Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
Air Tea is a new technology. Instead of drinking tea, you inhale herbal vapor through warm air extraction. There is no water and no combustion. The warm air releases essential oils that are often lost in hot water and digestion.
Health emerges from a continuous energy and material flow from water through food to human physiology. Technical energy systems support this cycle through water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
Air Tea is a new technology. Instead of drinking tea, you inhale herbal vapor through warm air extraction. There is no water and no combustion. The warm air releases essential oils that are often lost in hot water and digestion.
Health emerges from a continuous energy and material flow from water through food to human physiology. Technical energy systems support this cycle through water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
Air Tea is a new technology. Instead of drinking tea, you inhale herbal vapor through warm air extraction. There is no water and no combustion. The warm air releases essential oils that are often lost in hot water and digestion.
Health emerges from a continuous energy and material flow from water through food to human physiology. Technical energy systems support this cycle through water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
Air Tea is a new technology. Instead of drinking tea, you inhale herbal vapor through warm air extraction. There is no water and no combustion. The warm air releases essential oils that are often lost in hot water and digestion.
Health emerges from a continuous energy and material flow from water through food to human physiology. Technical energy systems support this cycle through water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
Air Tea is a new technology. Instead of drinking tea, you inhale herbal vapor through warm air extraction. There is no water and no combustion. The warm air releases essential oils that are often lost in hot water and digestion.
Health emerges from a continuous energy and material flow from water through food to human physiology. Technical energy systems support this cycle through water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
Air Tea is a new technology. Instead of drinking tea, you inhale herbal vapor through warm air extraction. There is no water and no combustion. The warm air releases essential oils that are often lost in hot water and digestion.
Health emerges from a continuous energy and material flow from water through food to human physiology. Technical energy systems support this cycle through water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
Air Tea is a new technology. Instead of drinking tea, you inhale herbal vapor through warm air extraction. There is no water and no combustion. The warm air releases essential oils that are often lost in hot water and digestion.
Health emerges from a continuous energy and material flow from water through food to human physiology. Technical energy systems support this cycle through water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
Air Tea is a new technology. Instead of drinking tea, you inhale herbal vapor through warm air extraction. There is no water and no combustion. The warm air releases essential oils that are often lost in hot water and digestion.
Health emerges from a continuous energy and material flow from water through food to human physiology. Technical energy systems support this cycle through water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Diver Emad Omran from Egypt reached out to Green Prophet and said that the boat was built too high for its size, and was “easily controlled by the wind” making it an easy target when the sea gets rough: “It wasn’t built for rough, hard seas,” he says.
The boat reportedly sunk near Sha’ab Sataya (also known as Dolphin Reef), off the coast of Marsa Alam, Egypt, on November 25.
“Actually it was built for easy kite surf live-aboard in a sheltered island environment,” he tells Green Prophet. Omran says that the owners of the boat “have no idea about diving or safety standards or even tourism creating a negative environment for dive operators in Egypt.”
The family of a British couple still missing after a tourist boat sank in the Red Sea have spoken of their “desperation” as they wait for news. Jenny Cawson, 36, and her husband Tariq Sinada, 49, from Devon, are believed to be among seven people still unaccounted for after the Sea Story went down off the coast of Egypt early on Monday. FAMILY HANDOUT
The company who operated Sea Story is called Dive Pro Liveaboards, and the “company must stop operating in the Red Sea,” says Omran.
Dive Pro Liveaboards did not answer our request for comments. They also own the boat Sea Legend that caught fire in February, killing one woman.
Linda Korres, familiar with the dive company and friends with member of the crew who died last Monday, eulogizes her diver and friend Aladin. He was credited for rescuing people.
She said she felt something was wrong with this company when she went diving with them three years ago, on the boat Tillis.
“I am sure the reason the Sea Story had to go out in the storm was out of reckless greed with some bribery involved,” Korres says. “Sending these cheap and quickly built and remodeled multistory narrow ships out, that are not suitable for open sea is a death sentence! Any time. But especially in these weather conditions. These ships are too shallow, aren’t going deep into the waters, have no keel to keep them upright in wind and waves, which makes them likely to tip over.”
She adds that the “motors aren’t strong enough, they have no anchors, the rescue islands are often old and useless, the zodiacs broken. Often there are no life vests and the few that there are, are not suitable for open sea, as they have no collar. There are no smoke detectors, no evacuation routs lit with emergency lights.”
“We need more safety, international controls from PADI,” she tells Green Prophet.
PADI is an international licensing and certification process for divers and dive instructors.
“Egyptians involved are so afraid to go to jail or even afraid of death if they speak out in public,” she says.
“Meanwhile I had several Egyptians confirming these issues. Also that the vessel was in fact not 2 years new, but old and just remodeled. In photos from Sea Story you see loose furniture, cabinets that can’t be locked, no safety lighting, barely some smoke detectors, no emergency exit signs or lighting and how on earth would anyone be able to get the rescue islands from that top railing?
“We truly hope that the irresponsible owner of the ship Dive Pro Liveaboards, who already lost one of his four ships, the Sea Legend this year 22nd February, due to a fire and explosion, will be finally called responsible together with all the officials who looked away and still do for so many companies and ships in the Red Sea,” Korres added.
She recalls a trip out on one of the company’s boats, Tillis: “The furniture, sofas, tables and chairs were loose and slipped on the deck and the dining room with every wave. The beds had no railing. Several people fell out of bed at night and hurt themselves. Closets couldn’t be shut with locks and swung dangerously open all the time. The fridges on the deck couldn’t close properly, so that several times beer cans shot over the deck when the boat was rocking. We were lucky no one was hit.
“The crew could only use duck tape to secure drawers and the closets.”
The floor plan of the Sea Story dive boat. Divers are trying to rescue those who may be trapped inside.
She says that the crew or the captain of these boats are not to blame for the latest catastrophe: “They earn very little money and depend on the jobs. The owners don’t pay well and treat them badly. As result there is a new uneducated inexperienced hardly or non-English speaking crew every other trip. Instead of paying a fair salary and training them in all aspects and teaching safety regulations.”
A dive master earns about 300 Euros a week on a live aboard. The crew less, she says.
Some cabins had no life vests at all: “I remember very well desperately clinging to the bed, frightened as never before in my life, sobbing and crying silently in the dark on the first night, when sea was rough, not to scare my friend Caroline Strazzabosco with whom I shared an upper deck cabin.
“After some hours I realized she was just as scared to death as I was… sitting on her bed not letting go of her survival bag filled with water, medicine and cookies for us. Tillis got new paint, TVs and furniture a year after our trip. But I believe nothing improved or changed on the safety issues.”
Interior cabin, Sea Story
“Sea Story is said to be an only 2 year old ship. I doubt it. I rather believe it is one of the remodeled much smaller old ships. Often they just add some stories in height and cut the vessel to add some structure to make it longer… until it’s unrecognizable and receives a new name.”
Below are several reviews about the company from TripAdvisor sent to Green Prophet from Omran:
Klorres sent us a link to a German newspaper article that printed an interview with one of the Egyptian rescue divers – professional divers Ahmed Ashraf and Khattab Faramawi from Egypt who rescued their brother Youssef Faramawi from the wreck of the “Sea Story” who came to the site.
Ashraf explained the risks for rescue. Some more parts of the scrubbed interview can be seen below.
“The diver rescuing his brother reported (from Google translation German to English): “The wreck has a big hole. If the ship had been made of steel, it would have sunk immediately. But it is made of wood. During the accident, several air chambers had formed in the wreck. The largest was very close to the hole in the outer wall. When we dived, we had to be careful that our exhaled air bubbles did not connect with the air chamber. If it had grown so large that it had traveled to the hole in the outer wall, all the air could have escaped from the wreck. The ship would have plummeted into the depths with us in its belly in seconds. We would have had no chance.
