Kofi|NNP Annan|NNP ,|, the|DT Secretary-|NNP General|NNP of|IN the|DT United|NNP Nations|NNPS ,|, recently|RB called|VBN attention|NN to|TO the|DT clear|JJ inequalities|NNS in|IN science|NN between|IN developing|VBG and|CC developed|VBN countries|NNS and|CC to|TO the|DT challenges|NNS of|IN building|NN bridges|NNS across|IN these|DT gaps|NNS that|WDT should|MD bring|VB the|DT United|NNP Nations|NNPS and|CC the|DT world|NN scientific|JJ community|NN closer|JJR to|TO each|DT other|JJ (|( Annan|NNP 2003|CD )|) .|. 
Mr.|NN Annan|NNP stressed|VBD the|DT importance|NN of|IN reducing|VBG the|DT inequalities|NNS in|IN science|NN between|IN developed|VBN and|CC developing|VBG countries|NNS ,|, asserting|VBG that|DT “|NN This|DT unbalanced|JJ distribution|NN of|IN scientific|JJ activity|NN generates|VBZ serious|JJ problems|NNS not|RB only|RB for|IN the|DT scientific|JJ community|NN in|IN the|DT developing|VBG countries|NNS ,|, but|CC for|IN development|NN itself|PRP .|. ”|NN 
Indeed|RB ,|, Mr.|NN Annan|NNP 's|POS sentiments|NNS have|VBP also|RB been|VBN echoed|VBN recently|RB by|IN several|JJ scientists|NNS ,|, who|WP present|JJ overwhelming|JJ evidence|NN for|IN the|DT disparity|NN in|IN scientific|JJ output|NN between|IN the|DT developing|VBG and|CC already|RB developed|VBN countries|NNS (|( Gibbs|NNP 1995|CD ;|: May|NNP 1997|CD ;|: Goldemberg|NNP 1998|CD ;|: Riddoch|NNP 2000|CD )|) .|. 
For|IN example|NN ,|, recent|JJ United|NNP Nations|NNPS Educational|NNP ,|, Scientific|NNP ,|, and|CC Cultural|NNP Organization|NNP (|( UNESCO|NNP )|) estimates|NNS (|( UNESCO|NNP 2001|CD )|) indicate|VBP that|IN ,|, in|IN 1997|CD ,|, the|DT developed|JJ countries|NNS accounted|VBD for|IN some|DT 84|CD %|NN of|IN the|DT global|JJ investment|NN in|IN scientific|JJ research|NN and|CC development|NN ,|, had|VBD approximately|RB 72|CD %|NN of|IN the|DT world|NN researchers|NNS ,|, and|CC produced|VBD approximately|RB 88|CD %|NN of|IN all|DT scientific|JJ and|CC technical|JJ publications|NNS registered|VBN by|IN the|DT Science|NNP Citation|NNP Index|NNP (|( SCI|NNP )|) .|. 
North|NNP America|NNP and|CC Europe|NNP clearly|RB dominate|VBP the|DT number|NN of|IN scientific|JJ publications|NNS produced|VBN annually|RB ,|, with|IN 36.6|CD %|NN and|CC 37.5|CD %|NN ,|, respectively|RB ,|, worldwide|NN (|( UNESCO|NNP 2001|CD )|) .|. 

North|NNP America|NNP and|CC Europe|NNP clearly|RB dominate|VBP the|DT number|NN of|IN scientific|JJ publications|NNS produced|VBN annually|RB .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ rather|RB obvious|JJ that|IN richer|JJR countries|NNS are|VBP able|JJ to|TO invest|VB more|JJR resources|NNS in|IN science|NN and|CC therefore|RB account|VB for|IN the|DT largest|JJS number|NN of|IN publications|NNS .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ also|RB likely|JJ that|IN there|EX is|VBZ a|DT statistical|JJ bias|NN on|IN the|DT part|NN of|IN the|DT SCI|NNP as|IN a|DT bibliometric|JJ database|NN ,|, since|IN it|PRP represents|VBZ North|JJ American|JJ and|CC European|JJ publications|NNS far|RB better|JJR than|IN those|DT of|IN the|DT rest|NN of|IN the|DT world|NN (|( Gibbs|NNP 1995|CD ;|: May|NNP 1997|CD ;|: Alonso|NNP and|CC Fernández-|NNP Juricic|NNP 2001|CD ;|: Vohora|NNP and|CC Vohora|NNP 2001|CD )|) .|. 
