News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 8-May-2025 17:09 ET (8-May-2025 21:09 GMT/UTC)

12-Nov-2021

The challenge of forest restoration: where to obtain tens of billions of quality seeds

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

With commitments to restore more than 47.5 million hectares of degraded land and forests by 2030, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and India will need an estimated 157 billion high-quality seeds and saplings. New research shows there are significant challenges in procuring this essential land restoration material.

Journal

Diversity

12-Nov-2021

More than half of surveyed crop varieties are under threat of extinction, according to study in India

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

The Varietal Threat Index, which draws on farmer knowledge to assess changes in biodiversity, was applied in seven Indian states.

Journal

Diversity

12-Nov-2021

As nations promise to restore ecosystems at COP26, can they guarantee success?

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

Many landscape restoration projects do not get off to a good start, jeopardizing their chances to make a long-term positive impact. A new tool developed by scientists at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (and colleagues around the globe) helps restoration practitioners answer critical questions that need to be addressed at the outset of a project.

Journal

Journal of Applied Ecology

12-Nov-2021

Study helps understand why obesity increases risk of cardiovascular complications in COVID-19

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

Brazilian researchers conducted a study of 109 hospitalized volunteers in search of the factors that determine endothelial dysfunction, a condition in which the blood vessels become unable to contract and relax adequately, increasing the risk of heart attack, thrombosis and stroke.

Journal

Obesity

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

10-Nov-2021

Asphyxia-associated neonatal mortality found to cluster in poorer parts of São Paulo state (Brazil)

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

The methodology used in the study, which is published in PLOS ONE, can help policymakers plan strategies for preventing deaths of babies under 28 days old.

Journal

PLOS One

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

9-Nov-2021

Photovoltaic panels are home to microorganisms with potential biotech applications

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

The results were similar to those of studies conducted in Spain, the United States, the Arctic and Antarctic despite the differences in geography and climate. The bacterial genera Methylobacterium methylorubrum and Hymenobacter accounted for over 90% of the total microbial diversity observed. Researchers say some can be used to develop pigments and biodetergents

Journal

FEMS Microbiology Letters

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

8-Nov-2021

Change in vaccination strategy averted outbreak of urban yellow fever in São Paulo State, scientists say

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

An article in Scientific Reports shows that the virus spread at a speed of 1 km per day in the latest sylvatic outbreaks in the state, between 2016 and 2019, reaching cities never affected before. The authors warn that the situation could recur.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

5-Nov-2021

Secondary forests restore fresh water sources in degraded landscapes

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Analyses of microbial communities in streams across different land use types suggests that passive reforestation rapidly restores water quality in lowland tropical watersheds

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Edward M. and Jeanne C. Kashian, Simons Foundation

5-Nov-2021

Highly abundant virus in humans could be a biomarker for COVID-19

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

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo shows that levels of TTV, an apparently inoffensive virus considered an indicator of immunodepression, tend to be higher in people infected by SARS-CoV-2. TTV load declines as the symptoms of COVID-19 disappear, the researchers write in PLOS ONE .

Journal

PLOS One

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

4-Nov-2021

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing can be used for early detection of respiratory disorders in the obese

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

A study by researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo shows test results are highly applicable in practice to identify exercise limitation, regardless of overweight or obesity.

Journal

PLOS One

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo