plants

Italy's parliament has approved a law paving the way for the country's return to nuclear energy, decades after Italians voted to abandon it following the Chernobyl disaster. The move would allow new nuclear plants as part of Italy's energy strategy, and it has revived debate over safety, costs, and the country's energy future.

A survey reported by Plant Based News suggests most health professionals believe key plant-based foods are underrepresented in official dietary guidelines. The finding points to a gap between what practitioners recommend for healthy eating and the guidance issued by food and health authorities. The report is being shared in plant-based and nutrition communities, with many arguing that guidelines should give greater prominence to legumes, whole grains, vegetables and other plant foods.

Researchers at the University of Arizona report that satellite observations show drylands worldwide are greening, but in an increasingly volatile 'boom-and-bust' pattern: bursts of vegetation growth are followed by sharp crashes. The study suggests that rising atmospheric carbon dioxide is fuelling plant growth in arid regions, yet this greening masks growing instability, with vegetation swings becoming more extreme over time.

Scientists are examining whether species can adapt genetically quickly enough to keep pace with rapid climate change. The core concern is that rising temperatures and shifting habitats are outpacing evolutionary change for many plants and animals, raising questions about extinction risks and which species may be able to adapt in time.