Issue # 135 _ May 2007

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Cover

A risky bet against diabetes
Experimental treatment with chemotherapy and stem cells rids 14 patients of insulin injections

S&T Policy

Development aid

At the cutting edge of knowledge

Partnership with Microsoft Research brings about a new support model for basic research

Partnerships

Research and Innovation Inc.

Embrapa and private enterprise want to create a technology firm for ethanol

partnership

A well-meaning law

Carlos Américo Pacheco evaluates the effects of the Innovation Law

Financing

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

Science

Physiology

Interrupted nights

Inflammation temporarily blocks production of the hormone that tells the body that it's time to sleep

Etiology

With sticks and stones

Capuchin monkey uses tools to break open fruit or hunt ants

Botany

New model

Mutant tomato plants help unveil the genes and hormones that regulate the lives of plants

Physics

Moving sculptures

Computer simulations explain how the giant dunes on Mars emerge and evolve

Technology

Energy

Advantageous fermentation

The use of new types of yeast may reduce the production costs in sugar and alcohol refineries

Agronomy

Lethal symbiosis

Biological insecticide uses a partnership between bacteria and nematodes to fight sugarcane pest

Chemistry

Intelligent paint

Researchers use nanotechnology to create a pigment that changes color

Aerospace engineering

Hypersonic wind

A tunnel to test airplanes that are much faster than the speed of sound

Plastic

Rapid decomposition

Researchers develop a recycled polymer made from PET that is not harmful to the environment

Humanities

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

History

The citizen who smelled like a king

Profiles show that Pedro II was more interested in the essence than the appearance of power

Education

The Internet in schools

Taking the worldwide web into the classroom and vice-versa is still an economic and strategic challenge for educators and governments.