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How degraded is the Saudi desert?

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) has launched a project to study and assess degraded sites in Saudi Arabia using internationally recognized methods and advanced technologies. The NCVC stated in press release today that the project aims to develop rehabilitation plans for areas in the eastern and central regions, specifically […]

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Using drones to know if whales are pregnant

New research published in Scientific Reports, describes a first-of-its-kind method of accurately detecting different pregnancy stages in killer whales using drone images. Understanding the reproductive success of whales is an important way of monitoring how vulnerable different populations are to threats such as vessel disturbance and food scarcity. 

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Can neem and tulsi purify water?

All four medicinal plants used in the study demonstrated a notable transformation in turning contaminated water into drinkable water. More than any other plant, neem has proven to be effective at cleaning contaminated wate, the researchers note. Along with a value closer to that of neem, tulsi also possesses the ability to filter contaminated water.

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Saudi Arabia initiates a wild plant survey

Saudi Arabia until recently was hermetically sealed to the outside world. But times are changing and the Kingdom of Saud which once dwelled in mud palaces are opening up the oil-wealthy kingdom to tourists, archeologists, divers, hydroponics companies, and lately for seeds banks. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) has […]

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Build a fire-proof home with hemp blocks

Researchers tested the fire safety and strength of hemp blocks, a sustainable building material made from hemp, lime, and water. The study, published in the Journal of Building Engineering, found that Hemp blocks don’t catch fire with open flames but instead smolder slowly, producing very little smoke. In fact, walls made of hemp blocks stayed structurally intact for 2 hours during fire tests.

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Truffles From The Desert

The sands of Middle Eastern and North African deserts also yield truffles. They’re known as zubaidi, fagaa, terfez, kamaa (or kima), depending on the country they come from. The botanical name is Terfezia Leonis. And now, with winter in the Middle East drawing on, it's prime time for a desert truffle safari. Well, if you have an experienced Beduin guide.

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This bug bacon is saving the lemurs

With minimal investment and resources needed, Sakondry farming creates income opportunities, especially for rural women, who are taking the lead in managing production. The ambition is that in the future, Sakondry farming can be expanded, and the insects could be sold nearby, therefore providing additional income to families.

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Portugal vies to become Europe’s medical cannabis hub but locals say beware of corruption

Tilray Medical continues to be a global leader in the medical cannabis industry, offering a diverse portfolio of EU-GMP certified medicinal cannabis products. With operations extending over 20 countries, Tilray Medical is dedicated to supporting medical cannabis patient care worldwide through quality products accessible via healthcare practitioners. Its business in Portugal is a stepping stone to the rest of the EU. 

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The Orange Economy: How Religion and AI Are Shaping Innovation

Looking toward the future faith, creativity and technology will often intersect. The pathway from “prophet” to “profit” will not always be clear. However, creativity, at times fueled by faith, will help spur greater creativity where-in new technologies will allow the visionaries of the future to unlock new possibilities for collaboration, innovation, and mutual understanding more quickly than ever.

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How Islamic-era agriculture points way to sustainable farming methods

Despite their initial success, early Islamic P&B agricultural systems in Israel were largely abandoned after the Crusader conquest and, surprisingly, were not reestablished. However, these traditional systems found renewed application in regions such as Iran, Algeria, the Gaza Strip, and parts of Iberia since the Middle Ages, where they continue to support agriculture in marginal environments.

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Trapped in a dive boat for 36 hours, survivor’s daughter raises red flags over rescue

As more time passes since the Egyptian dive yacht sunk on November 25, survivors are asking questions of how so many things could have gone wrong. From lack of batteries in the life vests, to leaking life rafts, to an unresponsive army. Why did it take more than 36 hours for those that couldn't escape the wreck to be rescued. Why was the rescue done by a private crew and not the Navy?

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Ancient Jews in Syria and their Lady Gaga shoes

A Jewish woman in Damascus, Syria when Jews were allowed religious freedom in Syria. Her shoes are better than Lady Gaga’s. (1865, hand colored photo from the Institut du Monde Arabe). We didn’t meet a single Jew when we visited Syria because it’s not safe for them under the Captagon-pushing Assad Dynasty, and it’s not allowed to even […]

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UAE’s Etihad Rail solar powers its freight terminal

The Ghuweifat freight terminal serves as a key hub for facilitating seamless cross-border operations. With its strategic location at the border with Saudi Arabia, the terminal is uniquely positioned to accelerate sustainable logistics solutions regionally, aligning with Etihad Rail’s objectives to foster more eco-friendly freight operations.

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The Taliban bans women’s voices, non-Muslim friendships and visits to national park

Women in the Taliban-controlled country of Afghanistan are already banned from showing their bodies and faces in public. A new blow to dehumanizing women is the ban of the sound of women's voices in public. Like the regime in Iran that controls women singing in public and showing their hair, the restrictions in Afghanistan are more fierce and among them bans women from being friends with non-Muslims and from entering national parks: 

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Saudi Arabia starts protecting nature for conservation

The Saudi National Center for Wildlife (NCW) proudly announces that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has added the Ibex Protected Area to its exclusive Green List. The IUCN Green List recognizes protected and conserved areas globally that excel across governance, planning and design, effective management, and achieving positive conservations outcomes.

