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In 1934, the Italian physicist Enrico Fermi traveled to South America and, in Brazil, gave five lectures, two in São Paulo and three in Rio de Janeiro. In this work, the intention is to complement investigations already carried out on this trip, bringing new information about it. We reproduce an interesting interview by Fermi to a Rio de Janeiro newspaper about his impressions of Brazil, and we present the summaries of four of his conferences, published in newspapers of the time. Such contents, in addition to being significant for the history of science in Brazil, may be of interest to teachers and students in understanding Fermi's scientific contributions and his vision of science. The analysis of visits by prominent scientists to Brazil, in the first decades of the 20th century, can bring historical elements that allow a better understanding of the initial paths of modern physics in the country and the emergence of the first institutions and more organized research groups. They contributed to stimulating local researchers, to valuing incipient scientific institutions and to to highlighting the importance of "pure science", since they were events that were widely publicized in the media and had repercussions among the academic world and local authorities and institutions. This work also intends to show that Fermi's interaction with Brazil left important legacies for Brazilian science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The scientist José Reis (1907-2002) had an outstanding performance in journalism and science communication in Brazil, and played a significant role in the consolidation of the science in our country. In this article we analyze his articles published in the newspapers of the Grupo Folha, specifically concerning to the Brazilian science. The researching period was from 1947, when he started working for this journalistic organization, to 1963, the year before the 1964 military coup. Reis texts emphasize science policy themes, highlighting in many of his articles the value of science and scientists, and discussing proposals for the organization and institutionalization of science in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of História, Ciências, Saúde - Manguinhos is the property of Casa de Oswaldo Cruz and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Brazil's natural and human resources are being squandered because of the country's deep economic and social problems. The new government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has set out [...]

The article discusses the perception of Brazilian small-scale farmers about genetically modified crop (GMOs). The authors analyze the perceptions to GMOs and identify heterogeneous perceptions shaped by diverse factors. The factors include the economic matters and concerns regarding impact on human and environmental health.

In many debates on the relation between science and society, especially concerning the acceptance of technology or the perception of its risks, there is an underlying hypothesis: that ignorance generates fear, which in turn generates mistrust or hostility toward science and technology (S&T). The article shows that this hypothesis is questionable. Based on a recent nationwide survey in Brazil, we show that optimistic attitudes about S&T do not depend on people's educational level, their level of information, or their accessing of related subject matter. On average, respondents who say they have scarce information on the topic display positive attitudes. Those with a higher educational level and who access information display diverse attitudes, which are optimistic in some regards but more critical in others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of História, Ciências, Saúde - Manguinhos is the property of Casa de Oswaldo Cruz and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective/context: This paper analyses the relations between 19th century travelling naturalists and the indigenous inhabitants of Brazilian Amazonia. The region was a favourite among travellers during the latter half of the 19th century. On their travel books, naturalists reported not only on local Nature, but also on local inhabitants and their contributions to the expeditions, making them valuable sources for understanding the interactions between them and the natives. Originality: The originality of the paper rests in the use of a diverse set of primary sources, in the form of 19th century travel books. The article contributes to the current historiography on Natural History expeditions while aiming specifically at the relations between naturalists and the indigenous inhabitants of the region. Methodology: The analysis relies on primary sources, which consist mainly of the travel books written and published by some of the most well-known 19th century travelling naturalists that visited the Brazilian Amazonia. It is from their personal reports and observations that we aim to understand, on the one hand, how these foreign naturalists interacted with the local indigenous inhabitants and, on the other, how the natives were able contribute to the scientific expeditions led by European naturalists. Conclusions: It is safe to conclude that the indigenous inhabitants of Brazilian Amazonia were a constant presence during 19th century expeditions in the region. The interactions between naturalists and natives, sometimes mediated by a third party, were often essential to the success of these expeditions. The principal contribution of the indigenous inhabitants, as stated by the naturalists themselves, was the aid in the collection of specimens. The natives' expertise on the habits and habitats of animals and plants, paired with their hunting and to navigational skills through the region's complex river system, seem to have been a subject of admiration as well as a source of information and specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents comment `On Feynman's proof of the Maxwell equations,' by R.J. Hughes. Derivation of Maxwell's equations from Newton's laws; Commutative relationship between position and velocity; Derivation of generalized forces from nonsingular Langranian equations with constraints; Electromagnetic form of acceleration-independent generalized force.