News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Jun-2025 20:10 ET (22-Jun-2025 00:10 GMT/UTC)

22-Mar-2018

Antimicrobial used in toiletries could become option against malaria

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

Not only it inhibits enzymes essential to Plasmodium's survival in two key stages of its lifecycle in humans, but triclosan also performed well in tests against resistant parasites, an international study reveals. The efficiency of malaria treatment with mostly used drugs is undermined by resistant lineages and by the fact that patients present severe side effects in 10 percent of the cases.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

21-Mar-2018

Predators learn to identify prey from other species

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Predatory bats learn both from other members of their own species and from other predatory bat species.

Funder

Human Frontier Science Program, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

20-Mar-2018

Vitamin D might be key to syndrome affecting half of women aged 50 or plus

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

Research with postmenopausal women, found a 57.8 percent rate of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among women presenting vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. MetS affects half of United States' female population above the age of 50 and increases the risks of heart diseases and diabetes.

Journal

Maturitas

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation -- FAPESP

20-Mar-2018

Smithsonian researchers name new ocean zone: The rariphotic

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Diving down below the range of scuba in the Curasub, Smithsonian deep reef explorers discovered a new world where roughly half of the fish had no names. They are calling it the rariphotic.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

National Museum of Natural History Research Programs, Smithsonian's Consortium for Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet, Herbert R. and Evelyn Axelrod Endowment Fund, Competitive Grants for the Promotion of Science

19-Mar-2018

Amazon deforestation is close to tipping point

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

Scientists considered climate change and indiscriminate use of fire to calculate that deforestation rates ranging from 20 percent to 25 percent could turn Amazon's hydrological cycle unable to support its ecosystem.

Journal

Science Advances

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

19-Mar-2018

Smithsonian reports first evidence of live-traded dogs for Maya ceremonies

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Earliest evidence that Mayas raised and traded dogs and other animals-probably for ceremonies-from Ceibal, Guatemala. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Funder

University of Florida Department of Anthropology Charles Fairbanks Award, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, Alphawood Foundation, National Science Foundation, University of Florida Latin American Studies Program Tinker Grant

14-Mar-2018

A study suggests structural difference in the brain of transgender people

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

As published in Scientific Reports, research conducted in Brazil using magnetic resonance imaging points to variations in the volume of the insula, a brain region associated with body image According to scientists, this trait -- detected in transgenders either adherent or not to hormone treatment, strengthens an understanding that the matter is not related to gender ideology.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

13-Mar-2018

Toothpaste alone does not prevent dental erosion or hypersensitivity

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

An analysis of nine toothpastes found that none of them protects enamel or prevents erosive wear. Specialists stress that diet and treatment by a dentist are key to avoid the problems originated by dentin exposure.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

12-Mar-2018

AI technology controls pressure and reduces loss by leakage in water networks

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

A system developed by a FAPESP-supported startup -- and already in use in 35 companies -- has reduced water loss in distribution networks providing seven municipalities in Brazil.

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation -- FAPESP

8-Mar-2018

Once degraded, Brazilian savanna does not regenerate naturally

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

According to study, after being converted to pastures, areas of the so-called 'Cerrado' become closed forest with poor biodiversity if not appropriately managed. This biome works as the source for much of Brazil's main river basins, and boasts biodiversity levels higher than tropical forests at the microscale.

Journal

Journal of Applied Ecology

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP