SciDev.Net

Twenty-five years after TWAS was set up, Yojana Sharma examines whether it is any nearer to achieving its ambitious goals

Jacob Palis, president of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, talks about shared responsibility and a rosy future for South–South research collaboration.

The Gulf States are investing in radical initiatives to strengthen science but results are not guaranteed, reports Waleed Al-Shobakky.

Plagued by debt and insufficient funding, Chinese universities struggle to rank alongside the world's best, write Hao Xin and Dennis Normile.

Biofuel holds promise for Africa but research is not yet in place to fully reap the rewards, or analyse the pitfalls, reports Kimani Chege.

The rapid growth of technology parks in the Arab world has so far created more expectations than outcomes, reports Waleed Al-Shobakky.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference is reforming its science programme. But will change lead to better science? Wagdy Sawahel and Ehsan Masood report.

Scientists are battling to stop damage and death caused by lightning strikes in the developing world, reports Anuradha Alahakoon.

India's new Ministry of Earth Sciences is leading ocean exploration and science in the Indian and Southern Oceans, reports K. S. Jayaraman.

Nigerian scientists are hoping that the new president's science background will prioritise science for development. Semiu Babalola reports.

Michael Malakata reports on efforts to fight hunger in Africa by preserving seeds and boosting research into improved crop varieties.

Two HIV research centres in South Africa are producing vital science, but with almost no collaboration between them, reports Michael Cherry.

India has proposed a monitoring network for environmental change on a regional and global scale, report P. V. Sundareshwar and colleagues.

Qatar is building an education, science and technology infrastructure at record speed — but not without friction, reports Waleed al-Shobakky.

Khotso Mokhele, former leader of South Africa's National Research Foundation, talks to Michael Cherry about the state of science in South Africa.

Science journalism in the developing world is hindered by a lack of support and resources for journalists, reports Mike Shanahan.

Israeli-Palestinian scientific cooperation persists despite an unstable political atmosphere in the region, reports Nadia El-Awady.

John Bohannon reports on efforts to bridge the divide between science and religion in Iran.

South Africa's physics community has mirrored the country's move from apartheid to liberation, and is now working hard to attract fresh talent. Christina Scott reports.

India's particle physics laboratory in Indore is doing leading-edge research and development at home and in collaboration with leading international partners, writes David Harris.