KAUST conducts research study on microbiomes in glacier-fed streams/node/2585854/saudi-arabia
KAUST conducts research study on microbiomes in glacier-fed streams
This picture taken on August 6, 2022 shows tourists walking next to a meltwater stream flowing from the Tsanfleuron Glacier above Les Diablerets, Switzerland. (AFP)
KAUST conducts research study on microbiomes in glacier-fed streams
Collaboration with scientists from Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne
Updated 10 January 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with scientists from the Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne, has conducted an unprecedented, in-depth study on microbiomes — microorganisms that live symbiotically with humans or other organisms — in glacier-fed streams.
These streams, originating from glaciers atop the Earth’s highest mountains, harbor a wealth of unique microorganisms.
The research team collected and analyzed samples from 170 glacier-fed streams over five years across regions including New Zealand, the Himalayas, the Russian Caucasus, the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains, the European Alps, the Scandinavian Alps, Greenland, Alaska, the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, and the Ecuadorian and Chilean Andes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The findings, published in the renowned scientific journal Nature, represent the first global reference for microbiomes in glacier-fed streams.
These streams, which are among the most extreme natural freshwater ecosystems in the world, are located at mountain summits and are characterized by near-freezing temperatures and low nutrient levels.
They also serve as the origin for many of the world’s largest rivers, functioning as vital water reservoirs for the planet.
KAUST researcher Dr. Ramona Marasco emphasized that glacier-fed streams were highly vulnerable to climate change.
She spoke of the importance of establishing a baseline for their microbiomes to better understand the rate of ecological change, while highlighting KAUST’s extensive genetic sequencing efforts, which have significantly contributed to creating a comprehensive picture of these endangered microbiomes.
The researchers successfully developed the first global atlas of microorganisms in glacier-fed streams.
Their work revealed that these streams harbor a unique microbiome distinct from other cryospheric systems, such as glaciers, frozen soils, and ice-covered lakes.
About half of the bacterial species in these streams are endemic to specific mountain ranges. The scientists attribute this phenomenon to the geographical isolation of mountain ranges, similar to islands, and to the powerful natural selection exerted by the harsh conditions in glacier-fed streams.
Diriyah Storytelling Festival to celebrate literature, creativity
Updated 23 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Diriyah Storytelling Festival, a vibrant event for literature lovers, will begin on Jan. 30.
The event will take place across three key locations in Diriyah: Bujairi Terrace, Bab Samhan Hotel and Al-Dhawihra Farm, offering distinctive experiences.
Running until Feb. 8, the festival will host more than 150 speakers, experts and performers in the field of literature.
More than 50 publishing houses and specialized libraries will also participate.
The festival provides opportunities to interact with experts and explore the art of storytelling through exhibitions, storytelling nights and discussion sessions.
Workshops will cover topics such as writing, storytelling, music production, screen design, book cover creation and adapting novels into animated series, films or dramas.
Visitors can also enjoy a book fair, reading spaces, book signings, storytelling performances and activities such as role-playing, script adaptations, live cooking and tastings of dishes inspired by famous novels and films.
The festival will feature a “Little Storyteller” area designed to nurture children’s skills through engaging workshops and theatrical performances.
These activities will focus on storytelling techniques, story creation and illustration, as well as puppet-making and manipulation.
The festival will also host its inaugural writers’ retreat, an eight-day program bringing together a curated group of established and emerging Saudi novelists in Diriyah.
Participants will take part in intensive courses led by international experts, aimed at nurturing Saudi storytelling talent and empowering them to share their stories with a global audience.
The festival is part of Diriyah Season’s diverse lineup of events, held under the theme “Entertain Your Cultural Curiosity.”
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 22,555 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 14,260 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,954 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,341 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,700 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 56 percent were Ethiopian, 42 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 81 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 24 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues with its global humanitarian activities including the distribution of basic food items, clothing vouchers as well as the provision of emergency services.
In Pakistan’s Shahdadkot area of Sindh province, the aid agency on Wednesday handed out 1,050 food boxes benefiting 6,524 individuals who mostly have been affected by floods.
In Yemen, KSrelief on Thursday distributed 1,247 double desks, 560 single desks, 56 wheelchairs, computers and office supplies to support 35 centers for people with disabilities and 26 adult education schools across several Yemeni governorates.