But|CC is|VBZ the|DT disparity|NN in|IN scientific|JJ contributions|NNS between|IN the|DT developed|VBN and|CC developing|VBG worlds|NNS actually|RB remaining|VBG unchanged|JJ or|CC even|RB increasing|VBG ,|, as|IN Mr.|NN Annan|NNP has|VBZ implied|VBN ?|. 
A|DT closer|JJR look|NN at|IN the|DT trends|NNS over|IN the|DT last|JJ decade|NN reveals|VBZ important|JJ advances|NNS in|IN developing|VBG countries|NNS .|. 
For|IN example|NN ,|, Latin|NNP America|NNP and|CC China|NNP ,|, although|IN representing|VBG ,|, respectively|RB ,|, only|RB 1.8|CD %|NN and|CC 2|CD %|NN of|IN scientific|JJ publications|NNS worldwide|NN ,|, have|VBP increased|VBN the|DT number|NN of|IN their|PRP$ publications|NNS between|IN 1990|CD and|CC 1997|CD by|IN 36|CD %|NN and|CC 70|CD %|NN ,|, respectively|RB ,|, which|WDT is|VBZ a|DT much|RB higher|JJR percentage|NN than|IN the|DT increments|NNS reached|VBN by|IN Europe|NNP (|( 10|CD %|NN )|) and|CC industrial|JJ Asia|NNP (|( 26|CD %|NN )|) .|. 
The|DT percentage|NN of|IN global|JJ scientific|JJ publications|NNS from|IN North|NNP America|NNP actually|RB decreased|VBN by|IN 8|CD %|NN over|IN the|DT same|JJ period|NN (|( UNESCO|NNP 2001|CD )|) .|. 

Publishing|NNP Trends|NNP in|IN the|DT Americas|NNPS Using|VBG the|DT SCI|NNP databases|NNS produced|VBN by|IN the|DT Institute|NNP for|IN Scientific|NNP Information|NNP (|( ISI|NNP )|) ,|, as|RB well|RB as|IN data|NNS compiled|VBN by|IN the|DT Red|NNP Iberoamericana|NNP de|IN Indicadores|NNP de|IN Ciencia|NNP y|NN Tecnología|NNP (|( RICYT|NNP )|) ,|, we|PRP examined|VBD the|DT differences|NNS in|IN the|DT number|NN and|CC proportion|NN of|IN scientific|JJ publications|NNS between|IN the|DT developed|JJ world|NN and|CC the|DT developing|VBG world|NN from|IN 1990|CD until|IN 2000|CD ,|, focusing|VBG on|IN the|DT Americas|NNPS as|IN a|DT case|NN study|NN .|. 
Not|RB surprisingly|RB ,|, there|EX was|VBD a|DT huge|JJ disparity|NN in|IN the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS from|IN 1990|CD until|IN 2000|CD ,|, with|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS contributing|VBG the|DT lion|NN 's|POS share|NN (|( 84.2|CD %|NN )|) ,|, followed|VBN by|IN Canada|NNP (|( 10.35|CD %|NN )|) .|. 
Latin|NNP America|NNP as|IN a|DT whole|NN contributed|VBD only|RB 5.45|CD %|NN to|TO the|DT total|JJ number|NN of|IN scientific|JJ publications|NNS in|IN these|DT ten|CD years|NNS (|( RICYT|NNP 2002|CD )|) .|. 

The|DT total|JJ number|NN of|IN publications|NNS ,|, however|RB ,|, is|VBZ not|RB necessarily|RB the|DT best|JJS measure|NN for|IN assessing|VBG scientific|JJ productivity|NN or|CC technical|JJ advances|NNS (|( May|NNP 1997|CD )|) .|. 
More|RBR relevant|JJ measurements|NNS for|IN these|DT factors|NNS include|VBP the|DT proportional|JJ change|NN in|IN the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS and|CC the|DT total|JJ number|NN of|IN publications|NNS when|WRB corrected|VBN for|IN investment|NN in|IN research|NN and|CC development|NN (|( May|NNP 1997|CD )|) .|. 
