Alexandra Ozorio de Almeida - Editor in Chief
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR | 269
A new light for science
In certain fields, innovative scientific discoveries are increasingly reliant on large and often multinational facilities. These projects are frequently the subject of controversy within (and outside) the scientific community due to the high costs involved, but their supporters argue that such investments are needed to stimulate qualitative advances in science. The largest, most complex and... View Article
Letter from the editor | 268
Self-reflection for Embraer
The current dilemma faced by Brazilian aviation company Embraer is examined in a trio of reports that make up this issue’s cover article. Embraer was founded as a state-owned company in 1969, after a long period during which the country assimilated and developed essential skills at the former Center for Aerospace Technology (1946) and the... View Article
Letter from the editor | 267
Amazing Amazonia
“The abundance of scientific literature on the Amazon reflects the physical geography of the region: it is amazing, highly unusual, and exceedingly disjointed. Any who dare study it carefully will, at the end of that attempt, get but a small way past the threshold of a wonderful world.” This is the diagnosis made almost 110... View Article
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Identity and Zika in Latin America
A pioneering program that supports technology companies in Brazil celebrated its 20th year in 2017. The Technological Innovation in Small Businesses (PIPE) program, run by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), has backed more than 1,700 projects and invested over R$360 million in 1,100 small and medium-sized companies that want to convert scientific knowledge into... View Article
Letter from the editor | 266
Algorithms, microchips, and the elite
In December, British newspaper The Economist published excerpts from an article based on weekly news reports written by an artificial intelligence program. The result demonstrated both the power and limitations of machine learning: the text imitated a journalistic writing style and mentioned topics often covered by the newspaper, using proper and correct grammar—but it did... View Article
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR | 265
Controversy at the dinner table
Food preservation and processing methods, perfected over thousands of years, are fundamental to our health and well-being. Preserving meat in salt allowed us to transport it over long distances, and pasteurizing milk eliminates harmful bacteria and increases its shelf life. But problems can arise when conservation is no longer the objective; when salt, sugar, and... View Article
Letter from the editor
The science of aging
Research on aging is always an interesting read. Most of humankind is trying to some extent to outwit destiny and live longer. To find new ways to delay aging, science must understand the factors at play and how they interrelate. The cover article presents the main lines of investigation on the cellular and molecular mechanisms... View Article
Letter from the Editor | 264
Universal and Unequal
Universal and Unequal
Letter from the Editor | 263
Monkeys and models
Four people have died from yellow fever in the metropolitan region of São Paulo since December, with the current outbreak showing no signs of slowing down. According to data released by the World Health Organization, 779 people in Brazil were diagnosed with the disease between December 2016 and August 2017, and 262 died. Preventive vaccination,... View Article
Letter from the Editor | 262
Health, population, and diversity
Health, population, and diversity
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR | 261
Messages from above and below
Messages from above and below
letter from the editor | 260
One step forward, two steps back
One step forward, two steps back
Letter from the Editor | 259
A new model for industry
A new model for industry
Letter from the editor | 258
The electric alternative
The electric alternative
Letter from the Editor | 257
From villain to hero
From villain to hero
Letter from the editor | 254
Understanding aging
Understanding aging
Letter from the Editor | 253
Precursors and pioneers
Precursors and pioneers
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Public funding of science, geogenomics and death rituals
Public funding of science, geogenomics and death rituals
Letter from the Editor | 252
Lawsuits and patents
Lawsuits and patents
Letter from the Editor | 251
A new beginning in 2017
A new beginning in 2017
Letter from the Editor | 250
Handling difficult topics
Handling difficult topics
Letter from the Editor | 249
Computers and data
Computers and data
Letter from the Editor | 248
Public policies and private research studies
Public policies and private research studies
Letter from the Editor | 247
A visit to prehistoric Brazil
A visit to prehistoric Brazil
Letter from the Editor
Astronomy, the Amazon and Aircraft
Astronomy, the Amazon and Aircraft
Letter from the Editor | 246
Endless debate
Endless debate
Letter from the Editor | 245
The skin we live in
The skin we live in
Letter from the Editor | 236
Alienation and hostility
Alienation and hostility
Letter from the Editor
Water, math and neglected diseases
Water, math and neglected diseases
Letter from the Editor | 235
Funding for research
Funding for research