SciDev.Net

African countries must set money aside for malaria vaccines now, and hire business leaders to run control programmes, says Tom Egwang.

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.

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

Scientists, not government, should lead efforts to explain the benefits and risks of modern technology, says Li Daguang.

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.

Researchers' preference for publishing in globally recognised journals is skewing the direction of scientific inquiry away from local research, writes Priya Shetty.

Multidrug-resistant TB needs more research to equip healthcare workers with the right tools, write Frank G. J. Cobelens and colleagues.

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.

The EU's 'Blue Card' could rob Africa of its highly-skilled workers and reverse gains made in fighting poverty and poor health, says Peter Ngatia.

G8 leaders must encourage cooperation in biotechnology to address Africa's food shortages, writes Calestous Juma.

For its own international credibility, Indian science must be seen to deal with scientific misconduct, says N. Raghuram.

Researchers are putting women's lives at risk by being too cautious about trialling drugs during pregnancy, say Nicholas J. White and colleagues.

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

A regional strategy and a focus on capacity building would strengthen Gulf investments in S&T, say Wael K. Al-Delaimy and Hilal A. Lashuel.

Doruk Ozgediz and Robert Riviello make the case for devoting more resources to easily treated surgical conditions in Africa.

Kenya should establish a nanotechnology curriculum to get ahead of the game, say Macharia Waruingi and Jean Njoroge.

Calestous Juma argues that G8 countries should support provision of cheap, fast Internet access in Africa — particularly to universities.

South Africa's rating system for researchers belongs to the past, but its administrators are reluctant to change, says Michael Cherry.