Effective management of phosphorus is needed to curb the rise of harmful algal blooms. Few studies have explored how algal biomass, especially blue-green algae, can be used to create materials that remove phosphate from water. Researchers have filled that gap by transforming cyanobacterial biomass into materials that can pull harmful phosphorus out of water. Materials treated in the study removed more than 99% of phosphorous. With further refinement and scalability, this method could become a key tool for managing nutrient pollution.

This study developed an open-source tornado database for the Chinese mainland from 2004-2019, utilizing the Enhanced Fujita scale to assess intensity. It analyzed spatio and temporal distributions characteristics and simulated tornado occurrences using KDE and Monte Carlo methods, revealing seasonal geographic variations. Results highlight higher tornado probabilities in southern provinces during autumn-winter and northern provinces in spring-summer. The database enhances risk assessment capabilities and is available for further research.

The world of quantum physics is experiencing a second revolution, which will drive an exponential leap in the progress of computing, the internet, telecommunications, cybersecurity and biomedicine. Quantum technologies are attracting more and more students who want to learn about concepts from the subatomic world — such as quantum entanglement or quantum superposition — to explore the innovative potential of quantum science. In fact, understanding the non-intuitive nature of quantum technology concepts and recognizing their relevance to technological progress is one of the challenges of 2025, declared the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology by UNESCO.

A new study finds a sinister side to memes, pointing to their role in strengthening online communities of conspiracy theorists.