Science in the meltdown.

The article discusses the uncertainties facing research institutes during the 2008 global recession. The effect on research enterprises will depend on how individual governments respond to the crisis and what kind of stimulus they think is necessary to revive their economies. Topics include a brief examination of how the financial crisis has affected the biotechnology industry and how the clean-energy industries may benefit, such as in the production of hybrid vehicles and solar-energy projects. An in-depth analysis of research and development (R&D) spending by various countries, how reduced investment in science could turn the crisis into a long-term problem, and how the global recession may effect efforts to deal with energy and climate change issues is presented.