The lentils now grown in the Canary Islands have a history that stretches back almost 2,000 years on the site. This is shown in the very first genetic study of archaeological lentils, carried out by researchers at Linköping University and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain. Since these lentils have been adapted for cultivation in hot and dry climates for a very long time, they may become valuable for plant breeding in the light of ongoing climate change.

An ancient DNA analysis of the remains of several mastodons, including those which roamed along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, has revealed the Ice Age giants migrated vast distances in response to shifting climates and were far more genetically diverse than previously known.

Researchers outline a path to turn carbon dioxide into a valuable green fuel and chemical feedstock, offering a promising strategy for a circular carbon economy.

As the world faces the urgent challenges of climate change and the transition to sustainable energy, a new critical review provides a comprehensive roadmap for converting waste carbon dioxide (CO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) into propanol, a valuable fuel and industrial chemical. Published by researchers from Korea University and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), the review highlights innovative strategies and outlines future directions for efficient, scalable production of propanol, a vital alcohol used in fuels, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

A research team in Taiwan’s Academia Sinica led by Dr. James C. Liao has recently designed an artificial carbon fixation cycle using synthetic biology. The team engineered this cycle into Arabidopsis, creating a type of “C2 plant”. In so doing, the research team have achieved a 50% increase in carbon fixation efficiency, along with accelerated plant growth and significantly higher lipid production. The finding offers a new strategy to address climate change, promote sustainable energy, and enhance food security. The research was published in the journal Science in September 2025.