As global climate change intensifies and agricultural environments become increasingly arid, understanding the adaptive mechanisms of terrestrial plants is critical for global food security. Plant cuticular wax forms a vital hydrophobic barrier that protects crops from severe water loss, UV radiation, and pathogen infection. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), a major drought-tolerant crop, is valued for its thick cuticular wax layer, which markedly enhances resilience to abiotic stresses. However, the key regulatory mechanisms governing cuticular wax accumulation and very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) biosynthesis have remained largely uncharacterized.

A new study shows that fish embryo toxicity tests using the Chinese rare minnow may provide a promising alternative to conventional acute fish toxicity tests. By testing 26 fragrance ingredients, researchers found that malformation-based endpoints in rare minnow embryos were more closely aligned with juvenile fish toxicity than lethality-based endpoints, supporting the use of embryo tests to reduce animal use in chemical registration and ecotoxicological assessment.

A research team has developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled method that can map river depth across long reach with high sediment concentration, where conventional satellite bathymetry often struggles. 

The energy-efficient desalination system produces fresh water without chemical additives and transforms leftover salts into useful materials. Big takeaways：

A new desalination method produces drinking water from seawater without chemical additives.

The solar-powered system uses specially engineered black metal to absorb sunlight.

Its self-cleaning surface separates and collects salts, instead of dumping them as harmful brine waste.

From the salts, the system can extract lithium, a key material for rechargeable batteries.

The approach could help address global water shortages and growing mineral demand.