Engineers from Adamson University, the University of the Philippines Diliman, and the University of Santo Tomas have successfully converted a common kitchen scrap into a powerful tool for environmental cleanup. By transforming discarded saba banana peels into a specialized biochar, the team has created a low-cost, sustainable adsorbent capable of efficiently removing diesel oil from water. This approach not only addresses the significant challenge of hydrocarbon pollution from industrial activities and accidental spills but also provides a valuable new use for agricultural waste, aligning with the principles of a circular economy.

An in-depth econometric analysis reveals the significant environmental consequences of Brazil's expanding tourism sector and economic growth. The new report, authored by Asif Raihan of the Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, examines three decades of data to untangle the complex relationship between the nation's economy, energy consumption, tourism industry, and its carbon footprint. While tourism is a vital engine for development, its reliance on energy-intensive activities poses a direct challenge to Brazil's environmental goals, including its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Foundation models are transforming financial engineering, with specialized financial foundation models emerging to tackle domain-specific needs. Categorized into three types, they excel at text processing, time-series analysis, and visual-text integration. This survey unpacks their progress, real-world uses, and key challenges, offering a vivid roadmap for AI-driven finance innovation.

As renewable energy surges, balancing power grids with human comfort becomes critical. Tsinghua researchers propose “ergonomics in energy use”—a smart framework that optimizes air-conditioning, EV charging, and lighting to cut energy use without sacrificing workplace comfort. Discover how this human-centric approach could transform future buildings.

Concrete harbors distinct microbial zones whose signatures survive the heat of routine core sampling, a discovery researchers say could one day put structural health diagnostics within reach of general maintenance staff and even residents.

What makes medicinal plants heal? A massive global project is decoding the DNA of over 1200 herbs to uncover nature’s pharmaceutical secrets. From ginseng to ginger, scientists are mapping the genetic recipes behind centuries-old remedies—opening new doors for drug discovery and understanding how plants create their medicinal magic.