Issue # 231 _ May 2015

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Cover

The era of grand observations: International partnerships and investments of nearly R$200 million over the next 10 years should boost astrophysics in São Paulo
The first of the giants: São Paulo researchers will have 4% of observation time on the GMT, the super ground telescope that will produce images 10 times sharper than those of the Hubble telescope
New eyes on the Universe: Telescopes will study dark matter, dark energy, and gamma rays and map the cosmos in 3D

S&T Policy

Digitized files

Recovering knowledge

Digitizing archives brings to light rarities and forgotten documents and helps perfect the work of researchers

clinical testing

With the computer’s assistance

Brazilian and foreign researchers discuss ways to reduce animal testing

INNOVATION

A network to study emotions

Research center will add areas of knowledge to evaluate and promote well-being

Biofuel

For a more balanced future

Committee evaluates 2,000 studies and suggests that bioenergy could expand without resulting in environmental damage

Science

ENVIRONMENT

Fragile land

Analyses of satellite images indicates a loss of 266,000 km2 of vegetation in the Cerrado and 90,000 km2 in the Caatinga, increasing the risk of water shortages and desertification

ECOLOGY

Great gardeners

Mathematical models reconstruct the seed-dispersing role once played by now-extinct animals in the Pantanal

BIOCHEMISTRY

Lethal Contact

Needle-shaped structure allows the Xanthomonas citri bacterium to release toxic compounds into rival microorganisms

Ethology

Wings of strife

Male damselflies measure their own strength and that of their opponents in determining confrontation strategy

IMMUNOLOGY

Inner battle

Altered gene triggers autoimmune disease in babies during pregnancy

PHYSICS

How to train nanotubes

Experiment uses random networks of carbon cylinders to perform mathematical operations

Technology

TECHNOLOGY LIVESTOCK

Fertilization markers

New techniques map the function of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids to obtain the highest quality of bovine embryos

bovine embryo

Global benchmark in production

Investment in research and innovation by In Vitro Brasil accounted for 45% of the total world production of bovine embryos in 2013

Mining

Magnetic extraction

Sustainable and with lower pollution levels, new process uses nanoparticles to capture and produce metals

Corporate research

Determined to see farther ahead

Bradar’s highly trained technical staff designs radar for remote sensing, air defense and meteorology

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

Instantaneous recognition

Handheld device employs infrared radiation to ensure the quality of food, polymers, pharmaceuticals and textiles

Humanities

Literature

Poetry out of scraps

Studies go beyond the testimonial aspects of the work of Carolina Maria de Jesus seeking to define her style and cultural relationships

HISTORY

Bankers for the slave trade

Old documents provide evidence of the role played by prominent Lisbon merchants in the Angolan slave trade

History of science

Diplomats in the laboratory

A project investigates scientific exchanges between Brazil and Nazi Germany