International issue | February 2009
S&T Policy
INNOVATION
Risk rewarded
Sale of Alellyx and CanaVialis to Monsanto for US$290 million is an example of wealth creation through competitive research
By Fabrício Marquesenvironment
Bringing people together
FAPESP launches program and summons researchers from many fields, from natural sciences to the humanities, to increase Brazil´s contribution in the study of global climate change
By Fabrício Marquesfostering research
Measured merit
Mega-evaluation based on peer review to guide distribution of funds to UK universities
By Fabrício MarquesScience
NEUROSCIENCE
An essential protein
Brazilian team explains how the working of the healthy form of prion is essential for the protection of the brain cells
By Ricardo ZorzettoPHARMACOLOGY
War in the cells
Discoveries show how to help the immune system fight generalized infections
By Maria GuimarãesIMMUNOLOGY
Death swarm
Brazilian group obtains the first serum against bee poison
By Maria GuimarãesPUBLIC HEALTH
A pre-announced disease
Lethal infection caused by a single cell parasite, visceral leishmaniasis spreads throughout Brazilian cities
By Ricardo ZorzettoECOLOGY
Emergency manual
Maps define guidelines for preserving native vegetation, restoring degraded areas and carrying out environmental research in São Paulo
By Carlos FioravantiGEOGRAPHY
More people, fewer trees
Minas Gerais researchers develop index to identify Amazon Forest areas prone to deforestation
By Carlos FioravantiPHYSICS
Cosmic rays long journey
and the scientists who wanted to learn where the rays come from
By Carlos FioravantiTechnology
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY

Marine challenges
Exploiting oil and gas beneath the sea’s salt layer creates demand for knowledge and technology
By Marcos de OliveiraAERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Quieter aircraft
Project led by Embraer plans to cut aircraft noise
By Yuri VasconcelosNEW MATERIALS

Renewable plastic
Firms use ethanol and bacteria as the raw materials to make substitutes for oil products
By Dinorah ErenoSEMICONDUCTORS
Memory of the future
A ceramics center will develop raw materials for a new chip factory in São Carlos
By Dinorah ErenoHumanities
History
A break in Brazil’s history
Bicentenary of the arrival of the royal family demands a historiographic reflection
By Carlos Haag