SciDev.Net

Africa must act to tackle water crisis, says report

A report released at the 2nd Africa Water Week warns that climate change is putting the continent's water resources at risk.

NEWS | 17 November 2009 | EN

Himalayan glaciers 'not shrinking rapidly'

An Indian report rejects the consensus view that the Himalayan glaciers are shrinking rapidly — sparking controversy.

NEWS | 16 November 2009 | EN | 中文

Cholera outbreaks depend on river flow, say scientists

The speed and volume of river flow shape the severity of cholera outbreaks, a Bangladeshi study has found.

NEWS | 13 November 2009 | EN

Food security in East Africa 'within reach'

East Africa must adopt alternative farming techniques to combat the crop losses projected for 2050, a study says.

NEWS | 13 November 2009 | EN

Africa facing climate data shortage

African countries lack data on the effect climate change will have on water supplies, scientists said at Africa Water Week.

NEWS | 11 November 2009 | EN

Indian arsenic clean-up 'working well'

Researchers say that a chemical-free arsenic decontamination method is proving successful in an Indian village.

NEWS | 16 October 2009 | EN

Benin farmers unite against effects of climate change

Local knowledge forms the backbone of a programme in Benin that aims to help farmers adapt to the effects of climate change.

NEWS | 13 October 2009 | EN | FR

Drought-hardy maize ready for field trials

South African researchers will soon begin field trials of a variety of maize capable of withstanding extreme dehydration.

NEWS | 6 October 2009 | EN

Thirsty eucalyptus trees get the chop in Kenya

Farmers in drought-stricken Kenya are uprooting imported eucalyptus species that were planted near water sources.

NEWS | 30 September 2009 | EN

Uniting drylands research could halt looming crisis

Scientists have urged the UN's desertification convention to unite research on land degradation and so convince policymakers to take action.

NEWS | 28 September 2009 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Global warming could increase negative effects of El Niño

Global warming may affect the central Pacific El Niño, increasing its occurrence and leading to severe droughts in India.

NEWS | 25 September 2009 | EN

Millions at risk of flooding as river deltas sink

River deltas across the world are sinking, leaving millions of people exposed to the risk of severe flooding.

NEWS | 24 September 2009 | EN

More time to unravel the African monsoon

Research that has enrichened understanding of the African monsoon will be extended for another decade.

NEWS | 11 September 2009 | EN | FR

Air pollution cutting China's 'vital' rain

China's air pollution could be damaging its agriculture as scientists find aerosols reduce the amount of light rain.

NEWS | 7 September 2009 | EN | 中文

Study pours cold water on solar disinfection

A study of SODIS, a much-advocated way of purifying water by sunlight alone, indicates that lab results do not yet hold up in the field

NEWS | 31 August 2009 | EN | ES

'Snorkel' genes help stop rice drowning

Researchers have found two genes which help rice survive long-term flooding, raising the possibility of higher yields in flood-prone areas.

NEWS | 20 August 2009 | EN

Asian irrigation must be revitalised, warns report

Unless old water systems are modernised, Asian countries will have to import "politically untenable" amounts of food.

NEWS | 18 August 2009 | EN

Thirsty Indian farming depleting water resources

Six years of satellite data have shown that some Indian regions are using water supplies faster than they are being replenished.

NEWS | 13 August 2009 | EN

Caution urged over cloud seeding

Cloud seeding to increase rainfall — proven to work in Australia — may not be the answer for all developing countries, warn scientists.

NEWS | 6 August 2009 | EN

Mexico harnesses nanotech for clean water

A new research project headed up by Mexico will use nanotechnology and biotechnology for water purification.

NEWS | 29 July 2009 | ES