The|DT proportional|JJ change|NN in|IN the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS ,|, using|VBG 1990|CD as|IN a|DT comparison|NN ,|, revealed|VBD that|IN scientific|JJ publishing|NN in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP increased|VBD the|DT most|RBS rapidly|RB in|IN the|DT Americas|NNPS ,|, far|RB outpacing|VBG the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS and|CC Canada|NNP (|( Figure|NN 1|CD )|) .|. 
Further|RB analyses|NNS ,|, correcting|VBG the|DT number|NN of|IN overall|JJ publications|NNS for|IN the|DT amount|NN of|IN money|NN invested|VBN in|IN research|NN and|CC development|NN for|IN each|DT region|NN ,|, also|RB show|NN that|IN ,|, in|IN contrast|NN to|TO both|DT Canada|NNP and|CC United|NNP States|NNPS ,|, the|DT trend|NN in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP has|VBZ been|VBN an|DT increase|NN in|IN relative|JJ output|NN throughout|IN the|DT 1990s|NN (|( Figure|NN 2|CD )|) .|. 
Moreover|RB ,|, when|WRB taking|VBG into|IN account|NN the|DT amount|NN of|IN research|NN money|NN available|JJ to|TO researchers|NNS ,|, Latin|NNP America|NNP actually|RB out-published|JJ the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS and|CC Canada|NNP by|IN the|DT year|NN 2000|CD (|( Figure|NN 2|CD )|) .|. 
Although|IN the|DT cost|NN of|IN research|NN is|VBZ undoubtedly|RB cheaper|JJR in|IN the|DT developing|VBG world|NN due|JJ to|TO relatively|RB low|JJ researcher|NN salaries|NNS ,|, overhead|NN and|CC other|JJ work|NN standards|NNS ,|, these|DT factors|NNS do|VBP not|RB explain|VB the|DT substantial|JJ increase|NN in|IN the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS per|IN amount|NN of|IN money|NN allocated|VBN to|TO research|VB and|CC development|NN in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP ,|, particularly|RB from|IN 1995|CD until|IN 2000|CD (|( Figure|NN 2|CD )|) .|. 

Other|JJ relative|JJ indicators|NNS of|IN scientific|JJ productivity|NN ,|, such|JJ as|IN the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS picked|VBD up|RB by|IN the|DT SCI|NNP in|IN relation|NN to|TO the|DT number|NN of|IN scientists|NNS in|IN a|DT particular|JJ country|NN ,|, also|RB demonstrate|VB that|IN such|JJ developing|NN regions|NNS as|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP are|VBP making|VBG substantial|JJ contributions|NNS to|TO science|NN ,|, despite|IN the|DT fact|NN that|IN the|DT average|JJ proportion|NN of|IN gross|JJ domestic|JJ product|NN (|( GDP|NNP )|) invested|VBN in|IN science|NN in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP throughout|IN this|DT 10|CD -|: year|NN period|NN was|VBD only|RB 21|CD %|NN of|IN the|DT amount|NN invested|VBN in|IN United|NNP States|NNPS (|( RICYT|NNP 2002|CD )|) .|. 
Indeed|RB ,|, this|DT scientific|JJ productivity|NN is|VBZ remarkable|JJ when|WRB we|PRP compare|VBP it|PRP with|IN the|DT relatively|RB low|JJ investment|NN in|IN science|NN itself|PRP as|IN compared|VBN with|IN the|DT GDP|NNP of|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP as|IN a|DT whole|NN .|. 
In|IN fact|NN ,|, Albornoz|NNP (|( 2001|CD )|) concluded|VBD that|IN ,|, as|IN a|DT group|NN ,|, Latin|NNP America|NNP could|MD afford|VB to|TO invest|VB a|DT much|RB higher|JJR proportion|NN of|IN its|PRP$ resources|NNS in|IN scientific|JJ research|NN and|CC development|NN .|. 
Latin|NNP American|JJ investment|NN in|IN research|NN and|CC development|NN represented|VBD only|RB 0.59|CD %|NN of|IN the|DT regional|JJ GDP|NNP in|IN 1998|CD ,|, a|DT very|RB weak|JJ effort|NN compared|VBN with|IN that|DT of|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS (|( 2.84|CD %|NN )|) and|CC Canada|NNP (|( 1.5|CD %|NN )|) .|. 
