Latest news with #NYUAbuDhabi
TECHx
3 days ago
- Health
- TECHx
NYU Abu Dhabi Reveals Rapid Paper-Based COVID Test
Home » Smart Sectors » Healthcare » NYU Abu Dhabi Reveals Rapid Paper-Based COVID Test A team of scientists at NYU Abu Dhabi has announced the development of a new paper-based diagnostic device. The breakthrough test can detect COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in under 10 minutes. This innovation does not require sophisticated lab equipment or trained personnel. Instead, it uses a simple design to offer a fast, affordable, and portable screening tool. The device, called the Radially Compartmentalized Paper Chip (RCP-Chip), was engineered by researchers at the Advanced Microfluidics and Microdevices Laboratory (AMMLab). The RCP-Chip works with a single droplet of fluid and provides results through a visible color change. It detects even minute traces of viral genetic material. Notably, it operates without electricity or special tools. It only needs mild heat around 65°C, similar to warm water. The research findings were reported in the journal Advanced Sensor Research . The paper is titled Single-Layer Radially Compartmentalized Paper Chip (RCP-Chip) for Rapid Isothermal Multiplex Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Gene Targets . • The study confirms the RCP-Chip's ability to detect multiple gene targets. • It is especially suited for use in low-resource environments. NYUAD Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering Mohammad A. Qasaimeh, the study's senior author, revealed that the device is designed for real-world impact. He noted it can be adapted to detect other infectious diseases, enhancing its global health value. NYUAD Research Assistant Pavithra Sukumar, co-first author of the study, said the portable test could improve outbreak response. She emphasized that it supports faster isolation, treatment, and control.
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
Landmark UAE climate law aims to curb emissions and boost net-zero ambitions
A new UAE climate law that requires companies to keep emission levels in check or face fines has been hailed as a "pivotal shift" for the country. Federal Decree-Law No 11 of 2024 on Reduction of the Effects of Climate Change, which came into effect on Friday, mandates emissions reporting and climate adaptation measures across all sectors, from heavy industry to health care and energy, as well as small private enterprises in free zones. For the first time, climate action is not simply encouraged in the UAE, it is legally required. Under the legislation, companies must submit regular emissions reports to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, develop decarbonisation strategies aligned with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 strategy and establish greenhouse gas monitoring systems that adhere to international standards. Those failing to comply could face fines of up to Dh2 million ($544,588). "This law marks a pivotal shift in the regulatory landscape," said Antonios Vouloudis, senior director of sustainability and stewardship at NYU Abu Dhabi. "Climate action is no longer a voluntary effort. It is a legal requirement and a critical element of long-term business resilience and competitiveness." Industry experts believe the initial enforcement of the legislation may focus on large emitters. The most affected sectors include energy, manufacturing, construction, transport and logistics – all with carbon-intensive supply chains and infrastructure. But the legislation "applies to everyone, even free zones", said Amer Arafat of sustainability consultancy Element Six. "It is the most significant change to corporate accountability since financial audits were made mandatory," he added. Critical green strategy The logic of the law is clear. With 85 per cent of the UAE's population and infrastructure located in coastal zones vulnerable to rising sea levels, and models projecting a 2°C rise in average global temperatures by 2040, the UAE is focused on sustainability. "This law reflects the UAE's leadership in climate governance," Mr Vouloudis said. "It sends a clear signal that climate responsibility must be built into national development and private enterprise alike." Offsetting as an option The law establishes a National Carbon Credit Registry to enable carbon trading and shadow carbon pricing, promoting market-driven emissions reductions. "While offsetting can help entities achieve compliance, its effectiveness depends on the integrity of offset projects and proper regulation to avoid greenwashing," Dr Aseel Takshe, acting dean at the Canadian University Dubai, told The National. "However, offsetting is generally considered a supplementary measure – direct emissions reductions and clean technology adoption remain the primary focus for achieving net zero." Dr Takshe believes the introduction of the law opens new avenues for collaboration between academia, government and industry, particularly in efforts to protecting public health and infrastructure. "The law offers opportunities to contribute research, innovation and expertise in areas such as climate risk assessment, health impact modelling and sustainable urban planning," she added. Climate shifts emphasise urgency Recent scientific research underscores the need to act. Dr Diana Francis, a climate scientist at Khalifa University, recently co-wrote a study attributing last year's historic flooding in the UAE to climate change fuelled by human activity. "Extreme events like this will become more common," Dr Francis said. As well as last year's heavy downpour, April 2025 was the hottest on record in the UAE. "We're witnessing the fingerprints of climate change in our daily weather patterns, not just over decades, but over months," she added. Challenges for business Businesses, meanwhile, face a steep learning curve. Many are still unfamiliar with frameworks for measuring emissions and few have in-house sustainability teams. "Think of it like your financial reporting," Mr Arafat said. "You'll need audits, disclosures and probably external consultants until capacity builds internally." Mr Vouloudis said it would be important for business to receive support. "The ministry's commitment to sector-specific workshops and guidance materials is promising, but it must scale quickly," he said. "Capacity-building, especially for small businesses, is vital." For consumers, the legislation could lead to greater transparency about the carbon footprints of goods and services. Companies must now publicly disclose emissions and their progress towards reduction targets. "It will minimise greenwashing," Mr Vouloudis said. "Only verified, compliant claims will stand. That empowers citizens to make informed, climate-conscious choices." Progressive law praised Greenpeace Mena lauded the move as "bold and progressive" and looked for further steps, including clear emissions caps and the prioritisation of clean energy over carbon capture. Mr Vouloudis echoed that sentiment. "This is the scaffolding. The next step is to operationalise it through clarity, enforcement and incentives, especially for those willing to go beyond compliance."