“How deep is the sea at this point?
“I don’t know exactly, maybe 1000 meters? Too deep, in any case.”
Please let us know if you would like to share your story with this dive company in Egypt. You can email us [email protected]. We hope to keep Egypt a safe place to dive.
Exercise Scheduling: How Often Should You Work Out?
Working out requires a good level of concentration and physical effort. Regardless of the routine and exercises you want to follow, time will always be a factor. That’s why experts suggest working out 30 minutes daily, five days per week, for improved health.
However, this recommendation does not apply to all exercises. Depending on your goals, age, health, activity level, and other factors, you may need to spend less or more time working out. A credible supplement provider like Biaxol can help complement your diet and power you through many workouts.
This article explores how you can schedule time for specific exercises. Continue reading!
Strength Training
Strength training has multiple benefits, including keeping your muscles and bones strong and preparing your body for various other workouts. Good examples of strength training are bodyweight exercises like crunches, push-ups, planks, and weightlifting with barbells and dumbbells.
Further, strength training can affect several muscle groups across your body, including your arms, abdomen, chest, hips, legs, and shoulders. Some experts recommend two to three 20-40-minute strength training sessions weekly.
Depending on your level of activity and fitness levels, you can start with 15 minutes and gradually work your way to 30 minutes per session.
Cardio Training
Cardio can range anywhere from moderate to intense physical exercises. The best part about cardio is that you can choose to do what you enjoy. For example, you can run, swim, bike, and do other activities that come naturally to you. Besides, research has found that incorporating HIIT cardio sessions is one of the most effective and efficient workouts.
HIIT can get you far, as it’s intense, quick, and takes less time. Experts recommend adding some weights to the session, but you should watch your body and build up some resistance first. You can quickly work up a solid sweat with cardio movements in 25-30 minutes.
You can do cardio training three times a week, intensifying movements with adequate rest days in between. However, experts recommend low-intensity cardio workouts if you exercise for extended periods or daily.
Weight Loss Training
Food plays a critical role in weight loss training and sessions, and most enthusiasts employ a calorie deficit. However, the movements help burn calories, working with your diet. This means you may need to increase the length of time or days you work out to lose weight.
Some studies have shown that 60 minutes daily, five times weekly, can help you lose weight—your weight matters. So, 60 minutes daily can help you burn about 150 calories, brisk walking about 280 calories, dancing over 300 calories, and jogging or running can help you lose over 550 calories.
Generally, the number of calories you burn in 60 minutes depends on several factors, including the intensity of your exercise and weight. Speak to your physician before starting any routine.
Should You Exercise Everyday of the Week?
You can work out daily, but doing reps at a high intensity will put your body in trouble. You are exercising too much, which leads to a tired body because it’s challenging to perform at the same level each day.
For these reasons, experts advocate rest days, recommending 3-5 days of workouts weekly, while other days can be used for rest and active recovery. That way, you’ll avoid getting tired and getting injured.
During rest days, do light stretches, sleep well, stay hydrated, and eat healthy meals. Studies show that active recovery encourages healthy muscle growth.
Conclusion
Baked fish and avocado on toast is a good way to enjoy the Mediterranean Diet
Exercise has many benefits, including weight management and overall health. However, scheduling your workouts can help you build a solid routine. Observe the times and days available to you and plan accordingly.
Mix up your workouts to target more muscles and gradually increase the intensity. Thirty minutes of intense physical activity like HIIT can produce amazing results. Take test days to relax, practice active recovery, and prepare your body for your next workout.
The October 7 attack was a shock and surprise to civilians and the Israeli military. But technology used for predicting earthquakes and seismic shocks can be used to detect future attacks, say researchers from Tel Aviv University. They have looked at the data leading up to the attack where Israel was breached, 1200 killed and 250 were kidnapped, and say that unusual activity can be sensed in seismic measurements taken at the time. Of course it’s retroactive data and conclusions but researchers reveal that on the morning of October 7th, approximately half an hour before the deadly terrorist assault, the stations recorded weak but widespread human-induced seismic noise.
The researchers attribute these anomalous seismic amplitudes to the unusual movement of heavy vehicles within the Gaza Strip heading toward organizational points along the Israeli border up to 20 minutes before the ground barrier breach
The researchers explain that forensic seismology is often used to monitor conventional and nuclear explosions. However, this is the first time in history that weak ground motions resulting from preparations for a terrorist attack have been identified by analyzing the characteristics of seismic noise induced by vehicular traffic.
They believe the discovery demonstrates the potential usage of seismic-based sensing technology to provide early warnings of terrorist activity.
The study, led by Asaf Inbal of the Department of Geophysics at Tel Aviv University’s Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences and Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, was published in The Seismic Record, a journal of the Seismological Society of America.
Israel has seen catastrophic earthquakes over the centuries and much of this data was gleaned from church records that reported back to the Vatican over the years. Israel has been saying for the last 30 years that a large earthquake can be expected at any time. Turkey is seismically very active in the last 10 years but recent research suggests that the tectonic plates between Turkey and Dead Sea Rift are not or no longer connected.
In Iskenderun, Turkey – one of the places most affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş
Inbal explains the data they found around the attack on October 7: “The Israeli Geological Survey operates a nationwide network of dozens of highly sensitive seismometers that continuously monitor ground motions. This network is primarily designed to detect and locate earthquakes and provide warnings of strong ground shaking caused by large-magnitude seismic events.
“However, three stations in the network—located in Amazia, Ktsiot, and Yatir, between 30 and 50 kilometers from Gaza—recorded unusual seismic noise levels early in the morning of October 7th, 2023. This noise can be attributed with confidence to the vehicular activity in Gaza as Hamas terrorists gathered for the attack. The time frame was between 6:00 and 6:30 AM, before the rocket fire began.
“The likelihood that the recorded signals originated from Gaza is over 99.9%.
“The motions recorded near the seismometers were in the range of tens of nanometers per second, whereas the minimum ground motion detectable by humans is several millimeters per second,” explains Inbal. “The characteristics of the noise originating from Gaza and captured by the Israeli stations are fundamentally different from those recorded at the same stations on previous Saturdays during those hours.
“We analyzed three years of data from the Israeli station trio recorded in the same time frame as the one leading up to the attack. We found no instance of a Saturday morning when correlated amplitudes were recorded at all three stations for over 10 minutes. It’s important to note that these stations are widely spaced, with each station primarily sensitive to seismic noise generated by nearby human activity.
“For instance, the distance between Ktsiot and Amazia is about 80 kilometers, and on previous Saturdays, there was no correlation between the data recorded at these stations. On the morning of the attack, when local activity near the stations was minimal, we found unique widespread seismic amplitudes, which monotonically increased with time approaching the attack.
“No known natural or human source on the Israeli side could have generated seismic signals with a distribution and intensity similar to those attributed to Hamas movements. Although the outdoor music festival near Re’im generated some seismic noise, our analysis shows that this noise does not match the strength or location of the noise sources recorded by the Israeli seismic network on October 7th.”
The analysis indicates the seismic noise detected began at 6:00 AM and intensified as the attack approached. Occasionally, the noise contained short bursts strong enough to pinpoint their source and track their progress. The location and intensity of these sources in Gaza suggest vehicle movements advancing southward and northward within Gaza, from Rafah in the south to the Erez crossing in the north, during the 30 minutes leading up to the attack.
“We have good resolution along Salah al-Din Road, a major thoroughfare crossing Gaza from Rafah in the south to Beit Lahia in the north,” says Inbal. “We can confirm with high certainty that their forces moved along this route at speeds of 25 to 50 km/h. Observations from stations dozens of kilometers from Gaza’s border indicate convoys of heavy vehicles such as bulldozers and trucks carrying operatives.
