This is your brain on tango, combating coffee rust in Central America, and developing vaccines in Cuba.

Argentina Argentine researchers studied the brains of 80 tango dancers and determined that some could predict–or better anticipate–actions. Using sample videos of tango steps executed with different correction levels and correlating these with high density EEG, they determined that the anticipatory activity depends on the degree of experience of the subject. Rosario scientists designed a … Continue reading This is your brain on tango, combating coffee rust in Central America, and developing vaccines in Cuba.

A long-necked dinosaur found in Patagonia, one of America’s first settlers found in Mexico, and how to protect the World Cup mascot the giant armadillo

Argentina The fossilized remains of a long-necked sauropod have been found in Patagonia. The paleontologists estimate that the animal inhabited the area 140 million years ago. Seven other dinosaurs have been found in the same area; scientists believe it is a place they chose to die. Mexico In a cenote (water hole) in the Yucatan … Continue reading A long-necked dinosaur found in Patagonia, one of America’s first settlers found in Mexico, and how to protect the World Cup mascot the giant armadillo

A Colombian supercomputer to work on biology, new bacteria found in the Atacama and fighting malaria in Argentina

Colombia Scientists have installed Colombia’s largest computer for genomic studies.  Chile An international team of scientists has found communities of cyanobacteria in the Atacama desert. Argentina Argentine scientists have found some antimalarial properties in a plant. Continue reading A Colombian supercomputer to work on biology, new bacteria found in the Atacama and fighting malaria in Argentina

New bivalve named after Pablo Neruda, climate change and agriculture in Latin America and Argentine paleofauna after a great extinction.

Chile A new species of bivalve was discovered in Quisco, Chile. Austrogena nerudai was named in honor of the Chilean Pablo Neruda since the first specimens were found near the residence once occupied by the poet. Latin America Argentina researchers participated in the development of a report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and … Continue reading New bivalve named after Pablo Neruda, climate change and agriculture in Latin America and Argentine paleofauna after a great extinction.

From conserving biodiversity in Central American rainforests to exploring the cosmos from Chile, the Latin American continent harbors a wealth of scientific talent. Qué Pasa magazine and LatinAmericanScience.org have compiled a list of 30 scientists under 40 that are doing promising work in areas as diverse as particle physics and neuroscience.     By Juan … Continue reading

A sloth’s upside down life in Costa Rica, cosmic bursts seen from Puerto Rico, and thinking about a much warmer Antarctica.

Costa Rica A study of sloths in Costa Rica has determined that their organs are kept in place with adhesions to support their weight and make breathing easier. Sloths spend 90% of their time upside down. Puerto Rico A new astronomical phenomenon was confirmed by the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Distant radio pulses of … Continue reading A sloth’s upside down life in Costa Rica, cosmic bursts seen from Puerto Rico, and thinking about a much warmer Antarctica.