Researchers identified key enzymes in toxic plants wolfsbane and larkspur, demonstrating how to recreate complex diterpenoid alkaloids in the lab for future medicines.
A relentless heat wave in Europe is causing historic low water levels in the Danube, disrupting nuclear operations in Hungary and Romania, fueling deadly wildfires in Greece, and triggering heat health warnings in Italy and the UK.
India achieved a record 20,138 organ transplants in 2025, marking a 6.5% increase from the prior year and a fourfold rise since 2013, according to NOTTO.
Record-low Danube water levels due to drought have forced Romania to use explosives to redirect cooling water to its Cernavodǎ nuclear reactor and Hungary to reduce output at its Paks plant, deepening fears of a regional energy crisis and increasing reliance on expensive power imports.
Record low water levels on the Danube and Rhine rivers due to drought and heat have forced nuclear reactor shutdowns in Hungary and Romania, disrupted shipping, and impacted tourism across central and eastern Europe, raising energy crisis concerns.
Purple flowers, including lavender and salvias, are the most preferred garden color in the UK, according to RHS research. This trend, confirmed by garden designers, is linked to purple's calming effect and ability to attract pollinators, marking a shift from recent grey design trends.
Farmers in the UK and France are grappling with record heatwaves and droughts, leading to crop failures, water shortages, and economic struggles. Many are finding it difficult to adapt to the rapid pace of climate change, with some exploring water storage solutions amidst warnings of reservoir depletion.
The US and Israel are reportedly planning extensive bombing campaigns targeting Iran's energy infrastructure, including power plants and refineries, over the upcoming weekend, according to CBS News sources cited by TASS.
Crop nutrient content has declined for decades, prompting research into solutions. Regenerative agriculture, focusing on soil health, shows promise in boosting nutrient density in some studies, but faces skepticism regarding scalability and cost-effectiveness.
NASA-backed research suggests plants could produce medicines for astronauts on long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. A study used a tobacco relative and a harmless plant virus to create therapeutic proteins, aiming to reduce reliance on Earth-launched medical supplies and enhance self-sufficiency in deep space.
Astronauts on long Mars missions face medicine expiration. A UC San Diego study proposes growing pharmaceuticals mid-flight, cultivating cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) on plants in simulated microgravity. This method could provide fresh medicine, addressing issues like blood clots and routine ailments experienced on the ISS.
Jack's Solar Garden in Longmont, Colorado, has transformed into an agrivoltaic project, growing crops beneath solar panels. This innovative approach generates clean electricity, creates cooler microclimates for plants, reduces water loss, and provides farmers with a stable additional income, serving as a model for climate-resilient agriculture.
A scientific analysis reveals extreme heat, intensified by the climate crisis, is driving severe drought across Europe. Conditions are 80x more likely in western Europe and 40x in eastern Europe, redefining drought as temperature-driven. This leads to water restrictions, wildfires, crop losses, and rising food/energy prices, with significant economic costs.
Hosepipe bans across large parts of England are causing public frustration and a "culture war" over exemptions for vulnerable groups. Critics blame water companies for significant leaks and AI data centers for high water consumption, while experts highlight climate change and aging infrastructure as root causes.
US President Trump threatened to bomb Iranian infrastructure if attacks on Red Sea shipping continue, escalating tensions. This coincides with Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea and mixed Q2 earnings from major tech firms like Alphabet, Tesla, and IBM.
The Trump administration's policy to extend the life of aging Midwest coal plants could cost Americans billions, including $117 million in Wisconsin, according to Gov. Tony Evers. He urged the DOE to focus on clean energy, while critics have sued over the use of emergency powers.
The Trump administration's Interior Department canceled a rule granting automatic protections to threatened species, requiring individualized plans instead. This change, which also mandates economic impact analysis for habitat designation, is seen by critics as weakening the Endangered Species Act and benefiting industry over conservation.
Ana Aparicio Bahena and Dora Napolitano in Mexico City use rainwater harvesting systems provided by Isla Urbana to combat severe water scarcity, enabling gardening, hygiene, and drinking water access. The systems offer a sustainable solution for low-income and Indigenous communities, complementing government efforts.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that recent US strikes on Iran, including civilian infrastructure in Chabahar, resemble tactics used by the Islamic State terrorist organization, following a new round of escalation between the two nations.
Scientists revealed how Posidonia oceanica, a Mediterranean seagrass, efficiently photosynthesizes in dim seabed light. It adapted by enlarging its light-harvesting system and losing low-energy chlorophyll forms, speeding up energy transfer. This discovery offers insights for crop development.
Florida officials, in collaboration with scientists, have planted 15,000 milkweed plants along northern Florida roadsides as part of a conservation effort to create feeding and breeding areas for declining monarch butterfly populations and other pollinators.
The Bank of England will no longer accept thermal coal-linked bonds as collateral for loans to commercial banks starting October, citing financial risks from the shift to net zero. Climate campaigners hail the move as a victory, hoping it pressures banks to divest from polluting assets.
Burundi is seeking Russian technical assistance for the construction of small nuclear power plants. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Burundi has signed a memorandum with Rosatom, and training for Burundian nationals is already underway in Russia.
Engineers have developed tiny, tattoo-like leaf sensors and stretchable stem bands that provide real-time data on crop health, detecting stress from water shortage, disease, or nutrient imbalances days before visible signs appear. Powered by plant moisture evaporation, these wearables offer a direct 'plant's-eye view' to help farmers manage crops more effectively.