Among|IN Latin|NNP American|JJ countries|NNS ,|, there|EX is|VBZ a|DT high|JJ degree|NN of|IN variability|NN in|IN publication|NN rate|NN as|RB well|RB as|IN in|IN financial|JJ investment|NN in|IN science|NN and|CC technology|NN .|. 
Some|DT countries|NNS have|VBP performed|VBN particularly|RB well|RB .|. 
For|IN example|NN ,|, Uruguay|NNP ,|, Chile|NNP ,|, Panama|NNP ,|, and|CC Cuba|NNP averaged|VBD ,|, respectively|RB ,|, 6.8|CD ,|, 5.3|CD ,|: 5.2|CD ,|, and|CC 3.4|CD publications|NNS per|IN million|CD dollars|NNS of|IN research|NN and|CC development|NN investment|NN in|IN the|DT 10|CD years|NNS studied|VBN ,|, which|WDT is|VBZ notoriously|RB high|JJ compared|VBN with|IN United|NNP States|NNPS (|( 1.5|CD )|) and|CC even|RB Canada|NNP (|( 3.3|CD )|) (|( RICYT|NNP 2002|CD )|) .|. 
Other|JJ countries|NNS ,|, such|JJ as|IN Costa|NNP Rica|NNP ,|, Cuba|NNP ,|, Brazil|NNP ,|, and|CC Chile|NNP ,|, have|VBP invested|VBN a|DT much|RB greater|JJR proportion|NN of|IN their|PRP$ GDP|NNP in|IN research|NN and|CC development|NN than|IN the|DT other|JJ countries|NNS of|IN this|DT region|NN (|( Albornoz|NNP 2001|CD )|) .|. 

Why|WRB has|VBZ the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS per|IN dollar|NN invested|VBN in|IN research|NN and|CC development|NN been|VBN increasing|VBG in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP while|IN decreasing|VBG in|IN United|NNP States|NNPS and|CC Canada|NNP ?|. 

Explaining|VBG the|DT Increase|VB in|IN Publishing|NNP Productivity|NNP in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP One|CD potential|JJ explanation|NN for|IN the|DT increase|NN in|IN scientific|JJ productivity|NN in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP is|VBZ that|IN scientific|JJ development|NN during|IN the|DT 1990s|NN was|VBD particularly|RB strong|JJ for|IN many|JJ countries|NNS of|IN this|DT region|NN .|. 
Indeed|RB ,|, this|DT would|MD explain|VB the|DT rapid|JJ rise|NN in|IN the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP compared|VBD with|IN the|DT relatively|RB flat|JJ increases|NNS in|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS and|CC Canada|NNP ,|, which|WDT were|VBD publishing|VBG just|RB as|RB well|RB at|IN the|DT beginning|NN of|IN the|DT decade|NN .|. 
A|DT potentially|RB more|RBR important|JJ question|NN ,|, however|RB ,|, is|VBZ why|WRB the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS per|IN dollar|NN invested|VBN in|IN research|NN and|CC development|NN has|VBZ been|VBN increasing|VBG in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP while|IN decreasing|VBG in|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS and|CC Canada|NNP .|. 
This|DT pattern|NN could|MD be|VB the|DT result|NN of|IN a|DT variety|NN of|IN factors|NNS ,|, none|NN of|IN which|WDT are|VBP mutually|RB exclusive|JJ .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ possible|JJ that|DT publishing|NN in|IN international|JJ journals|NNS as|IN a|DT measure|NN of|IN scientific|JJ productivity|NN is|VBZ becoming|VBG more|RBR important|JJ in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP .|. 
Increased|VBN funding|NN to|TO the|DT most|RBS productive|JJ scientists|NNS from|IN the|DT national|JJ science|NN development|NN programs|NNS might|MD have|VB been|VBN an|DT important|JJ stimulus|NN .|. 
International|NNP cooperation|NN resulting|VBG in|IN more|RBR scientific|JJ collaborations|NNS among|IN scientists|NNS in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP ,|, Europe|NNP ,|, and|CC the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS may|MD also|RB have|VB increased|VBN the|DT relative|JJ number|NN of|IN publications|NNS in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP .|. 
