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News from Latin America

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 25-Apr-2025 20:08 ET (26-Apr-2025 00:08 GMT/UTC)

Treatment with smoke can favor seed germination in the Cerrado

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

The study investigated the effect of two concentrations of smoke on seeds of 44 species typical of the Brazilian savanna-like biome. The results could be used in management and restoration strategies.

Journal: Plant Ecology
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

New discoveries regarding tomato hormones can increase total yield

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

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) and colleagues in other countries conducted a study showing that strigolactones – substances hitherto associated only with plant development – can directly influence flowering and fruiting.The discovery could have a significant impact on tomato crop yields.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Study identifies protein that affects health of gut microbiota and response to bacterial infection

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

Mice that did not produce interleukin 22 binding protein (IL-22BP) had stronger defenses, according to an article published in PNAS. Understanding the protein’s role in intestinal health can pave the way to novel therapeutic strategies.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Timber plantations near urbanized areas support the movement of small and medium-sized terrestrial mammals between patches of natural forest

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers studied commercial timber plantations dominated by non-native trees like teak and acacia in Central Panama to assess their role as habitats and corridors for native wildlife. Using camera traps, they found 16 terrestrial mammal species, mostly small or medium-sized and nocturnal, using these plantations, but large mammals of conservation concern were not detected. The study highlights the potential of timber plantations to support biodiversity and connectivity in human-impacted landscapes but emphasizes the limitations of non-native monoculture plantations, advocating for plantations of diverse species to enhance wildlife conservation efforts.

Journal: Biotropica
Funder: Argos Panamá S.A

Between pasture and forest: The crusade to protect the jaguar in Panama

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Fundacion Yaguara Panama not only leads the protection of the largest feline in the Americas in cattle ranching areas of the country, but also promotes gender equality by actively involving women in key roles in the project, both at the scientific and community levels.

Combination of drugs produces promising results in combating cancer and will be clinically trialed in Europe

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

Brazilian researchers innovated by stimulating tumor cells so much that they became stressed and could survive only by behaving like healthy cells. The results of the study were so promising that the researchers plan to hold clinical trials with patients, to be conducted in the Netherlands before the end of 2024.

Journal: Cancer Discovery
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Important region of marine ecosystem in Southwest Atlantic is shallower than expected, study finds

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

Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo determined for the first time the vertical limits of the subtropical ocean region off the South American coast. They found that the upper limit of the mesotrophic zone, previously assumed to be 30 meters below the surface, was in fact in much shallower waters.

Journal: Marine Environmental Research
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Mild COVID-19 can cause long-term cognitive losses

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

A study involving 302 volunteers showed that although the damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 was most intense among those who had severe COVID-19, some exhibited memory loss and attention deficit more than 18 months after being infected, even though they had not needed to be hospitalized.

Journal: BMC Psychology
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Study proposes changes to simplify legislation on Atlantic Rainforest biome and enhance conservation

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

Lack of a method to classify forest succession stages in the applicable legislation allows for destruction of forest areas that provide important ecosystem services. The authors propose changes to make measurements more accurate and eliminate a step in permit applications that is ineffective and costly for landowners.

Journal: Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic increases maternal deaths from non-respiratory causes, study finds

MELISA Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A natural experiment during the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak revealed a different impact on pregnant women than previous pandemics. The study published in PLOS Global Public Health showed that it was not respiratory diseases, but other conditions that increased mortality.

Journal: PLOS Global Public Health
Funder: FISAR, FISAR

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