A Dubai lawyer who has spent four decades studying plants and animals native to the Emirates has had a species of gecko named after him. Scientists have named it Feulner’s semaphore gecko (Pristurus feulneri) after Gary Feulner. The name is a reference to how it communicates using its tail and body. The gecko is commonly found across […]
UAE scientists have sounded the alarm over the uncertain future of dozens of at-risk wild varieties of staple crops, which could hold the key to strengthening the food chain against the growing threat of climate change. New research has highlighted that the Emirates is home to 87 crop wild relatives (CWRs), some of which possess genes which […]
Levels of a major pollutant in the UAE’s air have dropped significantly in a year, according to a report that ranks countries by air quality. While concentrations of the smallest type of particulate matter remain above levels recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the 2024 World Air Quality Report from Swiss company IQAir reveals that they have […]
The warming waters of the Arabian Gulf mean fish must adapt to survive – but new research suggests local marine life might be particularly good at it. Scientists at NYU Abu Dhabi found reef fish in the harsh Arabian Gulf conditions had developed a higher “thermal tolerance” than in the milder Gulf of Oman. However, the Arabian Gulf had […]
Development and urbanisation often destroys wildlife habitats but researchers have found that, for the UAE’s amphibians at least, it may have an upside. Researchers say urban lakes and ponds have become habitats for Dhofar toads, one of only two amphibious species native to the country, demonstrating how certain species can thrive in areas transformed by people. […]
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, on Wednesday heralded the third harvest of a vast wheat farm which is helping to bolster the emirate’s food security, while sowing the seeds for a more sustainable future. The farm in Mleiha was transformed from a stretch of barren desert land in 2022 into fertile […]
It’s no secret that a lot of meat is consumed in the UAE, but a new study suggests that more than 20 per cent of Emiratis would consider turning to alternative forms of protein. Made from plants, algae, fungi and insects, or by creating cultivated meat, also known as cultured meat, using animal cells in a […]
Abu Dhabi brand Ma Hawa is showcasing the concept of “wireless water” at global food and beverage industry event Gulfood in Dubai this week. It’s not a new idea, but the homegrown company’s technology has been turning heads at the annual event by producing water from the air surrounding a machine the size of a standard water dispenser. Visitors […]
A UAE non-profit organisation has teamed up with authorities in the Philippines to revitalise a vital waterway in Manila. An agreement was reached on Wednesday at the World Governments Summit for UAE-based Clean Rivers to commit up to $20 million towards initiatives that support the clean-up of the Pasig River and prevent dumping into the […]
In an effort to push to pole position in the green innovation space, the UAE has launched a ‘Green Intellectual Property’ road map to attract and promote industry advancements in the country. The initiative will prioritise patents within the green technology and sustainability space, cutting processing time to only three months. Currently, it can take six months to more […]
