Some argue that humour is universal, others that it is restricted by culture. With more and more comedians taking to the international circuit, Vision asks, can a joke be shared around the world?

3D tech: a new dimension

Matthew Hussey

While 3D film has struggled to find its place, other forms of 3D technology could revolutionise the way we make things – from precision engineering to living tissue. Vision considers the latest innovations

In a world that is becoming ever-more environmentally conscious, does an eco-friendly building have the power to change the outlook of an entire company? Vision.ae finds out

Growing trend: fitness regimes

Ben East

With most New Year’s Resolutions fast becoming a distant memory, Vision explores the success of ‘Crossfit’, a new craze that is gathering a global following

Soon we will move through our environment in novel ways, our mobile devices acting as sensors, our personal data used to check our health and hi-tech glasses telling us about one another. Vision reports on a world of technology in perpetual motion

Instagram: make it snappy

Hannah Booth

Instagram is the web sensation Facebook paid US$1bn for. Vision reports on how a small photo-sharing start-up turned the world snap happy

Rami Al Ali, a Syrian couturier who works out of Dubai and shows his design in Paris, believes fashion is a business for the worldly-wise

Retail heaven: try before you buy

Maeve Hosea

Most shoppers are keen to snap up a bargain when they head to the mall, but now a new concept known as 'tryvertising' means consumers can take home goods for free. Vision.ae finds out more

Over 100 Hippocampus Hystrix Seahorses, an endangered species native to the Arabian Gulf, are the latest scion of The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm, giving new hope to marine conservationists intent on preserving this endangered symbol of the seas

Dubai Cares: children first

Tahira Yaqoob

Dubai Cares is the largest charity in the world devoted to primary education. As the organisation celebrates its fifth anniversary, Vision looks at how it is providing opportunities for millions of children all over the world to escape poverty and build a better life

Some of the world’s brightest minds are meeting in New York this month to discuss the inspiring possibilities of using social media to leverage change for good

Secrets of Mars: Curiosity rover

Elizabeth Howell

A new rover has landed on Mars, ready to dig up clues as to whether the Red Planet ever was, or is, suitable for life. Elizabeth Howell offers a run-down on what this latest mission is hoping to find

A recent dramatic find of prehistoric footprints in Al Gharbia has set the hearts and minds of international scientists and archaeologists alight

Rio +20: ‘The Future We Want’

John Vidal

Representatives from more than 190 countries gathered in Brazil this month to debate the future of sustainable development. Now 20 years on from the first mega-conference, John Vidal assesses how far the world has progressed and the objectives to come from the latest summit

Are levels of wellbeing replacing economic performance as proof of a country’s success? Politicians around the world are starting to think so and, as Vision finds out, they all want to know one thing: how happy are you? 

Leading light: Olympic Torch Relay

Alasdair Lees

Sporting fans from all over the world tuned in to witness the start of the UK’s Olympic Torch Relay, which will be transported on its 8,000-mile journey by carefully selected British and international torchbearers before arriving in London in July

As the number of single home dwellers continues to rise the level of social connection has seen a marked decline. Helen Parton discovers how cities the world over are working to forge a sense of togetherness among communities

Pure maths: algebra and Islam

Rob Flemming

From the perfect symmetry of a dome to the curvature of a parabola, the application of mathematics is evident in much of the architecture of the Islamic world. Rob Flemming traces the history of the advances made in mathematics by Islamic scholars, and their legacy in both the study and the practice of modern maths

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Researchers are for the first time undertaking a large-scale study to try and map out exactly how our brains are wired. Matthew Knight learns how the Human Connectome Project hopes to help scientists further understand various neurodisorders, including autism and Alzheimer's disease

Urban buzz: Beekeeping in the city

Hannah Booth

From central London to downtown Tokyo, the word on the street is that inner-city beekeeping is soothing souls and fostering sustainability. Vision.ae explores a growing phenomenon

As the fashion carousel moves on to Paris for the autumn/winter shows, Josh Sims takes a look at the changing face of the catwalk

Dubai Marathon: Athletes race to London 2012

Rob Furber

Sports fans will be turning their attention to the Dubai Marathon this weekend, as athletes attempt to secure a qualification time for London 2012. Rob Furber presents a run-down of the ones to watch

Khuan Chew is the founder of London- and Dubai-based KCA International, which was responsible for the interiors of Dubai’s most famous hotels and most recently, Jumeirah’s Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai. She tells Vision how a musical start led to a career in design

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‘Conservation and development have to work together’

Nikki Schreiber

The Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project is the only project of its kind in the Middle East. But it’s not just about allowing sick turtles to be nursed back to health – vital scientific work increases the international knowledge base used to further protect these creatures

Held up as a model of biodiversity on a par with sites such as Yellowstone National Park and the Great Barrier Reef, a Dubai national park – the UAE’s largest – is setting international benchmarks in desert conservation

