International issue | January de 2013

Cover

Opening up the Earth
Physicists detail the structures and transformations of minerals in regions deep inside the planet

S&T Policy

S&T Policy 

Delicate balance

Studies show that the structure of BRIC scientific communities increasingly resembles the structure of scientific disciplines in developed countries

Investment

One country, two models

State expenditures on research and development reveal the gap between São Paulo and the other Brazilian states

Recognition

Intellectual references

International awards, such as the one granted to Fernando Henrique Cardoso, enhance the reputation of Brazil’s scientific community

Science

Mental Diseases

Storms of the body and soul

Crises of depression and euphoria cause chemical imbalances that may damage cells and accelerate aging of the body

muscular dystrophy

Joint treatment

The combined use of stem cells and a growth factor reduces disease symptoms in mice

Technology

Business Research

Mining expansion

Vale celebrates its 70th anniversary by investing in long-term projects with a focus on mining and sustainable development

New materials

The value of impurities

Brazilians discover a new family of materials that conduct electricity without losing energy

Global warming

Cleaner sugarcane fields

Emissions of the most hazardous greenhouse gas from sugarcane plantations are lower than previously estimated

Humanities

History of science

An inconvenient pinch of magic

Brazilian researchers discover alchemical powder in an archive at the Royal Society, the seat of the scientific revolution

Foreign Relations

Dance of the wheelchairs at the United Nations

The idea of Brazil on the Security Council, seen as a “whim” by analysts, came from the United States