SciDev.Net

Encouraging the spread of probiotic foods that promote healthy gut bacteria could help developing countries tackle obesity, says Kingsley Anukam.

The developing world needs 'big projects, not small ideas' — and nuclear power is a viable and necessary solution, argues Marje Hecht.

Developing countries need global reform as well as focused aid to beat poverty, argues Paul Collins of War on Want.

Warea Orapa says that tilapia fish — hailed as a method of controlling mosquitoes — can cause damage when introduced into new ecosysems.

There is little resistance to the pesticide pyrethrum at present, but use in bednets could change this, says Christiaan Kooyman.

The recent Hib vaccine study makes flawed and expensive recommendations for resource-poor countries, writes Jacob M. Puliyel.

Alexander Boksenberg argues that the unique potential of UNESCO's science strategies is substantial.

Camille Gonsalves argues that far from proving problematic, Bt cotton has been a financial and environmental boon for Indian farmers.

Jobin Kurien and Biji Kurien suggest raising awareness and hygiene could stem the growth of dengue fever and chikungunya.

Philip Bedford counters claims that planned trials of a Japanese encephalitis vaccine in India are unsafe.

Cristobal Valencia Ramirez describes Venezuela's take on innovation and enterprise, pointing out that its policies have been in place for at least five years.

Sam Lanfranco argues that the fame of the One Laptop Per Child initiative has prevented more worthy initiatives from receiving the media attention they deserve.

Wagdy Sawahel argues that it is not Islam, but Muslim leaders and policymakers who are to blame for the lack of scientific progress in the Islamic world.

Unlike Britain's Royal Society, Indian science academies are strong supporters of open access publishing, says Subbiah Arunachalam.

Although India does need to improve undergraduate science education, they can only achieve this by investing in postgraduates, argues Shishir Thadani.

Nita Mawar says that to spur progress, India should focus on nurturing its scientists and holding their research in open-access archives.

S. Nair says the money generated from laboratory services does not necessarily feedback into supporting Indian science.

Ranjana Smetacek says that safety tests carried out on GM cotton before its approval in India were more rigorous than a recent study implied.

Subbiah Arunachalam believes developing countries should ensure open access to their own scientific research, rather than spend money importing foreign journals.