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Middle East & North Africa

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Here is a list of the latest articles

Islam Analysis: Science reforms need to show results

Saudi universities shrug off row over scientists' salaries

A 13 per cent hike in Saudi Arabia's higher education budget, has reignited a debate about university rankings.

26 January 2012 | EN | FR

Amman

Jordan to be centre of Arab science e-network

Jordan will coordinate a network linking researchers in seven Arab countries.

23 January 2012 | EN

Protests in Tahir Square, Cairo

Egypt's scientists savour post-revolution year

The Egyptian revolution has led to a golden year for science with increased investment, ambitious plans and renewed public interest.

18 January 2012 | EN | FR

Science in 2011: revolutions and disasters

Science and tech played big roles in events such as the Arab Spring and tackling natural disasters ― but they struggled to be heard elsewhere.

30 December 2011 | EN | ES | FR

A date palm

Scientists find desert cure for date disease

Traditional Saharan plant-based medicines can destroy FOA, the fungus that plagues North African date palms, say Algerian scientists.

28 December 2011 | EN | FR

Gold nanoparticles coating nanowires

Researchers strike gold with nanoparticle virus test

An award-winning, rapid test for hepatitis C that uses gold nanoparticles could be especially useful in the Middle East and North Africa.

27 December 2011 | EN | FR

A <i>Boswellia</i> tree

Frankincense trees under threat in Ethiopia

The production of frankincense may be 'doomed' as the resin-making Boswellia trees are being decimated.

Source: Press Association

23 December 2011 | EN

Panellists at the Mobilizing Long-term Climate Finance for Developing Countries talk

Climate deal leaves questions on green fund and tech transfer

The Durban climate talks ended with a global agreement to work towards carbon targets, but critics say key issues have been sidelined.

12 December 2011 | EN | ES | FR

Jordan centre to support tech research and innovation

A technology centre in Jordan hopes to unlock the research potential of countries of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

7 December 2011 | EN

Sand dunes

Qatar awards spur growth of 'a culture of science'

Fifteen scientists and students in science and technology were rewarded with grants at the Qatar Foundation's annual research forum.

6 December 2011 | EN | FR

Ahmed Zewail

Egypt's science city to spawn national research network

A plan has been launched to link the new Zewail City of Science and Technology, with research institutions sharing similar interests.

30 November 2011 | EN | FR

Islam Analysis: Science Vision 1441 needs a champion

Arab scientists call for funding for regional collaborations

Scientists have called for more funding of regional collaborations and have suggested an 'Al Jazeera-style' science TV channel.

29 November 2011 | EN | FR

Bitter gourd

Egyptian scientists to make diabetes drug from bitter fruit

Egyptian scientists are developing a diabetes treatment from bitter gourd, but the jury is out on whether it could replace insulin.

28 November 2011 | EN | FR

Egyptian scientist sues Nature

An Egyptian scientist is suing Nature for publishing an article that he says damaged his reputation, and the case has begun in the UK.

Source: BBC Online

14 November 2011 | EN

Commercialising genes 'may help conserve Mexican oasis'

Underground oasis may boost Egypt's development

Scientists may have discovered a way of unlocking Egypt's huge underwater aquifer, but critics question the feasibility of the project.

10 November 2011 | EN

A desert

Scientists unite to put drylands on Rio+20 agenda

African and Latin American scientists are calling for drylands, which are home to two billion people, to be a key part of the Rio+20 agenda.

7 November 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Woman at diesel station

Air pollution causing stronger cyclones, study finds

South Asia's atmospheric brown cloud, caused by aerosol emissions, is leading to more destructive cyclones.

7 November 2011 | EN

Libyan farmer feeding animals

Libyan researchers appeal to farming experts

Libya's agricultural researchers are to receive seeds and training so they can get back on their feet after the recent revolution.

3 November 2011 | EN | FR

Tunis El-Minar University

Tunisia to boost its S&T with US$16.5 million project

The Tunisian government aims to revive its technological exports by boosting science and technology innovation.

2 November 2011 | EN | FR

A researcher in an African lab

Africa must spend 'a lot more' on non-communicable disease

A rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Africa requires more investment in science, a conference has heard.

28 October 2011 | EN | FR

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