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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR | 340

Coffee with pions

Coffee is the most popular drink in Brazil, after water. In a cup or glass, with or without sugar, with breakfast in the morning or after a meal, it is ubiquitous in homes, offices, factories, restaurants, and bars. In Brazil — the world’s largest producer and second largest consumer — coffee is always superlative.

A new phase of production, guided by the quest for quality, is characterized by technological innovations, such as electronic testers and tools for evaluating soil components; scientific advances, such as the genome sequencing of the Arabica species; and improvements in cultivation and processing techniques. In this month’s cover story (page 12), earth sciences editor Carlos Fioravanti provides an overview of coffee, which has played a central role in the country’s history for over 300 years.

It is impossible to be involved in academia in Brazil and not have heard of Lattes. The innovative platform for academic résumés, research groups, and institutions, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, has helped to systematize the work of researchers in the country. Not everyone knows that it is named after César Lattes, an internationally renowned Brazilian physicist who would have turned 100 this year.

A beautifully illustrated 14-page special section, envisioned and produced by exact sciences editor Marcos Pivetta, introduces the physicist to those who do not yet know him or who may not know some interesting aspects of his remarkable career. In his work in the area of cosmic rays and particle accelerators, he proved — through various approaches — the existence of a theorized subatomic particle known as the pi meson, or pion.

In the post-war period, physics was often in the news, fueling dreams of development and progress. Instead of pursuing a career abroad, Lattes chose to return to Brazil, where he became something of a celebrity. He used his prestige to help institutionalize science in the country, actively taking part in the founding of the CNPq and the CBPF, of which he was the first scientific director (page 50).

Book covers may seem like a minor detail to many readers, but they are what draws a person’s eye in bookstores and libraries. I recommend everyone take a moment to appreciate the work of some of the pioneering artists of Brazilian modern literary illustration (page 82). In addition to the aesthetic pleasure they provide, the article discusses the relationship between cover illustrators and authors, and about inspiration from other countries. Of this selection, my favorite is A mata submersa (The submerged forest), by Peregrino Júnior, illustrated by Luis Jardim, a graphic artist who produced more than 300 covers for the Livraria José Olympio Editora publishing house over five decades.

In May 2024, Brazil experienced the worst climate disaster in its history. Scientific research reported by numerous media outlets shows that extreme climate events are becoming increasingly frequent and increasingly extreme. It is a known fact that the terrain and hydrography in Rio Grande do Sul impede water flow, with a flood containment system in place for that exact reason. The current tragedy was caused by a far higher volume of rainfall than normal, a risk predicted by CEMADEN in April, poor maintenance of the containment system, the absence of an emergency plan, and disorganized occupation of the territory, as explained in the report on page 38.

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