Renting a taxi, or buying a ticket for boarding an airplane, is something that surprises no one. In short, it is very likely to happen with the manned spaceflights of NASA. The space agency is undergoing difficult times. Therefore, to use private companies for its manned missions is by no means ruled out. If so, it's as if NASA astronauts would travel in taxis.

Alicia Rivera | 9 March 2010

The success of Google's economic awakens the appetite for telecommunication operators. The Spanish government took the 'Google rate’, a formula for its supporters that is designed to distribute game on the Internet, redistributing income from online advertising that currently captures a few firms, led by Google. But for the organizations of internet users it is a tax on innovation and an open door to clear the principle of net neutrality.

Alfred Comín | 5 March 2010

It is now 12 years or so, that the last great surprise of cosmology was raised, the existence of a repulsive force accelerating the expansion of the universe. The finding, which was the reason Einstein was later baptized with a very sounding name: dark energy. We must say "roughly" because that uncertainty is necessary if one doesn't wish to take sides in the controversy that some members of the two teams that worked in parallel have been faced with to confirm its existence.

Malén Ruiz de Elvira | 2 March 2010

The edition of this year's Mobile World Congress, the top global gathering of mobile telephony, shows that the new platforms gain market share at the expense of traditional environments. This confirms that innovation is the prerequisite for their way (even to stay), in an environment as ultracompetitive as is the wireless communications market. Unfortunately, it seems that Europe does not quite believe it.

Alfred Comín | 25 february 2010

After a few years of success and visibility of climate change in the political agendas, and of starting to seriously count in the economic agendas, as well as having earned the respect and prestige, crowned with the Nobel Peace Prize, it seems as if the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is suddenly falling apart from all sides. The announced departure of Yvo de Boer is the latest in a series of episodes that point to a smear campaign.

Alicia Rivera | 23 February 2010

The science that deals with agriculture has to undergo a "radical change" in the next 40 years. The goal, feeding a population that in 2050 probably will reach 9,000 million people worldwide. And at the base, taking into consideration the impact of climate change on crops and review the knowledge on plant molecular biology and agro-technologies.

Xavier Pujol Gebellí | 18 February 2010

The economic hardship and lack of clear objectives in the space race is causing a substantive discussion in the United States. Back to the moon is no longer a priority. And human spaceflights until now forbidden for private enterprise, are also under review. All waiting for the new materials and technologies to regain the initiative.

Malén Ruiz de Elvira |16 February 2010

The European Research Council (ERC) faces its fourth year of life with a label that is positively surprising its promoters and users: The promotion of excellence is a guaranteed prestige. And probably, if things continue like this, a guarantee of success; at least, regarding the bidding capacity. Another very different matter will be the influence capacity, as in the design of scientific policies as well as in the research results. "It is still early to value the influence of the ERC" admits Andreu Mas Colell, current general secretary of the institution.

Xavier Pujol Gebellí | 11 February 2010

All the political declarations about changing the productive model towards a new system based on knowledge, all the expert guidelines and all the examples tightly associating developed countries with a strong investment in R&D haven't been enough to avoid the cut of the Spanish science budget this year.

Alicia Rivera | 9 February 2010

It is not easy to hit with the recipe of innovation, and much less in times of crisis like the current ones. But to maintain the flag of R&D high for the ones living on millionaire sales, it is mainly an obligation, if one wants to preserve a privileged position for the future, to not depend on the bad numbers of a few exercises. It is with high investment percentages in the generating of knowledge and its transformation in product, technology or services; that the great companies are facing bad times. Something like harvesting today for collecting tomorrow.

Xavier Pujol Gebellí | Ludwigshafen | 4 February 2010

In only eight years, Chinese researchers have multiplied by 30 the number of articles on stem cells and regenerative medicine in scientific journals of international scope and already publish more than Canada or Australia. With 1,116 articles in 2008, they are in fifth position, behind the United States, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Malén Ruiz de Elvira | 2 February 2010

A few days ago, a group of companies promoting the development of the Intelligent Distribution Network for electricity (‘Smart Grid') presented their views to the House Democrats at the United States Congress. They ensure that the modernization of electricity distribution will involve the creation of large numbers of jobs and contribute to economic recovery.

19 January 2010 | Malén Ruiz de Elvira

Most of the field-grown plant products are consumed in cities, with the consequent transportation costs and contamination. Is this rational? This is one of the many questions posed by those who defend vertical crops. This is a concept that is becoming increasingly popular as it becomes clear that current agricultural practices are proving not to be sustainable. There is no more land to grow the amount of food our expanding population will need; the only possibility to obtain it seems to be accompanied by the destruction of nature and global pollution.

Malén Ruiz de Elvira | 5 January 2009

The Spanish scientific system is immersed in a stirring very contrary to the stability (not only financial) and the clear horizon that the R&D system needs so much. Since the end of the summer last year, the sharp budget reduction scheduled for next year has seen a burst of protest, visible even out of the R&D system itself; it has reached the public opinion and the political activity at highest level.

Alicia Rivera | 22 desember 2009

As it is an important economic sector in Europe, tourism has been one of the aspects that the first European study on the economic effects of climate change has focused on. Their conclusions concerning Spain and southern Europe in general, give much food for thought. Meanwhile, in Copenhagen the discussions continue on what will be or not be done to avoid or mitigate its consequences.

Malén Ruiz de Elvira | 15 December 2009