SciDev.Net

A round up of articles about delays in shipping donated vaccine, how to define a pandemic, new antivirals, and more.

Scientists must lobby policymakers and politicians to ensure that vital research on maternal and child health saves lives, say the authors of a report.

The Pan American Health Organization has proposed to reduce poverty in a bid to tackle chronic diseases.

MRI scans could transform scientists' understanding of cerebral malaria but the technology is barely used, say researchers

Pork tapeworm is responsible for almost a third of epileptic fits, researchers say.

Millions of children are missing out on the fruits of an explosion in vaccine development because they are too difficult to reach.

A Nobel Prize winner has called for global rollout of vaccines that protect against cervical cancer — a big killer in the developing world.

A round-up of articles about the unexpected success of single-dose vaccines, vaccine distribution to developing countries, and more.

In Guatemala the US commercial trade rules on intellectual property have reduced access to some generic drugs, says a study.

National maps revealing drug shortages have been created by getting locals to text their discoveries to an online mapping system.

Brazil's strategy for tackling HIV/AIDS — including the production of generic drugs — is an example to the developing world, say researchers.

A round-up of articles about using alternatives to antivirals to fight swine flu, making vaccine available to poor nations and mapping risk.

The huge burden of chronic diseases in developing countries could be cut by an alliance of agencies teaming up for research.

An experimental drug promises to ease the pain of sickle cell anaemia — but first it must be made affordable.

The WHO says it is investigating ways of ensuring that developing countries get access to future vaccines against swine flu.

Vaccine production is likely to be confined to a handful of developed countries whose order books will be full, say critics.

A survey in Brazil shows that most of the physicians and medical students accept the vaccination against human papilloma virus for girls.

A pilot programme aiming to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV has reduced infection in babies from 27 to nine per cent.

GlaxoSmithKline's change in neglected disease policy — offering patents, research facilities and low drug prices — has not pleased everyone.

Poverty and lack of scientific information are the main factors for blindness in Republic Dominican, says a study.