Ocean exploration: the deep space age

Jeffrey Marlow

The race is on to discover what lies at the bottom of the world’s final undiscovered frontier: its seas. Far from being a pursuit of wealthy celebrities or curious scientists, oceanography has become a key geopolitical consideration, with marine conservation and the securing of resources new priorities for global powers

A new generation of young, fashion-conscious Muslims are proving that you can be cool and modest, stylish and individual without compromising faith, as Vision.ae finds out

Brand building: You are what you wear

Ben East

Vision.ae explores the meaning behind brand selection, and asks what our decisions say about us 

State-of-the art facilities, ideal training conditions and Olympic expertise are establishing Dubai as a leading sports hub

Food for thought: putting sustainability on the menu

Maeve Hosea

As the world becomes increasingly alert to its finite resources, a raft of responsible restaurant businesses and entrepreneurs are rethinking the issue of food sustainability

The number of people choosing to live alone has escalated dramatically over the past half century and is expected to rise in the coming decades. Vision investigates the causes and implications of the boom in singlehood

Space missions: the frontier spirit

Elizabeth Howell

Last year saw the final mission of the American space shuttle programme. But just as the US winds down its space operations, other nations around the world are enthusiastically gearing up to voyage to other galaxies…

Bionic legs and i-limbs brought the extraordinary ability of thousands of paralympians into the spotlight this summer. Vision.ae takes a look at the innovative technologies and inspirational inventions that are changing the face of disability all over the world

Camel milk cafe: one lump or two?

Leonard Stall

Vision's editor-in-chief, Leonard Stall, drops in on Jassim Al Bastaki, the founder of Cafe2Go and self-appointed ambassador for camel milk

Most of us now spend almost every waking moment online, surfing and texting, messaging and updating. But what toll is this taking on our health, our attention spans and our facility for learning? Vision reports

Arab cinema: New York platform

Maeve Hosea

With subjects spanning forbidden love in contemporary Egypt and living in conflict in the West Bank, a film festival in the Gulf has travelled to the US to raise awareness of contemporary Arab cinema abroad

With the UAE’s London 2012 journey well underway, Ben East takes a look at how the country is investing in its sporting reputation

Nurturing talent: Youth conference

Laura Adcock

Giftedness 2012 will see exceptional children from around the world convening at this biennale scientific forum, along with internationally renowned speakers from the education sector. Held for the first time in the Middle East, Vision.ae finds out more 

Globalisation is demanding that we learn more and more languages but what can we learn from those who can speak in 50 tongues or more? Vision investigates 

Sporting excellence: taking it to extremes

Rob Kemp

Ultra marathons, adventure races and multi-disciplined ‘athlons are coming into their own as sportspeople seek out new ways to push themselves in longer and tougher physical challenges. Rob Kemp investigates the growing appeal of new, multi-discipline events

As the competition for the chess world title – and the US$2m purse – gets underway this month, Vision.ae considers the rising popularity of this often overlooked sport and highlights the players making a name for themselves

Taste of Kentucky: regional horseracing fare

Laura Adcock

Before the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, US, got underway, racegoers flocked to food festival ‘Taste of Derby’ to sample cuisines local to popular horseracing destinations

With as much as 90 per cent of the world’s visually impaired living in developing countries, Vision.ae explores the problem of curable blindness and finds out what is being done to alleviate the situation

Party people: DJ Max Chipchase

Leonard Stall

International DJ to the stars Max Chipchase flew in to a party atmosphere as the Dubai World Cup carnival reached its climax on the final night. Vision's Leonard Stall met him at the turntables as he prepared to give some of the Dubai World Cup guests a night to remember

Dubai's wholesale fish market in Deira is one of the emirate’s hidden gems. Leonard Stall, with the guidance of David Burns, Vice Chairman of the British Business Group, makes a visit when the market is in full flow

Treasure hunt

Nikki Schreiber

Dubai’s pearling tradition dates back millennia. Nikki Schreiber steps into the shoes of the emirate’s traditional pearl divers and discovers just how intrepid they really were

Emerging European and Middle Eastern fashion designers joined forces to deliver a new take on the abaya as part of the second Dubai-Berlin Festival. Katie Boucher highlights the aims of this unique project and reflects on the fashion show's offerings

Heavenly influences

Rob Flemming

To Muslims, the moon and sun are much more than merely attractive celestial bodies – their daily movements determine the timings of prayers, festivals and even months. Vision examines the special role that astronomy and moon-sighting plays in Islam – and why they are still very much relevant even in today’s computerised world

Following his recent signing as coach of UAE club Al Wasl, Diego Maradona tells Vision about his decision to swap Buenos Aires for Dubai

Going for gold

Duncan Mackay

Dubai is flexing its muscles as a world-class sports destination as it seeks to nurture current and future champions