SciDev.Net

High-quality regional journals are essential for building the scientific strengths of the developing world, says Wieland Gevers.

Enquiry-based science education is essential for sustainable development, says Jorge E. Allende.

A Peruvian clinic's treatment of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis is an example to the developing world, says Mario C. Raviglione.

One of the most serious problems faced by Guatemala is its increasing brain drain, says a leading scientist.

Cancer care in Africa faces the same challenges as general healthcare, but also needs local data and targeted solutions, says Twalib Ngoma.

To stem the spread of obesity, we must study the web of commercial interests and strategies driving it, says Jonathan Wells.

We need better global monitoring for chronic diseases before we can really tackle the risks factors and prevent illness, says Colin Mathers.

Developing nations must stop aping the North's mental health services and use strategies tailored to their own needs, says Vikram Patel.

Super crops won't be enough — the planet will run short of food by 2030 unless we invest to avoid an imminent world water crisis, says Colin Chartres.

Small farmers could beat increasing prices in food and fertiliser by producing more of their own crops at lower cost, argues William Dar.

Developing-world scientists should make every effort to pursue careers at home – and their governments should help them, says Mohamed Hassan.

African malaria research networks have helped scientists combat the disease, but they need more stable support and longer-term funding, says Thomas Egwang.

Renewed political commitment means China and India could set the pace for bilateral South–South collaboration, say Purnima Rupal and Dinesh Abrol.

Hypertensive disease kills large numbers in developing countries, but efforts to tackle it are lacking, say Stephen MacMahon and colleagues.

Volunteer citizen scientists are an important resource — particularly for developing countries, argue Nigel Winser and Raghu Saxena.

Thousands of traditional crop species could help break dependence on a few global food crops, and offer valuable environmental services, says Monty Jones.

Better education, effective communication and dissemination of information could quell dangerous pseudoscience, argues George Claassen.

The UN has underestimated the technological challenges of stemming carbon emissions, say Roger Pielke Jr, Tom Wigley and Christopher Green.

Amy C. Morrison and colleagues outline key preventative measures for controlling the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads disease.

Sustainable governance in the Gulf of Mexico calls for joint action by Cuba, Mexico and the United States, argues Jorge Brenner.