A new study published in PNAS investigated how the relationship between mean annual precipitation (MAP) and grassland biomass changes when one or more nutrients are added. The authors show that precipitation and nutrient availability are the key drivers of plant biomass, while the effects of plant diversity are minimal.

Three investigations funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and sponsored by the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) National Laboratory are launching on SpaceX’s 32nd Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission, contracted by NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration. These experiments leverage the microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. environment to advance fundamental science that could lead to improved pharmaceutical manufacturing, new materials with valuable industrial applications, and the next generation of soft active materials with lifelike properties.

The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT have assessed the most commonly used maps for environmental compliance.

Onboard the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station), the Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System, dubbed ELVIS, is not about resurrecting rock-n-roll legends but pioneering scientific discovery. Using innovative holographic technology to deliver detailed 3D views of cells and microbes, the system allows scientists to study the adaptability and resilience of life under extreme conditions. Knowledge gained could reveal how life might persist on distant moons and planets, significantly enhancing our search for life outside Earth.

Solid-state batteries represent the next frontier in energy storage technology, promising higher energy density and enhanced safety than conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, a persistent challenge has hindered their commercialization: the unstable interface between lithium metal anodes and solid electrolytes. Researchers have now developed an innovative solution using a Li_xAg alloy that could finally unlock the full potential of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs).

Electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as a cornerstone of sustainable transportation, but their widespread adoption faces a critical safety challenge: lithium plating in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Lithium plating occurs when lithium ions accumulate on the surface of a battery's negative electrode rather than intercalating properly into the graphite structure. This phenomenon typically happens during fast charging, at low temperatures, or at high states of charge, which can lead to rapid capacity degradation and even catastrophic safety incidents. Traditional detection methods either require specialized equipment or lack sufficient accuracy for real-world applications. Researchers from University of Shanghai for Science and Technology have now developed a feasible solution that could optimize EV battery safety monitoring.