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Sub-Saharan Africa

Editorials

Here is a list of the latest articles

Earth from space

How not to move forward on achieving sustainability

A new intergovernmental panel would not be the best way of tackling the multifaceted challenges of sustainable development.

10 February 2012 | EN | ES | 中文

Algerian journalists

Even 'bad science' needs putting in context

Science journalists must help to root out misleading scientific claims, but not without sensitivity to culture and the limitations of science.

13 January 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Politician, Uganda

Policymakers need a better understanding of science

A Ugandan report suggests that policymakers' interest in science and technology is growing. But they need support to turn it into action.

16 December 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Journalist conducts interview in Sri Lanka

SciDev.Net: ten years in science for development

SciDev.Net celebrates its tenth anniversary this week — a chance to reflect on a decade of achievement, and the challenges that lie ahead.

1 December 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Climate sceptics get less press in developing countries

Sustainable innovation: the key to global development

Next year's Rio+20 meeting must put science-based innovation at the heart of the development agenda. But the real battle will be political.

11 November 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Christina Scott

Christina Scott

Christina Scott, champion of science journalism across Africa, has died.

1 November 2011 | EN | ES | FR

Child receiving oral polio vaccine in Kano, Nigeria

Polio eradication: learn from setbacks and press ahead

The world is close to eradicating polio, but countries need consistent vigilance — including informed media coverage — to reach this goal.

28 October 2011 | EN | 中文

Mother and child under malaria bednet, Ghana

Eradicating disease: an ambitious but energising goal

Focussing on the steps needed to eradicate malaria, not just control it, can broaden and stimulate support for health research agendas.

14 October 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Japanese rescue team helps save elderly man

Nuclear power: look before you leap

The Fukushima accident raised questions that must be addressed by developing countries considering nuclear energy.

28 September 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Girl selling bananas, Uganda

Uganda should rethink its decision on World Bank funding

Millennium Science Initiative funding has produced an impressive range of projects in Uganda. The government is wrong to bring it to an end.

16 September 2011 | EN | FR | 中文

Journalist interviewing Nobel Prize Laureate,Wangari Maathai

Who and where are the science journalists?

We need more information about science journalists in the developing world, and what they need to develop their skills.

2 September 2011 | EN | ES | 中文

Using social media on a smartphone

Social media: don't shoot the messaging service

The recent riots in the United Kingdom have shown the dark side of social media. But we must avoid heavy restrictions on their use.

19 August 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Woman in teashop, Somaliland

Famine response needs better science communication

The Horn of Africa drought exposes the continuing gap between our ability to predict disaster and to take effective humanitarian action.

22 July 2011 | EN | ES | 中文

Three women sit in a lecture

Women in science: still an untapped resource

Developing countries will benefit from creating more opportunities that allow women to make full use of their scientific capabilities.

22 June 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

A researcher in the bio lab

R&D survey is a chance to move African science forward

African countries now have a snapshot of their science spending. They should use it to improve policy and address development priorities.

27 May 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Biotech lab

The GM debate is about more than biosafety

Biosafety is important, but so is ensuring that GM crops benefit the rural poor and that decisions are based on sound science.

28 April 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Open Access

Open access: not just about citations

Focusing on the 'citation advantage' of open access misses its value in getting science information in the hands of those who need it.

15 April 2011 | EN | ES

Time to make agricultural research a top priority

Recent protests over food prices underline a key message from a new report about the potential dangers of neglecting agricultural research.

28 January 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Communication: a responsibility of all scientists

The scientific community should commit to communication as an integral part of a researcher's professional role.

31 December 2010 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Small tech with big promise for healthcare

Nanotechnology for health should not suffer the same fate as GM — potential health and environmental hazards should be monitored and regulated early on.

24 November 2010 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

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