Brazilian Scientific Collaboration Gains National Recognition Amid Growing Research Output

Technical assistants Fábia Leite and Walkíria Melo from the Centro de Tecnologias Estratégicas do Nordeste (Cetene) have won the Tescan Brazil 2026 Image Contest with their microscope images titled Jardim das Flores and Ovo Frito. The contest attracted over 50 participants nationwide, selecting 12 entries for Tescan’s annual calendar. This initiative showcases the fusion of science and art, highlighting the collaborative nature of the work. Melo emphasized pride in being recognized by experienced microscopists across Brazil, while Leite noted that this acknowledgment motivates continued excellence in their scientific imaging efforts. Their winning images were created through teamwork involving sample providers, technicians, and a colorist, demonstrating the collective effort in scientific production.

Concurrently, Brazil’s scientific output rebounded in 2024 with a 4.5% increase, totaling over 73,000 published articles, according to a report by Elsevier and Bori. Although still below the 2021 peak of 82,440, this marks a positive trend after several years of decline. The number of Brazilian researchers publishing has nearly quintupled in the past decade, reaching 932 authors per million inhabitants. Natural sciences lead the volume of publications, but engineering and technology fields showed the highest growth rate at 7.1% in 2024. Among 32 key research institutions, 29 experienced growth in article production.

These developments underscore Brazil’s advancing scientific landscape, combining individual collaborative achievements with broader increases in national research productivity. The recognition of microscopists’ work alongside the growth in scientific publications reflects a maturing ecosystem of innovative and cooperative science.