In|IN contrast|NN ,|, the|DT decreasing|VBG trends|NNS in|IN the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS per|IN investment|NN dollar|NN in|IN Canada|NNP and|CC United|NNP States|NNPS could|MD reflect|VB a|DT trend|NN towards|IN more|JJR costly|JJ research|NN in|IN larger|JJR scientific|JJ programs|NNS .|. 

Scientific|NNP Impact|NNP from|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP What|WP ,|, exactly|RB ,|, is|VBZ the|DT relative|JJ impact|NN of|IN such|JJ developing|NN regions|NNS as|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP on|IN the|DT scientific|JJ community|NN ?|. 
We|PRP used|VBD SCI|NNP 2001|CD data|NNS to|TO examine|VB the|DT proportion|NN of|IN publications|NNS in|IN the|DT area|NN of|IN ecology|NN (|( including|VBG the|DT fields|NNS of|IN evolutionary|JJ biology|NN ,|, conservation|NN biology|NN ,|, and|CC global|JJ change|NN biology|NN )|) between|IN 1990|CD and|CC 2002|CD in|IN both|DT the|DT two|CD top|JJ general|JJ science|NN journals|NNS (|( Nature|NNP and|CC Science|NNP ;|: with|IN impact|NN factors|NNS of|IN 27.96|CD and|CC 23.33|CD ,|, respectively|RB )|) and|CC in|IN the|DT 20|CD top|JJ ecological|JJ journals|NNS (|( with|IN impact|NN factors|NNS of|IN 10.51|CD –|NN 2.47|CD )|) (|( ISI|NNP 2001|CD a|DT )|) .|. 
We|PRP credited|VBD a|DT region|NN with|IN a|DT publication|NN if|IN any|DT of|IN the|DT authors|NNS were|VBD affiliated|VBN with|IN institutions|NNS from|IN that|DT region|NN .|. 
Thus|RB ,|, more|JJR than|IN one|CD region|NN would|MD receive|VB credit|NN for|IN a|DT single|JJ publication|NN if|IN that|DT publication|NN had|VBD been|VBN written|VBN by|IN multiple|JJ authors|NNS from|IN institutions|NNS of|IN different|JJ regions|NNS .|. 

For|IN the|DT top|JJ 20|CD ecological|JJ journals|NNS ,|, the|DT American|JJ subcontinents|NNS of|IN South|NNP ,|, Central|NNP ,|, and|CC North|NNP America|NNP accounted|VBD for|IN 62|CD %|NN of|IN the|DT publications|NNS worldwide|NN .|. 
Within|IN the|DT Americas|NNPS ,|, however|RB ,|, Latin|NNP America|NNP represented|VBD only|RB 6|CD %|NN ,|, while|IN Canada|NNP and|CC United|NNP States|NNPS accounted|VBD ,|, respectively|RB ,|, for|IN 13|CD %|NN and|CC 82|CD %|NN of|IN the|DT top|JJ 20|CD ecological|JJ publications|NNS .|. 
When|WRB we|PRP examined|VBD the|DT data|NNS as|IN contributions|NNS to|TO the|DT top|JJ 10|CD ecological|JJ journals|NNS (|( impact|NN factors|NNS 10.51|CD –|NN 3.31|CD )|) versus|CC the|DT top|JJ 11|CD –|NN 20|CD (|( impact|NN factors|NNS 3.28|CD –|NN 2.47|CD )|) ,|, the|DT Latin|NNP American|JJ countries|NNS contributed|VBD nearly|RB twice|RB as|IN many|JJ publications|NNS to|TO journals|NNS in|IN the|DT second|JJ category|NN (|( 8|CD %|NN in|IN the|DT top|JJ 11|CD –|NN 20|CD compared|VBN with|IN 4|CD %|NN in|IN the|DT top|JJ 10|CD )|) .|. 
These|DT findings|NNS suggest|VBP that|IN publications|NNS from|IN such|JJ developing|NN regions|NNS as|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP are|VBP falling|VBG short|JJ of|IN reaching|VBG the|DT top|JJ journals|NNS .|. 
In|IN contrast|NN ,|, the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS contributed|VBD somewhat|RB more|JJR publications|NNS to|TO the|DT top|JJ 10|CD journals|NNS (|( 84|CD %|NN )|) than|IN the|DT top|JJ 11|CD –|NN 20|CD journals|NNS (|( 79|CD %|NN )|) .|. 