“Three minutes before the attack began, we detected noise sources reaching the northern end of Gaza near Beit Lahia and the southern end near Khan Yunis. At the same time, we continued receiving signals from central Gaza, near Nuseirat. We know the assault began almost simultaneously along the entire border, so these seismic observations provide further evidence of the extensive deployment of Hamas forces, likely enabling the simultaneous breach of the ground barrier.”
Sea Story, Egyptian live aboard diving vessel sinks. Many are still missing.
An Egyptian yacht built in 2022 has sunk, leaving passengers trapped inside the boat since Monday. The live aboard diving boat encountered large waves Monday morning in the Red Sea, and capsized quickly. Some 28 people were rescued right away on Monday by the Egyptian Navy, the Egyptian authorities say they have recovered four bodies.
By Thursday afternoon some seven people were missing and recent rescue efforts revealed that a number of people were rescued from their cabins. The yacht is in about 12 meters of water with a part of it poking above the surface. Ongoing rescue operations hope to find and return those who may be trapped inside their cabins.
The floor plan of the Sea Story dive boat. Divers are trying to rescue those who may be trapped inside
The survivors and the missing are an international group of divers and an Egyptian crew. The boat sunk within 5 minutes in the early morning. No doubt many passengers were still in bed.
A coral reef in the Red Sea
The Sea Story was a live-aboard diving boat meant to bring divers to their dream dive destinations in Egypt. The yacht left its port near the Egyptian town of Marsa Alam on Sunday for a five-day diving trip. On Monday it was believed to be hit by a large wave which caused it to sink. In total 33 passengers have been rescued, along with four bodies.
Inside the Sea Story
The owner of EcoOcean, a research vessel that conducts environmental research in the Red and Med Sea, told me once about the power of the Red Sea and the time that they almost capsized. A storm blew in and being a vessel registered in Israel they could not dock at Saudi Arabia or Sudan and had to keep going despite the risk of capsizing. The Red Sea in the area of the Sinai Peninsula is remarkably calm but go more south and it can be wild.
See below footage from divers onboard the Carlton Queen documenting its sinking and rescue last year.
Diver Ian Cilia from Malta, told Green Prophet: “I was on this boat..absolutely beautiful boat. Probably owners had to recover the money they spent on it by going out in atrocious conditions. Cost peoples lives. Just my opinion.”
Questions have already been raised about diving operations in the region. This isn’t the first time a tourist boat has seen trouble. Last June, three British tourists died after a diving yacht caught fire on the Red Sea. Another yacht, the Carlton Queen, capsized and sank near Hurghada earlier last year. No one died, but the passengers onboard said the vessel was not seaworthy. Also at Hurghada, tourists are shocked to see restaurants serving sharks and manta rays on the menu.
The congealed concoction pictured above is actually one of the least repugnant dishes that Americans were so enamored of in the 1950s and 60s, and even into the 1970s. There it is, an elaborately layered composite of garden vegetables safely encased in a nice, neat covering of gelatin. It looks good enough to serve at dinner when Hubby’s boss comes over, right?
But wait, it gets worse.
This appetizer, meant to be spread on crackers, consists of finely chopped ham, cream cheese, sliced green onions, pickle relish, slivered almonds, and Miracle Whip to hold it all together. Imagine a buffet with this creation on the table today. Better not; its rightful place is in the gallery of horrible past foods.
Still, a modern-day blogger whose taste seems to match the palate of the 1950s reproduced the dish, with some adjustments. And good luck to her, I say.
To really give you the willies, here’s a dish whose name and ingredients are unknown. It looks like ground beef, or possibly Spam, and onions and peppers, possibly baked in a bundt mold, cooled and slathered with mayo tinted with green food coloring – sort of a glorified meat loaf – but your guess is as good as mine.
The magazines of the 50s and 60s initially offered these recipes to American women who needed a handsome buffet dish that stayed in one neat piece on the plate. Later the recipes emphasized using up leftovers and making prep-ahead foods for the working mother who needed to put dinner on the table fast.
Here’s an example: leftover roast pork mold. All the ingredients, except for the leftover meat and a green pepper, come out of cans.
Fancy molded dishes were always status symbols. Molds that survived from medieval times can be viewed at some museums. As long ago as 1520, Henry VIII enjoyed a jelly consisting of squares of rose-flavored milk jelly made more precious by gold leaf.
Source: www.historicfood.com
Elaborate dessert molds from the 17th and 18th century exist. Mrs. Beeton’s famous “Book of Household Management” (1861) offers a variety of molded jelly desserts, some tinted with cochineal (a dried, powdered insect that yields a red color and which is still used in some industrial foods).
Over time, the domestic servants needed to produce these culinary marvels were replaced by appliances. The vacuum cleaner, the electric iron, and the refrigerator were new-fangled status symbols. Some food historians suggest that a fancy, gelatin-based food, which had to come out of a refrigerator, subtly reflected the affluence of the household. In other words, showing off with food, just as they did back in Henry VIII’s time.
Others propose that the emphasis on using up leftovers in gelatin was a thrifty hangover from the austere WW2 years.
We look back on those mid-20th century congealed foods with a shudder. Those were the days of the “Sensational Avocado-Turkey Crown,” which allowed the wise American housewife to use up “tag ends of turkey.” The days of the Can-Opener Cookbook (Poppy Cannon, 1951). But we understand the appeal of industrial foods like gelatin, mayonnaise, and canned vegetables. A woman could, for example, turn a couple of cans of Spam and biscuit mix into a quick, filling and cheap dinner for the family.
There’s not much to be said in favor of the foods concocted out of industrial ingredients except that they did offer convenience and economy. I may view them with repugnance, but I respect the women who saw them as God-sent answers to the pressures of fitting into the job market and running their homes at modern standards in the post-Great Depression and post-WW2 era. Those grandmothers were convinced that they were doing their best in the brave new world.
A final quickly prepared family meal: Spagetti-O (canned pasta) Jello salad with a fillip: boiled hot dog sticks. And no, I’m not giving the recipe. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Balena and Lemon Jelly make the world’s first circular bag
Balena, which develops a soft recycled plastic that can be used for shoes and other fashion items, announces its release of our first material-made limited-edition handbag in collaboration with Lemon Jelly. The company has collaborated with companies such as Vivo Barefoot in the recent past.
The company first revealed a compostable shoe in 2022 and then went on to create or develop a B2B model where it offers the soft and flexible bioplastic to a range of companies in the fashion industry. It’s an antidote to fast fashion.
Balena, eco and biodegradable sandal slide, plastic, eco plastic, biocir, cycles of decomposition
Balena and Lemon Jelly have created the NYSSA bag—crafted from BioCirflex, Balena’s proprietary biobased material—which is fully compostable or recyclable, creating a breakthrough in sustainable design and circular fashion. Let it go to waste in the compost bin or bring back into the cycle of plastics. They have circularity in the bag!
“Designed to be both durable and biodegradable,” says Balena, the company, “the NYSSA bag embodies circularity. It’s available exclusively online in deep black and amber yellow, with a sleek matte finish, launching worldwide at the end of November. This collaboration celebrates the strengths of both Balena’s material science innovation and Lemon Jelly’s commitment to responsible fashion.”
International materials science specialist Balena has also partnered with UK’s 3D-print label Variable Seams to showcase the “durability and wearability of Flextex3D, which enables the 3D printing of fabrics and garments.”
Earlier this year they partnered with Zulu Kuki, known for his boundary-pushing creativity and deep appreciation for cultural influences, and who has taken footwear design to a new level with this collaboration.
Zulu Kuki shoes
His design philosophy, inspired by automotive culture—specifically the sleek, functional lines of 70s racing cars like the Porsche 935—translates into a shoe that is both visually striking and functionally advanced. This shoe is more than a fashion statement; it’s a reflection of a future where innovation meets sustainability.
