Stories about Science from October, 2006
Ghana: using robotics to teach creativity
Timbuktu Chronicles writes about the use of robotics to teach creativity at Ashesi University in Ghana.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Exploring the Pyramid
“Bosnian Pyramid? – Visocica Hill” – by sjareb It's been over a year since the whole Bosnian pyramid media fuss started. Still, many talk about the possible discovery of Europe’s first step pyramid complex. The event is significant for Bosnia & Herzegovina's recovery, as it brings positive media attention and...
Africa: mud-brick building should be standardized
African Architecture believes that there is a need to standardize the mud-brick building in Africa, “The abundance of this material “Clay” makes it very popular and affordable for low income people living in hot dry climates of Africa to use as versatile building material, Hence there is a need to...
Africa: open source African architecture
Timbuktu Chronicles writes about Osafa, open source African architecture, “Osafa will be a Wikipedia-like platform where the ‘source code’ of construction projects, i.e. floor plans, building descriptions, drafts/photos and commercials calculations are being shared under an open licence, ready to be reused or adapted, without licence fees. We want to...
Tanzania: agricultural residues for low-cost housing
African Architecture and Design writes about the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy:”One of the 2006 finalists for using agricultural residues to fire high-quality bricks for low-cost housing is the Mwanza Rural Housing Programme (MRHP), Tanzania.”
Kazakhstan: R&D
Ben takes a look at Kazakhstan's pledge to boost research and development spending to 5% of GDP by 2012 and says that for the spending to have its promised impact, it will have to be accompanied by structural reforms.
Colombia: New Bird
John Guzman shows a “new” Colombian Bird that even proudly wears the patria.
Africa: Association for African Medicinal Plant Standards
Good news for the future of African traditional medicine: The Economist reports on the launching of Association for African Medicinal Plants Standards (AAMPS), via Timbuktu Chronicles.
Malaysia: Space White Elephant
The blogger at Sensintrovert analyses a news report on Malaysian Prime Minister talking about Malaysia's space efforts. The blogger feels that there is too much hype in the media. “I am amazed of the media-hype when some ministers clicked on a mouse or had video conferencing. I guess that is...
Zimbabwe: cultural innovation
Proud Dzambukira sees cultural innovation in the midst of political and economic turmoil in Zimbabwe: “Some might find it easy to condemn the recent move in Zimbabwe to pull “witch doctors” closer into the mainstream by allowing them to grant sick notes to ailing workers. The move follows legislation passed...