The|DT difference|NN in|IN the|DT proportion|NN of|IN publications|NNS contributed|VBN by|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS to|TO the|DT top|JJ 10|CD and|CC top|JJ 20|CD journals|NNS was|VBD even|RB more|RBR pronounced|JJ when|WRB we|PRP examined|VBD it|PRP in|IN respect|NN to|TO worldwide|NN publications|NNS .|. 
In|IN this|DT case|NN ,|, the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS contributed|VBD 60|CD %|NN of|IN the|DT publications|NNS to|TO the|DT top|JJ 10|CD journals|NNS and|CC only|RB 40|CD %|NN of|IN the|DT publications|NNS to|TO the|DT top|JJ 11|CD –|NN 20|CD journals|NNS .|. 

Interestingly|RB ,|, the|DT proportion|NN of|IN publications|NNS from|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP ,|, the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS ,|, and|CC Canada|NNP across|IN all|DT subject|JJ areas|NNS in|IN Science|NNP and|CC Nature|NNP were|VBD nearly|RB identical|JJ to|TO those|DT of|IN the|DT top|JJ 20|CD ecological|JJ journals|NNS .|. 
In|IN Science|NNP and|CC Nature|NNP ,|, Latin|NNP America|NNP had|VBD 7|CD %|NN of|IN the|DT publications|NNS within|IN the|DT Americas|NNPS versus|CC 6|CD %|NN in|IN the|DT top|JJ 20|CD ecological|JJ journals|NNS ,|, whereas|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS and|CC Canada|NNP had|VBD 81|CD %|NN versus|CC 82|CD %|NN and|CC 12|CD %|NN versus|CC 13|CD %|NN ,|, respectively|RB .|. 
These|DT similarities|NNS suggest|VBP that|IN the|DT Latin|NNP American|JJ researchers|NNS are|VBP not|RB shying|VBG away|RB from|IN the|DT two|CD top-ranked|JJ general|JJ science|NN journals|NNS .|. 
However|RB ,|, publishing|NN in|IN Science|NNP and|CC Nature|NNP was|VBD not|RB enough|RB to|TO gain|VB prominence|NN ,|, as|IN evidenced|VBN by|IN the|DT number|NN of|IN citations|NNS of|IN these|DT researchers|NNS .|. 
The|DT latest|JJS list|NN of|IN the|DT 247|CD most-cited|JJ researchers|NNS in|IN ecology|NN and|CC environmental|JJ sciences|NNS emphasizes|VBZ the|DT overwhelming|JJ contributions|NNS of|IN authors|NNS from|IN North|NNP America|NNP (|( 73|CD %|NN )|) and|CC Europe|NNP (|( 21|CD %|NN )|) (|( ISI|NNP 2001|CD b|SYM )|) .|. 
No|DT researcher|NN working|VBG in|IN a|DT Latin|NNP American|JJ institution|NN was|VBD included|VBN in|IN the|DT remaining|VBG 6|CD %|NN .|. 
Overall|RB ,|, these|DT data|NNS indicate|VBP that|IN the|DT scientific|JJ output|NN in|IN the|DT field|NN of|IN ecology|NN in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP is|VBZ having|VBG a|DT relatively|RB low|JJ impact|NN in|IN the|DT international|JJ scientific|JJ community|NN and|CC is|VBZ underrepresented|JJ in|IN the|DT top|JJ international|JJ journals|NNS ,|, despite|IN its|PRP$ robust|JJ productivity|NN as|IN measured|VBN by|IN the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS per|IN researcher|NN funding|NN amount|NN .|. 
Similar|JJ findings|NNS were|VBD also|RB reported|VBN for|IN Asia|NNP (|( Swinbanks|NNP et|CC al.|NN 1997|CD )|) and|CC thus|RB could|MD be|VB a|DT general|JJ phenomenon|NN in|IN the|DT developing|VBG world|NN .|. 
Although|IN there|EX are|VBP outstanding|JJ scientific|JJ researchers|NNS in|IN the|DT developing|VBG world|NN who|WP independently|RB are|VBP making|VBG important|JJ contributions|NNS to|TO the|DT international|JJ scientific|JJ community|NN ,|, they|PRP are|VBP the|DT exception|NN .|. 