W-Cycle, an innovator in sustainable food packaging, and Melhoramentos, a publicly traded Brazilian company with activities spanning publishing, renewable forestry, and real estate (Altea), announced a strategic partnership. Together, they aim to produce compostable “plastics” or packaging made from renewable materials that naturally decompose within 100 days.
The agreement, valued at a minimum of 3.45M USD and set for an initial term of three years involves the supply by W-Cycle to Melhoramentos Latin America with its proprietary food-grade packaging formula and consulting services. These resources will help Melhoramentos produce its new advanced biodegradable packaging.
Melhoramentos will also incorporate their own high-performance cellulose fibres sourced from their extensive renewable forestry operations covering more than 80 million square meters.
“There has long been a global demand for more sustainable packaging solutions,” says Rafael Gibini, CEO of Melhoramentos. “Our collaboration with W-Cycle opens the door to a new and inspiring use for our cellulose-based natural resources. Together, we’re ushering in a new era that could eventually phase out single-use plastic packaging and pave the way for a more sustainable future.”
“Partnering with such a renowned industry leader is a pivotal moment in our journey,” says Isaac Rome, CEO of W-Cycle. “It will open up a wide scope of opportunities for both companies to deliver impactful, high end affordable packaging solutions by blending expertise and creativity.”
The clean-tech start-up W-cycle made a breakthrough in greener food packaging with its patented food-grade SupraPulp material. SupraPulp comprises a line of formulas that cleverly combines sugarcane waste (known as bagasse) or other sidestreams such as eucalyptus wood fibers and banana leaves with additives to produce molded fiber packaging.
Making plastic from sugarcane waste, known as bagasse. Image via Wikipedia
This material is transformed into a new generation of highly functional food trays able to contain both frozen and heated foods. The molded-fiber containers are impervious to oil and water and need no plastic lamination for barriers. SupraPulp trays can sustain any type of frozen food and juice run-off without leakage through the container.
The trays are designed to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40° freezing to 220°C heat. And, they are compostable.
Nature’s answer
”Our ecological packaging formulations help food packaging manufacturers break away from plastic PET materials, allowing them to create robust containers that are suitable for freezer to oven/microwave convenience,” says Rome. “The added game-changer of using SupraPulp trays is that they can be tossed away guilt-free: The material will simply decompose, reintegrating back into the earth from which it originated within roughly 100 days.”
Plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose. According to the United Nations Environment Program, approximately 400 million tons of plastic waste is generated per year. Only a small fraction is recycled. The vast majority (95%) ends up in landfills or gets dumped into the ocean, causing havoc to marine life and to the human body where it makes its way through the food chain and through the air we breath.
W-cycle’s SupraPulp containers are already helping catering companies, ready-meal producers, in-flight caterers, institutions, food take-away services and multinational food companies to sever ties to plastic containers. In addition to tailoring pulp formulations for Melhoramentos, as part of the partnership W-cycle will provide R&D support in molded fiber production. This includes testing different formulations and their compatibility with various types of fibers, including those produced by Melhoramentos through its forest cultivation operations.
“As pioneers in ecological food packaging, W-cycle brings extensive expertise in molded fiber properties, complementary materials, and their performance under different conditions, along with a deep understanding of manufacturing processes and equipment needs,” says Gibini.“This will be instrumental in helping us design food packaging options that are high performing, cost-effective, and can work in harmony with the environment.”
According to a report by Grand View Research, the global bioplastics market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 18.8% to reach $44.77 billion by 2030. The growth is attributed to the increased demand for sustainable bio-based products from sectors including consumer goods, food and beverages, and packaging solutions, among others. Invest in bioplastics, invest in the future of our planet.
How can policy makers promote less plastics?
Ban or charge for single-use plastics — but be careful to tighten any loopholes, such as allowing shops to offer thicker, ‘reusable’ plastic bags that end up in the bin anyway. Like the bags sold at Walmart.
Make plastic producers pay — by charging by weight, making them pay for recycling, or by rewarding the inclusion of recycled material. This depends on having effective, safe recycling centres.
Crack down on microplastics by banning microbeads from cosmetics. Microplastic filters in washing machines can help too, but it would be better to promote a shift in how textiles are made — a perfect candidate for an international treaty
Now, Slow Food Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the Culinary Arts Commission, will participate in the Saudi Feast Festival from November 27 to December 6 at the Abadi AlJohar Arena in Jeddah.
Slow Food in Saudi Arabia
Under the theme Taste the Culture, Slow Food invites visitors to experience an immersive celebration of Saudi Arabia’s rich culinary heritage, with a special focus on the Ark of Taste program—a global initiative that catalogs endangered food products. The Ark of Taste is a living catalog of delicious and distinctive foods facing extinction.
At the heart of the event lies Slow Food’s commitment to preserving traditional food products, highlighting the work of local communities across the Kingdom who are dedicated to safeguarding their culinary traditions.
The Slow Food presence at the festival will showcase the diverse and unique flavors of Saudi cuisine, with particular emphasis on more than 120 Ark of Taste products representing the food diversity of the 13 Saudi Regions, from Al-Hassawi Rice to Figra Mountain Honey, from Iqt to Al-Bakaya Date Palm.
A key highlight of the event will be the launch of the Arabic edition of Good, Clean and Fair, the seminal book by Slow Food founder Carlo Petrini, which embodies the values of the Slow Food movement.
Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with Slow Food Saudi Arabia by signing up for membership, nominating new products for the Ark of Taste, and exploring Slow Food Travel experiences—unique opportunities to discover Saudi Arabia’s diverse culinary landscapes in greater depth.
What are some examples of protected Slow Food from Saudi Arabia?
Currently, Saudi Arabia has documented 13 protected food items under the Slow Food movement’s Ark of Taste, an initiative to safeguard traditional foods at risk of disappearing. These items represent the country’s diverse culinary heritage and include:
In Iskenderun, one of the places most affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş
Earthquake energy can travel vast distances, shaking the ground far from its origin. This energy moves even more swiftly along tectonic plate boundaries and across their intersections. When powerful earthquakes struck along the East Anatolian Fault in February 2023, between Syria and Turkey, their impact was expected to extend along the Dead Sea Fault, from the Red Sea to Turkey, and affect its surrounding regions. These significant faults are well-known as intersecting plate boundaries.
Nonetheless, the anticipated strong earthquakes did not occur along the Dead Sea Fault.
While this may seem like an anomaly, researchers from the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Haifa and the Geological Survey of Israel claim that the initial perception was wrong, claiming that the plate boundaries are not connected.
Earthquakes in Turkey are particularly strong and corrupt authorities don’t oversee building standards are to code
“Our study shows that the strong earthquakes of the East Anatolian Fault were not channeled along the Dead Sea Fault since they are not tectonically connected, as most scientists assume. The seismic energy produced by the source is absorbed through small aftershocks in the intermediate regions – i.e., in Syria and Lebanon, but not preferably channeled along the Dead Sea Fault ” explained Prof. Uri Schattner of the University of Haifa, one of the authors of the study.
In February 2023, some of the strongest earthquakes in the history of the Middle East occurred in southeast Turkey, killing tens of thousands of people. The current study, published recently in the journal Tectonophysics, was conducted jointly with Dr. Amit Segev and Dr. Nadav Wetzler from the Geological Survey of Israel. The researchers sought to examine why the major earthquakes in Turkey did not cause significant aftershocks along the Dead Sea Fault and the countries along its 1000+ km trace.
They gathered the earthquake data from the Israeli and Turkish seismic monitoring networks, collected between 2000-2022 from Eilat to Turkey and in all the neighboring countries, and analyzed all their seismological components. The researchers also reviewed all previous geological, geophysical, volcanic and tectonic studies to better understand the Dead Sea fault development in the past millions of years. “We wanted to go back to square one and re-examine if these two major fault systems are actually connected,” explained Dr. Segev.
