Evolution is complex and difficult to study, but a new software package developed by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station offers researchers a better way to simulate how organisms change over time. The new software, called TraitTrainR, builds on work in the field of comparative biology to provide an efficient and effective framework for replicating the evolutionary process many times over. An ultimate goal is to use this software to better understand the diversity of life forms on our planet.

In a new, comprehensive review paper led by Concordia researchers published in the journal Progress in Aerospace Science, the authors break down the many very serious challenges of lunar-based manufacturing and construction essential for establishing a sustainable, long-term lunar presence. But they also provide solutions that can overcome them.

“A crucial step is to be able to manufacture whatever is needed on site,” says Mohammad Azami, a PhD candidate at Concordia University’s Aerospace Robotics Lab (CUARL). “We must establish the infrastructure needed to produce the essential tools, structures and systems  for habitation on the moon.”

The researchers say that this will require close use of three critical technologies: 3D printing, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).

A new review published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts highlights the latest advancements in using biomass-based macroporous scaffolds for wound healing. The study, led by Daqian Gao from Yale University, explores sustainable alternatives to traditional polymers, focusing on the potential of biomass materials derived from renewable sources. These materials, which include cellulose, lignin, and starch, offer biodegradability and environmental friendliness while supporting tissue regeneration.