Why|WRB ,|, in|IN general|JJ ,|, do|VBP Latin|NNP American|JJ scientists|NNS often|RB fail|VBP to|TO reach|VB the|DT top|JJ journals|NNS or|CC become|VB amongst|IN the|DT most|JJS cited|VBN researchers|NNS in|IN their|PRP$ fields|NNS ?|. 
One|CD possibility|NN is|VBZ that|IN the|DT main|JJ research|NN agendas|NNS between|IN both|DT regions|NNS are|VBP somewhat|RB different|JJ and|CC that|IN the|DT top|JJ journals|NNS ,|, which|WDT are|VBP published|VBN in|IN the|DT developed|JJ world|NN ,|, respond|VB more|JJR to|TO the|DT scientific|JJ mainstream|NN of|IN the|DT developed|JJ regions|NNS .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ not|RB to|TO suggest|VB any|DT sort|NN of|IN conspiracy|NN ,|, but|CC rather|RB it|PRP implies|VBZ that|IN the|DT perception|NN of|IN the|DT most|RBS important|JJ science|NN is|VBZ linked|VBN to|TO the|DT region|NN and|CC that|IN because|IN the|DT major|JJ funding|NN agencies|NNS as|RB well|RB as|IN most|JJS prominent|JJ journals|NNS share|VBP a|DT similar|JJ economic|JJ region|NN ,|, they|PRP also|RB share|VBP the|DT same|JJ perception|NN of|IN what|WP science|NN is|VBZ most|RBS interesting|JJ to|TO them|PRP .|. 
Another|DT consideration|NN is|VBZ that|IN more|RBR local|JJ journals|NNS from|IN developed|VBN regions|NNS are|VBP listed|VBN by|IN the|DT SCI|NNP than|IN similar|JJ journals|NNS from|IN developing|VBG regions|NNS (|( Gibbs|NNP 1995|CD )|) .|. 
Consequently|RB ,|, there|EX are|VBP more|RBR high-profile|JJ regional|JJ publication|NN opportunities|NNS available|JJ to|TO scientists|NNS from|IN the|DT developed|JJ region|NN ,|, whereas|IN much|JJ of|IN the|DT research|NN published|VBN locally|RB in|IN the|DT developing|VBG world|NN is|VBZ overlooked|VBN .|. 
But|CC it|PRP takes|VBZ more|JJR than|IN publishing|VBG good|JJ papers|NNS to|TO become|VB a|DT highly|RB cited|VBN scientist|NN .|. 
It|PRP requires|VBZ attending|VBG international|JJ meetings|NNS and|CC introducing|VBG novel|NN research|NN findings|NNS in|IN multiple|JJ scientific|JJ forums|NNS .|. 
Funding|NNP these|DT activities|NNS ,|, however|RB ,|, requires|VBZ a|DT greater|JJR proportion|NN of|IN research|NN money|NN being|VBG spent|VBN on|IN meetings|NNS for|IN researchers|NNS in|IN the|DT developing|VBG compared|VBN with|IN the|DT developed|JJ world|NN .|. 

A|DT Long|NNP Road|NNP Yet|RB to|TO Travel|NNP The|DT positive|JJ trends|NNS in|IN scientific|JJ productivity|NN in|IN Latin|NNP America|NNP should|MD not|RB be|VB misinterpreted|VBN as|IN a|DT reason|NN to|TO be|VB unconcerned|JJ about|IN the|DT existing|VBG gap|NN highlighted|VBN by|IN Mr.|NN Annan|NNP .|. 
There|EX are|VBP many|JJ compelling|JJ reasons|NNS for|IN the|DT push|NN to|TO increase|VB scientific|JJ input|NN from|IN the|DT developing|VBG world|NN (|( Goldemberg|NNP 1998|CD ;|: Annan|NNP 2003|CD )|) .|. 
One|CD is|VBZ that|DT science|NN ,|, as|IN a|DT discipline|NN ,|, would|MD benefit|VB from|IN the|DT contributions|NNS of|IN many|JJ disparate|JJ groups|NNS around|IN the|DT world|NN ,|, rather|RB than|IN being|VBG dominated|VBN by|IN two|CD geographic|JJ regions|NNS .|. 
Many|JJ scientific|JJ problems|NNS could|MD be|VB solved|VBN much|RB more|RBR readily|RB with|IN the|DT cooperation|NN and|CC scientific|JJ insight|NN of|IN scientists|NNS from|IN developing|VBG regions|NNS .|. 
