Qing Wei and colleagues from the College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, systematically elaborated on the innovative applications of neural networks in agricultural product drying, offering new insights to address industry pain points. The related article has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025620).

A review by Professor Abdul Shukor JURAIMI’s team from Universiti Putra Malaysia points out that hyperspectral imaging technology boasts advantages of non-contact operation, high precision, and early detection. Compared with traditional manual visual inspection, it can complete detection within 10–30 days after rice sowing—a critical period when weeds are most competitive—with an identification accuracy generally exceeding 90%. For example, regarding Echinochloa crus-galli and weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea), the most common weeds in rice fields, researchers achieved identification accuracies of 100% and 92%, respectively, by analyzing spectral data with intelligent algorithms. This accurate identification lays the foundation for targeted weeding: combined with UAVs and prescription mapping technology, it enables site-specific herbicide application, reducing pesticide usage by up to 50%. This not only cuts costs but also alleviates environmental burdens. The relevant article has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025619).

A research team led by NIMS has, for the first time, produced nanoscale images of two key features in an ultra-thin material: twist domains (areas where one atomic layer is slightly rotated relative to another) and polarities (differences in atomic orientation). The material, monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), is regarded as a promising candidate for use in next-generation electronic devices. This breakthrough was achieved by combining scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with artificial intelligence (machine learning), allowing researchers to capture highly detailed nanoscale features over large areas. The research was published in Small Methods on August 6, 2025.

Recently, Associate Professor Xiaolong Feng from the College of Economics and Management at China Agricultural University, together with researchers from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), has addressed these questions through a comparative analysis of agricultural subsidy policies in China and Africa. The related article has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025624).

Recently, an in-depth study addressing this question was jointly conducted by Associate Professor Ting Meng from the College of Economics and Management at China Agricultural University, in collaboration with researchers from the Research Institute for Eco-civilization of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Alliance of Biodiversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (Senegal). The study offers systematic solutions for developing countries, and the related article was published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025646).

A new study shows that coal mine waste, often seen as an environmental problem, can actually help create stronger, longer-lasting biochar that locks carbon in soil and supports cleaner environments. The research, published in Carbon Research, reveals that adding low-carbon coal gangue to crop residues during biochar production can significantly increase the carbon stability of the resulting material while reducing the release of dissolved organic matter (DOM), which influences greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant movement in soil.

With the growing demand for more efficient and sustainable chemical processes, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have become a research hotspot due to their high atomic utilization and unique catalytic performance. As a core characterization tool, XAFS (X-ray absorption fine structure) technology can deeply study the microscopic chemical environment of SACs, providing key data for catalyst design. This article is based on a review published in Nano Research, exploring the progress, challenges, and future prospects of XAFS in SACs research, aiming to provide readers with comprehensive scientific insights.