A novel study shows that exposure to air pollution, especially fine particulate matter like dust, soot, and smoke (PM_2.5), is associated with increased disease activity and flare risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The findings from an article in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD), The EULAR Journal, published by Elsevier, underscore the importance for healthcare providers and policymakers to recognize its impact on the management of RA.

As part of the plans to build a fusion reactor in Germany, the Federal Government is establishing new research hubs. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will play a significant role in this effort: KIT researchers are developing key technologies for the fuel cycle, high-performance materials, and essential reactor components. By contributing its broad expertise, KIT helps turn fusion technology into a practical reality and plays a leading role in advancing it from fundamental research to real-world application.

Many threatened or understudied oak tree species are at risk of extinction in Southeast and East Asia, where more than half of their native range is subject to sharply increasing human pressure. Should these species of oak disappear from the wild, most of them do not have a single backup in a managed botanical collection anywhere in the world.

Those are among the findings in the first comprehensive Conservation Gap Analysis of Select Native Asian Oaks, conducted by scientists at The Morton Arboretum alongside collaborators in the region. Oaks are a crucial species that anchor entire ecosystems—supplying food and shelter for humans and wildlife alike—and by addressing vast disparities in data about these at-risk trees, this report informs the most practical next steps for conserving them.