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Our Editorial and News Affiliates
Science and Development Network
The Science and Development Network aims to provide reliable and authoritative information about science and technology for the developing world. Their goal is to help both individuals and organizations in developing countries make informed decisions about how science and technology can improve economic and social development.
Website: http://www.scidev.net/
Contact:
General queries: info@scidev.net
Editorial queries: editor@scidev.net
Technical queries: support@scidev.net
SciDev.Net
97-99 Dean Street
London W1D 3TE
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7292 9910
Fax: +44 (0)20 7292 9929
Beans climb to new heights in Rwanda
February 8, 2010 06:55 AM - Ochieng' Ogodo, Science and Development Network
Climbing beans suited to rainy high-altitude areas are being distributed in Rwanda after a decade of research. The fifteen varieties, developed by the Rwandan Agricultural Research Institute (ISAR) in collaboration with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), could benefit smallholder farmers in similar areas across Central and East Africa. Unlike the more commonly-planted 'bush beans', the beans are resistant to legume diseases such as anthracnose, root rot and ascochyta, which are found in damp, higher altitude areas.
Biodiversity loss matters, and communication is crucial
February 5, 2010 07:32 AM - David Dickson, Science and Development Network
Communicating why biodiversity loss matters for people is essential for reversing it. The failed UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December could hardly have been a less promising prelude to the International Year of Biodiversity, which opened last month (January). As with climate change, the threat of large-scale biodiversity loss — and the need for global political action to stop it — is growing every day.
Biodiversity loss matters, communication is crucial
February 5, 2010 07:32 AM - David Dickson, Science and Development Network
Communicating why biodiversity loss matters for people is essential for reversing it. The failed UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December could hardly have been a less promising prelude to the International Year of Biodiversity, which opened last month (January). As with climate change, the threat of large-scale biodiversity loss — and the need for global political action to stop it — is growing every day. At a meeting about biodiversity organised by the British government in London in January, Robert Watson, former head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), warned that damage to the natural environment was approaching "a point of no return", a familiar phrase in the climate change debate.
Processed foods contribute to obesity in Guatemala
January 13, 2010 02:13 PM - María Elena Hurtado, translated by Javier Torres, ENN, Science and Development Network
The increase in consumption of processed foods contributes significantly to the high rate of obesity and overweight in Guatemala, the ninth poorest country in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to study published in the Journal Health Economics (December edition 2009). Obesity and overweight, some of the major risk factors for death from non-contagious diseases, is increasing in developing countries due to dietary changes. In the past, it was preferable to consume staple foods and whole grains, now the trend is to eat highly processed foods, high in salt, sugar and saturated fat, and with few fibers and other essential nutrients.
Climate accord offers some grounds for hope
December 22, 2009 07:30 AM - T. V. Padma and Mohammed Yahia, Science and Development Network
The UN Climate Change Conference ended on Saturday (19 December) with frustration and verdicts of failure from many delegates because it did not reach a binding agreement on how to tackle climate change — or any agreement at all on targets for carbon emissions. But some commentators say that important principles behind fighting climate change have been established for the first time, and some action could start immediately even without the existence of a universal agreement.
Agriculture Can Adapt to Climate Change
November 20, 2009 10:40 AM - William D. Dar, Science and Development Network
Innovative agricultural technologies can produce crops that meet climate change challenges, says ICRISAT head William Dar. New strategies must be built around 'green' agricultural technologies, such as adaptive plant breeding, pest forecasting, rainwater harvesting and fertiliser microdosing.
Chickens Immunized by Genetically Modified Peas
October 29, 2009 10:15 AM - Wagdy Sawahel, Science and Development Network
Genetically modified peas that can protect chickens against a common infection have been successful in trials. Scientists inserted a gene that caused the plants to produce an antibody that stops a harmful parasite from invading a chicken's gut cells.
Chilean Video Game Teaches Kids About Biology
October 14, 2009 04:03 PM - Vanessa L. Bourlier, ENN, Science and Development Network
A nanorobot which defends a single cell against dangers such as the AIDS virus or H1N1 is the main character of a video game about molecular biology that is being developed by the Universidad Santo Tomas, in Chile. Kokori, which means "collective game" in Rapanui (the language spoken in Easter Island), is one of six projects that won 2.3 million dollars in a contest about applying informative technology for educational purposes, organized by the National Commission of Scientific and Technological Research.
Thirsty eucalyptus trees get the chop in Kenya
September 30, 2009 10:01 AM - Maina Waruru, Science and Development Network
Farmers in central Kenya are cutting down water-hungry eucalyptus tree species growing near water sources as a government directive aiming to save water takes effect.
A revolution to combat world hunger
September 24, 2009 10:50 AM - Yojana Sharma, Science and Development Network
Last week, the world mourned the loss of Norman Borlaug, the agronomist credited with saving as many as a billion people from starvation by introducing high-yield crop varieties.