The latest initiative is part of the second phase of the project on local capacity building for educating illiterate students and people with disabilities in the governorates of Aden, Hadramout, Dhale, Lahij, Shabwa and Al-Mahra.
In Sudan, 40 tonnes of dates were distributed in Wad Madani, Gezira State as part of a larger project to share 441 tonnes of dates to the most vulnerable families in the states of Kassala, Gedaref, Red Sea, River Nile, Blue Nile, White Nile, Sennar and Gezira.
In the northern Gaza Strip, KSrelief collaborated with the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage to provide shelter bags for Palestinian people and assist them in rebuilding their damaged homes and property resulting from over 15 months of war.
In Poland, the aid agency recently concluded a volunteer prosthetic project and was able to provide 30 prosthetic limbs to Ukrainian refugees from January 15 to January 21.
In Jindires of Syria’s Aleppo governorate, shopping vouchers were given to 1,288 beneficiaries for them to purchase winter clothing from designated stores.
Meanwhile, the ambulance service of Subul Al-Salam Social Association in the Miniyeh district of north Lebanon – which is funded by KSrelief – carried out 82 missions during the past week.
The services, which included transporting patients to and from hospitals and treating burn injuries, were provided to Syrian and Palestinian refugees and the local community.
How Saudi Arabia is making the construction industry greener and more sustainable
The Kingdom is advancing green construction techniques with cutting-edge technologies, local partnerships, and regulatory support
Red Sea Global, SCG International, VEKR Environmental Services, and SABIC are setting the standard for sustainable construction
Updated 25 January 2025
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is embracing sustainability as a core element of its Vision 2030 economic reform agenda, driving transformative practices across whole industries.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the Kingdom’s construction sector, where innovative solutions and eco-conscious strategies are reshaping the urban landscape.
Through cutting-edge technologies, collaborative efforts and the adoption of environmentally responsible materials, companies like Red Sea Global, SCG International, VEKR Environmental Services and SABIC are setting a high standard for sustainable development.
Red Sea Global has made environmental stewardship a priority across its mega-projects, ensuring that development enhances rather than disrupts the delicate ecosystem.
“At Red Sea Global, we have initiated several critical programs to safeguard endangered species such as the hawksbill turtles and sooty falcons,” Raed Al-Basseet, RSG’s group chief environment and sustainability officer, told Arab News.
“These efforts include habitat conservation, the protection of turtles’ nesting sites, and tagging programs to monitor their behaviors. On birds, we’ve established artificial nesting sites for the sooty falcon and implemented preventive measures to mitigate bird collisions.”
Engineers and construction professionals at a sustainable building site. (AN file)
The organization has also embraced advanced technologies to protect marine ecosystems.
“RSG is leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, including drone surveys equipped with multispectral cameras and satellite imagery for coral reef mapping,” Al-Basseet said.
These tools ensure the real-time monitoring of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses, while helping respond swiftly to environmental changes.
DID YOUKNOW?
• Saudi Arabia’s construction sector produces about 38% of the Kingdom’s carbon emissions, highlighting the critical need for sustainable practices.
• Mangroves, like those planted by RSG, can sequester up to 10 times more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests.
• LEED Gold-certified buildings, like SABIC’s Jubail headquarters, consume 30% less energy than traditional buildings.
• 3D-printed construction reduces material waste by up to 60%, significantly lowering environmental impact.
RSG’s achievements extend beyond conservation. The company’s renewable energy initiatives have resulted in the installation of more than 760,500 solar panels, reducing CO2 emissions by 46,350 tonnes annually.
Additionally, its mangrove nursery produced more than 1 million seedlings in 2024, with a target of reaching 3 million this year.
“Our commitment to achieving a net conservation benefit of 30 percent by 2040 is integral to our vision of creating harmonious development,” Al-Basseet added.
Another key player in Saudi Arabia’s sustainability journey is SABIC, a global leader in materials innovation and environmental solutions.
A modern sustainable building with cascading greenery, representing eco-friendly architectural practices that merge design with nature. (AN File)
SABIC’s Jubail headquarters, which has been certified with LEED Gold, stands as a symbol of green construction.
