Two ambitious multi-stakeholder projects that aim to tackle the threat of invasive alien species have been launched at a conference in Europe last week (20-23 January 2025).

GuardIAS and OneSТOP — covering marine and freshwater, and terrestrial habitats respectively — will work in tandem to alleviate the adverse impacts of invasive alien species on endangered species, natural sites and human health, providing comprehensive coverage of Europe’s ecosystems.

Dating key tectonic events in Japan's geological history has long been often challenging due to poor microfossil preservation from intense heat due to metamorphism. Researchers tackled this by using Re–Os isotope geochronology on Besshi-type volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits (Makimine and Shimokawa deposits) associated with sediment-covered mid-ocean ridges. Their findings revealed the timing of ridge subduction—when one tectonic plate was forced beneath another—a process that shaped Japan's landscape and provided new insights into its geological evolution.

Researchers from Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, reveal how manipulating the microscopic life living on seaweed could revolutionize seaweed farming and boost its potential for fighting climate change. This innovative approach could transform seaweed cultivation from a regional industry into a powerful tool for carbon capture and sustainable resource production.