Australian scientists have made a significant leap forward in energy storage technology by developing and testing the world’s first proof-of-concept quantum battery, new research reveals. Researchers say the technology could transform how we store and use energy in the future, paving the way for super-fast charging of devices.

A new long-term study reveals that biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from crop residues, can significantly enhance soil carbon storage, but its effectiveness depends strongly on land use and soil type.

Biochar has long been promoted as a promising tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils. However, new research suggests that its climate benefits may not be as stable as once believed.

Cell spheroids are some of the most realistic models available for drug testing, disease research, and regenerative medicine. However, their dense structures limit cell survival and function — halting their production at scale. A new assembly method proposed by researchers from Penn State, detailed in a paper recently published in Advanced Science, facilitates spheroids that can rapidly self-assemble or “snowball” in size, while still allowing life-supporting oxygen to reach the cells inside.

A newly identified disease affecting corn and sorghum can closely resemble iron deficiency, potentially leading farmers to apply costly nutrient treatments that do not address the underlying problem. New research published in Plant Health Progress documents the discovery and identification of a bacterial pathogen responsible for the symptoms.

Hydrological models represent water movement in natural systems, and they are important for water resource planning and management. But the models depend on reliable input data for weather factors, and precipitation can be very difficult to measure and represent accurately. A new study from an international research team describes a novel method to better represent precipitation uncertainty in hydrological models, thereby improving their performance.