One of the major challenges facing the agricultural sector is reserving the post-harvest quality of fruits. Significant economic losses can be caused by rapid ripening and deterioration in tropical fruits, such as bananas which are among the world’s most important staple crops. Bananas are highly prone to spoilage during transportation, storage, and marketing because of their high sensitivity to post-harvest degradation.

The palmaris longus, which is a long and thin muscle in front of the forearm (the portion between the elbow and wrist), remains one of the most intriguing anatomical mysteries of the human body. Researchers have long observed that this muscle is absent in a significant portion of the population although the underlying reason for this absence remains unclear. Interestingly, it may be missing in one hand and present in the other, or absent bilaterally. This raises several questions about the influ...

The Sultanate of Oman possesses a remarkable capacity to sustain a diverse range of fruit crops, particularly across the towering Hajar Mountains, in spite of its primarily arid climate and high temperatures. Among these crops, the pomegranate is considered the most precious jewel. The villages of Al Jabal Al Akhdar are renowned for their abundant pomegranate production owing to the cooler temperatures that meet the chilling requirements of this deciduous tree to ensure superior fruit quality. H...

The Sultanate of Oman has witnessed remarkable progress in the education sector over the past 25 years. This is clearly evident in the continuously updated curricula, diversified teaching methods, integrated modern technologies in education, and the enhancement of teacher skills through specialised training programmes. Its educational infrastructure has also seen ongoing improvements, making knowledge more accessible to students in increasingly efficient and varied ways.

In the corridors of hospitals, healthcare meets humanitarian challenges, highlighting the role of oncology nurses as the first line of defence in supporting cancer patients and their families. However, this sensitive role carries a tremendous psychological and emotional burden, which prompted Dr. Asma Al-Yahyaei from the College of Nursing to delve into the details of these nurses’ lives to understand the factors that motivate them to stay or even drive them to leave.

As part of research efforts to monitor microplastic pollution and its environmental impact, Dr. Zainab Yavari from the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering is conducting a study to assess the prevalence of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants in the Sultanate of Oman. The study aims to measure microplastic concentrations and analyse their physical and chemical properties, including size, shape, colour, and molecular composition. It also seeks to evaluate the efficiency of cu...

Amid escalating global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and attain climate neutrality, green hydrogen has emerged as one of the most promising solutions for sustainable energy production. It is capable of providing clean, versatile energy, thus capturing the attention of policymakers, researchers, and investors everywhere.

When discussing research and how to transform its outcomes into sustainable products and solutions that benefit society, one should never underestimate the importance of investing in investigative endeavour, otherwise, it will simply remain ink on paper. Hence, many countries across the globe capitalise on research to produce solutions, address challenges, and turn ideas into products and services.

Ammonia (NH₃) – this simple compound plays a pivotal role in our food systems, economy, and energy future. It has long driven major transformations in agriculture and industry, being widely used in the production of fertilisers, water purification, refrigerants, chemicals, and textiles. Today, it is increasingly viewed as a promising candidate for hydrogen energy storage and transport and, therefore, a promising clean fuel.

Agricultural lands across the globe are increasingly threatened by soil salinity, with over one million hectares affected by degradation due to this phenomenon. In the Sultanate of Oman, about 44% of agricultural land has been impacted by salinity, particularly in North and South Al Batinah. This poses a direct threat to crop yields and, consequently, to national food security.