News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 13-Jan-2026 09:11 ET (13-Jan-2026 14:11 GMT/UTC)

4-May-2021

Forest fires drive expansion of savannas in the heart of the Amazon

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

Researchers analyzed the effects of wildfires on plant cover and soil quality in the last 40 years. The findings of the study show that the forest is highly vulnerable even in well-conserved areas far from the 'deforestation arc'.

Journal

Ecosystems

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab

28-Apr-2021

El Niño can help predict cacao harvests up to 2 years in advance

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

New research published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports shows that ENSO, the weather-shaping cycle of warming and cooling of the Pacific Ocean along the Equator, is a strong predictor of cacao harvests up to two years before a harvest.

Journal

Scientific Reports

27-Apr-2021

Physical activity reduces cardiovascular risk in rheumatic patients

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

People with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are more likely to have heart attacks, angina, and strokes. A review of the scientific literature on the subject shows that regular exercise improves vascular function in these patients

Journal

Rheumatology

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab

23-Apr-2021

High dose of vitamin D fails to improve condition of moderate to severe COVID-19 patients

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

A clinical trial was conducted with 240 patients who were given 200,000 IU of vitamin D3 on admission to hospital. The supplementation did not reduce length of stay or affect the proportion requiring intensive care

Journal

JAMA

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab

20-Apr-2021

Study could lead to production of more efficient optoelectronic devices

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

Resonant-tunneling diodes are used in high-frequency oscillators, wave emitters and detectors, logic gates, photodetectors, and optoelectronic circuits. The study was a collaboration between Brazilian and German researchers.

Journal

Physical Review Applied

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab

16-Apr-2021

Scientists call for climate projections as part of more robust biodiversity conservation

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

Research in the Peruvian Andes highlights critical climate threats to montane forests and urges for current conservation plans to take climate projections into account.

Journal

Forests

16-Apr-2021

Researchers revise indicator of mobility limitation in older adults

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

The new cutoff values for a metric widely used by geriatricians, physical therapists and nutritionists are more accurate, facilitate early diagnosis and contribute to preventive treatment.

Journal

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab

15-Apr-2021

Microorganisms on the Rio Grande Rise are a basis for life and a possible origin of metals

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

Researchers conducted the first large-scale survey of the microbiota present in the seamount's ferromanganese crusts, describing bacteria and archaea involved in the nutrient cycle and formation of metals. Brazil has mineral exploration rights to the Rise, but mining there will have a major environmental impact.

Journal

Microbial Ecology

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab

14-Apr-2021

Bacteria that cause periodontitis are transmitted from parents to children

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

A study led by researchers at the University of Campinas reinforces the need for prevention and follow-up treatment starting in early childhood to avoid development of this inflammatory disease of the gums.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab

13-Apr-2021

Airborne laser scanning of gaps in Amazon rainforest helps explain tree mortality

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

The researchers concluded that water stress, soil fertility and human-induced forest degradation cause gaps in the world's largest tropical forest.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Brazil). Geochronologic research at the MIT Isotope Lab