Issue # 252 _ February 2017
S&T Policy
Gender

Narrow corridor
Study shows how the proportion of women in the field of philosophy declines over the course of their academic careers
By Fabrício MarquesUniversity

Gears in motion
New assessment system at USP mandates performance by professors and ties individual goals to those of departments and units
By Fabrício MarquesENVIRONMENT

Pact in transformation
Movement to restore the Atlantic Forest reorganizes to meet proposed targets
By Everton Lopes Batista and Carlos FioravantiCOSMOLOGY

Waves of material from the early Universe
Radio telescope to be built in Uruguay will examine the effects of interactions between hydrogen and electromagnetic radiation
By Carlos FioravantiScience
PHYSIOLOGY

Weight across generations
Among rats, effects of excessive or insufficient feeding can be transmitted to children and grandchildren
By Reinaldo José LopesVirology

Microcephaly in vitro
The Zika virus replicates inside neural stem cells, disrupting brain development
By Maria GuimarãesNeuroscience

The hunting circuits
Two neural pathways that originate in the brain’s amygdala control the aggressive behavior of predators
By Marcos PivettaZoology

A tree with unusual branches
Broad genetic sampling reveals kinship and evolutionary events in the diversification of the rodent family
By Maria GuimarãesPALEONTOLOGY

Shelter for giants
Extinct for 10,000 years, ground sloths and giant armadillos may have built the largest paleoburrows ever discovered on Earth
By Igor ZolnerkevicPHYSICS

Pocket Laboratory
Increased random laser efficiency opens the door for the manufacture of low-cost microchips for medical exams
By Igor ZolnerkevicTechnology
VIRTUAL REALITY

The past revealed through cyberarcheology
Digital tools are used to study ancient sites and reconstruct historical heritage
By Domingos ZaparolliBioengineering

Warnings against drowsiness
Designed to prevent accidents, special seat vibrates, ventilates, and warns drivers when they are tired
By Evanildo da Silveira