Desert sciencehttps://www.scidev.net/global/rss.xml/?type=topic&rssname=desert-science&parent=environmentDesert science RSS feeds.Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:04:26 GMTenMiddle East know-how can help feed drier, hotter worldhttps://www.scidev.net/global/opinions/middle-east-know-how-can-help-feed-drier-hotter-world/https://www.scidev.net/global/opinions/middle-east-know-how-can-help-feed-drier-hotter-world/The Middle East’s expertise in handling heat could be of benefit worldwide, writes Aly Abousabaa ahead of COP28. Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:44:22 GMT+0000Aly Abousabaa‘Middle East cooperation needed’ to combat dust stormshttps://www.scidev.net/global/middle-east-cooperation-needed-to-combat-dust-storms/https://www.scidev.net/global/middle-east-cooperation-needed-to-combat-dust-storms/Environmental leaders say countries must work together to tackle dust storms engulfing Iraq, Iran and Syria. Tue, 5 Jul 2022 11:51:16 GMT+0000Rehab Abd ElmohsenQ&A: ‘Crop diversity is the key for marginal environments’https://www.scidev.net/global/supported-content/q-a-crop-diversity-is-the-key-for-marginal-environments/https://www.scidev.net/global/supported-content/q-a-crop-diversity-is-the-key-for-marginal-environments/A global forum in Dubai is to showcase the latest innovations and research tackling water scarcity and food insecurity in marginal environments. Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:49:03 GMT+0000Rehab Abd AlmohsenClimate now biggest driver of migration, study findshttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/climate-now-biggest-driver-of-migration-study-finds/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/climate-now-biggest-driver-of-migration-study-finds/Rising temperatures and weather-related disasters cause more migration than poverty and conflict, researchers say. Wed, 8 May 2019 11:09:59 GMT+0000Inga VesperThe plight of Arab refugee scientists in the diasporahttps://www.scidev.net/global/features/the-plight-of-arab-refugee-scientists-in-the-diaspora/https://www.scidev.net/global/features/the-plight-of-arab-refugee-scientists-in-the-diaspora/Researchers fleeing conflict see their careers perish as countries and science institutions fail to give support Mon, 11 Sep 2017 04:11:01 GMT+0000Mohamed ELsonpaty, Tareq Hmaidi, Adel FakhirDrylands face 4°C warming under Paris Agreement goalhttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/drylands-4c-warming-paris-agreement/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/drylands-4c-warming-paris-agreement/The Paris Agreement’s goal to limit global warming is inadequate to save the world’s drylands, says study. Wed, 3 May 2017 01:44:05 GMT+0000Madhukara PuttyAbu Dhabi project uses sand to store solar powerhttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/abu-dhabi-sand-solar-power/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/abu-dhabi-sand-solar-power/A pilot project makes solar power plants more effective by keeping heat in sand and releasing it later. Thu, 4 Aug 2016 02:48:30 GMT+0000Ali AudiHorn of Africa faces drier weatherhttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/horn-of-africa-faces-drier-weather/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/horn-of-africa-faces-drier-weather/Study on ancient weather patterns contradicts climate model predictions, raising food security concerns. Tue, 13 Oct 2015 01:36:54 GMT+0000Emma BrownAspirin precursor defends acacia plants from droughthttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/aspirin-precursor-acacia-plants-drought-deserts/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/aspirin-precursor-acacia-plants-drought-deserts/Treating the shrubs with salicylic acid could help repel spreading deserts, shows Saudi trial. Tue, 5 May 2015 11:13:49 GMT+0000Ian RandallCamel milk’s development promise neglected by researchhttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/camel-milk-development-research/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/camel-milk-development-research/Creating new and long-lasting dairy products may help food security of desert inhabitants and nomads, say experts. Thu, 5 Jun 2014 06:30:43 GMT+0000Michelle DobrovolnyBetter land care may be worth US$1.4 trillion a yearhttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/better-land-care-may-be-worth-us-1-4-trillion-a-year/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/better-land-care-may-be-worth-us-1-4-trillion-a-year/Improving how degraded lands are managed could drastically increase crop yields, says a report. Mon, 7 Oct 2013 05:07:02 GMT+0000Lou Del BelloDesert plantations could help capture carbonhttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/desert-plantations-could-help-capture-carbon/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/desert-plantations-could-help-capture-carbon/Biofuel crops could be grown in arid coastal areas to absorb carbon dioxide and improve soil, say researchers. Thu, 22 Aug 2013 04:54:15 GMT+0000Imogen Mathers, Nehal LasheenJordan readies the taps on controversial water projecthttps://www.scidev.net/global/features/jordan-readies-the-taps-on-controversial-water-project/https://www.scidev.net/global/features/jordan-readies-the-taps-on-controversial-water-project/A Middle Eastern scheme to tap groundwater highlights a regional problem with radioactivity, reveals Nehal Lasheen. Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:44:35 GMT+0000Nehal LasheenGlobal desert energy project hit by key partner’s exithttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/global-desert-energy-project-hit-by-key-partner-s-exit/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/global-desert-energy-project-hit-by-key-partner-s-exit/The DESERTEC Foundation blames management problems at the project's industrial consortium for their decision to sever ties. Fri, 5 Jul 2013 04:30:50 GMT+0000Imogen MathersAncient Egyptian river could be revived for farminghttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/ancient-egyptian-river-could-be-revived-for-farming/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/ancient-egyptian-river-could-be-revived-for-farming/Egypt's government is assessing a proposal to use a former river channel to irrigate an area of desert. Wed, 26 Jun 2013 04:21:57 GMT+0000Ian RandallScientists struggling to put land degradation into SDGshttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/scientists-struggling-to-put-land-degradation-into-sdgs/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/scientists-struggling-to-put-land-degradation-into-sdgs/More evidence and better communication are needed to get the issue onto the global sustainable development agenda, a UN conference hears. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:34:40 GMT+0000Jan Piotrowski, Jan Test AliasData dearth impeding fight against desertificationhttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/data-dearth-impeding-fight-against-desertification/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/data-dearth-impeding-fight-against-desertification/Attempts to limit desert growth are being held back by a lack of accessible data on land degradation, a UN conference has heard. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:52:28 GMT+0000Jan Piotrowski, Jan Test AliasClimate change to hit Saudi’s agriculture, waterhttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/climate-change-to-hit-saudi-s-agriculture-water/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/climate-change-to-hit-saudi-s-agriculture-water/Climate change will make some parts of Saudi Arabia hotter and drier, with other parts seeing increased surface run-off, say scientists. Tue, 9 Apr 2013 05:41:14 GMT+0000Wagdy SawahelResearchers make bricks from waste, desert sandhttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/researchers-make-bricks-from-waste-desert-sand/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/researchers-make-bricks-from-waste-desert-sand/Researchers in Algeria and Malaysia have developed new bricks made of sand and waste materials, making them cheap and eco-friendly. Tue, 9 Apr 2013 03:44:20 GMT+0000Wagdy SawahelFog-catching fabric could improve water collection in desertshttps://www.scidev.net/global/news/fog-catching-fabric-could-improve-water-collection-in-deserts/https://www.scidev.net/global/news/fog-catching-fabric-could-improve-water-collection-in-deserts/A coated cotton material that absorbs moisture from fogs and releases water as it warms could improve freshwater collection in arid areas. Fri, 8 Feb 2013 04:51:58 GMT+0000Joel Winston