian study has identified for the first time the reorganization of anatomical structures in the brain of people with congenital blindness. The research was carried out by the D'Or Institute of Research and Education (IDOR), the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and the Center for Specialized Ophthalmology, Brazil.

Journal

Human Brain Mapping