SciDev.Net

Businesses in poorer countries are stifled by a lack of broadband Internet access, says a report, leading many to look to mobile phones.

Uruguay has become the first country in the One Laptop per Child scheme to provide a computer for every child enrolled in a state primary school.

Bednets and biopesticides show promise as a winning combination against malaria, according to a new research model.

Cuba has authorised Internet access for all citizens but US trade embargo and economic limitations will restrict its use.

New software allows scientists in the field to send complex data to a central database — but not everyone can benefit from this service yet.

India is ranked behind Brazil and China for growth in innovative capacity, says a new report, but its tech readiness is praiseworthy.

National maps revealing drug shortages have been created by getting locals to text their discoveries to an online mapping system.

A new report has indicated that text messaging could play a vital role in an early warning system for natural disasters in the Maldives.

Connectivity issues have largely been solved in African universities — now they face the challenge of making better use of the resources.

Patent offices in developing countries will be able to consult key science and technology journals under a new scheme.

The Chilean government has vowed to provide more than 90 per cent of the rural population with Internet access by 2011.

Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania are the latest countries targeted by the World Bank for high-speed communications links.

A free online data-sharing tool developed by Google could help with worldwide scientific collaborations.

Colombia has struck a deal with Microsoft to improve technology access, create internships and establish a bioinformatics centre.

As digital libraries surge ahead internationally, Africa is falling behind, a conference has heard.

Tanzanian farmers will be trained to look for two forms of cassava disease — and then send text message reports to researchers.

Aims to boost Africa's weather forecasting are taking advantage of its mobile phone infrastructure to mount weather stations on masts.

An early warning system for natural disasters using mobile phone messaging is being trialled in Bangladesh.

Using data on sea temperature and vegetation a new climate model can predict dengue outbreaks many weeks in advance.

The Egyptian research community is set to get a boost with a new digital library and discounted access to top international journals.