SciDev.Net

Maternal health needs a new, pragmatic, research-led approach targeted specifically for developing countries, says Priya Shetty.

Intellectual property must be protected to encourage technical innovations in agriculture, says Javier Fernandez of CropLife Latin America.

A UNITAID patent pool could revolutionise HIV treatment and research in developing countries — if payment can be agreed, says Priya Shetty.

Countries need to produce their own vaccines, and they need to invest in public sector capacity to do it, says Indian scientist Y. Madhavi.

Pilot projects in India and Nigeria point to possible benefits of a new approach to agricultural innovation, say Andy Hall and Susanna Thorp.

Moves to introduce biotechnology to Africa must consider the needs and values of local people, argues socioeconomist Wilhemina Quaye.

Helping farm labourers access new technologies and knowledge should be a priority for policymakers, argues innovation expert Anil Gupta.

Science and technology minister Professor Romain Murenzi says science and technology will be at the heart of Rwanda's development strategies.

Developing world businesses must invest in nanotech research and development for clean water to stay ahead, says Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb.

Kenyans must use patents to protect their innovations and use local know-how to speed up discoveries, says a Business Daily Africa editorial.

Open innovation has potential to revitalise the development sector, providing new sources of creative knowledge and resources, says Tara Acharya.

Higher education in developing countries needs innovation infrastructure if it is to boost development, says Arnoldo Ventura.

When funders focus on market-driven and applied science they hinder basic scientific enquiry in developing countries, says Lemuel V. Cacho.

There are big plans afoot to get African science to the market place, but why wait for continent-wide resolutions, says Linda Nordling.

Physics is important for sustainable economic growth, says physicist Reza Mansouri.

China will use science and technology to promote economic and social development, says the country's premier Wen Jiabao.

Science and innovation continue to grow in developing countries, despite the current economic climate, says an editorial in Nature.

Linda Nordling reflects on what the future holds for South African researchers following the resignation of former president Thabo Mbeki.

Neglect of science and technology in African universities has been compounded by a failure to focus research on the continent's needs, says Mammo Muchie.

Africa needs a Green Revolution, including local research into genetically engineered crops for small farmers, says Robert Paarlberg.