Special Report archive
'Lean' management can bring exponential results
Every person in every organisation is well aware that there is too much wasted effort and energy in how the work gets done every day. So, what is stopping us from addressing that, asks Nancy Powell Bartlett
Busting the myths about GMOs in agriculture
We know enough to distinguish between high-risk and low-risk genetic modifications, and it is now time to apply that knowledge in practice, write Sven Ove Hansson and Martin Weih
Understanding individual patients key to better treatment
Assigning the right treatment to the right patient requires a paradigm shift, but one example relating to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a harbinger of what is to come, writes Dr Klaus Heumann
The key trends that will shape Britain's future
An analysis by Frost and Sullivan has identified the key 'mega trends' that will determine the UK economy's growth as one of the most digitally active and urban consumers in the world, writes Archana Vidyasekar
Soil organic matter important for sustainability
The proper management of organic matter in soil and developing methods to increase its amount is a very important issue, writes professor Jan Kuś
Universities should unite art and science in quest for knowledge
In order to remain at the frontiers of knowledge and education in a world where the relevance of disciplinary borders is increasingly questioned, European universities should live up to their name and become truly universal, writes Sverker Jullander
Can negativity bias be a force for good?
If we are naturally attuned to go with the negative flow, then we should use that to our advantage so that real change can take place in public sector organisations, says Nancy Powell Bartlett
Growth in electronic cigarette use a 'real opportunity'
These life-saving products should be as widely available as possible, with the correct regulations robustly enforced, so that as many smokers as possible make the switch and reduce the harm caused by smoking, writes Katherine Devlin
Invasive pests, diseased trees: where do we go from here?
The confirmed arrival of ash dieback in woodlands in the United Kingdom near the end of 2012 was a belated wake-up call to the authorities, writes Dr Steven Woodward
Biofuels craze sparks land use conflicts
Biofuels are a prominent part of the renewable energy mix, but demand for energy crops is increasing the pressures on land usage. Meeting the sustainability challenge is vital, writes Professor Martin Weih
Music and democracy: a means of expression for all?
How can a particular understanding of democracy be reflected in the teaching of music in schools, in order to allow the multiplicity of youthful musical voices to be truly heard – asks Cecilia Ferm Thorgersen
Uniting to promote Poland's organic produce
Although organic food is becoming more and more popular it is still not easy for producers to arouse consumer's interest with their products. Therefore, to promote organic food, a cluster in eastern Poland has been established, writes Krzysztof Jończyk
Wrong waste policy can be 'environmentally disastrous'
The best way to deal with waste and recycling differs from country to country – so policy-makers need to be wary of doing more environmental harm than good when they put new trans-boundary laws and regulations in place, writes Björn H Halldórsson
Greece's devastating olive fly threat: a solution
The olive fly is a voracious pest against which Greek olive growers must fight a constant and wearying battle, especially as austerity measures limit the options for control. But Oxitec has a solution that is more economic, greener, and more sustainable than any existing alternative, writes Michael Conway
'Wasted opportunity': EU warned on electronic cigarettes
In an extract from a letter to new European health commissioner Tonio Borg, Katherine Devlin argues that burdening the electronic cigarette industry with reclassification and regulation would waste an opportunity to offer smokers an appealing alternative