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The ghost town Kayakoy in Turkey rooted in Christian history and tragedy

Today, Kayaköy stands as an open-air museum and a memorial to the forced migrations that have shaped this region’s history. The ghostly silence of the town’s empty streets and hollowed-out homes evokes a deep sense of loss. Tourists can wander among the stone houses and visit the two large churches, which have been partially restored, but the eerie quiet remains. If you love ghost towns - this one is worth a visit. 

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Improve climate anxiety with placemaking actions

On January 1 the first day of the new year this year, I woke up with a very positive attitude, despite microplastics. Although we enjoyed the turn of the year night with friends until quite late, I chose to stick to my diet, not to drink alcohol, not to eat after 8pm, and of course, not to smoke. Having fun, does not require abusing my body, I thought, or putting my health at risk, after all. 

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Sustainable hair care tips from a dermatologist

It's tempting to take advice from a TikTok video but hair is as unique as its wearer, making care an important aspect in one’s overall health and wellness routine. From understanding your hair type to learning the best shampooing technique (yes, there is one!), proper care and your diet can prevent certain types of hair loss and leave your hair looking healthier than ever.

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Is bear meat safe to eat?

It may not be a question you ask yourself every day in the city, but if you venture north in countries like Canada where wild bears are a mythical creature to be revered and feared, it just may happen that you will be offered bear meat. But is it safe?

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Butterflies and moths use electricity power to pollinate

Butterflies and moths collect so much static electricity whilst in flight, that pollen grains from flowers can be pulled by static electricity across air gaps of several millimetres or centimetres. The finding reported in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, suggests that this likely increases their efficiency and effectiveness as pollinators. Butterflies typically eat nectar, […]

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Should you work out in the summer?

The summers seem to be getting hotter every year and if you spend too much time in over 100 degree F heat there will be physiological consequences. Temperatures have soared this year especially in the Middle East. Temperatures in Dubai can exceed 109 degrees in July and August and states like Florida, Hawaii and Arizona […]

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How excess CEO pay affects us all

The effects of over-paying become dramatic over a lifetime for any company trying to create a sustainable business of any kind. Real effects include reduction in workers wages compounding into lower savings compounding into lower investment levels and compounding into generating lower income from investments.

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Is eating honeycomb good for you?

This review of existing studies on eating beeswax or honeycomb showed an antimicrobic effect of beeswax against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger: "these inhibitory effects are enhanced synergistically with other natural products such as honey or olive oil."

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Sound art with Craig Colorusso

Covered Bridge ONE and El Segundo are presented as music but I think it's something else.  Recently a friend of mine sent me a video of a beautiful crane in the water under Covered Bridge ONE. It was just being a bird elegantly drinking from the water while my friend was on her walk.

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Drip irrigation greenhouses in Uzbekistan

Large, flavorful tomatoes ripen in Odina Sattorova’s backyard greenhouse in Uzbekistan’s Ferghana Valley. Their perfect shape, rich colour and smooth texture – undeniable indicators of quality – are the result of many days of intensive work in the greenhouse. Odina, who has worked in greenhouses taking care of seedlings and helping harvest grapes since she […]

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How to build a terrarium

Welcome to the world of terrariums! You came here because you might have seen the video about the man who built a terrarium 50 years later it was still thriving.  These delightful little ecosystems are like magical gardens tucked into a transparent plastic or glass world. Picture yourself as a skilled architect, creating a miniature […]

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Deep sea mining and what’s at risk

Greenpeace is calling leaked undercover footage of wastewater pouring into the Pacific ocean during deep sea mining tests “damning”. The undercover footage shown above of the latest deep sea mining tests in the Pacific Ocean shows wastewater being dumped by Canadian miner The Metals Company at the ocean surface, with unknown toxicity and ecological impacts.

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The ultimate hummus recipe

Got a yen for the food of strong men? It’s so easy to just bop down to the corner falafel stand and pick up a pita full of the Middle Easts’ favorite fast food. But get to know – and make, another meal, the kind you have to sit down for. In this recipe, dark, […]

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The Green Guide to Jaffa

Jaffa, Tel Aviv's historic sister city, is famous for its rich biblical tales and unmatched sightseeing. With its unique combination of history and modernity, Jaffa offers countless opportunities for environmentally sustainable and unique day and nighttime activities.

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New High Seas treaty set by the UN to protect marine life

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has welcomed the approval by UN member states of a landmark legally binding agreement, under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in international waters, covering nearly two-thirds of world’s ocean. The world’s oceans […]

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Recycling in Tel Aviv

Growing up in America, recycling has always been a well-known concept that everyone knows to do. Whether Americans participate in it or not, it can be found everywhere. Back home, we have two trash cans: garbage and recycling.

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The hobbit home set for demolition

Want a bird’s-eye view of a seaside national park? In an effort to bring a new dimension to the beauty of Apollonia National Park in Israel on the Mediterranean Sea an amateur drone pilot Jesse Peters sent his aerial quadcopter high above the crashing surf and limestone cliffs – exposing the historical ruins, natural beauty, […]