SciDev.Net

The Middle East's first synchrotron, which opened last month, still has to find US$19 million for its planned 2.5 GeV machine.

A radical new proposal for curbing HIV/AIDS has been met with concerns about its human rights implications.

Local laboratories could identify parasite samples by comparing them with a 'gold standard' on the web.

A bottleneck in the production of the leading antimalarial drug – the plant-based artemisinin – could soon be eased.

Two internationally minded scientists have joined the US president-elect's transition team, raising hopes for science in the developing world.

On its 25th anniversary, TWAS has called on governments to put science at the centre of their policymaking.

A new vaccine, active against one type of polio virus, is more effective than a vaccine targeting all types, according to two studies.

A technology transfer centre promoting industrial development and collaboration between Indian Ocean countries will be based in Iran.

The Arab world has launched its first science news website, with the aim of communicating researchers' work to the public.

Morocco is investing US$3.2 billion in clean energy development, including a renewable energy 'knowledge campus' in Oujda.

Science and technology will play an important role in Kuwait's 2009–2014 development plan, with a government policy to transform the sector.

An Islamic Citation Centre is to be set up by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to promote research excellence in the region.

The United Arab Emirates hopes to launch the region's first telecommunications research centre by early 2009.

A partnership between Egypt and IBM will establish the first regional nanotechnology research centre in Cairo.

Iraq is to establish a scientific research authority to promote research, and is considering a law offering benefits to scientists.

The United Arab Emirates has launched an initiative to combat blindness through treatment, research and awareness raising.

An international team of researchers has sequenced the first human genome from the Arab population.

The winners of the first Arab Science Journalism Awards — established to encourage Arabic science coverage — have been announced.

The UN has assisted Iraq in developing science and technology through an agreement that will support the country's science-based industry.

Researchers have mapped climate change hotspots around the globe, focusing on specific hazards including floods, cyclones and droughts.