SciDev.Net

African nations must not only bring industry and activists to the table, but also follow up on their report, says an editorial in Nature.

Mobile phones can improve health services and provide help for displaced patients during political crises, say Richard Lester and Sarah Karanja.

Last year's row between two pan-African policy bodies is feeding a split between regional and federal approaches to science, says Linda Nordling.

Countries like Namibia cannot ignore the environment's contribution to national wealth in the face of climate change, says James MacGregor.

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

Three essays, published by the International Food Policy Research Institute, offer perspectives on the global food crisis.

Science is the key to solving problems such as poverty, drought and famine in Africa, say Janez Potoaçnik and Jean-Pierre Ezin.

Combining statistical and physical models offers the best hope of predicting changes in local cyclone risks in the Indian Ocean, says Mark Tadross.

African governments are ill-prepared to address the continent's growing cancer burden, warn Hany Besadaand and Vadim Ermakov.

A meeting of African scientists and ministers on the environment's impact on health is welcome, if long overdue, says an editorial in The Lancet.

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.

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.

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.

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