US $3.3 Initiative to Build Scientific Capacity in Africa Launched

The Carnegie Corporation of New York has announced the establishment of a regional initiative in Science and Education for sub-Saharan Africa.

Afghanistan to get Shaikh Zayed University

In abid to promote the establishment of knowledge-based society,US $ 4.8 Shaikh Zayed University (ZU) will be opened in Afghanistan.

Qatar to set up world-class research institutes

Arab expatriate scientists have urged Qatar to set up three world-class scientific institutes and addressed biomedical, environmental and information technology research priority areas for Qatar.

Boost for innovation-based industry in the Arab world

In abid to bridge gap between academia and industrial sector and enhance innovation, productivity and job opportunities in the Arab world, Lebanon-based American University of Beirut (AUB) has launched an Industrial Technology Initiative (ITI).

Flash-heating breast milk inactivate HIV

Scientists have developed a cheap, sustainable and easy-to-implement flash-heating method for inactivating HIV in breast milk providing hope for HIV-infected mothers in developing nations to breastfeed their babies safely.

Trees as detectors for unknown subsurface soil contamination

Researchers have developed a method for detecting unknown subsurface contamination by chlorinated volatile organic compounds and petroleum hydrocarbons using tree cores.

Reducing arsenic levels in rice through improved irrigation practices

Planting rice in raised beds around 15 centimetres above the ground resulted in lower arsenic levels in crops and soil as well as buffering against floods and drought and serves as a measure in climate adaptation, a pilot field study in Bangladesh conducted by FAO and Cornell University revealed.

Poppy for Medicine

The Afghan opium crop could be diverted into production of medical morphine in order to provide farmers a cash-crop alternative to opium and help poorer countries. Similarly, Afghanistan is also good for growing a shrub called artemisinia which can be used to produce artemisinin, a medicine used to treat drug-resistant strains of malaria.

EDUCATION FOR ALL BY 2015: WILL WE MAKE IT?

A mid-term assessment of where the world stands on its commitment to provide basic education for all children, youth and adults by 2015.

science in islamic countries (Arabic)

Is the United States losing ground in science?

China overtook Japan and the United Kingdom to become the world's second largest producer of scientific research papers in 2006, second only the United States.

Poverty and hunger special features

A special feature on world poverty highlighting innovative work of exceptional significance.