ABU DHABI // Students are fine-tuning their ideas for science experiments that could be sent into space.
With the Genes in Space contest submission deadline fast approaching, youngsters have to come up with experiments that will help them understand the effects of low gravity on the building blocks of life.
This might prove useful for growing the vegetation needed for prolonged manned space missions. It might also provide a better insight into how bacteria and viruses evolve here on Earth. As part of The National Space Programme contest, high school pupils were challenged to come up with an idea for a DNA experiment that takes advantage of low gravity in orbit.
The winning students will travel to the United States to watch their experiment launched to the International Space Station, where astronauts will conduct it.
“This competition will help me learn more about research and genetics, and it will be a lot of fun,” said 13-year-old Omar Mallet.
The Canadian International School ninth grader said the contest offered him an opportunity to further his knowledge of a subject he loved.
“My dad is a surgeon, so at first I was interested mainly in biology but now I’ve branched off into genetics and radiology,” he said.
The teen said his experiment would look at possible ways low gravity affects the passing of genes.
“I am interested in why some traits are passed along while others aren’t. Seeing how conditions in space affects this could be useful, especially for long manned space missions.”
More interested in how DNA multiplies, 18-year-old Cambridge High School Abu Dhabi student Karan Paranganat said his experiment would look into how a space environment would influence the building blocks of DNA.
Although many of his fellow students were a little intimidated by the complexity of the experiment, he said they were generally enthusiastic about the competition.
“It’s exciting because it’s very accessible. You usually don’t hear about competitions like this in the UAE so its great to be able to get involved right here.”
His classmate, Neesha Shewakramani, said her experiment would focus on the rate of mutation of genes in space.
After reading about the winner of the first Genes in Space competition held in the United States, Neesha said she was inspired to be a part of the UAE edition.
“It gave me a different perspective on the entire thing and made me feel I had a good chance to win it,” said the 17-year-old.
With the competition allowing for up to four students to collaborate on a single experiment, Neesha said she would be looking to bring in two or three others to help.
With this being her final year in high school, Neesha said the contest would offer a hands-on approach to learning while giving her a good idea of what she would like to do in the future.
Submissions are now being accepted for Genes in Space from pupils in Grades 7 to 12 at genesinspace.org with the deadline being February 3 next year.
To find out more and get involved follow #theuaespacestory on social media or visit thenational.ae/uae/genes-in-space.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Predictions
Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:
- Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
- Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
- Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
- Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
- Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai
Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Mission%3A%20Impossible%20-%20Dead%20Reckoning%20Part%20One
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
THREE
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
MATCH INFO
Burnley 0
Man City 3
Raheem Sterling 35', 49'
Ferran Torres 65'
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
The%20specs
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SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
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ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):
1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop
2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia - £25m: Flop
3). Erik Lamela - Roma - £25m: Jury still out
4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen - £25m: Success
5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic - £21m: Flop
6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar - £18m: Flop
7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers - £18m: Flop
8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb - £17m: Success
9). Paulinho - Corinthians - £16m: Flop
10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham - £16m: Success
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."