20/12/16

Our top 10 most popular pieces of 2016

Copyright: Jon Spaul

By: Shae Harmon

We encourage you to republish this article online and in print, it’s free under our creative commons attribution license, but please follow some simple guidelines:

You have to credit our authors.
You have to credit SciDev.Net — where possible include our logo with a link back to the original article.
You can simply run the first few lines of the article and then add: “Read the full article on SciDev.Net” containing a link back to the original article.
If you want to also take images published in this story you will need to confirm with the original source if you're licensed to use them.
The easiest way to get the article on your site is to embed the code below.

For more information view our media page and republishing guidelines.

The full article is available here as HTML.

Press Ctrl-C to copy

<div class="article-wrap">
<div id="article-introduction">
<h1>Our top 10 most popular pieces of 2016</h1>
<h4>By: Shae Harmon</h4>
</div>
<br />
<br />

<div id="article-body">
<div>
	An image gallery of robots that manage waste, a Spotlight opinion on practical ways to fight mental health stigma and a data visualisation about mapping blindness are all among key articles included in our 2016 round up of most viewed pieces on SciDev.Net:</p>
<hr />
<p></p>
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
<h2>
			<a href="https://www.scidev.net/publishing/practical-guide/advance-career-science.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="practical_guide_science_achievement.jpg" fileid="9871E07F-F373-4634-BFE82EE6F4B77F1A" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/practical_guide_science_achievement.jpg" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;font-family: CaeciliaCom-55Roman, TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: 13px;" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="practical_guide_science_achievement.jpg" fileid="9871E07F-F373-4634-BFE82EE6F4B77F1A" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/practical_guide_science_achievement.jpg" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;font-family: CaeciliaCom-55Roman, TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: 13px;" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="practical_guide_science_achievement.jpg" fileid="9871E07F-F373-4634-BFE82EE6F4B77F1A" height="120" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/practical_guide_science_achievement.jpg" style="font-family: CaeciliaCom-55Roman, TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: 13px;" width="180" /></noscript></noscript></a></h2>
</figure>
<p>
		<span style="font-family: 'AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103', 'Arial Black', san-serif; line-height: 15px;">10. <a href="https://www.scidev.net/publishing/practical-guide/advance-career-science.html"><font face="AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103, Arial Black, san-serif"><span style="line-height: 15px;">How to advance your career in science</span></font></a></span></p>
<p>
		How do you get on the right path in your scientific career? Here we’ve distilled advice and tips from researchers.</p>
<p>		 </p>
<hr />
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
<h2>
			<a href="https://www.scidev.net/farming/data-visualisation/africas-best-bean.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="beans_image_main.jpg" fileid="F291DC97-24BC-4076-962549FCDB30729A" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/beans_image_main.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="beans_image_main.jpg" fileid="F291DC97-24BC-4076-962549FCDB30729A" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/beans_image_main.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="beans_image_main.jpg" fileid="F291DC97-24BC-4076-962549FCDB30729A" height="120" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/beans_image_main.jpg" width="180" /></noscript></noscript></a></h2>
</figure>
<p>
		<span style="font-family: 'AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103', 'Arial Black', san-serif; line-height: 15px;">9. <a href="https://www.scidev.net/farming/data-visualisation/africas-best-bean.html"><font face="AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103, Arial Black, san-serif"><span style="line-height: 15px;">Science meets farming to reveal Africa's best bean</span></font></a></span></p>
<p>
		As climate change hits home, the race is on to find beans that can withstand random weather patterns. <br />
		 </p>
<hr />
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
<h2>
			<a href="https://www.scidev.net/farming/news/scientists-fight-deadly-banana-fungus.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="banana_market.jpg" fileid="63FE6633-D29D-4F1C-BE90D9A621C78B51" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/banana_market.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="banana_market.jpg" fileid="63FE6633-D29D-4F1C-BE90D9A621C78B51" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/banana_market.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="banana_market.jpg" fileid="63FE6633-D29D-4F1C-BE90D9A621C78B51" height="120" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/banana_market.jpg" width="180" /></noscript></noscript></a></h2>
</figure>
<p>
