SciDev.Net week: 25 - 31 March 2013

Sniffing out a story Investigative reporting requires a critical eye and the tenacity to keep digging for information. K. S. Jayaraman reveals how to uncover the stories others want to hide. News Giant landslides identified by seismic fingerprints  A technique to detect catastrophic landslides could help locate areas at risk and enable faster assistance to affected places.  EN  Video device could assist the visually impaired  A device that turns video into pixelated images could help the blind and those with poor eyesight to navigate and find objects, says a study.  EN | ES  Argentina unveils plan to boost science investment  The strategy aims to encourage private investment in six strategic sectors, create new research posts and drive economic growth.  EN | ES  Local rice makes the grade in West Africa  Rice varieties bred by farmers for local conditions are as hardy and adaptable as improved varieties and should be shared, say researchers.  EN  Loss of wild pollinators would hit crops, finds study  Without the natural pollination provided by insects, crop yields could be reduced, harming global food security, warns a study.  EN | ES Other News Bioscience should underpin African agriculture, meeting hears  EN  Micro hydros can power rural Afghanistan, Nepal  EN  Climate change could be double-edged sword for farmers  EN | ES  Science park to link science and business in Mexico DF  ES  Study's Asian dengue estimates are too low, says expert  EN More NEWS  Opinions Focus on Gender: Business can do more to aid women  Companies have much to offer when it comes to helping female entrepreneurs in developing countries access markets, says Henrietta Miers.  EN  Gold miners with work-related TB neglected for too long  TB is linked with a deadly silicosis epidemic hidden for decades in rural South Africa. Gold mining firms must make amends, says Jaine Roberts.  EN  Asia–Pacific Analysis: Refugee malnutrition remains  EN More OPINIONS  Features Upgrades to basic mobile phones aim for a smart future Researchers hope to benefit users in developing nations by turning 'feature' phones into virtual smartphones, findsJan Piotrowski.  EN  More FEATURES  Practical Guides How to be an investigative science journalist  Investigative journalism is rewarding but requires vigilance, determination and preparation. K. S. Jayaramanshares tips from his career.  EN | ES  More PRACTICAL GUIDES  Smart upgrades for the humble feature phone Utilising Internet computing power can allow feature phone owners to browse faster and use smart applications, reports Jan Piotrowski.		WCSJ 2013  We will be in Helsinki for the World Conference of Science Journalists will you? Interested in the Middle East and North Africa?  Keep up-to-date with the latest news, views and analysis from the region NOTICES Events 12th Pacific Science Inter-Congress  Location: Suva, Fiji Date: 8 July 2013 - 12 July 2013  More EVENTS  Jobs Bilingual Communications Officer (French-English)  Location: London Closing date: 10 April 2013  Communications and Knowledge Management Officer  Location: Nairobi, Kenya Closing date: 10 April 2013  Assistant Programme Officer  Location: Cambridge, UK Closing date: 12 April 2013  Lead Economist  Location: Cambridge, UK Closing date: 12 April 2013  Environmental Economist  Location: Cambridge, UK Closing date: 12 April 2013  Head of Capacity Development  Location: Cambridge, UK Closing date: 26 April 2013  Designer, Informatics Programme  Location: Cambridge, UK Closing date: 19 April 2013  Senior Product Manager, Informatics Programme  Location: Cambridge, UK Closing date: 19 April 2013  More JOBS   HIGHLIGHTS A 'silent scourge' of TB Gold mining companies in South Africa must act to redress a neglected epidemic Sight process A system that highlights key objects in real-time images could aid the visually impaired Dengue cost queried Expert says a study's estimate of dengue's health burden in South-East Asia is too low Breaking down gender barriers Private investment is helping female farmers reach the market Slide show Scientists use global seismic data to pick out potentially catastrophic landslides From GM crops to forestry  Learn more about the challenges of feeding our growing population versus caring for our planet