A newly published study from the University of Guam sheds light on a tiny but powerful ally in the soil and how it could help Guam farmers and growers protect their crops naturally. Published on Dec. 11, 2025, in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science, the study was conducted by Dr. Richard R. Singh, an assistant professor of sustainable plant production, and soil chemist Clancy Iyekar of the agInnovation Research Center under UOG Land Grant. The study focuses on nematodes — microscopic roundworms in soil that are poorly documented in Guam — specifically exploring how certain “good” nematodes may help control the harmful ones that damage crops.

In a recent study published in Science China Earth Sciences, a team of researchers proposed using an orthogonal conditional nonlinear optimal perturbations (O-CNOPs) method to tackle the challenge of forecasting unusual tropical cyclone (TC) tracks. Their findings revealed that this method exhibits exceptional capability in generating ensemble members that accurately predict sharp TC turns. The O-CNOPs method holds potential as a transformative tool for addressing the forecasting challenge, offering a more precise and reliable solution for predicting TC behavior.

Forecasting unusual TC tracks has long been a persistent challenge in TC prediction, with limited progress made over the years. However, this study demonstrated that the O-CNOPs outperformed traditional methods [singular vectors (SVs) and bred vectors (BVs)] by providing more stable and reliable improvements in TC track forecasting skills. Notably, at lead times of one to five days, the O-CNOPs showed superior ability to generate ensemble members that accurately predict sharp TC turns. Thus, the study offers a new ensemble forecasting technology to enhance the accuracy of unusual TC track forecasts, with potential for becoming a valuable approach to address this forecasting challenge.

A growing body of research suggests that combining biochar with other soil amendments such as compost, manure, or fertilizers may improve soil health more effectively than using biochar alone. A new review synthesizing field studies from around the world shows that this co-application approach can enhance soil structure, nutrient availability, and microbial activity, offering a promising strategy for sustainable land management.

A new study examining 13 years of ground motion data from sites near the Cascadia Subduction Zone shows that the entirety of the fault may not be as tightly locked as researchers thought, which could change our understanding of how a big earthquake might hit the Pacific Northwest.