Science & Development Network

Science & Development Network  News, views and information about science, technology and the developing world

Articles published on the SciDev.Net website over the last week: 8 - 14 October 2012

Scientific diplomacy: is the world ready? Scientific diplomacy that focuses on building research capacity is in everybody's political interests, but there are significant challenges to overcome. Editorials Is the world ready for scientific diplomacy?  Progressive scientific diplomacy focused on building research capacity is in everybody's political interests, but significant challenges remain.  EN | ES More EDITORIALS  News State-of-physics report to strengthen African development  A proposed biennial report will identify key challenges, and pave the way for solutions, to improve physics for development in Africa.  EN  Biodiversity data gaps 'need bridging' to meet global targets  Data needed for joined-up action on ecosystem protection is lacking, a meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity has heard.  EN | ES  Report calls for using ecosystems in disaster prevention  Conserving ecosystems can help reduce disaster-related risks, but further understanding of their role is needed, says a global report.  EN | ES  Science fund backs innovation in Arab Spring countries  A multimillion dollar fund will support the commercialisation of innovative research to help enhance livelihoods following the Arab Spring.  EN  Meeting puts socioeconomic impact on biosafety agenda  The latest round of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety has made the socioeconomic aspects of living modified organisms a priority.  EN | ES  Study sheds light on university gender inequity  Universities continue to favour male professorships and fail to support women sufficiently early on in their careers, say experts.  EN | ES  Eye health innovations get funding boost  A UK aid agency and a charity have awarded grants to 13 eye health innovation projects across Africa and South Asia.  EN Other News Banana fibre can fix marine oil spills, says study  EN  Botswana to launch health hub with support of Swiss NGO  EN  Bangladesh decodes genome of crop-killer fungus  EN  Women 'more vulnerable to climate change'  Source: Agencia FAPESP  ES  Chilean scientists call for S&T policy  ES  Arab and South American countries to cooperate on S&T  ES  Paraguay launches fund to strengthen education and R&D  ES More NEWS  Opinions Islam Analysis: Technology's missing link  Muslim countries must alter their stance on the social sciences if they are to use technology to its full potential, says Athar Osama.  EN  More OPINIONS  Features Guide and glossary to CBD  The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has spawned a series of agreements and technical phrases.  EN | ES  More FEATURES  Science and human rights SciDev.Net puts the Spotlight on human rights-based approaches to science, technology and development, and asks how they can be applied to help tackle global challenges.