Over recent centuries, the intensification of land use has caused the loss of natural sponge functions in landscapes. River straightening, bank stabilisation and embankments disrupt the natural exchange of water with the floodplains, which not only absorb and slowly release water during droughts but also provide diverse habitats, nature-based flood protection, and valuable recreational areas. Restoring wetlands is vital in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises.

The "SpongeBoost" project supports policy-making, restoration, and land-use planning, promoting cost-effective, nature-based solutions that align with EU Climate Adaptation goals. With the establishment of the “SpongeBooster of the Year” award, the project aimed to spread recognition for those committed to restoring sponge landscapes, assessed not only on implementation but also on public relations, environmental education, and regional cooperation.

This article explores a new therapeutic approach for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a combination of triptolide and medicarpin. Recent research published in Engineering reveals that targeting the m⁶A methylation pathway can significantly reduce bone destruction associated with RA. The study demonstrates that the combined use of triptolide and medicarpin effectively inhibits osteoclastogenesis and modulates inflammation, offering a potential strategy to improve treatment outcomes and minimize side effects in RA patients.

This article introduces a new methodology for predicting the service life of concrete structures in marine environments, published in Engineering. Researchers from Southeast University have developed a multiscale modeling approach combined with extensive data analysis to efficiently assess the durability of marine concrete structures. By leveraging numerical simulations and real-world datasets, the study offers a more efficient alternative to traditional long-term exposure testing, providing valuable insights for the design and maintenance of concrete structures in marine conditions.

International tech community to assess 20 years of using digital technologies for progress and chart future direction ahead of UN General Assembly review