Scientists Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna are joint winners of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. EPA
Scientists Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna are joint winners of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. EPA
Scientists Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna are joint winners of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. EPA
Scientists Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna are joint winners of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. EPA

Will the 2020 Nobel Prize winners draw more women to science?


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The French scientist Emmanuelle Charpentier and her American colleague Jennifer Doudna won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Together they developed a genetic tool called the "Crispr-Cas 9" that enables medical researchers to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding or altering sections of the DNA sequence.

It is only the fourth time the Nobel science prize has been awarded to a woman, let alone a double act. Since 1901 when the first prize was awarded for Physics, Chemistry and the Physiology of Medicine, women researchers have been consistently sidelined.

In France today, Marie Curie is a respected figure a full century after her pioneering research in radioactivity. The Curie Institute in Paris is regarded as one of the world's greatest cancer research centres.

Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in 1903 and 1911. AFP
Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in 1903 and 1911. AFP

However, Curie – born Maria Salomea Sklodowska in Poland – had to fight for laboratory funding at the start of her career. She was often humiliated on the basis of her gender, finding herself constantly mansplained. Nonetheless, she soldiered on.

Following the death of Pierre, her husband and fellow researcher, Curie became a target of sexism and derision by her colleagues. She also had to endure the hardship of raising two small daughters alone. She still went on to win two Nobel Prizes – in 1903 and 1911.

The prizes were hard-won, too. Despite carrying out the bulk of the research work – she even coined the term “radioactivity” – Pierre was initially named the sole recipient of 1903 prize. It was upon the husband's insistence that the Nobel Committee recognised the work of his wife. Curie died at the age of 66 from a blood disease that was most likely caused by her exposure to radiation.

Many decades later, it is a fact that women are still struggling to make a name for themselves in scientific research. Ms Doudna's reaction after hearing the news that she and Ms Charpentier had won the 2020 prize was telling. “Who could imagine something like this,” she said.

The highly respected Yale University went co-ed only 51 years ago. AP Photo
The highly respected Yale University went co-ed only 51 years ago. AP Photo

This is how most women I know, myself included, react after receiving a promotion or an award. Women are often brought up to assume they are never going to come first.

Perhaps, just as Curie inspired the 2020 winners – Charpentier studied at the Curie Institute – let's hope they will draw young women into various scientific fields of study. This is important because Unesco estimates that less than 30 per cent of scientific researchers worldwide are women.

According to a startling study by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), women in the US make up just 28 per cent of the science, engineering, technology and maths (Stem) academic disciplines. The gender gap is the most evident in the fastest-growing and highest-paying areas, such as computer science and engineering – the so-called “jobs of the future”. And yet, women are still not accessing them in the numbers they should be.

In 2019, Yale University, where I teach, celebrated 50 years of going co-ed. In 1969, the university admitted 575 women. I think of how frightening it must have been, but also exhilarating, for them to crack open a mostly white and male enclave. But even in 1969, women were not encouraged to study the hard sciences.

Years ago, I toured a few labs inside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was amazed at how few women were involved. A cousin of mine, who happened to work in one of these labs, did not think much of the fact she was among a small group of women there. Her focus was on getting on with her work. Indeed, for the few women taking this path, there is little time or energy to waste on why sexism continues to prevail.

According to a recent AAUW report titled Why so Few?, boys and girls in American high schools take maths and science courses at the same rate, but their results are widely different. Their research states: "Thirty years ago, there were 13 boys for every girl who scored above 700 on the SAT maths exam at age 13; today that ratio has shrunk to about 3:1."

