International issue | February 2009
S&T Policy
fostering research
Measured merit
Mega-evaluation based on peer review to guide distribution of funds to UK universities
By Fabrício MarquesScience
PHARMACOLOGY
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 GuimarãesGEOGRAPHY
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