Florida manatees are threatened by human activity, but they’re also doing better than ever, according to a study examining manatee populations since 12,000 BC, published November 20, 2024 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Thomas J. Pluckhahn of the University of South Florida and David K. Thulman of George Washington University, Washington DC, U.S.

Over a typical two-year rotation of corn and soybeans, 40% of nitrous oxide emissions are in the fertilizer-free soybean year, according to new Iowa State University research. Winter cover crops and planting soybeans earlier could reduce emissions of the potent greenhouse gas by one-third while increasing yields. 

Salk scientists discovered a stretch of DNA in both C3 plants, like wheat and soybeans, and C4 plants, like corn and sorghum, that is responsible for optimizing C4 plant photosynthesis and making them better at withstanding heat and drought. The findings are insightful in understanding how some plants evolved to be more efficient, and may now be used as a springboard for turning C4 photosynthesis on in C3 plants—an important step for creating sustainable crop populations in the face of climate change and a growing global population.

Forests with few tree species pose considerably higher risk of being damaged and especially vulnerable is the introduced lodgepole pine. This is shown in a new study by researchers from Umeå University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Science in Uppsala. The results can be useful for preventing forest damages and financial losses related to the forest industry.