Space programmes can assist development work but are they taking cash better spent on ground-based efforts? Talent Ng'andwe investigates.

In the upcoming elections, a political party representing science aims to retain its seat and continue to influence policy, reports Crispin Maslog.

Researchers hope to benefit users in developing nations by turning 'feature' phones into virtual smartphones, finds Jan Piotrowski.

Drones could be used to deliver medicines and protect vulnerable people, but major hurdles remain, finds Rodrigo de Oliveira Andrade.

The University of the South Pacific's massive catchment may mean less research cash, but its science helps the region, reports Anne Moorhead.

Financial disagreement has halted a controversial deep-sea mining project but deeper issues lie with the environment, Prime Sarmiento reports.

SciDev.Net brings you a selection of the best feature articles of 2012 curated by our editors in London.

Research collaborations between Europe and South-East Asia are increasing, but critics say regional initiatives must start producing practical outcomes.

Indigenous knowledge and science often seem poles apart, but meshing them can curb disaster risk, reports Smriti Mallapaty.

Lucy Pearson looks at early warning systems for disasters, their uses and limits, and what accounts for the gap between warning and action.

Science and education were poorly served by Myanmar's military junta and are still struggling for attention under recent reforms, writes Mike Ives.

Making access to science a human right is a worthy goal, but how can it be enshrined? And will it really deliver? Jan Piotrowski investigates.

S. Romi Mukherjee outlines human rights-based approaches to science, technology and development, and what they mean for policy and practice.

Innovations in relief technologies are vital in the world's complex conflict zones. But there are barriers to overcome, writes Imogen Mathers.

With China controlling most of valuable rare-earth mineral supplies, India makes a strategic move to back exploration off its own coast, writes Paula Park.

How will science and technology fare at the Rio+20 summit? Aisling Irwin looks at scientists' demands and assesses their chances.

Adrian Smith and colleagues explore grassroots innovations, their potential for development and challenges facing practitioners.

SciDev.Net reporters across the developing world describe exciting initiatives aimed at supporting innovation in local communities and remote areas.

As commercial synthetic biology production gathers speed, there are growing calls for greater regulation, reports Yojana Sharma.