SciDev.Net Weekly Update (7 - 13 January 2013)

Fighting hunger Science is vital to achieving food security but cannot provide solutions alone — researchers and campaigners can learn from each other, and from past initiatives, says Nick Ishmael Perkins. Editorials Let's learn from past efforts to fight hunger  Campaigners for food security must include science in their goals — and in return scientists need to heed wider concerns around solutions.  EN More EDITORIALS  News Water grabbing occurring at 'alarming rates'  The volume of fresh water bought by rich foreign nations and firms in land grabs is often the same as needed to ease local malnourishment.  EN | ES  Golden rice trial triggers sackings, investigation  Chinese researchers who fed GM rice to children in an unapproved trial have been fired, and a US university is investigating the study.  EN  Fast-growing fish variety could benefit Egypt and West Africa  Tilapia fish breeding programmes have delivered new strains that could raise producers' income and enable poorer people to afford fish.  EN  Latin American research publications rising fast  Scientific output in Latin America is growing, though not equally in all countries and research areas, an analysis shows.  EN | ES  Internet is 'valuable science resource but can bias discourse'  Online science news is informing more people, but search methods and comment sections could be harming public debate, say researchers.  EN | ES  Top tech breakthroughs of 2012  Potato batteries, wind-powered mine detectors, smart waterpumps…SciDev.Net revisits some of the best inventions of 2012.  EN  Top aid agency news of 2012  What were the big international aid and development agencies doing in science in 2012? Catch up with the key news stories.  EN Other News Study confirms role of road networks in HIV spread  EN  Snail control key to cutting carp parasites in Vietnam  EN  'Fund Indian universities for excellence – not research institutes'  EN  Local software can spur development, says UN report  EN  Phone texts fail to boost adherence to HIV therapy  EN More NEWS  Features Q&A: Middle Eastern web technology for social change, with Esra'a Al Shafei  An open-source site, CrowdVoice, aims to make governments more transparent and accountable, its co-creator, Esra'a Al Shafei, tells SciDev.Net.  EN  More FEATURES  Q&A: Arab web platform for neglected global voices Middle East-based website amplifies dissenting voices by allowing users to tell stories and highlight injustice, says Esra'a Al Shafei.