The building incorporates solar energy systems, wind turbines and electric vehicle charging stations, while also utilizing water recycling systems and low-energy lighting controls.
Beyond infrastructure, SABIC is pioneering efforts in carbon capture and utilization. The company operates the world’s largest CO2 purification and liquefaction plant, capturing 500,000 tonnes annually to convert into valuable products such as methanol and ammonia.
These initiatives reflect SABIC’s broader goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with an interim target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2030.
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In addition to these efforts, SABIC has launched a circular carbon economy model, promoting renewable energy, chemical recycling and afforestation projects.
The company’s recent exports of low-carbon ammonia to global markets, including Japan and South Korea, highlight its leadership in sustainable industrial practices.
Sustainability in construction is not just about preserving nature but also about adopting technologies that redefine how buildings are constructed. SCG International, a global leader in green building solutions, is paving the way for technological innovation in the Kingdom.
“3D printing technology enables accelerated construction timelines, reducing time by up to 30 to 50 percent and labor requirements by 50 percent,” Abhijit Datta, managing director of SCG International, told Arab News.
“It significantly reduces material waste and ensures no leftover raw materials, contributing to a cleaner and safer working environment, by lowering dust and noise levels.”
Among its innovations, SCG’s concrete fabric offers a sustainable solution for erosion control and water management.
“This flexible material conforms to various shapes, reducing logistics costs and emissions while ensuring durability,” Datta said.
Engineers and construction professionals at a sustainable building site.
(Shutterstock)
The company’s commitment to local empowerment is equally noteworthy. SCG actively collaborates with Saudi firms to train teams in low-carbon cement and ready-mix consultancy services.
Despite recent progress, the adoption of sustainable construction technologies has faced difficulties.
“One of the primary challenges is the high upfront cost of sustainable building practices, which can be a concern for clients,” Dana Al-Damegh, an environmental consultant at VEKR Environmental Services, told Arab News.
“Many are not fully aware of the long-term benefits, including cost savings and enhanced efficiency, that sustainable materials can offer.”
Another pressing issue is the scarcity of resources.
A modern sustainable building with cascading greenery, representing eco-friendly architectural practices that merge design with nature. (AN File)
“There is currently a shortage of locally sourced materials, which poses a challenge to sustainable construction efforts,” Al-Damegh said.
“This scarcity extends to skilled manpower as well, which further impacts the ability to fully leverage local resources. Addressing these gaps is crucial for achieving greater sustainability in the sector.”
Nonetheless, Al-Damegh is optimistic about the future. “The collaboration between environmental services companies and regulatory bodies has been instrumental in driving progress,” she said.
As the Kingdom advances its Vision 2030 reform agenda, the focus on green construction continues to grow. The integration of advanced technologies, development of local supply chains and investments in education as well as training will be critical to scaling sustainable practices.
“The successful implementation of sustainable methods requires collaboration, commitment and the right resources,” said Al-Damegh. “All of which are becoming increasingly accessible in Saudi Arabia’s evolving environmental landscape.”
Saudi Arabia to host multinational ‘Spears of Victory 2025’ military exercise
Forces from 15 countries will take part, with focus on current and emerging threats
Tactical operations seek to enhance combat readiness in electronic warfare
Updated 25 January 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The “Spears of Victory 2025” military exercise will begin next week at the Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The exercise will run from Jan. 26 to Feb. 6, and feature participation from 15 countries, underscoring the global commitment to strengthening military collaboration.
Countries contributing forces include Bahrain, Greece, France, Qatar, the UK, US, UAE, and Pakistan. Seven additional nations — Australia, Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, South Korea, and Spain — will take part as observers, SPA added.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Omari, the exercise commander, said the aim was to enhance combat readiness, foster the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, and unify the concept of joint military action.
The exercise will focus on addressing current and emerging threats, advancing tactical capabilities, and promoting joint operational strategies, he added.
Participating forces will engage in complex tactical operations designed to simulate threats in an advanced electronic warfare environment, according to SPA.
These operations will integrate branches of Saudi Arabia’s armed forces, the Ministry of the National Guard, and the Presidency of State Security, alongside military contingents from other nations with active forces on the ground.
