Fasting & Cell Regeneration: Nobel Prize–Winning Science

 

In 2016, Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering how autophagy works — the body’s natural “self-cleaning” system.

Autophagy is the process by which our cells break down and recycle damaged components, turning waste into energy and fresh building blocks. It’s activated during periods of stress, such as fasting, helping cells repair and renew themselves.

This discovery reshaped how we think about aging and disease prevention. By clearing cellular debris, autophagy supports resilience and may play a protective role against cancer and neurodegenerative conditions.

Sometimes, giving the body a pause from constant intake isn’t deprivation — it’s an opportunity for renewal.

In 2016, Japanese biologist Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking research into autophagy, a term derived from the Greek words for self-eating.

This extraordinary biological repair mechanism acts as the body's internal… pic.twitter.com/43RoUtImJ5

— GP Q (@argosaki) February 14, 2026

Katara in the Details: Snapshots and Simple Thoughts

 

As I was walking through the narrow alleyways of the Katara district, I caught sight of this large prickly pear cactus tree. I was so excited to see it.

When I was a child, we had one too — of course, much smaller. It was one of the first words I learned in the “houseplant” category. I was surprised at how different its name is in English compared to Hungarian.

medvetalp =

• medve = bear

• talp = sole (of the foot)

“bear’s sole” vagy “bear paw”.

The English name refers to the fruit — “prickly pear” — while the Hungarian name focuses on the plant’s shape: the flat, oval pads resemble the sole of a bear’s paw.

Isn’t it beautiful?
Two different cultures — two completely different images of the same plant.

One emphasizes what it gives.
The other emphasizes what it looks like.

The same plant — yet two different perspectives. And that’s what makes the world richer.

The other thing I captured through the lens was a beautiful nostalgic-style drinking fountain. In this climate, public water sources are often private initiatives. Providing water to passersby is not just a simple public service; it is often a religious, charitable act.

Old villas were built so that a stone bench  and a drinking fountain would be located next to them on the street.

In Europe, wealthy individuals often erect a stone cross by the roadside; here, charity takes a much more practical form.

1 April 974 stadium - Shakira concert

 

TICKETS ARE ON!
Grab your seats now!

1 April
974 Stadium
Tickets via link in bio pic.twitter.com/5OxUxkY2t0

— Qatar Calendar (@QatarCalendar) February 10, 2026

 You  can buy  tickets  here . 

MessFest - messy festival at Katara

 

  When : From 8th – 14th of February

 What  Time :Session  times  start  at  2 :30     last  session start  at 6 

  sessions can be 1  hour or 3  hours 

 🌈 What to Expect:

Get ready for exciting outdoor activities where kids are encouraged to explore, create, and yes — get wonderfully messy! 😄 Bring a change of clothes and don’t forget socks.

🫧 Giant bubbles
🌋 Muddy volcanoes
🌈 Rainbow fountains
🎨 Paint Palooza
🤎 Mud Madness
💦 Splash Mania
🏖️ Sand, water, and paint sensory play

It’s all about hands-on fun, creativity, and carefree childhood moments!

 Tickets :From QR115 (one adult + one child)

 book  here

 Age  group : perfect for our youngest guests

National Sports Day in Qatar -2026

 Qatar National Sport Day (held annually on the second Tuesday of February) turns the whole country into a giant fitness zone, with ministries, parks, and sports clubs hosting free activities for the public.

 Where  to   go  ? 

Some ideas  :Aspire Zone (10 February 2026) is a morning event designed to promote healthy, active lifestyles for all ages in a safe and inclusive setting. Activities will take place mainly on pitches 10 and 11, with additional Aspire Academy programs on pitches 4, 5, and 12, running from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The program features a wide variety of sports and fitness options, including a walk around Aspire Park Lake, fitness classes, spinning, football, gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, shooting, hockey, chess, padel, skydiving demonstrations, youth activities (Shabab 22), Sports Corner events, and Aspetar activities

https://aspirezone.qa/en/events/national-sport-day-2026

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Education City Run: Color Edition

Join the Education City Run: Color Edition — a lively National Sport Day event filled with music, colorful powder bursts, and a festive community spirit. With distances from an 800m kids’ dash to a 10K race, everyone can participate at their own pace. Awards will be given across multiple age categories, and part of the proceeds supports Education Above All. Remember to wear sports-appropriate clothing covering shoulders and knees, with closed-toe shoes.

Registration  is needed online

Event Time: Tuesday, 10 February 2026, from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM. Open to participants aged 3 to 50.

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 Lusail Boulevard half-marathon

اكتمل العدد 🏁
شكراً لحماسكم وتفاعلكم

نلتقي في درب لوسيل

All slots are filled 🏁
Thank you for the amazing response.

See you at Lusail Boulevard. pic.twitter.com/DcFfSiQVDO

— Team Qatar 🇶🇦 (@qatar_olympic) February 8, 2026

Romantic Dinner Deals in Doha -2026

 Looking for the perfect romantic dinner for two? 💕

Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate set menu, a lavish buffet, or something exotic like volcano sushi and heart-shaped desserts, I’ve rounded up some irresistible deals on Qgrabs.

Read my latest posts and discover how to turn an ordinary evening into a memorable culinary experience!