		<span style="font-family: 'AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103', 'Arial Black', san-serif; line-height: 15px;">8. <a href="https://www.scidev.net/farming/news/scientists-fight-deadly-banana-fungus.html"><font face="AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103, Arial Black, san-serif"><span style="line-height: 15px;">Scientists race to halt banana catastrophe</span></font></a></span></p>
<p>
		The Tropical Race 4 fungus is killing this vital crop in Asia, the Middle East and Mozambique.<br />
		 </p>
<hr />
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
<h2>
			<a href="https://www.scidev.net/gender/analysis-blog/periods-menstrual-hygiene-humanitarian-response.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="girls_queue_to_use_the_toilet_facilities_at_the_unity_primary.jpg" fileid="AF26B2B1-7EC8-482A-BBB91794819E9B83" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/girls_queue_to_use_the_toilet_facilities_at_the_unity_primary.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="girls_queue_to_use_the_toilet_facilities_at_the_unity_primary.jpg" fileid="AF26B2B1-7EC8-482A-BBB91794819E9B83" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/girls_queue_to_use_the_toilet_facilities_at_the_unity_primary.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="girls_queue_to_use_the_toilet_facilities_at_the_unity_primary.jpg" fileid="AF26B2B1-7EC8-482A-BBB91794819E9B83" height="120" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/girls_queue_to_use_the_toilet_facilities_at_the_unity_primary.jpg" width="180" /></noscript></noscript></a></h2>
</figure>
<p>
		<span style="font-family: 'AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103', 'Arial Black', san-serif; line-height: 15px;">7. <a href="https://www.scidev.net/gender/analysis-blog/periods-menstrual-hygiene-humanitarian-response.html">Periods are the next frontier of humanitarian response</a></span></p>
<p>
		Five simple changes in water and sanitation can help manage menstruation in crises, says Nicole Klaesener-Metzner. <br />
		 </p>
<hr />
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
<h2>
			<a href="https://www.scidev.net/health/opinion/pragmatic-tackle-mental-health-stigma.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="stigma_in_mental_health.jpg" fileid="4F9F5CAB-4FD2-4068-94DE5BC6781D6BB3" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/stigma_in_mental_health.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="stigma_in_mental_health.jpg" fileid="4F9F5CAB-4FD2-4068-94DE5BC6781D6BB3" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/stigma_in_mental_health.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="stigma_in_mental_health.jpg" fileid="4F9F5CAB-4FD2-4068-94DE5BC6781D6BB3" height="120" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/stigma_in_mental_health.jpg" width="180" /></noscript></noscript></a></h2>
</figure>
<p>
		<span style="font-family: 'AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103', 'Arial Black', san-serif; line-height: 15px;">6. <a href="https://www.scidev.net/health/opinion/pragmatic-tackle-mental-health-stigma.html">Get pragmatic to tackle mental health stigma</a></span></p>
<p>
		Evidence-based approaches can help poor countries overcome this major barrier to care, says Jagannath Lamichhane.<br />
		 </p>
<hr />
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
<h2>
			<a href="https://www.scidev.net/disease/data-visualisation/trachoma-mapping-project.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="sightsavers_16965431834-prog-23-littlegirl.jpg" fileid="653A141E-42DC-4550-BB5256F3ECCA0405" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/sightsavers_16965431834-prog-23-littlegirl.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="sightsavers_16965431834-prog-23-littlegirl.jpg" fileid="653A141E-42DC-4550-BB5256F3ECCA0405" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/sightsavers_16965431834-prog-23-littlegirl.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="sightsavers_16965431834-prog-23-littlegirl.jpg" fileid="653A141E-42DC-4550-BB5256F3ECCA0405" height="120" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/sightsavers_16965431834-prog-23-littlegirl.jpg" width="180" /></noscript></noscript></a></h2>
</figure>
<p>
		<span style="font-family: 'AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103', 'Arial Black', san-serif; line-height: 15px;">5. <a href="https://www.scidev.net/disease/data-visualisation/trachoma-mapping-project.html">M</a><a href="https://www.scidev.net/disease/data-visualisation/trachoma-mapping-project.html">apping trachoma to eliminate blindness</a></span></p>
<p>
		Explore how a huge project targeting this infectious eye condition has set the standard for surveying disease.<br />
		 </p>
<hr />
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
<h2>
			<a href="https://www.scidev.net/health/news/health-risk-peruvian-oil-spills-health.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="cleanup_site.jpg" fileid="C3079E91-7277-4148-AF4DFBD5782A63D1" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/cleanup_site.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="cleanup_site.jpg" fileid="C3079E91-7277-4148-AF4DFBD5782A63D1" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/cleanup_site.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="cleanup_site.jpg" fileid="C3079E91-7277-4148-AF4DFBD5782A63D1" height="120" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/cleanup_site.jpg" width="180" /></noscript></noscript></a></h2>
</figure>
