ARGENTINA
Scientists in Patagonia have discovered a new species of rodent in the province of Chubut. The rodent belongs to the genus Tympanoctomys and it was dubbed T. kirchnerorum as a tribute to Nestor and Cristina Kirchner for “their efforts in promoting science.”
A prehistoric common ‘latrine’ was found in La Rioja in northern Argentina where dinosaurs apparently defecated 240 million years ago. The manure will be useful in determining the diet of the animals and the vegetation of the area.
Argentine doctors were honored for their work describing the mutation of the gene alpha synuclein, a protein involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease.
BOLIVIA
Bolivia has adopted “Fun Science,” a program that was born 16 years ago in Spain and is now present in 34 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America and serves more than 9 million children and teenagers by encouraging them to learn about science.
NICARAGUA
Nicaragua has committed to science education and started a training program for primary school teachers. The objective of the program is to allow teachers to learn to use the resources available to them to teach science in an entertaining way .
COSTA RICA
The Lankester Gardens and the University of Costa Rica are showing drawings of the flora of Peru, Ecuador and Chile made in the eighteenth century by Spanish scientists. The exhibition is called “Ruiz and Pavón: Orchids illustrated science” and brings 25 reproductions made in Costa Rica of the works exhibited in the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid. The Lankester Garden also awarded to American artist Carol Woodin for her illustrations of orchids, ” vital to popularizing science,” according to the jury and three botanists.
PARAGUAY
The multinational Monsanto is developing soybean varieties and hybrids adapted to the ecological conditions of the Paraguayan Chaco. In Paraguay the company is working with the Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (INBio ) and the Ministry of Agriculture to train small producers and technicians.
CHILE
A compound derived from seaweed stimulates photosynthesis and increases the content of eucalyptus cellulose according to a study from the University of Santiago, allowing double the wood per hectare to generated. This compound, named ” karla,” also functions as a defense against pathogens because it stimulates increased synthesis of phenolic compounds and essential oils.