Rice straw is often returned directly to fields to improve soil health, but in highly saline-sodic soils, where salt, alkalinity, and poor structure slow decomposition, that strategy may not work fast enough. A new study published in Biochar reports that converting rice straw into biochar before returning it to the field can offer a more effective route for sustainable rice production in salt-affected regions.

A new study published in Biochar shows that combining green manure with biochar can help farmers reduce nitrogen fertilizer use while improving soil health, water retention, carbon storage, nutrient supply, and microbial activity.

By the time farmers see curling leaves or stunted growth in their fields, their crops may already have spent days under stress. A new innovation in plant “wearable” sensors aims to catch those distress signals earlier—before the plant visibly suffers, allowing farmers to respond and help their crops thrive.

A national coalition of pharmaceutical companies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and clinical research leaders has launched the fifth cohort of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program's Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP). This summer, 80 medical students at 18 research institutions are receiving immersive training and mentorship designed to prepare the next generation of physician-scientists to conduct community-centered clinical research and improve participation in clinical trials. The initiative, established by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation and supported by industry and nonprofit partners, highlights a growing cross-sector commitment to strengthening the future clinical research workforce and expanding access to medical innovation.

A new analysis published in the journal Prevention Science calls for a major shift in how the United States approaches substance misuse prevention strategies and programs. The findings argue that the current strategy for providing prevention services may not be reaching enough people or providing a worthwhile return on investment. Implementation efforts should instead focus on direct integration into schools, healthcare systems and digital technologies Americans already use every day.