The findings confirm the northward development of the Dead Sea Fault, gradually separating between the Sinai and the Arabian plate over millions of years. However, they show an interesting trend. The modern earthquakes are concentrated along the southern portion of the fault, from the Red Sea to the Sea of Galilee, where the cumulative displacement is 105 km between Sinai and Arabia (the east side is moving north relative to the western side). From Lebanon northwards, earthquakes occur across a much wider area, including the Syrian Palmyra and Aleppo regions. In these areas, displacement along the Dead Sea Fault diminishes significantly—around 16-4 km in northwestern Syria—and is absent at its supposed junction with the East Anatolian Fault.
“This finding enhances our understanding of how seismic energy dissipates in earthquake-prone areas. It may help improve our preparedness for seismic events by showing that the Dead Sea Fault is not directly connected to the East Anatolian Fault. This finding is critical in managing seismic risk in our region and raises new questions concerning the type of earthquakes that may occur in northern Israel,” noted Dr. Wetzler from the Seismological Division of the Geological Survey of Israel.
The researchers add that the meeting area between the Dead Sea and East Anatolian Faults may be considered a natural laboratory for studying the processes in which tectonic junctions are formed between plate boundaries. “A plate boundary such as the Dead Sea Fault can be found in many other places, such as the San Andreas Fault in California. They are part of the global tectonic network of plate boundaries. Our study shows how a plate boundary junction is created,” Dr. Segev explained.
“Our findings enhance our understanding of crustal structures across the Middle East,” concluded the researchers. “This knowledge provides better tools for assessing earthquake distribution and propagation, marking a significant step towards improving regional seismic risk and hazard assessment”.
A 3D printed terracotta tile used in Abu Dhabi, UAE
ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment company, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the region’s largest environmental regulator, and Archireef, a climate technology company based in Hong Kong, have deployed artificial 3D printed terracotta reef tiles to aid coral restoration in the Persian Gulf off the shore of Abu Dhabi.
The tiles were designed by a team of marine biologists and architects and produced through custom 3D clay printing in Archireef’s new production facility.
Natalie Levy works with artificial, terracotta reefs to restore life in the Red Sea.
The partnership between ADQ and Archireef funds research and development of eco-engineering solutions for marine biodiversity restoration – combining scientific research with the use of the latest technologies in 3D printing, IoT, and AI.
“Our partnership with Archireef brings a unique and innovative coral restoration method to Abu Dhabi to safeguard our Emirate’s natural environment and promote sustainable development. It is a memorable moment for ADQ to be part of this project providing a lifeline to endangered coral reefs, which is the first of its kind in the UAE and the wider region.
Underlining our commitment to adopting practical solutions powered by R&D and innovation to address environmental challenges, this biodiversity restoration initiative aligns with our ESG aspirations, and we believe it will have a positive impact not only on our planet but also on local communities we operate in,” said Anas Jawdat Albarguthi, Chief Operating Officer at ADQ.
Source: Archireef.
In contrast to other types of artificial reefs, the 3D printed terracotta reef tiles are environmentally friendly and engineered to closely mimic the natural pattern of corals and prevent sedimentation build-up, which is a major threat for corals. It basically chokes them.
The plantation site is at Um Khorah Island in the Al Dhafra Region, in Abu Dhabi, housing around 1,200 coral fragments grown in specialized nurseries, owned by EAD.
Abu Dhabi waters are home to 34 different types of hard coral. In 2017 alone, the Emirate lost most of its corak, 73% of its reefs, due to mass coral bleaching, caused by an increase in water temperature due to climate change, manmade coastal disruption and the shipping industry and pollution.
The study introduces a method known as “a coral reef ecosystem transplant” (aCRET), where researchers transferred biomimetic terracotta (clay) tiles embedded with a diverse community of organisms—including invertebrates and beneficial microorganisms—from a healthy reef to a nearby damaged reef.
Terracotta tiles make artificial reefs for coral reefs to regrow
The corals from the damaged reef were then attached to these tiles. The results demonstrated notable improvements in coral health, including increased photosynthetic efficiency, higher populations of symbiotic algae, and reduced stress levels. These findings suggest that transplanting a healthy ecosystem can significantly boost coral resilience and physiological function.
The researchers designed the biomimetic terracotta tiles to replicate the complex 3D structure of natural coral reefs, providing a perfect environment for diverse organisms to thrive. After allowing the organisms to grow on the tiles for six months, the tiles—along with their rich, biologically active substrate—were transported to the damaged reef located six km away.
This is what a healthy coral reef looks like in the Red Sea
Following an additional six months, corals on these tiles showed substantial improvements compared to corals grown on tiles with substrate from the damaged reef. In a parallel experiment, the researchers confirmed that the transfer of substrate from a damaged reef to a healthy reef produced less favorable results, reinforcing the benefits of the healthy reef ecosystem transplant.
The study, just published in the journal Nature Communications, was led by Natalie Levy and Prof. Oren Levy from Bar-Ilan University in collaboration with Prof. Ezri Tarazi of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and Prof. David Bourne of James Cook University and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
Natalie Levy works with artificial, terracotta reefs to restore life in the Red Sea
“This innovative approach underscores the critical role of healthy reef ecosystems in restoring coral health and resilience,” said Dr. Natalie Levy, lead researcher of the study. “The results highlight the potential of ecosystem transplantation as an effective, sustainable restoration tool that can be integrated with other coral restoration methods like coral gardening and artificial reefs.”
A 3D printed terracotta tile used in Abu Dhabi, UAE
The study’s findings point to aCRETs as a viable and flexible solution for coral reef restoration globally, especially in areas facing significant environmental stress. This cost-effective technique could complement and enhance existing restoration strategies, helping to protect and restore coral ecosystems vital for marine biodiversity. However, the researchers stress that for the best outcomes, local reefs should be selected as close as possible for transplanting, and additional long-term studies are essential to fully understand the ecological impacts on different coral species and reef environments.
“This research advances our understanding of coral restoration and provides an invaluable tool to help address the ongoing global coral crisis,” said Prof. Oren Levy. “By using healthy ecosystems to regenerate damaged reefs, we can work towards more resilient, sustainable coral ecosystems that may one day recover from climate change and other threats.”
This pioneering study paves the way for a new wave of coral conservation efforts and offers hope for reversing the alarming degradation of coral reefs worldwide.
Teenagers – the bastion of youth and health. But in Canada a teenager is now in critical condition after being infected with a version of the H5N1 avian influenza flu virus. Doctors and epidemics researchers are on high alert. According to news outlets in Canada the teen is in stable but critical condition, and has developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, where the lungs become so damaged that they can no longer supply enough oxygen to the body.
The teen developed symptoms on November 2, and was hospitalized at the British Columbia children’s hospital on November 8. The teens symptoms started with conjunctivitis – an infection in the eyes – along with a fever and a cough.
Viral genome sequences from the virus suggest that this is a mutated form of H5N1 — which is related to the one infecting US dairy cattle but this permutation might be better at infecting people through the human airway. If true, it could mean that this virus could rapidly evolve to make the jump from birds to humans. “There is reason to be concerned,” says immunologist Scott Hensley. “But not reason to totally freak out.”
“The fact that we have a first human case in Canada is not at all surprising, given what is happening in the US and Europe, as well as what is happening in domestic bird flocks in British Columbia,” said Dr. Brian Ward, a professor of medicine at McGill University, researcher with McGill’s J.D. MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases, and co-director of McGill’s Vaccine Study Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
“Millions of migratory waterfowl are flying over Canada right now, many of which may be carrying or infected with the virus,” he added. “The bottom line is that increasing evidence of mammal-to-mammal spread among dairy cows, elephant seals, and mink and ermine farms is worrisome, but we don’t need to sound the sirens yet.”
Infected birds shed the avian flu in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Birds become infected when they have contact with the virus as it is shed by infected birds. There is a danger when birds from poultry farms are overcrowded and wild birds contact the industrial ones under stressed conditions.
