Researchers in the UAE hope to understand why Covid-19 is more severe in some people.
The virus can cause a wide range of symptoms, from barely a runny nose in some people to life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia and blood clots, in others.
About one third of sufferers remain completely asymptomatic.
But, aside from known risks, such as hypertension and diabetes, the reason why people respond so differently to the infection is largely a mystery.
Our team is trying to establish how other genes and proteins that explain the predisposition of certain patients go completely asymptomatic and those that respond poorly to the infection
A team from several universities and institutions in the UAE will study whether a person’s genes and proteins make them more susceptible to developing serious complications.
"On average, it takes five to six days for the symptoms to show and people with mild symptoms can generally take care of themselves at home,” said Dr Habiba Alsafar, a member of the team. He is associate professor in the Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, and director of Khalifa University Centre for Biotechnology.
"However, for patients with underlying health problems, the infection can prove fatal," said Dr Alsafar.
“Our team is trying to establish how other genes and proteins that explain the predisposition of certain patients to go completely asymptomatic and those [who] respond poorly to the infection."
The team is made up of experts from Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE University, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, Dubai Health Authority, and the University of Sharjah.
They will work on projects that study how the immune system responds to the infection.
One area of interest is RNA, which is involved in turning genetic information into the body's proteins. They will also seek to identify biomarkers that could suggest why patients stay asymptomatic, while others develop mild or moderate symptoms.
Researchers in the UAE are already working on projects related to the virus.
A team from Abu Dhabi's Cleveland Clinic and Khalifa University joined forces to launch a study to discover how long Covid-19 can travel through the air.
Their work involves spraying a colloid comprised of silicon nanoparticles to simulate a patients' cough.
A colloid is a mixture in which very small particles of one substance are distributed evenly throughout another substance.
The nanoparticles generated glow red under ultraviolet light, allowing the team to see how they spread.
Researchers at Khalifa University are also involved in tracking wastewater to predict the spread of the disease among the population.
Studies show that people infected with the virus, even those who do not develop symptoms, shed it through their excrement.
And because levels of Sars-Cov-2 would be expected to mirror the prevalence of infections in the population, experts said studying wastewater would give authorities an indication of how widespread the virus was in the community.
The researchers said the work is “tantamount to essentially testing everyone who has contributed to that sample – in other words, a way of mass testing”.
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
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Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
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Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
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Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
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Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Fixtures:
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Table:
1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10
2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8
3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6
4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4
5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Virtual banks explained
What is a virtual bank?
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority defines it as a bank that delivers services through the internet or other electronic channels instead of physical branches. That means not only facilitating payments but accepting deposits and making loans, just like traditional ones. Other terms used interchangeably include digital or digital-only banks or neobanks. By contrast, so-called digital wallets or e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal or Google Pay usually serve as intermediaries between a consumer’s traditional account or credit card and a merchant, usually via a smartphone or computer.
What’s the draw in Asia?
Hundreds of millions of people under-served by traditional institutions, for one thing. In China, India and elsewhere, digital wallets such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Paytm have already become ubiquitous, offering millions of people an easy way to store and spend their money via mobile phone. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also among the world’s biggest under-banked countries; together they have almost half a billion people.
Is Hong Kong short of banks?
No, but the city is among the most cash-reliant major economies, leaving room for newcomers to disrupt the entrenched industry. Ant Financial, an Alibaba Group Holding affiliate that runs Alipay and MYBank, and Tencent Holdings, the company behind WeBank and WeChat Pay, are among the owners of the eight ventures licensed to create virtual banks in Hong Kong, with operations expected to start as early as the end of the year.
