  Scalar-tensor theories of gravity are natural phenomenological alternatives
to General Relativity, where the gravitational interaction is mediated by a
scalar degree of freedom, besides the usual tensor gravitons. In regions of the
parameter space of these theories where constraints from both solar system
experiments and binary-pulsar observations are satisfied, we show that binaries
of neutron stars present marked differences from General Relativity in both the
late-inspiral and merger phases. In particular, phenomena related to the
spontaneous scalarization of isolated neutron stars take place in the late
stages of the evolution of binary systems, with important effects in the
ensuing dynamics. We comment on the relevance of our results for the upcoming
Advanced LIGO/Virgo detectors.
