SciDev.Net

A weather station network across South Asia is part of an India-led drive for locally produced climate change data.

The United Arab Emirates is soon to send its first earth-observation satellite into space, and hopes the venture will boost its development.

Climate change and space research — particularly missions to the moon — have received large chunks of funding in the new Indian budget.

A project connecting African hospitals and universities with their Indian counterparts via satellite will be expanded this year.

NASA has developed an improved cyclone prediction method that could plug data gaps and increase warning times in vulnerable regions.

China should calculate the amount of water lost from farms through evaporation to combat water scarcity in the country, says the World Bank.

The Venezuelan science minister has announced that 90 researchers will get their PhD in space technology in China, as part of a strategy to improve human resources in the sector.

Efforts to assess and map the quality of Africa's soils to enhance food production have been boosted by a US$18 million grant.

Nigeria's communications satellite has broken down, dashing hopes of digital outreach to rural communities.

Venezuela has launched a satellite that will contribute to telemedicine and education, and offer access to the country's rural areas.

Scientists have found that satellite imagery archives like Google Earth provide an inexpensive method for mapping diseases such as dengue.

A new satellite system to provide high-speed Internet access to people in developing countries by 2010 is under construction.

Brazil is set to launch a satellite, carrying a British-made high-tech camera, in 2011 for various applications including environmental observation.

India has increased its science spending by 16 per cent, including a massive rise in funds for manned space missions.

A round up of news from or about South Asia for the period 1–17 February 2008.

Resumen de noticias sobre el sur de Asia para el período del 16 al 30 de enero.

Africa and the European Union have included a science and technology partnership in their joint action plan.

The UN Environment Programme has launched a panel that will advise governments on the sustainable use of natural resources.

South Africa is training bright youngsters in preparation for the potential establishment of the Square Kilometre Array project.

India is to establish a new centre for climate change research to help model climate change — but new satellites are vital for success.