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Microscopes made from paper, giant rats detecting landmines and ‘plant sticks’ that could filter bacteria from water are just some of the news articles on SciDev.Net’s most read list this year. Based on the number of views they received, here is our countdown of the top ten news articles of 2014.

10.

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Brazil approves GM mosquito that could cut dengue
The firm behind the transgenic insect plans to apply for a licence to sell the strain to local government bodies.

9.

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Stick filters out ‘99 per cent’ of bacteria from water
New technology based on plant tissue called xylem may help provide safer drinking water, says a study..

8.

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Top development journals dominated by Northern scholars
Fewer than 15 per cent of papers in ten elite journals had authors from the developing world, a study finds.

7.

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Citizen scientists pitch new uses for paper microscope
Plan to give away thousands of ‘Foldscopes’ to come up with novel uses for them sees ‘phenomenal’ response.

6.

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Interest grows in unusual Egyptian method of mosquito control
Two African nations are keen on the process, which uses sunlight and chlorophyll powder to kill mosquito larvae.

5.

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Indigenous mountain farmers unite on climate change
Farmers from indigenous mountain communities have formed a network to facilitate seed exchange and share knowledge.

4.

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Google Earth enables remote tracking of fish catches
Governments could use the free program to monitor fishing in their waters more accurately, say experts.

3.

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Research is ‘no panacea’ for development, finds DFID
Common assumptions about its impact are not backed up by the evidence, says a UK development department report.

2.

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‘Highly influential’ scientists still rare in the developing world
The Highly Cited Researchers list has few in developing countries, but tends to miss practical, applied science.

1.

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Giant rats race to eliminate landmines from Mozambique
A charity is using the rodents to sniff out mines and assist efforts to meet a treaty deadline to clear them.

What were your favourite stories this year? Let us know in the comments below.