SciDev.Net Weekly Update (17 December - 23 December 2012)

Egyptian constitution sparks science isolation fears Following the Arab Spring, Egypt's voters will now decide whether to accept a draft constitution that includes a pledge to foster the Arabisation of science and education. News Universal HIV treatment could improve education  Giving school teachers access to antiretroviral therapy could improve the quality of education and save money, a study has found.  EN | ES  Egypt's draft constitution disappoints scientists  This week's referendum in Egypt may vote in a new constitution that vows to fund science but will also foster the controversial 'Arabisation' of science.  EN  OECD: South-East Asian innovation should look to China  South-East Asian nations must consider how science can take them to the next step of development — and keep an eye on China, says report.  EN  Developing-world cities rival Silicon Valley in global ranking  Two Asian and two South American cities are among the best 20 places in the world for technology-based start-ups, alongside Silicon Valley.  EN | ES  The most read stories in 2012  SciDev.Net brings you the articles that had most visitors in 2012, including news, features and practical guides.  EN | ES  Top global killers mapped  While life expectancy worldwide has risen since 1990, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to lag far behind in key health areas, says a study.  EN | ES  Conference ends with rift over telecom treaty  More than 50 nations have refused to sign an international telecommunications treaty due to divisions over whether it should include reference to the Internet.  EN  Fund aims to improve governance through new technology  A fund that will support the use of Internet-based technology to try to make governments around the world more open has been launched.  EN | ES Other News COMESA launches innovation fund to boost economic growth  EN  Pakistani farming starved of research funding  EN  Weather model gives four-month dengue outbreak warning  EN  Use innovation to ease inequality in poorer nations, says OECD  EN  Hurricanes ‘can benefit coastal wetlands’  ES  East African cassava research gets major funding boost  EN  Mexico: Researchers fired over manipulation of scientific images  ES More NEWS  Opinions In Perspective: A fatal gap between science and policy?  Journalists can help the developed world take responsibility for climate change by making it relevant to readers' lives, says David Dickson.  EN | ES | 中文 More OPINIONS  From science to action Politicians can't act on climate change until their electorates signal they want them to — and that's where journalists come in, says David Dickson.