SciDev.Net Weekly Update (4 - 10 February 2013)

Journalists have to dig deeper Press releases may be convenient, but it is only through in-depth reporting and independent thinking that science journalists can cover real stories. Editorials Press releases may be tempting but they miss the wider picture  Relying on the news provided in press releases means that more complicated — but crucial — science stories will remain hidden.  EN | ES More EDITORIALS  News Leading TB vaccine candidate fails to protect babies  The first new tuberculosis vaccine in almost a century did not increase protection against TB compared with existing vaccine, shows trial.  EN  Chinese scientists develop cheap e-notebook for the blind  A portable e-notebook that blind people can use to write and translate Braille and make voice memos could go on sale in China later this year.  EN  Desert bacteria could help boost crop yields  Scientists in the Middle East have identified soil microbes that could help make desert agriculture more resistant to salinity and drought.  EN  Fog-catching fabric could improve water collection in deserts  A coated cotton material that absorbs moisture from fogs and releases water as it warms could improve freshwater collection in arid areas.  EN  Online tools 'decentralising disaster relief efforts'  Crowd-sourced maps and data could aid relief and humanitarian work after natural disasters such as Haiti's 2010 earthquake, says a study.  EN | ES Other News Climate change could impact wave height, says study  EN  Deadly Striga weed spreading across Eastern Africa  EN  Nepal to stimulate fish breeding for food security  EN  Kenya's top university opens up its research  EN  Bovine TB in Ethiopia 'threatens health and farm incomes'  EN More NEWS  Opinions Crying wolf over disasters undermines future warnings  Disaster warnings can be fast, but how can we also ensure their accuracy and credibility, ask Rohan Samarajiva and Nalaka Gunawardene.  EN | ES  Africa Analysis: Ocean science urgently needs investment  Africa's next big science investment should target its oceans, but funding and political support need to be sustained, writes Linda Nordling.  EN More OPINIONS  Features Pacific lessons on research engagement and impact  The University of the South Pacific's massive catchment may mean less research cash, but its science helps the region, reports Anne Moorhead.  EN  More FEATURES  Disaster warnings need to cut through Internet noise Social media provide new ways to warn about disasters — but making warnings both timely and accurate is getting harder, argue Rohan Samarajivaand Nalaka Gunawardene.