News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 14-Jan-2026 14:11 ET (14-Jan-2026 19:11 GMT/UTC)

22-Nov-2019

How does the prion protein clump? DNA-modulated liquid droplets may explain

Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (INBEB)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), in Brazil, have found that the prion protein (PrP) suffers liquid-liquid phase separation, and that this mechanism is finely controlled by some DNA sequences. This could explain the formation of irreversible clumping of PrP, structure responsible for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Journal

The FASEB Journal

21-Nov-2019

Niobium used as catalyst in fuel cell

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

Glycerol fuel cell can replace batteries in cell phones and laptops, and could be used in future to run electric cars and supply power to homes.

Journal

ChemElectroChem

Funder

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

20-Nov-2019

Black carbon found in the Amazon River reveals recent forest burnings

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

International study quantified and characterized charcoal and soot produced by incomplete burning of trees and transported by river to the Atlantic.

Journal

Nature Communications

Funder

About São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

18-Nov-2019

Study measures impact of agriculture on diet of wild mammals

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

In an article published in PNAS, Brazilian researchers stress the need for agricultural management that favors the maintenance of wildlife.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Funder

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

14-Nov-2019

Protecting native vegetation on rural properties yields Brazil USD 1.5 trillion per year

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

Paper endorsed by 407 scientists in Brazil estimates the value of ecosystem services linked to nature conservation, such as pollination, pest control and water security.

Journal

Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation

Funder

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

14-Nov-2019

Is evolution predictable?

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An international team of scientists working with Heliconius butterflies at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama was faced with a mystery: how do pairs of unrelated butterflies from Peru to Costa Rica evolve nearly the same wing-color patterns over and over again? The answer, published in Current Biology, forever changes the way evolution is understood.

Journal

Current Biology

Funder

Smithsonian Institution, National Science Foundation, Leverhulme Trust

13-Nov-2019

Quantum transition makes electrons behave as if they lack spin

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

Combining experiments under extreme conditions with theoretical analysis, researchers pursue knowledge that could be used in the future to create a new generation of sustainable functional materials for use in quantum information devices or superconductors.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Funder

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

12-Nov-2019

Listening to music while driving reduces cardiac stress

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

A study by Brazilian researchers suggests that cardiac overload due to the stress of driving in heavy traffic can be attenuated by listening to instrumental music.

Journal

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

Funder

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

11-Nov-2019

Study investigates a critical transition in water that remains liquid far below 0 °C

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

The theoretical model proposed by Brazilian researchers can be applied to any system in which two energy scales coexist.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

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

8-Nov-2019

New tool facilitates genetic mapping of polyploid plants

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

Available online for free, polyploid mapping system developed in Brazil helps breeders of sugarcane, kiwi, blueberry, sweet potato and forages, among other crops.

Funder

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