The social consequences of the increasing demand for unusual minerals, ores and elements are discussed in a Commentary in Nature Nanotechnology today. The authors look at the affect new technologies are having on developing countries, and ask: Are natural resources a curse? in part of a special collection coordinated by the Council of Science Editors.
Elsewhere, Robert Grant calls for research on global epidemics to be performed where they hit hardest. Grant argues in Nature Methods that this approach is necessary if solutions to the major health crises that plague poverty-stricken areas are to be found. Far from being limited to these areas, 'research in situ' can benefit health management worldwide.
And Aida Al Ageel, in Nature Genetics, examines an Islamic ethical framework for research into and prevention of genetic diseases. Al Ageel argues that in many Muslim societies genetic lineage, along with large family size and advanced maternal age can raise unique challenges and opportunities.
Science and technology is being energetically and imaginatively applied to improve the lives of many. Nature Publishing Group journals are contributing to the Council of Science Editors collection with editorials, guest commentaries and news features in Nature, Nature Genetics, Nature Immunology, Nature Methods, Nature Chemical Biology, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Materials ,Nature Physics, Nature Reviews Microbiology, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, and Nature Reports Climate Change.
The NPG collection is brimming with international voices and all articles can be found at www.nature.com/povhumdev
Details of the project, involving over 200 journals, are given on the CSE website: http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/globalthemeissue.cfm
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