<p>	<span style="font-family: 'AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103', 'Arial Black', san-serif; line-height: 15px;">4. <a href="https://www.scidev.net/health/news/health-risk-peruvian-oil-spills-health.html">H</a><a href="https://www.scidev.net/health/news/health-risk-peruvian-oil-spills-health.html">ealth risk from Peruvian oil spills still unclear</a></span></p>
<p>
		Two months after leaks, local people do not know if it is safe to drink, bathe in or fish in river water.<br />
		 </p>
<hr />
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
<h2>
			<a href="https://www.scidev.net/biotechnology/opinion/biotech-climate-fight.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="golden_rice_in_tubes.jpg" fileid="AF1800F5-53FA-4137-AFBE7B8ADCD62AF1" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/golden_rice_in_tubes.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="golden_rice_in_tubes.jpg" fileid="AF1800F5-53FA-4137-AFBE7B8ADCD62AF1" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/golden_rice_in_tubes.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="golden_rice_in_tubes.jpg" fileid="AF1800F5-53FA-4137-AFBE7B8ADCD62AF1" height="120" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/golden_rice_in_tubes.jpg" width="180" /></noscript></noscript></a></h2>
</figure>
<p>
		<span style="font-family: 'AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103', 'Arial Black', san-serif; line-height: 15px;">3. <a href="https://www.scidev.net/biotechnology/opinion/biotech-climate-fight.html">Use biotech to beef up climate fight</a></span></p>
<p>
		Poor nations shouldn’t miss out on advances such as lab-cultured meat and low-methane GM rice, says Jayson Merkley<strong>.</strong></p>
<p>		 </p>
<hr />
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
<h2>
			<a href="https://www.scidev.net/health/news/nanotech-bandage-heals-wounds.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="nanotech bandage.jpg" fileid="D0EA5FB0-D198-4760-AF9B9BDF2340019F" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/nanotech_bandage.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="nanotech bandage.jpg" fileid="D0EA5FB0-D198-4760-AF9B9BDF2340019F" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/nanotech_bandage.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="nanotech bandage.jpg" fileid="D0EA5FB0-D198-4760-AF9B9BDF2340019F" height="120" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/nanotech_bandage.jpg" width="180" /></noscript></noscript></a></h2>
</figure>
<p>
		<span style="font-family: 'AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103', 'Arial Black', san-serif; line-height: 15px;">2. <a href="https://www.scidev.net/health/news/nanotech-bandage-heals-wounds.html">N</a><a href="https://www.scidev.net/health/news/nanotech-bandage-heals-wounds.html">anotech bandage heals wounds in days</a></span></p>
<p>
		A team of Egyptian researchers is using nanotechnology to develop a bandage that speeds up wound healing.<br />
		 </p>
<hr />
<figure class="article-image left-image" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">
<h2>
			<a href="https://www.scidev.net/technology/multimedia/nigerian-girls-build-robots-tackle-waste.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="robots_to_tackle_waste_MAIN.jpg" fileid="50116B3F-6887-421D-A93262ED714F6C7D" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/robots_to_tackle_waste_MAIN.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="robots_to_tackle_waste_MAIN.jpg" fileid="50116B3F-6887-421D-A93262ED714F6C7D" height="120" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/robots_to_tackle_waste_MAIN.jpg" width="180" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 180px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 180/120;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="robots_to_tackle_waste_MAIN.jpg" fileid="50116B3F-6887-421D-A93262ED714F6C7D" height="120" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/top_10/top_10_2016/robots_to_tackle_waste_MAIN.jpg" width="180" /></noscript></noscript></a></h2>
</figure>
<p>
		<span style="font-family: 'AvantGardeGothicITCW02B 737103', 'Arial Black', san-serif; line-height: 15px;">1. <a href="https://www.scidev.net/technology/multimedia/nigerian-girls-build-robots-tackle-waste.html">N</a><a href="https://www.scidev.net/technology/multimedia/nigerian-girls-build-robots-tackle-waste.html">igerian girls build robots to tackle waste</a></span></p>
<p>
		In these photos, schoolgirls in Abuja engage with science supported by the Odyssey Educational Foundation.</p>
</div>
<p></p>

</div>
<div class="quick-links-wrapper">
<h3>You might also like</h3>
[related-articles]
</div>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.scidev.net" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a>. Read the <a href="https://www.scidev.net/global/news/top-10-2016/" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(e,t,n,r,i,s,o){e["GoogleAnalyticsObject"]=i;e[i]=e[i]||function(){(e[i].q=e[i].q||[]).push(arguments)},e[i].l=1*new Date;s=t.createElement(n),o=t.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];s.async=1;s.src=r;o.parentNode.insertBefore(s,o)})(window,document,"script","//www.google-analytics.com/ga.js","ga");var _gaq=_gaq||[];var _gaq=_gaq||[];_gaq.push(["_setAccount","UA-3223906-8"],["_trackEvent","article interaction","republished","https://www.scidev.net/global/news/top-10-2016/",null,true])
</script>
</div>

An image gallery of robots that manage waste, a Spotlight opinion on practical ways to fight mental health stigma and a data visualisation about mapping blindness are all among key articles included in our 2016 round up of most viewed pieces on SciDev.Net: