Issue # 230 _ April 2015

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Cover

Quite the Brazilian language, I say
Analysis of historical texts and interviews reveals the hallmarks of language in Brazil, the extent of the Hillbilly R and places where old ways of speaking can still be found By

S&T Policy

Gender

The power of stereotypes

Studies offer new hypotheses to explain the differences between the science careers of men and women

By

SOCIETY

Support for science

Datafolha concludes that people in São Paulo admire scientists and think investment in research is worthwhile, even if it does not produce immediate benefits

By

Cooperation

From humans to plants

Unicamp uses open innovation model to create research center to study enzymes found in human and plant cells

By

Partnership

Complementary Expertise

Specialists in mosquito olfaction and immunity launch a cooperative tropical disease network between Brazil and the United Kingdom

By

PUBLIC POLICIES

The first to know

A group releases the findings of AIDS research early to collaborate in prevention efforts

By

Science

Physiology

A connection between sleep and hunger

The hormone that tells the body when it’s time to sleep also regulates food intake and fat accumulation

By

Melatonin

Unprotected against Alzheimer’s

Inflammation associated with the neurodegenerative disease inhibits production of melatonin, a hormone that prevents cell death

By

NEUROSCIENCE

What our memories retain

New connections form between brain cells during REM sleep – the dream stage

By

Evolution

Theory under construction

Model explains how natural selection creates groups of traits that vary in unison

By

BIOCHEMISTRY

In times of stress

Under extreme conditions, a plant used in tequila production feeds on bacteria that live within it

By

Astronomy

The view from the periphery

Surveys identify dwarf galaxies and stellar nurseries in far reaches of the Milky Way

By

GEOLOGY

Heading northwest

GPS measurements indicate that part of the Earth’s crust in the Brazilian Northeast is moving a few millimeters northwest each year

By

Technology

Computer Science

Collaboration from the heavens

Originating in Brazil, the Google Earth Engine platform is used to create maps on various themes using satellite images

By

CHEMISTRY

Emerging contamination

Caffeine found in treated water indicates the presence of other harmful substances

By

Photography

Recording writing

New method facilitates the transformation of historical handwritten documents into digital files

By

Humanities

History

Monções (almost) rewritten

New edition of the first book by Sérgio Buarque de Holanda, officially a historian, makes clear his preference for rewriting his works

By

SOCIOLOGY

Days of fury

New study by José de Souza Martins reveals that more than a million Brazilians have taken part in or attempted an act of lynching

By

Cinema

Brazil on the road

Study reveals similarities and differences between the American road movie and Brazil’s homegrown version

By