News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 14-Jan-2026 16:11 ET (14-Jan-2026 21:11 GMT/UTC)

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

7-Nov-2019

New molecule reduces the aggressiveness of pediatric cancer

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

A microRNA inhibitor identified by researchers at the FAPESP-supported Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center reduced the sizes of aggressive tumors and improved survival in mice.

Journal

Molecular Oncology

Funder

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

6-Nov-2019

A novel method for analyzing marine sediments contributes to paleoclimate reconstitution

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

Researchers supported by FAPESP proposed a procedure based on analyses of quartz and feldspar grains transported to the Atlantic Ocean by the Parnaíba River in Brazil's Northeast region.

Journal

Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology

Funder

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

4-Nov-2019

Extinction of lowland tapir and white-lipped peccary would impair forest diversity

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

Study suggests these two species of large herbivores have complementary ecological functions, favoring seed dispersal and growth of adult trees.

Journal

Journal of Ecology

Funder

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

31-Oct-2019

Bound by blood

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

After studying vampire bat relationships in captivity, researchers at the Smithsonian in Panama released the bats into the wild colony where they originally came from. Using proximity sensors, they discovered that bats stayed close to the same individuals from their captive roost.

Journal

Current Biology

Funder

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Smithsonian, National Geographic Society

31-Oct-2019

Study aims at boosting antitumoral activity of compound extracted from an Amazon plant

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

Scientists plan to develop a modified strain of U. guianensis and use its own metabolism to scale up the production of therapeutic compounds.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

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

30-Oct-2019

Study shows how climate change may affect environmental conservation areas

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

Researchers classify 258 protected areas in Brazil as 'moderately vulnerable' and 17 as 'highly vulnerable'. Areas at greatest risk are in the Amazon, Atlantic Rainforest and Cerrado biomes.

Journal

Conservation Biology

Funder

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

30-Oct-2019

First South American insect that emits blue light is discovered

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

Larvae of a fungus gnat found in Iporanga, São Paulo State, Brazil, have bioluminescent properties previously observed only in species native to North America, New Zealand and Asia. This study paves the way for new biotech applications.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

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

30-Oct-2019

Land restoration in Ethiopia pays off but climate change necessitates many strategies

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

In the last decade, Ethiopia has invested more than US$1.2 billion annually in restoring landscapes in several regions of the country. Research led by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) takes stock of Ethiopia's major restoration projects and investigates their impact on ecosystem services. Researchers say their work can help policymakers tailor future restoration actions to specific ecosystem needs.

Journal

Land Degradation and Development

29-Oct-2019

The use of sugarcane straw for bioenergy is an opportunity, but there are pros and cons

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

Brazilian researchers calculated the amount of nutrients in sugarcane leaves, which are normally left on the ground after harvest, and the equivalent in fertilizer required to maintain crop yield if the straw is removed.

Journal

BioEnergy Research

Funder

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