Dinner Buffet at The Grand Lux

Celebrate love with a romantic dinner buffet for two — now just QR159 instead of QR320. Enjoy everything from creamy mushroom soup and fresh salads to hot mezza, flavorful mains like butter chicken, lamb stew, sweet and sour fish, and a delicious mixed grill. Finish the evening with irresistible desserts, including red velvet cake, chocolate cake, and strawberry mousse.

  grab  the voucher  here 

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Romantic Dinner Buffet at Midan Restaurant - 

Shaza Doha Hotel

Enjoy a romantic dinner buffet at Midan Restaurant in Shaza Hotel for just QR90 instead of QR180. Delight in a rich selection of international and Arabic dishes, from tasty starters to indulgent mains and tempting desserts — all served in an elegant, softly lit setting perfect for date nights or special celebrations.

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Romantic Valentine’s dinner buffet for two at The Avenue Hotel — now QR165 instead of QR340. Enjoy international favorites and indulgent desserts in a warm, intimate setting made for unforgettable moments.

 buy  the  voucher here

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Romantic Japanese Koibito set menu for two at Yoto Sushi Bar, The Grand Lux Hotel — now QR239 instead of QR480. Enjoy tempura, miso soup, premium sushi, teriyaki salmon, tori katsudon, and a heart-shaped cake for a truly memorable evening.

 grab   the   deal  here 

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Valentine’s deals are valid for Feb 14 — but if you miss the date, don’t worry! You can still enjoy a luxurious Afternoon High Tea at Shalimar.

Pay QR149 instead of QR298 for two, or QR189 instead of QR372 for five. Indulge in an elegant spread of sweet and savory bites, decadent desserts, and unlimited coffee and tea — perfect for a relaxed afternoon or a special get-together with friends.

 Grab  the  voucher  here 

Building Bridges - scupltures by Lorenzo Quinn - Katara

Walking through Katara’s elegant district near Galeries Lafayette, I recently encountered something unexpected — a tunnel formed by monumental, intertwined hands. For a moment, the noise of the world seemed to quiet down. The sculpture invites you not just to pass through it, but to reflect on connection, trust, and the invisible bridges that hold humanity together.

The installation is the work of Italian sculptor Lorenzo Quinn, an artist renowned for transforming the simple image of a hand into a universal language. In his vision, hands are capable of building as much as they are of destroying — which is precisely why he chooses them to symbolize cooperation, hope, and shared responsibility.

In a time when public spaces are often marked by tension or memories of conflict, encountering a work that speaks so clearly about unity feels refreshing. Rather than glorifying struggle, these hands suggest that our greatest strength lies in reaching toward one another.

Art does not always need to shock to be powerful. Sometimes, it simply needs to remind us that we belong to the same human story.

 

International Festival of Arabian Horses 2026 - Katara -exhibition of Ali Al-Ammar

 

Photos from the opening of Ali Al-Ammar’s exhibition, Symphony of Origin – The Sound of the Earth, part of the #Katara_International_Festival_Arabian_Horses 2026. The exhibition is held in Building 47, Hall 2 at #Katara.
📅 Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. until February 13, 2026.

 MORE  ABOUT  THIS  FESTIVAL 

An Earthquake We Didn’t Feel -15 hours ago -263 km drom Doha

 

pic.twitter.com/KNnArbP7cb

— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) February 1, 2026

 I was surprised to read about a 5.3‑magnitude earthquake in southwestern Iran this morning, about 263 km from Doha. At 8:11 AM, I was just preparing breakfast and didn’t notice a thing. Authorities confirm there’s no danger to Qatar.

Evening Harmonies in Al Bidda Park- 2026

 The weather is wonderful—this is the best time of year for walking in parks. While walking through Al Bidda Park, I met a few kitties asking for food. It seems they used to rely on a small restaurant that has since closed, and they’re too urban to hunt for themselves.

The yellow trumpetbush (Tecoma stans) is blooming in the park. Its sweet, nectar-like, honeyed scent always enchants me.

Among the bushes and trees, you can spot a traditional, slender minaret. At sunset, the call to prayer and the birds’ chirping blend together—a typical acoustic memory of Qatar that I will always cherish. Right in the heart of the city.

Rooted Nomad immersive exhibition - personal impressions

 If you love projected images, as I do, modern art, and the vibrant colors of India, then you must see the Rooted Nomad immersive exhibition about M. F. Husain.

He was an Indian artist born in rural India who went to the city with no money, determined to become an artist. At the very beginning, he even slept on the streets. Over time, he rose to become an internationally recognized modern artist.

Some of his paintings remind me of Picasso, which is why I privately call him “the Indian Picasso.” He was also incredibly versatile and intensely productive, creating more than 40,000 paintings during his lifetime.

At a certain point in his life, he gave up wearing shoes as an act of solidarity with those who could not afford any. He lived to the age of 95 and died in London as a citizen of Qatar.

Location: Qatar Museums Gallery, Katara, Building 10
Date: 28 October 2025 – 7 February 2026
Time: 09:00 am – 07:00 pm

Only one more week to see it! According to my experience, you can simply walk in and enjoy the immersive exhibition—there’s no need to buy tickets online.