Nature Index in 2017

A focus on basic research is shifting scientific resources from Seoul to South Korea's central city.

Barcelona lures scientists while Madrid is bound by bureaucracy.

A description of the terminology and methodology used in this supplement, and a guide to the functionality available free online at natureindex.com.

Cities are magnets for people, resources and infrastructure — essential components for the generation of new ideas. We present here other factors that make for an ideal knowledge city. The elements might seem obvious, but there's no magic formula for how to combine them. Data analysis by Aaron Ballagh, data visualization by Daniel Ormella.

New York's expensive office and lab spaces have deterred innovative life science firms, but with growing support for start-ups, the scene is changing.

Most of the world's research and entrepreneurship is concentrated in a few megacities.

For centuries a hub of ideas and trade, London is embracing ambitious developments to boost research and local connections, despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit.

China's political and economic centres, Beijing and Shanghai, connect on a scientific level.

Buoyed by government support, Shenzhen emulates Guangzhou's academic excellence.

A description of the terminology and methodology used in this supplement, and a guide to the functionality available free online at natureindex.com.

Saudi Arabian students returning from scholarships abroad bring opportunities and challenges to the kingdom.

Saudi institutions are making great technological strides, but the country's business community must change its approach to make possible a true innovation culture.

The rights and roles of women in the kingdom are evolving as growing numbers pursue higher education in STEM subjects, at home and abroad. But, for Saudi Arabia's knowledge economy to really thrive, the ranks of women working in science must increase. The Nature Index spoke to five passionate researchers who have taken up the mantle.

For the love of discovery, a biochemist freely shared the research which laid the groundwork for widely-used drugs.

Herceptin changed the nature of cancer treatment, but this life-extending drug may never have seen the light of day without parallel breakthroughs on many fronts.