This unobtrusive, leaf-mounted sensor saves time and improves productivity by remotely monitoring the health of plants in real-time.

Deforestation has remained a significant issue globally, with primary forests contributing to 16 per cent of the total tree cover loss in the last two decades, driven by climate change and intensive human activity. This threatens natural resources, biodiversity, and people’s quality of life. To protect forests, Lithuanian scientists, in collaboration with Swedish experts, have developed Forest 4.0, an intelligent forest data processing model integrating blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The system enables real-time monitoring of forest conditions, sustainable resource accounting, and a more transparent forest governance model.

Apples rank among the world's most valuable fruit crops, with production spanning more than 100 countries. Some apple trees naturally develop into what farmers call "spur-type" varieties—compact trees that are more productive and easier to maintain. But the genetic mechanisms underlying this coveted trait have remained elusive—until now.

Recently, the research team led by Professor WU Lifang from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed copper pyrazole, a novel nitrification inhibitor, and a slow-release fertilizer coated with it.

A recent study conducted by Bidhan Nath and colleagues at the University of Southern Queensland investigates the impact of various additives on the quality of wheat straw pellets, a potential bioenergy source. The research reveals significant improvements in pellet durability, tensile strength, and heating value with the addition of binding materials.

An archaeologist from the University of New Hampshire and her team have collected data which indicates the presence of a large-scale pre-Columbian fish-trapping facility. Discovered in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary (CTWS), the largest inland wetland in Belize, the team dated the construction of these fisheries to the Late Archaic period (cal. 2000-1900 BCE), pre-dating Amazonian examples by a thousand years or more.