News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 4-Nov-2025 15:11 ET (4-Nov-2025 20:11 GMT/UTC)

2-Oct-2024

Peptide synthesized at University of São Paulo acts as molecular shield to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from infecting cells

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

The synthetic peptide was inspired by ACE2, the protein to which the virus that causes COVID-19 binds to invade human cells. The results point to a route for the development of novel antivirals.

Journal

Antiviral Research

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

1-Oct-2024

Pollination changes after hurricane in Caribbean

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

Hurricane Maria killed so many Purple-throated caribs, sole pollinator of two species of heliconia, that other birds were able to gain access to the plants, according to an article in New Phytologist, which concludes that species extinction is a far more complex process than is often thought.

Journal

New Phytologist

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

30-Sep-2024

Pantanal Study shows how emissions from Brazilian Pantanal’s soda lakes contribute to climate change

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

Characterized by high pH and salinity, these water bodies have practically dried up because of rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and wildfires. The findings show how the local microbial community and other factors influence greenhouse gas emissions.

Journal

Science of The Total Environment

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

27-Sep-2024

New composite based on brewery waste to improve the production of fiberboards

Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral

Globally, the food industry generates around 1.3 billion tons of waste per year, which has caused environmental problems such as habitat loss, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, and pollution. The National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) has estimated that in Ecuador, approximately 14.4 thousand tons of waste are generated despite regulated legislation, and the brewing industry accounts for a significant portion of this. 

Journal

Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering

27-Sep-2024

Strategy to combat breast cancer involves two-pronged attack on enzyme that ‘feeds’ tumor

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

Promising results were obtained by a group at the Brazilian Center for Research on Energy and Materials (CNPEM), working with collaborators elsewhere. They combined inhibition of glutaminase, an enzyme that converts glutamine into nutrients for tumor cells, with inhibition of HuR, a protein that regulates the RNA of glutaminase.

Journal

Nature Communications

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

26-Sep-2024

Presence of bacteria in soil makes flowers more attractive to pollinators, study shows

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

Experiments conducted at the Federal University of the ABC showed that nitrogen-fixing bacteria play a key role in the reproduction of a legume native to Brazil.

Journal

American Journal of Botany

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

26-Sep-2024

New laboratory enhances agricultural resilience through partnerships in Tanzania

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture

A cutting-edge laboratory in Arusha, Tanzania, co-managed by the Tanzanian Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, is set to provide research and service facility with access to advanced disease diagnostics, nutrition analysis and biotechnology research that are crucial for adapting to climate change.

25-Sep-2024

Brazil must reinforce protection of forests to meet climate change mitigation goals, study warns

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

In an article published in Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation, researchers affiliated with the National Space Research Institute (INPE) and the National Disaster Surveillance and Early Warning Center (CEMADEN) in Brazil discuss CO₂ emission reduction challenges and solutions.

Journal

Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

23-Sep-2024

New study raises questions about validity of standard model of solar flares

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

Computer simulations based on the standard model did not account for observational data obtained via telescope, showing that other factors must be taken into consideration when analyzing the process.

Journal

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

23-Sep-2024

Novel method detects biological oxidant derived from CO2 in cells

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

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo in Brazil helps elucidate the impact of high levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide on human health. Research conducted by the Center for Research on Redox Processes in Biomedicine resulted in the detection of peroxymonocarbonate for the first time in human cells.

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo