Issue # 173 _ July 2010
S&T Policy
ASSESSMENT

The battle for quality
Ibero-American leaders, USP and Unicamp discuss how to increase the impact of their research
recognition

A model program
Summary of the results of the first 10 years of Biota-FAPESP published in Science
By Marcos PivettaEconomics

Riches at hand
Academics propose ways to put forest assets to better use
By Carlos FioravantiHuman Resources

Modern mathematics
Project to take 20th century mathematics research progress into the classroom
By Fabrício MarquesScience
Physics

Enigmatic attraction
New theory helps explain the behavior of ions diluted in water
By Salvador NogueiraBiology

Autism connection
Neurons present chemical dysfunction linked to brain development
By Marcos PivettaTechnology
new material

Resistant and flexible
Carbon nanotubes incorporated into cement and polymers result in more versatile products
By Dinorah Erenonational stent

Now made in Brazil
First stent produced Brazil to correct narrowed arteries has a market
By Yuri VasconcelosTransport

Environmental bus
Coppe builds a vehicle driven by hydrogen and batteries
By Marcos de OliveiraEnergy

Multielectricity plant
Itaipu Binacional produces electric vehicles in a partnership with Fiat and Swiss companies
Energy

Stored electricity
Company develops a battery for electric vehicles and solar and wind systems
By Marcos de OliveiraHumanities
Literature

A genius of the essay
Study states that essayist Nelson Rodrigues was "Brazil's Montaigne"
By Joselia Aguiar