Paulo Rebêlo 25 June 2004 Source: SciDev.Net Brazil has announced a programme that is intended to make it easier to import scientific equipment and materials into the country. Called 'easy science import' (importa fácil ciência), the programme will attempt to meet demands from researchers to reduce the amount of bureaucracy that is involved in bringing scientific equipment into the country (see Red tape on imports 'is stifling Brazilian research'). Under the programme, scientists who register with the Council of Scientific and Technological Development will be able to take advantage of financial...

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Paulo Rebêlo 16 June 2004 Source: SciDev.Net Brazil has opened a DNA bank to preserve genetic material of its endangered plant life. Its goal is to help protect rare plants threatened by extinction in a country that has the world's greatest variety of plant species. The DNA bank, which is based at the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) in Rio de Janeiro, employs five researchers. They plan to collect at least 1,000 plant species each year to 'deposit' in the bank. Samples of specimens will be dried out and have DNA samples extracted, after which they will be frozen and stored. Plants in several...

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Paulo Rebêlo 5 May 2004 Source: SciDev.Net Chile's government has launched a wide-ranging programme to increase the use of computers and boost the role of information technology (IT) in the country's economy. As part of the initiative, the government aims to establish fast Internet connections in all universities, and at least 80 per cent of schools, by 2006. The Digital Agenda initiative, which aims to transform Chile into a digital country by the year 2010, will seek to attract foreign investment into the country's technology sector in order to promote IT development. It also includes projects...

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Paulo Rebêlo 20 February 2004 Source: SciDev.Net [RECIFE] Brazilian scientists are campaigning to reduce the bureaucracy involved in bringing scientific equipment into the country. In a declaration to be presented shortly to the ministry of science and technology, more than 300 Brazilian researchers state that "countless scientists have been waiting for years to receive equipment. Customs policies produce a lot of bureaucracy just to obtain a few microlitres or a simple reagent". The scientists call for new customs procedures that simplify and reduce the cost of bringing equipment and reagents...

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Paulo Rebêlo and Katie Mantell 30 January 2004 Source: SciDev.Net [RECIFE] The Brazilian government has negotiated a US$5 million reduction in the fees it pays to allow many of the country's researchers to gain free access to electronic versions of a large number of scientific journals. The government's 'journal website' (Portal de Periódicos), allows researchers across the country to access the full text of thousands of international journals, magazines and databases covering a broad range of subjects. Last year, the government funding agency responsible for the website, known as CAPES (Coordination...

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Paulo Rebêlo 14 January 2004 Source: SciDev.Net [RECIFE] A failure by the Brazilian government to provide much-needed new teaching and research posts in universities is preventing many researchers with doctoral degrees from finding suitable employment. This is the conclusion of a report published last month by the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC), based on statements from universities, public institutions and thousands of unemployed new PhD holders. The report, which was written by the SBPC's regional division in Rio de Janeiro, recommends a number of moves to improve...

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Paulo Rebêlo | agosto.1999 Quantos sistemas de busca você conhece? Com certeza, muitos. Altavista, Yahoo, Infoseek, Hotbot, WebCrawler... e mais algumas dezenas que você nunca nem ouviu falar. Todos parecem usar um sistema parecido e armazenar milhares de páginas inexistentes. Fazer uma pesquisa na Web é pra lá de frustrante. Procurar um texto, notícia, ou documento sobre determinado assunto, pode tornar-se uma árdua tarefa, principalmente quando o sistema de busca exibe 20.000 registros de páginas cadastradas. Passadas horas de cliques e cliques, você não acha o que estava procurando....

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