Issue # 154 _ December 2008
S&T Policy
Biofuel
The power of collaboration
International conference discusses technology and public policies for the production of ethanol
By Marcos de Oliveirabiotechnology
A center for Brazil and for the world
Mohamed Hassan, the executive director of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, advocated the establishment of an international research center in Brazil
By Marcos PivettaPartnerships
Shared calculations
Half of the computer time on Unicamp's high performance computer was used by researchers from other states
By Fabrício MarquesINNOVATION
Risk rewarded
Sale of Alellyx and CanaVialis to Monsanto for US$290 million is an example of wealth creation through competitive research
By Fabrício MarquesInformation Technology

Knowledge and inclusion
The first results of the projects of the Microsoft Research-FAPESP Institute aimed at seeking progress in science and social impact are released
By Fabrício MarquesUnited States

The Obama Era
The new president promises more funding for research, a new environmental agenda and an end to the lack of transparency of the Bush era
By Fabrício MarquesScience
Health

Suffocating population
Air pollution increases the risk of death among newborns by 50% in the city of São Paulo
By Ricardo ZorzettoBacteriology

War in the intestines
New strategies can help fight the bacteria behind serious forms of diarrhea
By Carlos FioravantiNeurology

In search of connections
Model with human cells indicates a path for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
By Maria GuimarãesPhysics

The oscillation of particles
Improved understanding of the electrons that are essential for the creation of quantum computers
By Reinaldo José LopesAstronomy

A star full of mysteries
Observatories to monitor Eta Carinae's blackout
By Ricardo ZorzettoEvolution

At the feet of dinosaurs
Small lizards that were around at the time of the dinosaurs hide in Brazilian forests
By Carlos FioravantiEcology

An unexpected forest
Richer in terms of its biodiversity, the Atlantic Rainforest is poorer than the Amazon Region when it comes to nitrogen
By Carlos FioravantiTechnology
Agriculture

Total utilization
New techniques transform sugar cane straw into bio-oil, steel mill coal, silicon carbide and, in the future, ethanol
By Dinorah ErenoEnergy

Useful Residue
Sewage and Industrial Waste Provide Raw Material for the Production of Hydrogen and Electric Power
By Marcos de Oliveira