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
NYU Abu Dhabi researchers develop paper-based diagnostic tool for infectious disease detection
2 June 2025 11:10 ABU DHABI (WAM)A team of scientists at NYU Abu Dhabi has developed a breakthrough paper-based diagnostic device that can detect COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in under 10 minutes, without the need for sophisticated lab equipment or trained Radially Compartmentalized Paper Chip (RCP-Chip), engineered by researchers at the Advanced Microfluidics and Microdevices Laboratory (AMMLab), offers a fast, affordable, and portable solution for on-site screening of infectious RCP-Chip has been developed to detect even minute traces of viral genetic material using a droplet of fluid and a visible color operates without electricity or special equipment, needing just a source of mild heat at around 65°C, similar to the temperature of warm research is detailed in a paper titled Single-Layer Radially Compartmentalized Paper Chip (RCP-Chip) for Rapid Isothermal Multiplex Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Gene Targets, published in the journal Advanced Sensor Research. The study reports the development and validation of the RCP-Chip as a rapid, multiplexed diagnostic platform for infectious disease detection suitable for low-resource Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering and senior author Mohammad A. Qasaimeh said, 'The RCP-Chip is designed for real-world impact. It can be reconfigured to detect other infectious diseases, making it a powerful tool for global health.' 'This is a fast, affordable, lab-free test that detects multiple gene targets in under 10 minutes,' said NYUAD Research Assistant and co-first author of the study Pavithra Sukumar. 'What makes it truly impactful is its real-world potential. This portable test could significantly improve outbreak response by enabling faster isolation, treatment, and control.'
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
UAE universities on the rise in global education rankings as Harvard leads way
UAE universities have risen up the rankings in a new global higher education league table, in which the US's under-fire Harvard cemented top spot for the 14th consecutive year. Abu Dhabi's Khalifa University led the way, jumping up 30 places to 846th out of 21,462 higher education institutions assessed in the 2025 Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR), released on Monday morning. Khalifa University placed in the top 4 per cent of universities worldwide and was the 10th best in the Middle East in the annual list measured on quality of education, employability, quality of faculty and research. United Arab Emirates University climbed 91 places to 1,022 (in the top 4.8 per cent), ahead of University of Sharjah – up 161 places to 1,092 (top 5.1 per cent) and New York University Abu Dhabi at 1,116 (top 5.2 per cent). The CWUR cited the strong research performance of the universities as central to their move up the rankings. Nadim Mahassen, president of the CWUR, hailed the significant progress being made by UAE universities. 'With four of its institutions in the rankings, the United Arab Emirates is well represented among the world's top universities. Further financial backing, and placing the development of education and science higher on its agenda, will allow the country to be even more competitive in the rapidly evolving global academic landscape,' he said. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology was the top performer in the region, moving up to 237th from 249th position last year. Fellow Saudi institution King Abdulaziz University broke into the 250, rising from 254th to 249th. UAE makes its mark Senthil Nathan, managing director and co-founder of Edu Alliance, a UAE-based higher education consultancy company, said it was significant that this particular ranking places an emphasis on the success of universities in preparing students for the world of work. 'Before reflecting on any world rankings, it is essential to understand their underlying methodologies. CWUR assesses rankings without relying on surveys and university data submissions,' said Dr Nathan. 'A significant weight (50 per cent) of this ranking is given to the success of the university's alumni.' Dr Nathan – a former deputy vice-chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi – said the CWUR considers the average number of alumni who have held top positions at the world's largest 2,000 public companies since 2011. This performance indicator will frustrate some newer universities, such as those in the Emirates. 'The improvement in the rankings of four of the universities in the UAE is commendable. On a first glance, their CWUR ranking may seem lower as compared to their ranking in other systems. 