The role of public policies in the decentralization process of Mexican science and the formation of new researchers in institutions outside the Mexico City area

Constraints on Research in Biological and Agricultural Science in Developing Countries: The Example of Latin America

Science is an international effort, receiving contributions from researchers across the globe. The capacity of a country or a region to generate and publish quality research varies greatly according to the location examined. Among the factors that dictate the quantity and quality of scientific research are the availability of infrastructure and human resources, the traditions related to research endeavors, and, most significantly, local governmental support for research. There are several conditions that both individually and cooperatively limit research activities in Latin America, such as insufficient governmental support, a paucity of material and technical resources, heavy teaching loads, the absence of peer networks, and multiple constraints on publication. This commentary has been developed to discuss each of the issues that permit and, more frequently, limit biological and agricultural research endeavors in Latin America.

Zebrafish as an Emerging Model System in the Global South: Two Decades of Research in Brazil

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an emerging model system in several research areas worldwide, especially in the Global South. In this context, the present study revised the historical use and trends of zebrafish as experimental models in Brazil. The data concerning the bibliometric parameters, research areas, geographic distribution, experimental design, zebrafish strain, and reporter lines, as well as recent advances were revised. In addition, the comparative trends of Brazilian and global research were discussed. Revised data showed the rapid growth of Brazilian scientific production using zebrafish as a model, especially in three main research areas (Neuroscience &and Behavior, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Environment/Ecology). Studies were conducted in 19 Brazilian states (70.37%), confirming the wide geographic distribution and importance of zebrafish research. Results indicated that research related to toxicological approaches are widespread in Global South countries such as Brazil. Studies were performed mainly using in vivo tests (89.58%) with adult fish (59.75%) and embryos (30.67%). Moreover, significant research gaps and recommendations for future research are presented. The present study shows that the zebrafish is a suitable vertebrate model system in the Global South.

Los impactos de la descentralización de la enseñanza y la investigación en el Cinvestav de 1961-2015: estudio bibliométrico

Se usa la información registrada en Web of Science (WoS) de 1961-2015 para determinar los crecimientos de producción e impacto científico de las unidades, departamentos y laboratorios que se crearon como parte del proceso de descentralización del Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav). El estudio se complementa con variables como número de investigadores, departamentos, graduados, posgrados de calidad, distinciones y reconocimientos. Para medir los incrementos de estas variables se aplicaron, además de WoS, el Atlas de la Ciencia en el Cinvestav, el catálogo colectivo de bibliotecas de la institución, los anuarios, y los sitios web de la administración, de las unidades y departamentos del Cinvestav. Las aportaciones se miden en porcentajes comparando la Unidad Zacatenco con el resto de las unidades de este centro. De esta manera se puede observar que el Cinvestav se fundó en 1961 con la Unidad Zacatenco en la Ciudad de México, a partir de 1980 inició su proceso de descentralización con la apertura de ocho unidades foráneas y una sede. El crecimiento de la planta de investigadores en las unidades foráneas ha sido tal que actualmente iguala en producción científica y formación de recursos humanos de maestría y doctorado a la planta académica de la Unidad Zacatenco.