Hearing and sight impaired mobile phone users could benefit from a texting application based on Morse code.

South African researchers have developed an open-source mobile phone application to assist with water quality monitoring.

Planet Under Pressure speakers said developing countries should be included in decisions about climate change technology 'fixes'.

African policymakers and farmers stand to benefit from an innovative tool to provide integrated data on agriculture, ecosystems and human well-being.

The first online academic database for research from the Arab world is now open to subscribers.

More data on new species from biodiversity hotspots will be freely available online from the Encyclopedia of Life.

The World Meteorological Organization is offering improved access to data for decision-makers in developing countries.

A review of experimental GM insect releases points to 'scientific deficiencies' and lack of openness in regulatory approvals.

Access to the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia will be free from mobile phones for Orange customers in Africa and the Middle East.

Indian initiative toward open access wins laurels, despite lacklustre government support.

Scientists have built a database for schistosomiasis in Africa, which they are putting forward as a model for a global neglected disease tool.

An Eye on Earth Declaration and a set of Special Initiatives target next year’s major international conference on sustainable development.

UNESCO has launched a website that will collect information on the status of open access to scientific information across the world.

Science research organisations called for a code of conduct on the ethical practice of science at last week's World Science Forum.

An initiative launched by major patent holders will improve access to neglected disease research, but only 49 countries will freely benefit.

A step towards formalising the ethical responsibilities of scientists has been taken at a global assembly of scientific organisations.

Improving the capacity of developing countries to use data from remote sensing and other sources is the remit of a new UN expert committee.

The number of people hunting the web for 'dengue' reflects the number of cases, researchers have shown, so outbreaks can be tracked online.

A study that claims open access papers are cited no more than paid-for ones has been met with resistance by researchers.

India plans to make a portion of its indigenous knowledge library open access, to enable the development of drugs for diseases of the poor.