Tag Archives: KAUST

The human gut microbiome is a complex system of gazillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses, protists and archaea that has an enormous effect on our metabolism, health and well‐being. The same holds true for the plant rhizosphere, where the roots are immersed in a soil microbiome that provides plants with important nutrients, protects them from disease and pathogens, and helps them …

Decades of overexploitation have devastated shark populations, leaving considerable doubt as to their ecological status. Yet much of what is known about sharks has been inferred from catch records in industrial fisheries, whereas far less information is available about sharks that live in coastal habitats3. Here we address this knowledge gap using data from more than 15,000 standardized baited remote …

With groundwater resources depleting, and global food production increasing, KAUST scientists are using remote sensors to measure water use in agriculture. Shoe-box sized satellites called CubeSats capture daily images of agricultural fields in high-resolution detail. Applying advanced machine learning techniques and big-data analysis, the information is used to improve crop management—from water usage to plant and soil conditions. Efficient crop …

Marine scientists at KAUST are studying the way corals respond to changing oceanic conditions. Findings show that corals can learn from their experiences, adapt, and then pass this information on to their offspring. These adaptations occur gradually over time. With ocean temperatures rising due to climate change, the scientists wondered: Could corals learn to adjust more quickly? By growing corals …

By the end of 2018, there were nearly 4 billion people without internet connectivity in the world. Almost 75 percent of the unconnected population is located in 20 countries and is concentrated in rural, low-income and low-literacy areas. Acknowledging its paramount importance, the United Nations now recognizes internet connectivity as an important and basic human need and includes “universal and …

KAUST is a university dedicated to solving some of the world’s biggest challenges related to energy, food, water, and the environment.

The KAUST Coastal and Marine Resources Core Lab (CMR) team was recently on board the Fugro survey vessel (Kobi Ruegg) to conduct the first joint survey between KAUST & Fugro. The project aimed to create high-resolution seafloor mapping for selected areas. During the cruise, they have managed to do surveys at some of the deepest points in the Red Sea. …

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have discovered how dust from the Middle East has a positive cooling effect over the land and the Red Sea. Based on satellite data, scientists have found that the amount of dust over the Red Sea is greater than over the land, with the largest radiative cooling effect of the …