Scientists have flagged up the poor quality of livestock data in Africa at a progress briefing of a project that aims to change that.

A dispute over a fresh deal to allow the least developed nations to bypass intellectual property rights could hit development efforts.

A multitasking microchip that can test blood samples for diseases including malaria and sleeping sickness has been launched in Singapore.

Latin American governments are contesting plans by US firms Amazon and Patagonia to take charge of new geographic Internet domains.

Feral goats and green iguanas introduced to small Pacific island states are destroying ecosystems and native wildlife, find studies.

An atlas of a key natural resource, Africa's soil, aims to give people outside the science world insight into its importance and management.

Better data and governance of global water resources are called for in a bid to get water security into the post-2015 development goals.

Scientists must partner with development actors and local communities to safeguard important plants.

A study in Peru has proposed to implement best engineering practices to reduce environmental damage from oil exploitation in the Amazon.

A study reveals a link between urbanisation and malaria, raising hope that cities sprouting in developing nations will help reduce malaria.

A high-ranking civil servant says Kenya's ban on importing genetically modified organisms is unscientific, lacks legal status — and is ineffective.

A cheap vaccine developed in India against rotavirus could add substantially to protection against diarrhoea.

Muslim countries have failed to deliver on agreements to boost research spending and collaboration, their academicians claim.

The boom in rice growing in Benin has also led to more infestation of stored rice by pests, which is causing losses of hundreds of millions of francs.

Toxic nanoparticle treatment of ponds of farmed fish could be made safe by embedding in into water filters, find scientists in Iran.

Urgent action is needed to head off a cancer epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean, warns an international group of specialists.

GM-produced artemisinin is deemed to be comparable in quality to the plant-derived version, but should be cheaper to produce.

Argentinean companies and cooperatives have launched a free-software initiative to help develop products for public and private sectors.

A new bill aims to encourage science communication to the public and educational institutions in Mexico.