Lizard spit, cow pancreas and snake enzymes may not immediately spring to mind as the most palatable of nature's cures. But substances from these three animals, strange as it may seem, have been used to treat millions affected by diabetes and high blood pressure as scientists increasingly search the animal world for cures to our human ailments. Such "pharmazooticals", or drugs derived from animals, may have a new amphibious source to add to their stock, courtesy of scientists in the UAE. As we reported yesterday, if the research of Dr Michael Conlon at Al Ain University proves fruitful, frogs may provide the next medicines to combat bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
In the war against infectious disease, humans have to be continually inventive. Since penicillin was first derived from fungi in 1928, pathogenic microorganisms have become more and more impervious to available treatments. The methicillin-resistant variant of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, better known as MRSA, plagues health-care centres worldwide. In Abu Dhabi hospitals, the antibiotic-resistant "superbug" known as Iraqibacter, because soldiers in Iraq have been infected with it, has been found to exist at alarming levels.
While Dr Conlon's study demonstrates a considerable achievement in the field of pharmacology, it also has gratifying implications for research as a whole in the UAE. The country has invested heavily in top-tier educational institutions, with the intention of also cultivating a cutting-edge research environment. That goal is now bearing fruit; where it will lead in the future, cannot even be guessed at.
It remains to be seen if samples taken from frogs eventually yield compounds that can be turned into medicines. Yet if new cures are discovered, it is to be hoped that they would also be accompanied by a change in behaviour in prescribing. The plethora of multi-drug resistant bacteria now causing such anxiety are a direct result of decades of misuse of the existing remedies. The best prevention against future superbugs is restraint: reserving antibiotics for when they are truly needed, and not distributing them like sweeties.
There is one more lesson as well. Many of the creatures that might hold the secret to combatting infections such as MRSA, themselves face extinction. Even more reason to take care with the environment.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Persuasion
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: CVT
Power: 170bhp
Torque: 220Nm
Price: Dh98,900