MBZUAI Professor Fakhri Karray and colleagues from the University of Waterloo are using AI to forecast crop yields, focusing on the impact of extreme temperatures on California strawberry yields. The research uses historical climate and agricultural data to predict yields, addressing issues from 2023 when unusual weather caused a $100 million loss to the strawberry industry. Better predictions could benefit consumers, farmers, and the agricultural industry by improving pricing and supply chain management. Why it matters: This research can improve understanding of agricultural system vulnerabilities amid climate change and extreme weather.
KAUST researchers reported the full genome sequencing of einkorn wheat in Nature. A new 'cooling score' metric was created to study heat's impact on solar cell performance. KAUST is also optimizing MXenes for lithium batteries and using biomimetic mineralization for smart agriculture. Why it matters: This research demonstrates KAUST's contributions to diverse fields, including genomics, sustainable energy, and smart agriculture, advancing technological innovation in Saudi Arabia.
KAUST researchers have developed a genomic resource for Tausch’s goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii), a wild relative of wheat, by creating 46 high-quality genome assemblies. They compiled 493 genetically distinct accessions from an initial 900, collaborating with the Open Wild Wheat Consortium to select accessions with traits of interest, such as disease resistance and stress tolerance. Screening these assemblies helped identify rust resistance genes, including mapping a stem rust resistance gene to the Sr33 locus. Why it matters: This genomic resource will accelerate gene discovery in wheat, potentially improving modern wheat varieties and enhancing global food security.
Three KAUST startups, iyris, Oaesis, and UnitX, were selected in the top 10 at the Startup Istanbul international competition out of 90,000 applicants. iyris secured third place with its technology, while Oaesis developed a laser-based energy-efficient lighting system for indoor farms. KAUST supports emerging companies from ideation to marketing and financial support. Why it matters: This showcases KAUST's role in fostering innovation and contributing to Saudi Arabia's knowledge-based economy by supporting promising startups on the global stage.