AL AIN // Scientists at UAE University are investigating antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a bid to battle what is fast becoming a global problem.
Microbiologist Dr Tibor Pal said: “Antibiotic resistance, the capacity of pathogenic bacteria to resist treatment with drugs meant to kill them, is one of the most serious problems medicine is facing.
“A recent study predicted that if the trends continue at the current speed, by 2050 more people will die because of drug-resistant infections than cancer.
“And this is not only because cancer treatment is improving but because we are, and in the future increasingly will be, losing patients to untreatable infections whose cancer otherwise could have been controlled or even cured.”
He said that developing new drugs alone is not the answer. The problem stems from the imprudent use of antibiotics in agriculture, veterinary and human medicine.
Dr Agnes Pal, his wife, is also working on the research. She said: “We must understand that this is a global problem. However, due to the very nature of the problem itself, it can spread and not respect borders.
“This represents unique challenges for the UAE, but several countries in the Gulf face similar problems and challenges.”
She said infection control in hospitals must be improved and standardised.
The team hopes that in time there will be greater focus on antibiotic resistance.
Tibor Pal said: “As this work requires sophisticated molecular techniques, it far exceeds the capacities of hospital laboratories. This is not their job alone.
“Most countries with similarly developed healthcare systems as the UAE have established dedicated national reference laboratories to track these outbreaks, to fingerprint these bacteria.
“We hope that eventually such an institution will be established here, as well. It would be very much needed.”
mswan@thenational.ae
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
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Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro
Writers: Walter Mosley
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
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1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05
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Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full