Canada’s CDC shows how bird flu gets passed to humans. You don’t need direct contact with the bird to get it.
Bird flu and how it spreads. Just breathing in a bird flapping its wings can be enough.
Netafim pipes snake through farmer’s fields and deliver water and nutrients right at the root base
Drip irrigation, a marvel of agricultural technology, has its roots in the arid landscapes of Israel and the ancient ingenuity of desert farming. Simcha Blass, an Israeli engineer, drew inspiration from the ancient qanat system, a remarkable underground aqueduct system used by ancient civilizations, and introduced the concept of drip irrigation in the 1960s, with the pioneering support of companies like Netafim.
Ancient Wisdom: The Qanat System in Desert Agriculture
An ancient Qanat system in Persia. Spread throughout the arid Middle East, these systems predated Roman aqueducts but the historical narrative isn’t told
Before we dive into the modern marvel of drip irrigation, let’s pay homage to the qanat system, an ancient innovation from the Middle East area that paved the way. Originating over two thousand years ago in Persia, qanats were an engineering marvel that harnessed subterranean water sources to sustain agriculture in arid regions.
The qanat system consisted of a network of underground tunnels, meticulously designed with precise gradients, that tapped into natural springs and groundwater sources. These tunnels guided water to the surface, allowing it to flow gently and steadily to fields, providing a lifeline to crops in the heart of deserts.
The brilliance of the qanat system lay in its ability to minimize water loss due to evaporation and seepage, ensuring that every precious drop of water reached its destination. This ancient wisdom served as an inspiration for modern drip irrigation, which adopted similar principles to conserve water and promote sustainable agriculture in arid regions.
The Ingenious Beginning: Blass and Netafim
Simcha Blass, an unconventional thinker from Israel, was the visionary behind drip irrigation. He questioned the conventional wisdom of irrigation methods and sought a smarter way to manage water resources. It was Netafim, founded in 1965, that took Blass’s vision and transformed it into a reality, making drip irrigation accessible to the world.
A Closer Look at Drip Irrigation
The Treetoscope sensor collects information about water and soil nutrients to turn on irrigation systems at the right time
Now, let’s explore the mechanics of drip irrigation. Imagine a controlled system comprising valves, pipes, emitters, and tubing orchestrating water delivery with precision to plant roots. Unlike traditional methods that often waste water, drip irrigation is a gentle and efficient method.
Water Efficiency: Drip Irrigation’s Strong Suit
Drip irrigation excels at conserving water through these mechanisms:
Precise Water Delivery: Water is directed precisely to plant roots, minimizing waste through evaporation and runoff.
Root Development: Drip irrigation encourages deep root systems, reducing a plant’s dependence on surface water sources.
Synergy with Mulch: Drip irrigation works in harmony with mulching, reducing water loss due to soil evaporation and weed growth.
Energy Efficiency: Reducing the Carbon Footprint
An early version of the CropX irrigation hardware controller in the field
Beyond water conservation, drip irrigation offers impressive energy efficiency by:
Minimizing Pump Usage: Drip irrigation eliminates the need for energy-intensive pumps to transport water over long distances.
Reducing Water Demand: By using less water overall, it reduces the energy required for water treatment and distribution.
Solar Synergy: Drip irrigation can be combined with solar panels, creating a renewable energy source for irrigation.
Automation: Automated scheduling reduces the need for manual labor, contributing to energy savings.
The Multitude of Benefits of Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is not limited to water and energy conservation; it offers a range of advantages:
Enhanced Plant Health: Precise water and nutrient delivery directly to plant roots result in healthier plants.
Soil Protection: Drip irrigation minimizes soil erosion and runoff, preserving topsoil and preventing water pollution.
Reduced Water Waste: Water is delivered only where it’s needed, reducing overspray and ensuring efficient use.
Labor Efficiency: Automated systems reduce the labor required for irrigation management, especially in large-scale farming.
Improved Crop Yields: Optimal water and nutrient delivery often leads to increased crop yields.
Drought Resilience: Drip irrigation helps plants better withstand drought conditions, reducing the risk of crop loss.
Flood Prevention: Precise water application minimizes the risk of crop damage and loss in flood-prone areas.
Drip Irrigation and Almond Trees in California
Almonds in California
California, known for its almond orchards, has embraced drip irrigation. Almond trees require meticulous water management, making drip irrigation an ideal choice. The system ensures that each almond tree receives a calculated amount of water directly at its root zone, optimizing water use.
In the arid landscapes of California’s Central Valley, where almonds thrive, water is a precious resource. Drip irrigation not only conserves water but also reduces the energy needed for water distribution, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible almond industry. With the help of drip irrigation, California’s almond growers have been able to sustain and increase their production while minimizing the impact on water resources.
Choosing the Right Pipes for Drip Irrigation
There are four main types of drip irrigation: soaker hoses (also known as porous soaker lines), emitter systems, drip tapes, and micro-misting systems. Each system has different features.
To maximize the benefits of drip irrigation, selecting the appropriate pipes and components is also essential. Here’s a brief overview of some pipe options:
PVC Pipes: These are the most common choice, known for their durability and cost-effectiveness. However, they may not be suitable for all soil types.
Polyethylene Pipes: These pipes offer durability and ease of use, often at a lower cost than PVC. Soil compatibility should be considered.
Drip Tubing: Designed specifically for drip irrigation, drip tubing is flexible and budget-friendly. Soil compatibility may be a factor to consider.
The Detrimental Impact of Plastic in Drip Irrigation: An Environmental Concern
Drip irrigation has long been celebrated as an efficient and water-saving method for crop cultivation. However, the widespread use of plastic materials in drip irrigation systems has raised significant environmental concerns. Plastic, which is non-biodegradable and often disposed of improperly, contributes to pollution and poses numerous drawbacks in the context of sustainable agriculture. Plastics and their components not only affect the soil but the food we are growing through them. Some things to think about when using drop irrigation on your farm:
Non-Biodegradability
One of the most glaring drawbacks of using plastic in drip irrigation is its non-biodegradable nature. Traditional plastics used in these systems can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, contributing to the growing problem of plastic pollution.
Microplastic Generation
As plastic components in drip irrigation systems degrade over time due to exposure to UV radiation and other environmental factors, they break down into smaller particles known as microplastics. These microplastics can find their way into the soil, water sources, and eventually, the food chain, posing a significant threat to ecosystems and human health.
Soil Contamination
Plastic materials used in drip irrigation can leach harmful chemicals and additives into the soil, contaminating the very land we rely on for agriculture. These chemicals can alter soil properties and negatively impact crop growth but also impact the life in the soil including the fungus and tiny insects, bacteria and other organisms that call the soil home.
Water Pollution
Plastic in drip irrigation systems can also lead to water pollution. When not properly managed, discarded plastic components can end up in water bodies, affecting aquatic life and water quality. Plastic debris in waterways is a pervasive environmental issue worldwide. Plastics are in the Pacific and they are showing up on remote islands.
This boat on the Seychelles is full of plastic that washed up on shore
Wildlife Threat
The presence of plastic waste in agricultural fields and irrigation canals can endanger wildlife. Animals may ingest or become entangled in plastic, resulting in injury or death. This poses a direct threat to biodiversity.
Energy Consumption
The production of plastic materials for drip irrigation systems is energy-intensive, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The extraction, refinement, and transportation of petroleum-based plastics all consume fossil fuels and exacerbate climate change.
Landfill Overload
Discarded or worn-out plastic components from drip irrigation systems often end up in landfills, contributing to landfill overcrowding. This, in turn, can lead to leachate contamination and methane gas emissions, further contributing to environmental problems. We have already learned that most plastics are toxic to recycled and are not being recycled in the United States.
