SciDev.Net

The presidents of the Mercosur member countries have signed a five-year plan for science, technology and innovation, aiming to add value to regional production.

Children in Cuba have achieved the highest scores in science and maths, according to a study of 16 countries in the region carried out by the UN.

The Venezuelan institute for science has received funds from Total Oil and Shell for supporting research in nuclear medicine and access to science journals.

Chile is offering US$6 million for projects joining the private-public sectors, to develop and commercialisehigh tech biofuel.

Paraguay has called for a reduction in the cost of Internet and telephone access, to turn the country into an innovative force within the region.

Paraguayan scientists will have increased access to important online science databases, thanks to an agreement signed last week.

New software will enable high school students in Chile to work with molecular biology and biotech tools and processes.

The Colombian government is calling for applications to a massive fund to support advanced training, science and innovation in the country.

Science journalism will have more impact in developing countries if efforts are made to make research relevant to local communities, experts say.

Genomic medicine in developing countries needs government support and protection of 'genomic sovereignty', says researchers.

Peru is distributing a powder serum to tackle snakebites in remote areas of the country, and hopes to be the leaders of such research in the Andean region.

Mexico and Central America have agreed to create a plan addressing climate change for 2009.

A new Argentinean law on science and technology will promote regional development and encourage research between young people.

Innovative cooking stoves were among the winning projects at the 2008 Ashden Awards for sustainable energy.

The southern states of Mexico have the highest mortality rates and 'poverty diseases', says a WHO study.

Mathematics and exact sciences should be taught from the first years of primary school, say ministers of education from Mercosur countries.

A Paraguayan study shows that just 4 per cent of people in the country are Internet users, the lowest figure in South America.

To prevent health-risks, Nicaraguan farmers are willing to pay more for less toxic pesticides, according to a report.

An agreement signed between Colombia and the OLPC Foundation will provide 65,000 schoolchildren with laptops.

Argentina, Brazil and Mexico comprise over half the region's university students and 82 per cent of Latin America's scientific production.