A new study led by Dr. Mohammad Fazle Rabbi at the University of Debrecen uncovers how targeted reforms in Europe’s food systems could significantly reduce carbon emissions and accelerate progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG‑12), which promotes responsible consumption and production.

A team of scientists from Khalifa University has identified a new form of carbon material that could revolutionize energy storage for electric vehicles and portable electronics. Their study, published in Carbon Research, reveals that a two‑dimensional compound called biphenylene oxide can store nearly five times more energy than graphite, the main material used in most lithium‑ion batteries today.

As industries continue to produce colorful textiles and plastics, the dyes that make them vibrant pose a serious threat to rivers and lakes. A new study published in Carbon Research shows how machine learning can help design better materials to capture and remove toxic dyes from water, improving both environmental safety and industrial sustainability.

Inadequate bedroom ventilation and poor air quality can negatively affect sleep. A recent international study found that the currently prescribed minimum ventilation rates for residential buildings, and especially bedrooms, may be too low and result in disturbed sleep. Therefore, they recommended revisiting the relevant residential building standards so that the ventilation rate with outdoor air can keep CO₂ produced by sleeping occupants at least below 1,000 ppm, or preferably below 800 ppm.

As autumn rains begin in Finland and waterproof overalls are pulled out from closets, why do they stir up such strong feelings? Researchers at the University of Oulu, reveal that mud pants represent much more than just protection from dirt and wetness.

Recently, Wei Tao Huang Research Team published a groundbreaking study in the journal Research, introducing a multifunctional trimetallic gold–silver–chromium nanocomposite (Au–Ag–Cr NCs). These nanocomposites have been applied in various fields, including multimode and multianalyte sensing, advanced arithmetic and reversible logic operations, and large-scale information security protection. This study not only updates the preparation paradigm of multimetallic nanomaterials but also paves the way for new applications in molecular information technology.

Fusarium wilt, one of the most devastating diseases of bananas, continues to threaten global production. Researchers have now uncovered how the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) deploys a virulent microRNA-like RNA, Foc-milR87, to suppress the banana immune system. This small RNA infiltrates plant cells and targets MaPTI6L, a gene encoding an AP2 transcription factor that activates defense signaling. By blocking MaPTI6L expression, Foc-milR87 weakens salicylic acid (SA) -related immunity and promotes infection. Importantly, natural single-nucleotide variations in the 3′UTR of MaPTI6L in resistant banana varieties prevent Foc-milR87 binding, suggesting a promising strategy for breeding Fusarium-resistant cultivars through genome editing.

A new study has revealed how pear trees use a hidden layer of RNA communication to defend themselves against fungal infection. Scientists discovered that a long non-coding RNA named MSTRG.32189 forms a regulatory network with PcmiR399b and PcUBC24 to control phosphate levels and disease resistance. Acting like a molecular decoy, MSTRG.32189 fine-tunes the plant’s internal balance between nutrition and immunity. When its expression decreases during infection, the pear’s defense system activates, boosting resistance through increased phosphate accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. This finding offers a new window into how plants coordinate nutrient metabolism with immune protection.

A new study has assembled the first high-quality chromosome-level genome of Acer pentaphyllum, one of the world’s most endangered and ornamental maples. The findings reveal how the species’ genome adapted to the harsh dry-hot valleys of western China through expansions and positive selection of genes related to photosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, and pathogen defense. Population genomic analyses across 28 wild populations uncovered low genetic diversity, high inbreeding, and accumulation of harmful mutations, especially at range edges. These results provide essential genetic insights for guiding conservation planning and genetic rescue of this critically endangered species.