Maintenance Challenges
Plastic components in drip irrigation systems are prone to wear and tear due to exposure to UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and physical stress. Frequent replacement and maintenance generate additional plastic waste and increase the overall environmental impact.
Limited Recycling Opportunities
Many plastic materials used in drip irrigation systems are difficult to recycle due to their unique chemical composition and the presence of additives. This results in limited recycling opportunities and, consequently, increased plastic waste. Some research is ongoing about making the plastics in drip irrigation pipes compostable. Innovation in this area from novel plant-based and organic materials is in need.
An experts weighs in
“First, drip irrigation increases consumption by crops (hence the yield and area increases) and reduces “return flows”—that is, the “losses” that actually come back to the hydrological system as recharge to usable local aquifers or runoff to rivers,” says Chris Perry, the Former Editor in Chief, Agricultural Water Management.
“In either case, the status quo ante would have had other users making beneficial use of those return flows and to that extent, the benefits to the drip adopters are offset by reduced water availability to other users. Thus promotional material implying that an increase in efficiency from 40% to 90% is a 50% “saving” in water is highly misleading. To clarify, consider the case of northern India where “inefficient” irrigation of rice during the monsoon, when water is plentiful, is a major source of recharge to aquifers that provide groundwater during the dry season. Switching to drip in the monsoon would be a negative move.
“Secondly, think about the impact of introducing drip on areas where groundwater is scarce and over-abstracted. At first glance, you might assume that farmers abstract less water so the aquifer is “saved”. Not so! The farmer now is able to irrigate more area and probably get higher yields, so water becomes more valuable and demand increases. This is known as Jevons Paradox, or the rebound effect and is widely observed across water short areas—not least California, which you quote as a success story.
“Wrong! California’s aquifer are seriously over-drafted, and conversion to a combination of drip and almonds is a large part of the problem. Tree crops create a “hard” demand—the planted area of annual crops can be reduced during a drought, or the crop abandoned in mid-season if supplies fail. Trees cannot be left unwatered so farmers will pump whatever they can to keep their investment alive.”
Homes that are also warehouses. An efficient idea?
Managing a warehouse supply chain effectively is the foundation of any successful business in logistics, manufacturing, or distribution.
The process involves numerous complexities, from inventory control and demand forecasting to navigating disruptions and optimizing efficiency.
Warehouse supply chain management plays a vital role in ensuring that goods flow seamlessly from suppliers to customers, but it is not without its challenges.
In this guide, we’ll explore the key obstacles businesses face in this domain and outline best practices for streamlining operations, reducing costs, and enhancing overall productivity.
The Role of Warehousing in Supply Chain Management
Transport of goods in ecological truck sustainable. Green environmentally friendly transport and shipping.
Warehousing plays a critical role in supply chain management through efficient storage, strategic location, and security and risk management.
It supports the smooth flow of goods, facilitates timely distribution, and ensures product availability to meet market demands.
Efficient Storage
Effective storage is fundamentally about maximizing the utilization of existing warehouse space. This includes arranging products so that they occupy less space and are more conveniently accessible.
By achieving this, warehouses can accommodate more goods without the necessity for additional space. It also accelerates the picking and packing processes, reducing delivery times.
Numerous warehouses currently integratehigh-capacity storage systems, such as pallet racks and shelving units designed for diverse product dimensions.
Strategic Location
Transitioning from the topic of storing items, the location you decide upon has significant importance. A judicious site ensures your products reach customers swiftly and economically.
If your storage facility is near main roads, harbors, or city areas, you can economize on shipping costs and duration. This decision also impacts the pace at which you can replenish your stocks.
Proximity to suppliers reduces the waiting time for fresh inventory.
Determining the appropriate spot involves consideration beyond merely observing a map. Consider your customers’ locations and delivery speed expectations. Warehouses situated centrally decrease transit durations across cities or states.
Security and Risk Management
The cornerstones of warehouse management include maintaining safety measures and mitigating any potential risks.
These processes are designed to guard your commodities against incidents such as burglary, harm, or disappearance.
This includes the setting up of surveillance devices, alarm systems, and admission regulation mechanisms to observe and control the individuals accessing the warehouse.
Educating the workforce about safety guidelines is also crucial so that everyone is prepared to respond correctly to any uncertain circumstances.
Challenges in Warehouse Supply Chain Management
Warehouse Supply Chain Management deals with tasks such as inventory management, warehouse space optimization, and addressing security concerns.
These tasks demand strategic planning, efficient processes, and proactive solutions to guarantee seamless operations.
Inventory Management
Effective inventory management is crucial for business owners, e-commerce companies, and warehouses to ensure optimal operations.
Businesses can enhance cost-effectiveness and minimize material scarcity risks by prioritizing accurate demand forecasting and streamlined procurement processes.
Focusing on improving inventory accuracy and control facilitates efficient distribution and transportation logistics, ultimately enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Warehouse Optimization
Warehouse optimization is crucial for maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs. Implementing advanced warehouse management systems (WMS) can significantly enhance inventory accuracy and streamline operations.
Automation and robotics also play vital roles in improving warehouse efficiency, reducing workforce turnover, and preventing inventory loss.
Focusing on data-driven decision-making enables businesses to make strategic choices that improve logistics management and cost-effectiveness.
Security Challenges
Security challenges in warehouse supply chain management are a critical concern for business owners, e-commerce companies, and warehouses.
Protecting inventory from theft, damage, and unauthorized access is paramount to maintaining smooth operations.
According to industry data, inventory loss due to security breaches costs businesses billions annually. Implementing strong security measures such as surveillance systems, access controls, and employee training can help mitigate these risks.
Staying updated on the latest security technologies and best practices is essential for safeguarding valuable assets in the warehouse environment.
Best Practices in Warehouse Supply Chain Management
Maximize your warehouse layout and design to enhance efficiency, foster strong supplier relationships, prioritize inventory management, implement advanced WMS and automation, focus on warehouse safety, and make data-driven decisions for a streamlined supply chain.
Optimize Warehouse Layout and Design
To optimize warehouse layout and design, businesses can implement the following best practices:
Maximize Vertical Space: Increase storage capacity by using tall shelving units and mezzanines to efficiently store inventory and materials, reducing the need for excessive floor space.
Apply Lean Principles: Organize workspaces using lean principles such as the 5S methodology to streamline processes and eliminate unnecessary movements and operations, thereby enhancing overall efficiency.
Implement Cross-Docking: Directly transfer incoming goods to outgoing vehicles, reducing storage time and handling costs, and reducing inventory holding costs.
Create Adaptable Layouts: Design the warehouse layout to be adaptable and modular, allowing for easy reconfiguration in response to changing business needs or seasonal variations in inventory levels.
Integrate Technology: Use Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and advanced software solutions to optimize layout planning, material flow control, and real-time inventory tracking for better operational visibility.
Incorporate Safety Measures: Design the layout to ensure compliance with OSHA guidelines, reduce workplace accidents, and enhance employee well-being.
Streamline Workflow Efficiency: Place high-demand items closer to shipping areas while minimizing travel distances for pickers, packers, and material handlers.
Optimize Dock Operations: Efficiently allocate dock space based on traffic volume and types of inbound/outbound shipments to minimize congestion, expedite loading/unloading activities, and improve truck turnaround times.
By incorporating these best practices into warehouse layout and design strategies, businesses can effectively address logistical challenges while enhancing cost-effectiveness and overall operational efficiency.
Foster Strong Supplier Relationships
Cultivating strong supplier relationships is crucial to optimizing warehouse layout and design. Suppliers play a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth flow of inventory and materials.
Working closely with suppliers can improve cost-effectiveness, inventory accuracy, and logistics management within the supply chain.
By nurturing these relationships, warehouses can enhance their distribution operations, address material scarcity challenges, and streamline procurement processes.
Prioritize Inventory Management
Focusing on inventory management is essential to enhancing warehouse efficiency and meeting customer demands.
