Most japonica rice varieties possess similar alleles for grain size, producing short and wide grains.

The gs9^ko allele has a widely applicable effect on grain appearance improvement. The increased leaf angle of the gs9^ko allele does not affect its improvement effect.

Microplastics, tiny bits of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size, are now found in our air, food, water, and even inside the human body, according to new research led by scientists from China and the United States. The study, published in Carbon Research, urges scientists and policymakers to take immediate steps to understand and address potential health risks linked to widespread plastic pollution.

In a surprising twist to one of biology’s most fundamental processes, a new study published on October 17, 2025, in the open-access journal Carbon Research has revealed that plant roots can actively absorb CO₂ from the soil—and this hidden process is powerfully influenced by light, fertilizer, and atmospheric conditions.

Sorghum bicolor is a deep-rooted, heat- and drought-tolerant crop that thrives on marginal lands and is increasingly valued for its applications in biofuel, bioenergy, and biopolymer production. Although recent advances in genetic, genomic, and transcriptomic resources have improved understanding of sorghum biology, comprehensive genome-wide analyses of functional dynamics across diverse organ types and developmental stages remain limited. This study, led by the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI), presents a genome-wide analysis of organ-specific gene expression, functions, and regulatory networks in sorghum. The findings offer valuable candidates for further functional characterization and genetic engineering aimed at improving sorghum stem biomass and composition.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have uncovered the first natural example of granular jamming, a process where loose particles lock into place under pressure, in the skeleton of a soft coral. The discovery explains a long-observed mystery in biology and could inspire new designs for medical devices, robotics and protective gear.