  • 2011 - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakul Karman, “for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work”. Getty Images
    2011 - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakul Karman, “for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work”. Getty Images
  • 2012 - The European Union (EU), “for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe”. Getty Images
    2012 - The European Union (EU), “for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe”. Getty Images
  • 2013 - The Organisation for the Prohibiton of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), “for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons”. AFP
    2013 - The Organisation for the Prohibiton of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), “for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons”. AFP
  • 2014 - Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi, “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education”. Getty Images
    2014 - Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi, “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education”. Getty Images
  • 2015 - National Dialogue Quartet, “for its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia”. Getty Images
    2015 - National Dialogue Quartet, “for its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia”. Getty Images
  • 2016 - Former President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos, “for his resolute efforts to bring the country’s more than 50-year-long civil war to an end”. Getty Images
    2016 - Former President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos, “for his resolute efforts to bring the country’s more than 50-year-long civil war to an end”. Getty Images
  • 2017 - International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), “for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons”. Getty Images
    2017 - International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), “for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons”. Getty Images
  • 2018 - Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, “for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict”. AFP
    2018 - Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, “for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict”. AFP
  • 2019 - Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, “for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea”. Getty Images
    2019 - Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, “for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea”. Getty Images
  • 2020 - World Food Progamme, “for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict”. AFP
    2020 - World Food Progamme, “for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict”. AFP

Yet, despite their high scores, fewer women pursue Stem as their university majors. The study shows that girls’ achievements and interest in maths are shaped by their environment. Young ladies being reared in New York's elite schools, for instance, receive plenty of encouragement. I don’t worry about their futures. But I do fret about the millions of young women around the world who live in patriarchal societies and have little access to teachers who would encourage them to push the envelope.

So what can be done?

According to the same AAUW report, one of the largest gender gaps in cognitive abilities is found in the area of spatial skills. They can be as simple as reading a map, finding one's way into an unfamiliar building or merging into traffic when driving a car. But girls can improve these skills with the help of training courses. And if they can be encouraged to enhance their success levels in Stem, the learning curve in spatial skills can be short.

Girls walk to their classrooms before the start of their lesson day in Bangkok, Thailand in September. Reuters
Girls walk to their classrooms before the start of their lesson day in Bangkok, Thailand in September. Reuters

Colleges are the real training grounds for scientists and must attract more female scholars. They can do this by recruiting more female instructors and by implementing mentoring programmes and internships.

But more importantly, we need to stop thinking of maths and science in terms of being male or masculine jobs. The striking difference in the figures of men and women in the field are not indicative of men being naturally gifted in these fields – any more than women are better at nursing and teaching. We must discard gender boundaries that have divided professions for generations.

It is not an easy task, but it is one that we must address.

Janine di Giovanni is a Senior Fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs

MATCH INFO

Day 2 at the Gabba

Australia 312-1 

Warner 151 not out, Burns 97,  Labuschagne 55 not out

Pakistan 240 

Shafiq 76, Starc 4-52

SHAITTAN
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SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%20Twin-turbocharged%204-litre%20V8%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20625%20bhp%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20630Nm%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh974%2C011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Captain Marvel

Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law,  Ben Mendelsohn

4/5 stars

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

RECORD%20BREAKER
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Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PRO%20MAX
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Results
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MATCH INFO

Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)

The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry

Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm

Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

DSC Eagles 23 Dubai Hurricanes 36

Eagles
Tries: Bright, O’Driscoll
Cons: Carey 2
Pens: Carey 3

Hurricanes
Tries: Knight 2, Lewis, Finck, Powell, Perry
Cons: Powell 3

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks

Following fashion

Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.

Losing your balance

You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.

Being over active

If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.

Running your losers

Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.

Selling in a panic

If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.

Timing the market

Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.

Multitasking pays off for money goals

Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.

That's how much Ms O'Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in the US, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.

"I tell students that eventually, 30 years later, I hit the million-dollar mark, but I could've had $2 million," Ms O'Neill says.

Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."

People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.

"By putting off saving for the future, you are really inhibiting yourself from benefiting from that wonderful magic," says Kimberly Zimmerman Rand , an accredited financial counsellor and principal at Dragonfly Financial Solutions in Boston. "If you can start saving today ... you are going to have a lot more five years from now than if you decide to pay off debt for three years and start saving in year four."

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The Bio

Name: Lynn Davison

Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi

Children: She has one son, Casey, 28

Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite Author: CJ Sansom

Favourite holiday destination: Bali

Favourite food: A Sunday roast

UAE%20ILT20
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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

Results:

Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.

Bundesliga fixtures

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 

RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 

Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 

Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 

Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 

Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),

Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)