Monthly focus

Over the horizon

01 February 2016

Researchers are mapping out Europe's place in the global trade structure. Image credit: Getty

What are the latest techniques being developed to stop counterfeit drugs at the border? Why do countries still prefer bi- and multilateral agreements over global deals, and how does trade play into financial crises? This February, Horizon uncovers what’s setting the course for global trade.

Developing countries such as Bangladesh can protect themselves from shocks by exporting textiles and other products. Image credit: ‘NASSA Group AJ Super Garments LTD. RMG production line’ by Musamir Azad is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-SA 3.0

social sciences | open to the world

22 February 2016

Trade openness can reduce volatility in developing countries, researchers believe

Trade openness can protect developing countries against economic shocks, researchers believe.

Researchers are working to put trackers on the surface of pills that can be detected through blister packs. Image credit: Flickr/ Konstantin Lazorkin

health | open to the world

15 February 2016

‘Fingerprinting’ to stop flow of dark web drugs

From invisible online markets, past border controls and straight to the consumer, fake pharmaceuticals are on the rise, but now a mix of anti-counterfeiting technology is helping halt the wave of fake drugs and their often lethal consequences.

The textile industry drove the industrial revolution in Britain. Image credit: Public domain/ James Howe Carse

social sciences | open to the world

05 February 2016

Asian trade may have launched Europe’s industrial age

Bygone Asian cotton and porcelain trade routes could have spurred the consumption of luxury goods in Europe, researchers believe, while scientific cooperation with modern Asia is still leading to new technological advances.

There have been more regional trade pacts in recent years but global deals are still important, according to researchers. Source: Pixabay/ WikimediaImages

social sciences | open to the world

01 February 2016

Globalisation means worldwide trade pacts needed

Much of the focus in trade talks around the world at present is on regional deals, rather than global agreements. But researchers say the goal of multilateral pacts will remain in the medium and longer term, given the pressures of globalisation.

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The business of biodiversity: can we put a value on nature?

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Over the horizon

Republish this content

Trade openness can reduce volatility in developing countries, researchers believe

‘Fingerprinting’ to stop flow of dark web drugs

Asian trade may have launched Europe’s industrial age