Excerpts for SciDev.Net Weekly Updates (August/September 2008)
Some articles from a leading source of free news and commentary about science, technology and innovation in the developing world
By FFSNET
Some articles from a leading source of free news and commentary about science, technology and innovation in the developing world
Please find below a summary of articles posted on the SciDev.Net website over the months of August and September 2008.
info.scidev.net/t/470042/5883302/9959/0/
Who's to blame for the Kosi floods?
The breached embankment of the Kosi River in Nepal last month was a man-made disaster, argues Dipak Gyawali. It resulted from a combination of wrong technological choices, bad institutional arrangements and political misconduct.
EDITORIALS
info.scidev.net/t/470042/5883302/9960/0/
Tackling the MDGs requires an innovation-based approach
A commitment to development-oriented innovation should be high on the agenda at the upcoming MDG summit in New York.
'Energy grasses' need careful consideration
info.scidev.net/t/470042/5883302/9977/0/
'Energy grasses' are viewed as an alternative to fossil fuels, but their potential failings need further consideration, warns Jiang Gaoming.
NEWS
info.scidev.net/t/477471/5883302/10150/0/
African hunger for bushmeat 'unsustainable'
Unsustainable demand for bushmeat poses a threat to central Africa's food security, calling for regulation of hunting and trade.
info.scidev.net/t/477471/5883302/10152/0/
East African rain linked to Northern climate'
Sediment cores taken from Lake Tanganyika in East Africa reveal that local rainfall is influenced by climate change in the Northern Hemisphere.
info.scidev.net/t/477471/5883302/10154/0/
India approves biofuel rise
A new policy will increase India's biofuel production and the proportion of bio-ethanol and biodiesel in its fuels.
info.scidev.net/t/463806/5883302/9839/0/
Agricultural developments 'failing to reach farmers'
Agricultural research advances in Africa - including seeds that can improve crop yields - are not reaching farmers, say top scientists.
info.scidev.net/t/463806/5883302/9841/0/
African crop yields benefit from 'pinch' of fertiliser
A technique using small doses of fertiliser - pioneered by African scientists - is increasing crop yields on the continent.
info.scidev.net/t/445153/5883302/9369/0/
Climate cropland changes 'raising temperatures' in East Africa
Conversion to croplands in East Africa, fuelled by climate change, will contribute greatly to global warming, predict scientists.
info.scidev.net/t/436830/5883302/9197/0/
Kenyan courts consider terminating biofuel plans
The Kenyan courts might halt a US$370 million biofuel project, following complaints from various environmental and nomadic groups.
