News

Istanbul Fights Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes Using A Smartphone App

There are approximately 190,000 mosquito habitats in Istanbul, and 80% of them wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for humans creating ideal breeding conditions.

Published

4 weeks ago

April 22, 2021

Joanna

istanbul fights disease carrying mosquitoes using a smartphone app

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With the world’s attention focused on the still ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it’s easy to forget that there are many other serious health problems affecting the lives of people around the world. Istanbul is one of the countless cities that have been invaded by disease-carrying mosquitoes, and the city’s civic body has recently decided to solve this problem using modern technology.

More specifically, the Istanbul Municipality has released a smartphone app whose purpose is to identify different mosquito species in the city and create a real-time map showing their location. The gathered information will allow city officials to take appropriate actions in order to stop, or at least slow down, the spread of mosquitoes in the city of hundred names.

The biggest challenge is the fact that not all Istanbul residents own high-end smartphones with high-resolution cameras capable of taking detailed pictures of tiny mosquitoes, especially under poor lighting conditions. That said, even less-than-ideal pictures can help officials map out the general presence of mosquitoes in Istanbul, which can go a long way in tackling the infestation.

Önder Yüksel Eryiğit, a senior municipal official, said that there are approximately 190,000 mosquito habitats in Istanbul, and 80 percent of them wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for humans creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

Also Read: FDA Approves Israeli Cancer-Freezing Technology

Academics have warned the Istanbul Municipality about the possibility of mosquitoes infected with Zika and West Nile viruses already making the city their new home. To prevent a deadly outbreak of these and other infectious diseases, it’s important to act quickly and avoid letting the problem get out of hand.

This certainly isn’t the first application of mobile apps in the Middle East for the purposes of solving pressing healthcare issues, and it’s safe to say that it won’t be the last. For example, during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, a group of 16 technology enthusiasts from Turkey developed a contact-tracing app to instantly alert users who had contact with infected people.

News

Dubai-Based Carasti Lets You Rent A Car For Up To Two Years

Carasti describes itself as an all-inclusive car subscription app that removes all the hassle associated with car ownership, such as service and maintenance, while preserving all the benefits.

Published

4 hours ago

May 17, 2021

Joanna

dubai-based carasti lets you rent a car for up to two years

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Due to environmental and safety regulations, as well as rising costs of insurance and fuel, the cost of car ownership has never been higher. While modern public transportation systems in many countries already provide an attractive alternative, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted their limitations. Fortunately, there’s another option available: long-term car renting, and McKinsey predicts that it will generate almost 30 percent of the automotive industry’s revenue by 2030 thanks to startups like Carasti, which has just launched its service following a successful pre-Series A funding round last month.

Based in Dubai, Carasti describes itself as an all-inclusive car subscription app that removes all the hassle associated with car ownership, such as service and maintenance, while preserving all the benefits.

Carasti

“Our subscription model aims to make car ownership as flexible and affordable as possible, providing our customers with an easy alternative to car ownership,” explains the company’s CEO, Claudio Esposito-Aiardo. “There are no hidden costs, no extra fees, and no financial surprises. We simply don’t believe that you should be weighing yourself down with debts, bank loans, and payments just to drive a car.”

Also Read: Dubai-Based Startup Huspy Helps Emiratis Buy Homes Online

Carasti users can choose between two distinct subscription models. The month-to-month subscription model provides access to a variety of nearly new cars with a monthly, 6 month or yearly commitment. The mini lease subscription model lets users choose a 12 or 24-month plan on a brand-new car.

Regardless of which model you pick, you always have to provide only your Emirates ID, driving license, passport copy, or visa copy. All subscriptions include insurance, maintenance, roadside assistance, and flexible car switching. Carasti supports both Android and iOS devices, and your first car can be delivered to you in as little as 4 hours from downloading it.