Research teams from Tsinghua University and Anhui University of Technology have developed a novel post-processing technique using hot isostatic pressing (HIP) to improve the microstructure and wear resistance of titanium alloy surfaces. Through a careful combination of temperature and pressure, the team achieved remarkable reductions in residual stress-up to eightfold-and enhanced mechanical properties, including increased hardness and ductility. This fabrication process promotes better phase stability and interfacial bonding, enabling the coated titanium components to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh environments more effectively. This technology effectively overcomes the long-standing challenge of poor wear resistance in titanium alloys, offering a solid theoretical foundation and valuable technical guidance for the laser in-situ fabrication of TiN/Ti composite surface modification layers. The outcomes of this work hold significant potential to transform industries such as aerospace, biomedical implants, and industrial tooling—paving the way for more durable, reliable, and high-performance titanium-based components.

The rain delays, sorghum withers; when a storm finally breaks, complaints rise again. To break this cycle of uncertainty, scientists from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, INERA, and the University of Ghana conducted the first large-scale survey on agricultural climate services in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, and Senegal. Published in Frontiers in Climate, the study analyzes the expectations of 1,212 farmers and charts a credible path to turn weather reports into a profitable investment. 

Between 2nd  and 10th September around 40 stakeholders involved in protecting and restoring peatlands and wetlands in Germany, the Netherlands and Finland joined a series of online workshops to develop impact plans that aim to influence policies and markets in each country, to scale up the restoration of degraded peatlands. 

A comprehensive study of 238 high-oil peanut varieties in China reveals key insights into their agronomic traits, disease resistance, and genetic diversity. While these varieties show promising oil content (up to 61%), they face challenges such as a trade-off between oil and protein content and limited high-level disease resistance. The findings provide a foundation for future breeding strategies to enhance yield, quality, and resilience.

The AP2/ERF transcription factor SHAT2 positively regulates seed shattering and quality. SHAT2 mutation affects the expression of seed-shattering and quality-related genes. SHAT2 regulates the expression of seed development-related genes through interaction with the GCC-box.