Scientists have created a smart hydrogel that swells in salty water to capture uranium from concentrated seawater—achieving four times higher extraction rates than conventional materials while fighting off bacteria. This innovation could transform how we harvest nuclear fuel from the ocean.

Scientists have cracked the genetic code of a powerful medicinal herb used in traditional medicine for centuries. This pentaploid genome reveals how the plant evolved the ability to produce the same healing compounds as ginseng through an entirely different genetic pathway—offering new hope for drug development and sustainable cultivation.

From cancer-fighting Taxol to fragrant rose oils, plant terpenoids shape our world in surprising ways. Scientists are now using AI and multi-omics technologies to decode how plants build these complex molecules—and discovering their hidden roles in defending crops against pests and communicating with soil microbes.

Researchers have found a way to turn plastic waste into clean fuel using nothing but flowing water. By pairing special crystals with methane-producing microbes, they created a self-powered system that converts disposable cups and straws into methane gas while capturing CO₂—offering a sustainable solution to plastic pollution.

A team of researchers led by scientists at Beijing Normal University has conducted a detailed evaluation of China's major ecological engineering projects, quantifying their distinct contributions to enhancing the nation's terrestrial carbon sinks. The findings, published in Carbon Research, provide a nuanced look at the effectiveness of these large-scale environmental initiatives, revealing that success is highly dependent on regional context and project design. This work offers vital information for optimizing ecosystem management as China progresses toward its 2060 carbon neutrality target.

A sweeping new analysis connects two of the planet's most pressing environmental crises, revealing that pervasive microplastic pollution is a significant and overlooked contributor to climate change. The review, led by researchers Kui Li and Hua Wang from the Agricultural University of Hunan, synthesizes a growing body of evidence showing that these tiny plastic fragments not only release greenhouse gases as they degrade but also disrupt natural processes that are vital for storing carbon. This intricate relationship suggests that tackling plastic pollution is essential for climate mitigation efforts.