Issue # 135 _ May 2007
S&T Policy
Development aid

At the cutting edge of knowledge
Partnership with Microsoft Research brings about a new support model for basic research
By Claudia IziquePartnerships

Research and Innovation Inc.
Embrapa and private enterprise want to create a technology firm for ethanol
By Claudia Iziquepartnership
A well-meaning law
Carlos Américo Pacheco evaluates the effects of the Innovation Law
By Claudia IziqueFinancing

Consolidated budget
Ministry of Science and Technology to increase grants in strategic areas
Biosecurity

When does life begin?
Brazil's Federal Supreme Court had 22 experts convene before voting on a motion against the use of embryo stem cells
By Claudia IziqueScience
Physiology

Interrupted nights
Inflammation temporarily blocks production of the hormone that tells the body that it's time to sleep
By Ricardo ZorzettoEtiology

With sticks and stones
Capuchin monkey uses tools to break open fruit or hunt ants
By Fabrício MarquesBotany

New model
Mutant tomato plants help unveil the genes and hormones that regulate the lives of plants
By Maria GuimarãesPhysics

Moving sculptures
Computer simulations explain how the giant dunes on Mars emerge and evolve
By Igor ZolnerkevicTechnology
Energy

Advantageous fermentation
The use of new types of yeast may reduce the production costs in sugar and alcohol refineries
By Yuri VasconcelosAgronomy

Lethal symbiosis
Biological insecticide uses a partnership between bacteria and nematodes to fight sugarcane pest
By Dinorah ErenoChemistry

Intelligent paint
Researchers use nanotechnology to create a pigment that changes color
By Iracema CorsoAerospace engineering

Hypersonic wind
A tunnel to test airplanes that are much faster than the speed of sound
By Marcos de OliveiraPlastic

Rapid decomposition
Researchers develop a recycled polymer made from PET that is not harmful to the environment
By Yuri VasconcelosHumanities
Literature

What's life like without dragons?
The last book in the Harry Potter series is a good reason to discuss the current desire for enchantment
By Carlos Haag