Viewpoint

The EU needs objective science advice when framing its policies. Action is needed to clarify how and by whom this is delivered, says the former EU science chief Anne Glover

Science advice in Brussels needs improvement, but the “flawed” office of chief science adviser was not the way to do it, says Doug Parr, chief scientist and policy director at Greenpeace UK

EU training programmes in particle physics are ending at a time when the need for these skills is increasing. As a result, Europe risks losing ground in a field that is key to its competitiveness, says Carsten Welsch

Cold air and abundant renewable energy are the ingredients for greener data centres, says Matz Engman, who helped entice internet giant Facebook to set up shop in the remote north of Sweden

Mounds of paperwork and regulation are blocking the route to capital markets for small companies. It’s time for reforms to change this, says Rainer Riess, head of the Federation for European Securities

A Science|Business Network Brief

Limpet teeth have overtaken spider silk as the world’s strongest natural material. As attempts are made to replicate and put this material to use, it is important to look to the IP strategy, say patent attorneys Ben Dempster and Jennifer Unsworth

A new online platform ShareIn is connecting biotech companies with investors. This is forcing traditional funders to up their game and cut back on layers of intermediary costs for start-ups, says Jude Cook, co-founder of ShareIn

Digital technologies can help older adults maintain independence and assist with their care. But resistance to change and a shortage of objective data to help communicate its value, is making it hard to commercialise products and build markets, says Martijn Vastenburg

Young people are not so hide-bound by risk. But they need the inputs of veteran investors and entrepreneurs to supply the missing ingredients in terms of experience, says Jaakko Hynynen, chief executive of the Finnish incubator, Startup Sauna