Climate|NN change|NN and|CC biodiversity|NN research|NN ,|, for|IN example|NN ,|, urgently|RB need|VBP the|DT scientific|JJ input|NN from|IN those|DT developing|VBG regions|NNS that|WDT are|VBP so|RB important|JJ for|IN these|DT global|JJ processes|VBZ .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ also|RB critical|JJ for|IN the|DT developing|VBG world|NN to|TO promote|VB ,|, through|IN research|NN and|CC publications|NNS ,|, those|DT areas|NNS of|IN concern|NN that|WDT are|VBP having|VBG a|DT proportionally|RB greater|JJR scientific|JJ and|CC social|JJ impact|NN upon|IN them|PRP .|. 
There|EX are|VBP now|RB examples|NNS in|IN which|WDT research|NN on|IN priority|NN areas|NNS for|IN the|DT developing|VBG nations|NNS can|MD actually|RB become|VB pioneering|JJ work|NN in|IN areas|NNS neglected|VBN by|IN the|DT research|NN agenda|NN of|IN the|DT industrialized|JJ world|NN .|. 
This|DT has|VBZ been|VBN the|DT case|NN for|IN research|NN on|IN renewable|JJ energy|NN sources|NNS in|IN Brazil|NNP (|( Goldemberg|NNP 1998|CD )|) and|CC biomedical|JJ sciences|NNS in|IN Cuba|NNP (|( Castro|NNP Díaz-|NNP Balart|NNP 2002|CD )|) .|. 
These|DT examples|NNS are|VBP important|JJ not|RB only|RB for|IN those|DT regions|NNS of|IN the|DT developing|VBG world|NN ,|, but|CC are|VBP also|RB in|IN themselves|PRP scientific|JJ innovations|NNS that|WDT can|MD greatly|RB advance|VB the|DT knowledge|NN of|IN the|DT rest|NN of|IN the|DT world|NN .|. 

Climate|NN change|NN and|CC biodiversity|NN research|NN urgently|RB need|VBP the|DT scientific|JJ input|NN from|IN those|DT developing|VBG regions|NNS that|WDT are|VBP so|RB important|JJ for|IN global|JJ processes|VBZ .|. 
Although|IN the|DT evidence|NN presented|VBN here|RB demonstrates|VBZ that|IN there|EX is|VBZ a|DT long|JJ way|NN to|TO go|VB before|IN developing|VBG countries|NNS contribute|VBP a|DT more|RBR equitable|JJ share|NN to|TO the|DT international|JJ scientific|JJ community|NN ,|, there|EX are|VBP also|RB reasons|VBZ to|TO be|VB optimistic|JJ .|. 
The|DT relative|JJ increase|NN in|IN the|DT number|NN of|IN publications|NNS ,|, especially|RB when|WRB corrected|VBN for|IN the|DT amount|NN of|IN money|NN available|JJ in|IN research|NN and|CC development|NN ,|, demonstrates|VBZ that|IN many|JJ developing|NN countries|NNS are|VBP heading|VBG in|IN the|DT right|JJ direction|NN .|. 
The|DT extremely|RB high|JJ scientific|JJ productivity|NN of|IN many|JJ developing|NN nations|NNS ,|, corrected|VBN for|IN and|CC despite|IN the|DT rather|RB limited|JJ availability|NN of|IN funds|NNS ,|, suggests|VBZ that|WDT increased|VBD funding|NN to|TO the|DT sciences|NNS will|MD be|VB an|DT excellent|JJ investment|NN by|IN developing|VBG nations|NNS in|IN terms|NNS of|IN publications|NNS as|IN a|DT measure|NN of|IN scientific|JJ output|NN ,|, particularly|RB if|IN these|DT publications|NNS can|MD target|VB the|DT journals|NNS that|WDT have|VBP the|DT greatest|JJS impact|NN .|. 
Although|IN there|EX may|MD still|RB be|VB a|DT long|JJ road|NN to|TO travel|VB ,|, we|PRP feel|VBP optimistic|JJ that|IN the|DT bridges|NNS mentioned|VBN by|IN Mr.|NN Annan|NNP are|VBP slowly|RB being|VBG built|VBN .|. 

