News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 27-Oct-2026 04:16 ET (27-Oct-2026 08:16 GMT/UTC)

12-Jul-2018

Treatment prevents symptoms of schizophrenia in tests with rats

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

Researchers carried out studies in animal model that mimics condition in children and adolescents considered at risk for development of the disease in adulthood. Young and hypertense rats displaying cognitive and social impairments as well as hyperlocomotion have reached a healthy adulthood after being treated with daily doses of sodium nitroprusside doses for 30 days.

Journal

CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

5-Jul-2018

Researchers detect Higgs boson coupling with top quark

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

Detection of Higgs-top quark interaction at LHC by CMS and Atlas international collaborations, with Brazilian researchers participating, confirms theoretical predictions of Standard Model of particle physics.

Journal

Physical Review Letters

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

3-Jul-2018

Study finds new genomic regions associated to weight gain in Nelore cattle

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

Brazilian research aims at enhancing quality of beef and raising Nelore's food efficiency. Because they are rooted in tropical lands, Nelore cattle does not gain weight as easily as the breeds forged in regions featuring harsh winters.

Journal

Genetics Selection Evolution

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

28-Jun-2018

Study investigates the reproductive habits of the fungus that causes athlete's foot

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

Genomic analysis suggests that asexual reproduction is the rule among individuals of the species Trichophyton rubrum. The authors believe that this factor should be considered in drug development.

Journal

Genetics

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

27-Jun-2018

Innovative management system for tilapia fish farms cuts feed costs

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

System uses circular aluminum tanks that float on rafts of plastic bottles releasing a correct dose of fish food 48 times per day. The new method also reduced mortality in 12% by dispensing switching of tanks in fish grading.

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

26-Jun-2018

 

Substance found in grapes prevents agglomeration of a mutant protein that leads to cancer

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

A novel Brazilian study published in Oncotarget is the first to show the action of resveratrol, a bioactive compound present in grapes and red wine, on the inhibition of aggregates of the mutant p53 protein. Because they are found in more than half of human malignant tumors, these amyloid aggregates are considered strategic targets in the fight against cancer.

Journal

OncoTargets and Therapy

Funder

Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research in the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes/Ministry of Education), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)

26-Jun-2018

 

History of side-necked turtle diversification revealed

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

Brazilian paleontologists have elucidated the evolutionary history of today's Yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle and of the oldest turtle in Brazil which inhabited the country 125 million years ago.

Journal

Royal Society Open Science

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

18-Jun-2018

Research shows how a moderate dose of alcohol protects the heart

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

Results published in Cardiovascular Research suggest the effect is associated with activation of the enzyme ALDH2, which helps rid the organism of an aldehyde which is a toxic byproduct of alcohol digestion as much as it is a byproduct of heart cells submitted to stress.

Journal

Cardiovascular Research

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

13-Jun-2018

 

Antarctic fungi found to be effective against citrus canker

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

Brazilian researchers have identified activity against Xanthomonas citri in 29 fungi isolated from samples collected in Antarctica. One of the compounds inhibited reproduction of the bacterium by up to 98 percent. The process of purifying and submitting bioactive compounds to toxicological tests is expected to be concluded no later than 2019.

Journal

Letters in Applied Microbiology

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP

12-Jun-2018

Platform uses artificial intelligence to diagnose Zika and other pathogens

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

Method created in Brazil combines mass spectrometry analysis of blood serum with an algorithm that recognizes patterns associated with diseases from various origins. Adoption of machine learning technique allows the program to adapt itself to possible viral mutations.

Journal

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

Funder

Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP