Millions of children under age five worldwide suffer from childhood stunting. A critical marker of chronic undernutrition, stunting represents a lifelong constraint on human potential, carrying a heightened risk of mortality, chronic disease, impaired cognitive development and reduced economic opportunity. A new study from the University of Notre Dame reveals that human-caused climate change is actively worsening this public health crisis, acting alongside structural socioeconomic disparities that already challenge the next generation’s ability to thrive.

Dr. Kaiwen Hsiao received the National Science Foundation’s highest honor for early-career faculty through her pioneering mission to print structures smaller than the wavelength of light itself.

A common concern for accepting immigrants is their effect on the host country’s welfare system. In a redistributive welfare system, where immigrants participate in the healthcare system, natives are inclined towards accepting high-income immigrants. A new study explores this question through a novel survey experiment, establishing a causal link between the perception of immigrants’ participation in the healthcare system and preferences towards different types of immigrants.

This study reports a labor-saving strategy for hybrid rice seed production using a small flag leaf mutant, ym66, derived from radiation-mutagenized indica rice 93-11. The mutant exhibits extremely short, narrow, and stiff flag leaves due to a 6-bp insertion in the OsGATA15 gene, which leads to cell death and reduced vascular development. Using this mutant, the researchers developed a novel restorer line, NP27, which requires no manual leaf cutting during hybrid seed production. Field tests showed that NP27 achieves seed yields comparable to traditional leaf-cutting methods, while reducing labor costs by approximately 150–180 CNY per mu. Additionally, NP27-derived hybrids display more compact plant architecture, uniform panicles, and improved grain quality. This work provides a "leaf-cutting-free" germplasm resource that simplifies hybrid rice seed production and lowers production costs.

The NEEDS 2026 Conference brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to explore how societies can strengthen resilience in the face of cascading crises and disasters. Throughout the event, DeCrises partners highlighted the importance of multilevel governance, social innovation, and community engagement in ensuring that no community is left behind during the green and digital transition.

The loss of biological diversity is one of the greatest challenges of our time. At the fourth World Biodiversity Forum in Davos, leading biodiversity researchers are joining participants from politics, business, civil society and the arts to develop a common approach for biodiversity protection.