Comment

Experts must agree a set of acceptable ways to assess and present forensic evidence, says Norman Fenton.

Recent data — and personal experience — suggest that autism can be an advantage in some spheres, including science, says Laurent Mottron.

Drought is the most pressing problem caused by climate change. It receives too little attention, says Joseph Romm.

Mobility can bring opportunities for coping with environmental change, say Richard Black, Stephen R. G. Bennett, Sandy M. Thomas and John R. Beddington.

Proposed rules to protect research subjects will impede progress, say Krishanu Saha and J. Benjamin Hurlbut. Instead, give donors more say in how samples are used.

We are getting smarter, and as a result the world is becoming a more peaceful place, says Steven Pinker.

Indigenous knowledge is maturing as a science, says Henry P. Huntington. But more work is needed to give the field the respect it deserves.

Academic collaboration is essential for creating a sustainable future for Arctic development, says Lars Kullerud.

Encourage dialogue between the producers and consumers of scientific knowledge in the north to keep the region conflict free, says Oran R. Young.

Excess phosphorus is polluting our environment while, ironically, mineable resources of this essential nutrient are limited. James Elser and Elena Bennett argue that recycling programmes are urgently needed.

Charles Seaford argues that a clear measure of well-being should be devised to help people judge how government policies affect their quality of life.

John P. A. Ioannidis proposes ways to save scientists from spending all their time writing grants.

Civilians and the military must cooperate on global disease control, say David Blazes and Kevin Russell.

Ann Finkbeiner explains JASON, the autonomous group of academics that has been reporting to the US government on military matters for more than 50 years.

Leaders are ill-prepared for the ethical complications of new 'killer applications', says P. W. Singer.

Extracting gas from shale increases the availability of this resource, but the health and environmental risks may be too high.

Researchers must make a stronger case for funding in the face of a perfect storm of budget cuts and eroding political support, says Jay Gulledge.

In ten years of operation, the unwieldy Department of Homeland Security and its science directorate have seriously underperformed, says Peter D. Zimmerman.

Scientists should make time for play to complement their intense work, maintain creativity and keep the ideas flowing, argues Julie Overbaugh.

Concerns about antibiotics focus on bacterial resistance — but permanent changes to our protective flora could have more serious consequences, says Martin Blaser.