News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 12-Jan-2026 00:11 ET (12-Jan-2026 05:11 GMT/UTC)

5-Sep-2022

Celebrating 25 years of bean research in Africa

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

For 25 years, the Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) has seen impactful transformation in Africa. Over 37,000 bean types, with high iron, resistance to diseases such as root rots, heat tolerance, drought tolerance, and insect resilience, have been bred in and made available to 31 countries in Africa through international scientific collaboration deployed through the network.

30-Aug-2022

Specialty and standard coffee beans can be sorted using multispectral imaging and artificial intelligence

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

Researchers in Brazil have developed a selection method performed directly with coffee beans in real time. It does not require roasting, does not destroy the samples and can be included as a step in the production process.

Journal

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

30-Aug-2022

Probing sustainable agromet services and outcomes on agriculture in Laos

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

In pursuit of adapting to climate change, climate services for agriculture are being introduced to local farmers for improved productivity and yields. A recent case study on climate services for agriculture in Laos highlighted the results of having an ICT-based service platform and notable changes in agrometeorological service capacities.

Journal

Climate Services

30-Aug-2022

How do quality seed systems impact food and nutrition security?

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

In food system and nutrition research, only a handful of studies fully document how seed system interventions are affecting diets and nutrition status in developing countries. A recent review highlighted opportunities for increased nutrition impact through sustainable seed system interventions.

Journal

Global Food Security

29-Aug-2022

Older people with anemia and weak muscles face higher risk of dying

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

The combination of anemia and weak muscles is particularly dangerous for women, according to a study by researchers in Brazil and the UK who analyzed data for 5,310 people aged 50+ followed in a ten-year health survey.

Journal

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

29-Aug-2022

Study reveals mechanism involved in rare pediatric brain cancer and points to possible treatment

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

Ependymoma is the third most common form of childhood brain and spine tumor, occurring mostly in infants and young children. It begins in the ependymal cells lining the hollow cavities within the brain that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Using an array of advanced techniques, the researchers discovered that the so-called Hedgehog signaling pathway (Hh) is highly activated in this type of tumor.

Journal

Neuro-Oncology

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

29-Aug-2022

How do land sparing vs. land sharing interventions influence human wellbeing?

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

A recent study examines how land use approaches impact human wellbeing. Read a conversation with two of the leading authors, Rachel Carmenta (University of East Anglia) and Natalia Estrada Carmona (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT).

Journal

People and Nature

26-Aug-2022

Study finds that agricultural diversity has a positive impact on food security

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

Agricultural diversity can be an important driver of food security, but the magnitude of the contribution depends on the broader socio-economic and biophysical characteristics of the local farming system.

Journal

Global Food Security

25-Aug-2022

Technique using light and artificial intelligence is effective in selecting immature soybean seeds

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

The researchers concluded that the combinations 660/700 nanometers (nm) and 405/600 nm performed fastest and most accurately in identifying the different stages of seed maturation.

Journal

Frontiers in Plant Science

Funder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

24-Aug-2022

Zapped survivors: Some tropical trees won’t be defeated by lightning

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A multi-year study in the tropical forests of the Panama Canal found that the species most frequently damaged by lightning tended to be the most capable of surviving it.

Journal

Nature Plants

Funder

U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. National Science Foundation, National Geographic Society