SciDev.Net

Combining satellite data with mobile phones offers cheap and effective tools for managing fires, says South African scientist Philip Frost.

Disaster management needs constellations of satellites with multispectral sensors, says Indian space researcher, Ranganath Navalgund.

Kenyan MP and remote sensing expert, Wilbur Ottichilo, argues the time is ripe for using satellites to spot developing African droughts.

Volcano expert Geoff Wadge explains how the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters helped manage a volcanic eruption in Montserrat.

Africans need to be more aware of earthquakes to cope with disasters — and there's no better place to start than in schools, says Chris Hartnady.

Everyone — from scientists to the public — has a role to play in preparing for earthquakes, says a Nature editorial.

Nanotechnology must be effectively shared with stakeholders if it's to deliver clean water, say Thembela Hillie and Mbhuti Hlophe.

Engineering a useable product is the key to making nanotechnology work for water treatment, says Ashok Raichur.

Developing world businesses must invest in nanotech research and development for clean water to stay ahead, says Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb.

Developing countries are making good progress on nanotech for clean water, say Paulo Sergio de Paula Herrmann Jr. and José Antônio Brum.

Emerging nanotech for purifying water at this stage should be regulated with existing laws, say Malini Balakrishnan and Nidhi Srivastava.

Strengthening astronomy in poor nations can help promote socio-economic development, says South African astronomer, Kevindran Govender.

Nanotechnology should be used to develop Cuban pharmaceutical products to prevent them being pushed out of the market, warns an expert.

Africa must make it easy to access and share geo-spatial information, says head of South Africa's mapping organisation, Derek Clarke.

Mobile phones can improve health services and provide help for displaced patients during political crises, say Richard Lester and Sarah Karanja.

Technology transfer is central to translating nanotechnology research into benefits for society, says Bai Chunli.

Physics is important for sustainable economic growth, says physicist Reza Mansouri.

Investing in detailed maps of potential cyclone damage will save lives in Indian Ocean countries, says Shishir Dube.

Improved forecasting and mitigation strategies are essential to limiting the damage caused by tropical cyclones, says Peter J. Webster.

Kenya should establish a nanotechnology curriculum to get ahead of the game, say Macharia Waruingi and Jean Njoroge.