SciDev.net News

SciDev.Net

• War of words on climate link to African strife
  A study disputing the idea that climate change will increase war in Africa has provoked a spat between researchers.
  
  
• Vietnam and China to boost agricultural ties with Africa
  Vietnam and China have pushed for more agricultural collaboration with African countries at separate meetings.
  
  
• Islam Analysis: Promoting scientific collaboration
  Scientific cooperation in the Islamic world needs more than secure funding — a compelling set of projects is also essential, says Athar Osama.
  
  
• African Union science awards to change name
  The AU Scientific Awards will change its name in an effort to celebrate Ghanaian leader Kwame Nkrumah and boost the prizes' profile.
  
  
• Low Chilean R&D figures spur government action
• Paraguay to set up biosafety committee
  Government authorities and international organisations will set up a technical committee to approve or reject GMO crop requests
  
  
• Costa Rica to provide Internet access to all its schools
  Costa Rica plans to provide broadband Internet access to all its public schools in the next 4 years with funds from mobile phone operators.
  
  
• Pakistan flood data wasted, say critics
  Scientists have amassed and processed plenty of data on the Pakistan floods, but there are bottlenecks to its use downstream, say scientists.
  
  
• 'Exciting' new odour sensors found in malaria mosquitoes
  Scientists have identified new scent receptors in mosquitoes that could help develop more agents to lure, repel and kill the insects.
  
  
• New maize could prepare farmers for climate change
  Maize productivity could soar with new drought-tolerant maize varieties as adverse climatic changes loom.
  
  
• Vaccine proves effective against hepatitis E
  Clinical trials of a new hepatitis E vaccine, developed in China, suggest it is safe and effective in healthy adults.
  
  
• Could self-vaccinating cattle cut disease?
  Scientists in Malaysia are testing a live vaccine that spreads among cattle, protecting against a devastating disease.
  
  
• Indonesia, US team up for biodiversity research centre
  A centre for Indonesian biodiversity has been set up with funding from the US, as part of a science partnership between the two nations.
  
  
• Maximising Africa's bioenergy potential
  African bioenergy projects must focus on new technologies and receive stronger political support, says biofuel expert Emile van Zyl.
  
  
• Maize disease threatens to devastate East Africa
  Rough dwarf maize disease, not previously reported in Africa, is devastating crops but there is little money to research it.
  
  
• Pakistan's science minister attacks funding cuts
  Pakistan's science budget has been cut by more than a third compared with last year, with several ministries that fund science affected.
  
  
• Brazilian newspapers bring science to their front pages
  The presence of S&T news on the front page of three Brazilian newspapers refutes the idea that the subject does not interest the press, says a study.
  
  
• New nuclear tech 'could benefit developing countries'
  Developing countries could be part of a global 'nuclear renaissance', with modular and efficient reactor technologies being developed.
  
  
• African Union 'would consider taking on UNESCO-Obiang science prize'
  The African Union would accept an application to consider taking on the controversial life sciences award, but a clear plan has yet to emerge.
  
  
• Science education in Haiti 'must be reinvented'
  Haiti should reinvent its education system to gear it towards science, experts have said, at a science policy meeting in Puerto Rico.