Existing call-data records can be analysed to improve decision-making, say Paul van der Boor and Amy Wesolowski.

International bodies are offering true research opportunities, but African funding is needed to prepare the ground, writes Linda Nordling.

In addition to programmes for training abroad, Latin America needs measures and organisations for the promotion of science, writes Carla Almeida.

Entrepreneurial initiatives to provide vital jobs must adjust to the tough enterprise environment or risk underperforming, says Athar Osama.

Donors must work with African countries to provide crucial science infrastructure, argues S&T policy scholar Nicholas Michael Bashour.

Africa's ever-improving climate change data need to be put to better use if they are to help farmers and avert disasters, says Linda Nordling.

As the Obama administration begins a second term, USAID's Alex Dehgan describes how the agency will build on its science-for-development agenda.

A UN report's failure to showcase software successes among Islamic nations shows the need for greater self-promotion, argues Athar Osama.

A successful model for making more out of physics for development is ready to roll out to others, writes Dipali Bhatt-Chauhan.

A six-country assessment shows how women's inclusion in science should be supported, write gender experts Sophia Huyer and Nancy Hafkin.

Developing countries deserve more support for their efforts to prioritise climate change in development, writes climate expert Simon Anderson.

The US development agency looks set to build on its 'development science' efforts during Barack Obama's second term, writes David Dickson.

To engage people in early action we must understand their experience, behaviour and constraints, says disaster policy expert Andrew Collins.

Dialogue enables scientists and communities to work with uncertain information, say humanitarian policy experts Emma Visman and colleagues.

Cuba's early warning approach holds lessons for other countries, write disaster risk reduction specialists Veronica F. Grasso and José Rubiera.

Scientific research in India needs to integrate better with rural development issues, say Rajeswari S. Raina and Kasturi Mandal.

Aid agencies and international research funders have a role in supporting Africa's nascent national science funds, writes Linda Nordling.

Pakistan's 'open access instrumentation' initiative can be replicated in other developing countries, opines Atta-ur-Rahman.

Earthquake science was not on trial in Italy — it was about inadequate information and participation in decision-making, says Carina Fearnley.