SciDev.Net

Regional clinical research networks provide timely evidence to help emerging health policy. They deserve more support, says Jimmy Whitworth.

Safeguarding and replanting forests are key to reducing flooding and protecting wood supplies, says Lester R. Brown.

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

Other countries could learn from Vietnam's progress on communicating science and risk, says Son Kim Phan.

Films and television programmes about climate change should be made freely available beyond their initial broadcast, argues Nalaka Gunawardene.

Small island developing states should set an example by promoting a clean energy environment, says Tom Roper.

Improved forecasting and mitigation strategies are essential to limiting the damage caused by tropical cyclones, says Peter J. Webster.

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.

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.

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

Let's encourage the mood of political cooperation on the big issues during the International Year of Planet Earth, says Nasser Ennih.

The UN is inhibiting innovation through over-regulation of new biotechnologies, argues Henry I. Miller.

More research is needed to see whether the success of the WHO's tuberculosis programme is at risk, say G. E. Davies and S. B. Squire.

Revised HIV/AIDS figures are a sign of better data, not that the epidemic is slowing. There is still much to be done, says Kevin De Cock.

D. J. Murphy calls for Islamic cultures to rekindle their rich tradition of innovative science and technology from earlier centuries.