Ecologists from the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) and the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) have identified significant ecological risks associated with the release of hybrid groupers into Hong Kong’s coastal waters, a practice often linked to religious ‘mercy release’ rituals.

Their study highlights how the Tiger Grouper-Giant Grouper hybrid (TGGG), also known as the Sabah grouper, disrupts local marine ecosystems by exploiting unique ecological niches and potentially becoming a dominant predator. This research, the first to use advanced DNA metabarcoding to analyse the diet of this hybrid species, underscores the urgent need for public education and conservation measures to mitigate unintended ecological impacts. The findings have been published in the journal Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries.  

The National Champion Tree Program (NCTP) announced its first Register of Champion Trees since 2021. The program moved from American Forests to the University of Tennessee School of Natural Resources in 2023 and has spent the past year working with state-level Champion Tree programs across the U.S. to update outdated records and verify the newly crowned champions. “We are thrilled beyond measure to share the list of the largest documented trees in the United States,” Jaq Payne, NCTP director, said. “These trees are more than just numbers on a website. They're living, breathing members of our community. I hope this register encourages folks to start looking at the trees around them with fresh eyes.” Payne announced the new register and NCTP Data Management System at the program’s Root Ball at the UT Conference Center in downtown Knoxville on Saturday, January 18. The register started as a short list of 77 big trees in the April 1941 edition of American Forests magazine. By 2021, it had grown to 562 Champion Trees across the country.

New research led by The University of Texas at Arlington emphasizes that studying the impacts of past tropical storms can help communities better prepare for future storms. A key part of the study is analyzing the types and quantities of storm-related precipitation in affected regions to understand its role on local water resources. By mitigating excessive damage, such preparation could enable more people to remain in their home countries. This is increasingly urgent as climate change is expected to make tropical storms 10-15% more frequent and intense.

POSTECH team Pioneer High-Resolution, Virtually Stained Imaging Technology with Explainable Deep Learning.

The University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) is spearheading the IFE-STAR ecosystem, an initiative supported by a $2.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. This program is set to reshape the future of inertial fusion energy (IFE) by bringing together experts from academia, national laboratories, and industry while investing in the next generation of researchers. Central to this effort are two transformative programs: the inaugural IFE-STAR conference, taking place April 7-11, 2025, in Breckenridge, Colorado, where leading scientists will address the most pressing challenges and advancements in fusion research, and the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), which will immerse students in hands-on research alongside top IFE scientists at over 20 institutions. These initiatives are designed to drive meaningful progress in fusion energy science while cultivating the talent essential for its future.