Researchers have engineered yeast to efficiently convert methanol into D-lactic acid, a key compound for biodegradable plastics and pharmaceuticals. By optimizing gene and promoter combinations, they achieved the highest reported yield to date, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based production. Their findings advance eco-friendly chemical manufacturing.

An international study, with the participation of INRAE and the CEA, has discovered that the majority of terrestrial carbon sequestered over the last 30 years is stored in nonliving forms such as the bottom of lakes and rivers, wetlands and soils. Until now, forests were considered to be the main carbon sinks on terrestrial surfaces. However, an analysis of carbon fluxes over the last few decades reveals that, if we take into account gains and losses on a global scale, only around 6% of the total sequestered carbon is stored in live biomass. This loss could be the result of forest degradation in many parts of the world—caused by fires, droughts and deforestation. Very little is known about the key sequestration processes in these nonliving pools, and currently, many are not included in global models of changes in carbon stocks. Published on 20 March 2025 in Science, these results could help to better predict the future trajectory of these reservoirs and how they are affected by human activities and climate change.

The world's highest award for scientific achievement in the field of water research goes to Prof. Günter Blöschl of TU Wien. For many years, he and his team at the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management have been carrying out internationally recognised work in the field of flood research.