By integrating advanced WMS (Warehouse Management Systems), businesses can realize a 25-30% boost in productivity and accuracy levels.
Incorporating data-driven decision-making ensures enhanced inventory accuracy, reduces instances of material scarcity, and lowers overall costs by improving demand forecasting and procurement processes.
Implementing Advanced WMS
Implementing advanced Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) can significantly improve warehouse operations.
These systems utilize automation and real-time data to enhance inventory accuracy, streamline logistics, and enhance cost-effectiveness.
Advanced WMS also supports superior workforce management by offering practical insights for efficient resource allocation, reducing material scarcity risks, and addressing challenges related to user acceptance.
Automation and Robotics
Warehouses are increasingly turning to automation and robotics to improve efficiency and productivity.
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and robotic arms can handle material scarcity, enhance workforce turnover, and optimize warehouse space utilization.
For instance, AGVs have shown a 40% increase in inventory accuracy and a 25% reduction in labor costs. Robotics also facilitates cost-effectiveness by streamlining operations management for shipping and receiving.
Focus on Warehouse Safety
After implementing automation and robotics in warehouse operations, it is crucial to prioritize warehouse safety to ensure a secure working environment.
Emphasizing safety reduces the risk of workplace accidents and promotes employee well-being, ultimately improving productivity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementing safety protocols such as regular equipment maintenance, employee training on proper handling techniques, and enforcing strict adherence to safety guidelines significantly
Data-Driven Decision Making
Data-driven decision-making is crucial for warehouse supply chain management. By utilizing advanced Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and automation, businesses can harness real-time data to improve inventory accuracy, optimize warehouse layout and design, and streamline logistics operations.
With a focus on cost-effectiveness and demand forecasting, data-driven insights enable efficient procurement and material handling, ultimately driving improved inventory control and distribution.
Final Thoughts
Warehouse supply chain management presents various opportunities, including inventory accuracy and workforce retention.
To advance these opportunities effectively, business owners and warehouses can implement best practices such as optimizing warehouse layout, nurturing strong supplier relationships, and prioritizing inventory management.
By focusing on these strategies, businesses can enhance their warehouse operations and logistics to ensure cost-effectiveness and efficiency in the supply chain.
With a proactive approach to addressing opportunities and implementing best practices, warehouses can streamline their operations and improve overall performance in the dynamic landscape of supply chain management.
Canine distemper is a deadly, contagious disease mainly affecting a dog’s gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous systems. It causes many symptoms that cause discomfort in dogs.
Various sources reported a K9 distemper outbreak across the UAE in 2022. Though it has already passed, dogs in the UAE can contract the disease anytime.
Fortunately, dog owners can prevent distemper in dogs by understanding this disease and knowing what to do when your dog gets infected.
What is Distemper in Dogs?
Canine distemper is a fatal disease caused by the paramyxovirus. It’s highly contagious and lethal, especially in puppies.
The virus attacks various vital organs and causes symptoms like discharge from the eyes and nose, seizures, and convulsions.
How Does Distemper Spread in Dogs?
As the number of pet owners continues to rise in Dubai and throughout the UAE, the risk of a distemper outbreak is still high.
The distemper virus in dogs can be transmitted in several ways. A dog in direct contact with an infected dog can easily acquire the disease.
The virus can also spread through airborne transmission. When an infected dog barks, coughs, or sneezes, the distemper virus spreads and can affect healthy dogs that are nearby.
Luckily, the virus can’t live long outside a dog’s body and can easily be killed by using cleaners and disinfectants.
A pregnant dog infected with distemper may also pass the virus to its puppies. Sadly, the chances of survival of a newborn puppy are very low.
Still, veterinarians may treat the pregnant dog before it gives birth and the puppies when born to manage symptoms, as distemper in dogs doesn’t have a cure.
Symptoms of Distemper in Dogs
Once a dog is infected by distemper, it can experience various symptoms. As the disease progresses, the symptoms of K9 distemper become worse.
Here are the early symptoms of canine distemper.
Discharge from the eyes and nose, ranging from watery to pus-like consistency
Fever after three to six days after infection
Loss of appetite
Weakness and lack of energy
Coughing
Vomiting and diarrhoea
When symptoms progress, especially without vet medical care, advanced symptoms may appear in dogs. The advanced symptoms of distemper are fatal neurological signs that may include:
Head tilting
Circling
Seizures
Full or partial paralysis
Repetitive eye movements
Muscle twitching
Convulsions with excessive salivation
Increased chewing motions
When advanced distemper symptoms appear after a few days, the dog may not survive. If it does, the virus usually causes permanent damage to its nervous system.
How is Canine Distemper Diagnosed?
When dogs show signs of distemper, they should be brought to the veterinarian immediately. Many vet clinics in Dubai have the capabilities and equipment to diagnose canine distemper accurately, so it’s important to choose your vet wisely.
Diagnosing distemper involves checking for symptoms and performing diagnostic exams. One of the common tests performed to diagnose distemper is the PCR, or Polymerase Chain Reaction, which detects the distemper virus.
Other tests that the vet can perform include checking for antibodies present in the dog and testing the urine, blood, or nose and eye discharge.
Treatment Options for Distemper in Dogs
Currently, there is no cure for distemper in dogs. Instead, vets offer supportive pet care while managing the symptoms of an infected dog.
To manage symptoms, use IV (intravenous) fluids to prevent dehydration from vomiting and diarrhoea. Medications may also be administered to alleviate a dog’s discomfort, pain, and nausea.
Respiratory support and antibiotics might also be given when the dog’s condition becomes too severe.
During treatment and recovery, it’s advised to keep the infected dog away from other dogs to prevent transmission. Even after recovery, it’s best to isolate the dog because it can still shed the virus, which can last from two weeks to eight months.
Preventing Distemper in Dogs
Essential dog vaccination can prevent canine distemper. In Dubai, most vet clinics administer the DA2PP vaccine, which protects dogs from five common diseases, including canine distemper.
The DA2PP is a core vaccine usually given when puppies reach six to eight weeks of age. After the first shot, the vet will provide you with a dog vaccination schedule for the next DA2PP shots.
It’s important to follow the vaccination schedule to ensure your dog grows healthy and is protected against distemper and other canine diseases.
Your guidance and proactiveness also matter when making sure your dog is safe from distemper. When going out with your dog, always be cautious when socializing with other dogs, especially puppies.
Responsible Dog Ownership Against Distemper
With the proper knowledge about distemper, you can help keep your dog healthy and virus-free. Keep your dog’s vaccination up-to-date, especially if you have a puppy with an underdeveloped immune system.
If you notice any symptoms of distemper in your dog, contact emergency vet services immediately. The chances of survival will depend on how prompt the vet care will be to manage the symptoms.
The key to your dog’s health is regular monitoring, routine vet consultations, and preventive measures to keep it safe from disease.
Frequently Asked Questions About Distemper in Dogs
Is canine distemper curable?
No, canine distemper is not curable. Still, there are treatment options available to manage symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration.
What is the distemper vaccine?
The distemper vaccine is a core vaccination that’s essential for dogs. It protects your canine companion from the fatal and contagious distemper virus.
Can a dog survive distemper?
Yes, some dogs may survive distemper. Recovery is challenging but achievable. However, most distemper survivors often have permanent neurological damage and would need extra care and attention.
Can I touch a dog with distemper?
You can touch a dog with distemper, but you must be strict with hygiene as you can transmit the virus to other dogs you might touch. When caring for an infected or recovered dog, always disinfect your hands and other items you may touch or use on the dog.
Can distemper spread to humans?
No, distemper doesn’t spread or affect humans. However, humans can be carriers of the distemper virus to other animals.
“The fact that we have a first human case in Canada is not at all surprising, given what is happening in the US and Europe, as well as what is happening in domestic bird flocks in British Columbia,” 
