Costa Rica moves to close its zoos, coca and alcohol used in Incan human sacrifice, and Usain Bolt’s superhuman abilities.

ARGENTINA CONICET scientists have developed and field-tested potatoes resistant to Potato Virus Y (PVY), which causes losses of between 20% and 80% of the crop depending on the severity of the infection. Field tests concluded that there was no PVY infection in the genetically-modified plants, while among those not modified, the rate of infection was … Continue reading Costa Rica moves to close its zoos, coca and alcohol used in Incan human sacrifice, and Usain Bolt’s superhuman abilities.

Viewing a nascent solar system from the ALMA telescope, protecting mummies in Chile, and a new dinosaur tail found in Mexico.

ARGENTINA Scientists at the National University of San Luis are studying a fossilized insect that was molting 110 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. The insect, of the Notonectidae family, lived under the water’s surface and exhibited predatory habits. The fossils found were compared with their living relatives and identified the current species Notonecta. … Continue reading Viewing a nascent solar system from the ALMA telescope, protecting mummies in Chile, and a new dinosaur tail found in Mexico.

Argentine astronomers and dwarf galaxies, surprising research into arsenic in soybeans, and Mexico develops new food packaging.

ARGENTINA Argentine astronomers are trying to explain the lack of dwarf galaxies in the universe. Though astronomical theory predicts the existence of thousands of dwarf galaxies–galaxies with a few billion stars compared with the Milky Way which has 200 to 400 billion–only a few dozen have been discovered. Astronomers in Cordoba have proposed the following … Continue reading Argentine astronomers and dwarf galaxies, surprising research into arsenic in soybeans, and Mexico develops new food packaging.

Studying climate change in the Amazon, cattle feed poisoning fish in Mexico, and seagulls still attacking whales in Patagonia.

ARGENTINA Argentina has created its first marine protected area south of the Falkland Islands. Seagulls continue to feast on Southern Right whales off Argentina’s Patagonian coast. One theory for the strange behavior is an overpopulation of gulls caused in part by the bustling tourism industry. CHILE A marine bacterium is being exploited for its antimicrobial … Continue reading Studying climate change in the Amazon, cattle feed poisoning fish in Mexico, and seagulls still attacking whales in Patagonia.

Testing a Mars prototype robot in the Atacama, hemophilia research in Mexico, and obesity and diabetes in Latin America.

ARGENTINA A study performed by the University Hospital of Mendoza has yielded alarming results about childhood obesity. Almost 40% of children between 5 and 12 years of age in that province are either overweight (19.9%) or obese (19.1%). Poor nutrition and little or no physical activity were listed as causes. The study will continue to … Continue reading Testing a Mars prototype robot in the Atacama, hemophilia research in Mexico, and obesity and diabetes in Latin America.