'However, this is mainly because of the way CWUR measures success of the alumni. Khalifa University and NYUAD are relatively young universities and have been graduating students only for less than 15 years.' The UAE government has taken significant steps to drive up higher education standards in recent years in an effort to compete with the world's best seats of learning. In June 2024, the UAE set out plans for local universities to be subjected to regular assessments and clustered based on performance. Both public and private higher education institutions are included in the assessment, with rankings based on factors including teaching quality and student life, employability, scientific research and international collaboration. Recognition for troubled Harvard The Ivy League Harvard University – which is the subject of a controversial plan by the Trump administration to prevent it enrolling foreign students – topped the rankings once again. Washington has accused the Ivy League university of not doing enough to fight anti-Semitism and change its admissions practices – allegations the university has strongly denied. Harvard said the proposed ban is a 'blatant violation' of the law and free speech rights. Harvard was joined in the top three by two other US universities, MIT and Stanford, with the UK's world renowned Cambridge and Oxford making up the top five. While US universities make up the rest of the top 10, Dr Mahassen said this dominance is not reflected in the wider global top 2,000 and points to potential challenges ahead as academic competition hots up and universities face up to funding cuts. 'While the United States still boasts the top universities in the world, the decline of the vast majority of its higher education institutions should be of concern to US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and the wider Trump administration. 'At a time when Chinese universities are reaping the rewards of years of generous financial support from their government, American institutions are grappling with slashed federal funding and disputes over academic freedom and free speech. 'With the United States surpassed by China as the country with the most representatives in the rankings, its reputation in the global higher education sector is under serious threat.' 'The sharp decline of US universities parallels that of institutions in Japan, France, and Germany, while UK and Russian universities have fared only slightly better. With the extraordinary rise of Chinese institutions, universities in the Western world cannot afford to stand still and rest on their laurels.'
Mid East Info
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mid East Info
World Police Summit 2025 Gathers Nearly 54,000 Participants in Dubai for Global Security Dialogue - Middle East Business News and Information
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the fourth edition of the World Police Summit welcomed 53,922 participants from over 110 countries—an increase of more than 300% compared to last year. Organised by Dubai Police in partnership with DXB LIVE, the leading events agency of Dubai World Trade Centre, the summit hosted 6 Ministers of Interior, 4 Deputy Ministers, 45 Police Chiefs, 41 Deputy Police Chiefs, and 692 ambassadors, consuls, and senior diplomats, making it one of the largest international gatherings in law enforcement. Held from 13 to 15 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the summit featured 140 specialised sessions delivered by 302 speakers, addressing 12 key themes including anti-money laundering, AI in policing, digital fraud, community policing, aviation security, and the development of young officers. A total of 922 high-ranking officials, security experts, and representatives from international organisations took part in discussions that solidified Dubai's reputation as a leading hub for global security cooperation. The event also facilitated the signing of 38 memoranda of understanding between police agencies, tech firms, and academic institutions, fostering further collaboration and innovation. Over 900 individuals participated in the prestigious World Police Summit Awards, with 12 winners honoured on the final day. Lt. Col. Dr Rashid Hamdan AlGhafri, Secretary-General of the World Police Summit, commented:'This year's turnout and impact have far exceeded expectations. The summit has clearly become a vital platform for international police cooperation and innovation.' Khalid Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of DXB LIVE, added: 'We are proud to support such a significant event. Its growing success reflects Dubai's leadership in hosting world-class international summits.' The summit included flagship side events such as 'Pearls in Policing' and an academic symposium hosted by NYU Abu Dhabi. Key partners and participants included INTERPOL, EUROPOL, UNODC, WHO, and major sponsors such as Emirates Airline, IDEMIA, Dell Technologies, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, Dahua, G42, and others. Women leaders played a strong role in various panels and workshops, with several sessions focusing on empowering women in the security sector and preparing the next generation of officers. Leading tech companies also showcased their solutions. Presight, a summit partner for the third year, presented AI-driven analytics. Chief Marketing Officer Nick Clements noted: 'Our technologies help transform global security capabilities through data-driven decision-making.' Russell Hammad, CEO of Zenith Technologies, highlighted collaboration with Dubai Police to improve traffic safety through smart technology. Federal Signal Corporation unveiled new vehicle lighting systems aimed at enhancing operational safety for law enforcement worldwide. Since its launch in 2022, the World Police Summit has rapidly grown into a key international platform for shaping the future of policing, reinforcing Dubai's stature as a centre for excellence in security, tourism, and global engagement.
