SciDevNet June 16 2013

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: 10 - 16 June 2013

Organic farming research needs an urgent revamp More studies are required to help kick-start growth in this form of agriculture and provide a sustainable source of food, says Ged Buffee. News Chinese 'container hospitals' ready to deploy in Africa  The first Chinese portable hospitals for Africa, comprising ten modular containers, will be sent to either Cameroon or Namibia at the end of this month.  EN  Panama expects benefits from world's first GM salmon  The biotech firm that developed the GM salmon hopes to benefit Panama's science and economy if a US agency allows the fish to be imported.  EN | ES  New funds and science back drive to fight malnutrition  The Lancet series shows that scaling-up nutrition interventions could save 900,000 lives, as donors pledge funds to tackle malnutrition.  EN  Beneficial use of science key to post-2015 development  Technological advances could help end poverty by 2030 but only if they are exploited judiciously, says a report.  EN  Developing world bucks decline in green energy funding  Developing nations invested US$112 billion in renewable energy in 2012, up 19 per cent on 2011, reports reveal.  EN  Voice tech helps Africa get online  As the VOICES project comes to an end, efforts are under way to make the PC-free web system freely available.  EN Other News GPS and phones to help map neglected diseases in Africa  EN  Invest in women to improve economy, conference hears  EN  Give young people the tools to solve hunger, says expert  EN  Legally binding ban proposed on ocean fertilisation  EN  Timor-Leste embarks on fish farming for food security  EN  'ICT vital in women’s empowerment'  EN  Mobile app showcases Costa Rica’s biodiversity  ES  Brazil: GM strains ‘reduce dengue mosquito population’  ES  Declaration questions impact factor of publications  ES More NEWS  Opinions It is vital to reinvigorate organic farming research  Organic farming can deliver food sustainably, but only with compelling science to boost its use, argues Ged Buffee.  EN  Focus on Disability: Policymakers need accurate data  Data gaps on disability need to be filled if future development goals are to be robustly monitored, says Sue Coe.  EN More OPINIONS  Features Q&A: Jeffrey Sachs on the world's post-MDG future  The UN special advisor and director of a key science network tells SciDev.Net what the road to 2015 will look like.  EN