News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 12-Apr-2026 20:16 ET (13-Apr-2026 00:16 GMT/UTC)

9-Apr-2026

 

Tropical trees are more neighborly

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Tropical trees are more neighborly than trees further from the equator, perhaps contributing to higher biodiversity in the tropics. Will warmer temperatures lead to even friendlier interactions among trees?

Journal

Nature

Funder

National Natural Science Foundation of China

9-Apr-2026

 

“Poor man’s Majoranas” can be used as quantum spin probes

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

A theoretical study conducted at São Paulo State University shows that quantum excitations without topological protection, previously considered experimental limitations, can serve as spectroscopic tools for identifying quantum statistics and stabilizing exotic states in superconducting nanostructures.

Journal

Journal of Physics Condensed Matter

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

8-Apr-2026

 

Enzyme produced by fungus may replace chemicals in the paper industry

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

Fungal xylanase can be obtained by cultivating the microorganism in sugarcane bagasse or wheat bran. The solution is a non-polluting alternative for bleaching cellulose pulp, which currently uses a toxic chemical.

Journal

BioResources

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

8-Apr-2026

Although tropical mammals account for most discoveries, studies in temperate regions are more robust

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

A survey of 1,116 new species descriptions published between 1990 and 2025 reveals improved quality, though authors from the Global North use more lines of evidence in their studies.

Journal

Journal of Systematics and Evolution

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

7-Apr-2026

 

Loss of microbiota alters the profile of cells that protect the intestinal wall

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

Experiments in mice and human tissue indicate that a reduction in bacteria living in the large intestine decreases mucus production and affects nutrient absorption, particularly in older adults.

Journal

Gut Microbes

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

7-Apr-2026

Study maps regions with the greatest potential for green hydrogen production and use in Brazil

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

Analysis based on municipal data identifies seven production clusters and ten consumption clusters, highlighting the need for infrastructure to connect energy and industrial hubs.

Journal

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

7-Apr-2026

 

How to plan electricity expansion in hydro-dependent systems?

Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral

In hydro-dependent power systems, water availability varies due to droughts and climate variability, increasing the risk of supply shortages. We present an integrated framework for planning generation and transmission expansion under hydrological uncertainty. The approach uses Monte Carlo simulations to estimate hydropower availability factors and a multi-stage MINLP model that integrates reservoir operation and transmission line reconductoring. It is applied to a 24-bus equivalent system over the 2025–2040 period and evaluated under three scenarios with 19,200 simulations. The full renewable scenario reduces total system cost and unserved power

Journal

Energy Conversion and Management

6-Apr-2026

 

Blood test using artificial intelligence paves the way for early diagnosis of leprosy

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

Researchers at the University of São Paulo analyzed a molecule capable of identifying new cases of the disease before the onset of more severe lesions.

Journal

BMC Infectious Diseases

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

2-Apr-2026

 

Active thermography enables non-destructive testing of materials

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Technology improved by a FAPESP-supported startup enables contactless inspection of large industrial structures with greater speed, safety, and traceability.

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

2-Apr-2026

 

Registrations open for São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Regulatory Governance

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

School at the Getulio Vargas Foundation (Brazil) covers emerging regulatory frontiers, including central banks in climate risk regulation and antitrust in digital markets. Apply by April 30.

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo