Whenever you reach for a bottle of water on a supermarket shelf, you are unlikely to consider that behind its seemingly simple packaging lies a complex engineering process. Equations governing force, density, and volume are carefully balanced alongside visual appeal and cost-effective manufacturing. Building on this concept, a study published in Sultan Qaboos University’s Journal of Engineering Research focused on developing an intelligent packaging materials management...

As the world’s population continues to grow, livestock production is expanding to meet the increasing demand for meat and meat products, which provide high-quality protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and other nutrients important for human health. Ensuring the safety of meat products has become a major priority for public health organisations and food testing laboratories worldwide. Consumers may be exposed to harmful substances through contaminated meat, particularly pesticide ...

With the widespread use of online food delivery applications, these services have become more than a matter of convenience. They are now recognised as a dietary and public health phenomenon that warrants closer investigation. Globally, the number of food delivery app users increased from approximately 806 million in 2018 to more than 2.1 billion in 2024, with projections indicating that this figure could reach 2.5 billion within the next two years.  In light of thes...

At traditional food festivals, dishes are not presented merely as meals; rather, they are offered as living narratives that embody the memory and spirit of place. A visitor may stand before a local cook who recounts the secrets of a dish inherited across generations, only to find themselves, days later, seeking to relive the same experience in the same location or in a similar destination. This raises a central question: what transforms a fleeting moment of tasting into lasting loyalty, and how ...

Flooding in arid regions presents a complex challenge, as it is not simply a temporary occurrence, but a test of how well both the natural and urban environments can absorb floodwaters and reduce their impacts. It also serves as a critical test of human planning capabilities. In this context, the present study, conducted by a research team led by Dr. Ghazi bin Ali Al Rawas, from the College of Engineering, examined Wadi Al Sarami in North Al Batinah as a case study ...

A study seeks to address the question: why is the development of granted residential land delayed?  In cities that expand more readily on paper than in lived reality, some allocated residential plots become silent voids awaiting the decision to build. From this paradox emerges a scholarly paper, produced by a research team from the College of Engineering led by Dr. Alia Al Hashim. The study examines a pressing urban challenge in the Sul...

In remote areas, electricity is no longer merely a service; rather, it constitutes a vital lifeline for daily living, development, and stability. Within this context, where geographical constraints impose challenges on the cost and reliability of energy supply, a study conducted by a research team led by Prof. Abdullah bin Hamed Al Badi from the College of Engineering concludes that the development of hybrid energy systems in the Al Hallaniyat Islands, Mas...

Legal scholars argue that justice in stable societies is not defined by the severity of punishment alone. It also depends on its capacity for reform, fairness, and rationality. At its core, justice is not an act of retribution, it is a tool of social regulation that seeks to protect society and redirect those who have violated its norms. From this perspective, Dr. Jumaa Al Azri from the College of Law raises a fundamental question: does imprisonment, as the most common form of punishment, truly ...

Post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables represent a major challenge to food systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Estimates indicate that between 30-50% of fresh produce is lost between the stages of harvest and consumption. These losses result in significant economic costs and the wastage of natural resources, particularly water and energy, and they undermine efforts to achieve food security in a region that relies heavily on imports. In response...

Amir Al-Rawahi, from the Department of Food and Nutrition at the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, turned his attention to the safety of ready-made sandwiches offered in nearby cafés. While sandwiches are convenient, appealing, and appear safe to eat, their varied ingredients, reliance on manual preparation, and potential lapses in the cold chain may directly affect food quality. These factors can make the difference between a safe meal and one carrying invisible microbial...