SciDev.Net Weekly Update (11 - 17 February 2013)

Aid policies based on Western science 'can neglect local needs' Development efforts must consider indigenous knowledge to improve results, say experts. News Charity's hiring woe highlights lack of tech know-how in NGO community  Practical Action's struggle to recruit an advisor on its technology policy may be due to a lack of technology expertise among Western NGOs.  EN  Brazilians learn about science through samba and carnival  Science and scientists have been the inspiration for several performances and parades, at carnivals taking place across Brazil.  EN | ES  Is cloud seeding preventing further flooding in Indonesia?  Indonesia is claiming success in forcing clouds to rain over the ocean before they reach flood-stricken capital Jakarta, but critics are unconvinced.  EN  Be open about any uncertainty in policy advice, scientists told  Scientists should not present a uniform front when advising decision-makers if it means uncertainties are ignored, a meeting has heard.  EN | ES  Tech firms set sail to solve world's problems through innovation  Eleven tech firms that sell innovations aimed at tackling environmental and social problems are on a global voyage to expand their ventures.  EN  Policymakers urged to include local knowledge in aid projects  Development projects based solely on Western and 'hard' science can overlook local expertise and needs, a meeting has heard.  EN | ES  Faster browser for cheap smartphones launched  A browser that compresses data to cut the cost of browsing the Internet on smartphones could benefit users in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  EN Other News ‘Himalayan viagra’ harvesters threaten forest resources  EN  Invasive whitefly threatens Africa's cassava crops  EN  Dengue virus strain shows subtle genetic changes  EN  Energy access as millennium development goal  EN | ES  Chile to boost leadership of its engineering schools  ES  Haitian healthcare shows progress after 2010 earthquake  ES More NEWS  Opinions Migration myths hold back successful climate adaptation  Policies should be designed to support internal movements as a form of adaptation to climate change, write Dominic Kniveton and Max Martin.  EN  Islam Analysis: Faith must be reconciled with science  Critical debate is needed to resolve science-Islam divisions and ensure that knowledge flourishes in the Muslim world, says Athar Osama.  EN More OPINIONS  Features Q&A: Shaukat Abdulrazak argues for a nuclear Africa  Nuclear technology could transform Africa's energy security and help solve wider development challenges,Shaukat Abdulrazak, new chair of AFRA, tells SciDev.Net. EN  More FEATURES  Busting migration myths Climate-driven movements can be more local, flexible and positive than many realise — policies that restrict migration could backfire, say Dominic Kniveton andMax Martin.