Researchers in Australia have discovered that water generates an electrical charge up to 10 times greater than previously understood when it moves across a surface.

The team observed when a water droplet became stuck on a tiny bump or rough spot, the force built up until it “jumped or slipped” past an obstacle, creating an irreversible charge that had not been reported before.

A new study published in Engineering uncovers the dual-faced effects of elevated CO₂ on food security. It shows that while elevated CO₂ can bring certain benefits to plants, it also poses threats such as reducing nutrient content in crops, which may impact global food supplies and human health.