How DNA forensics is transforming studies of ancient manuscripts Scientists are exposing the biological information hidden in ancient parchments without leaving a mark.

Scientists are exposing the biological information hidden in ancient parchments without leaving a mark

go.nature.com/4dRnNir

This is figure 1, which shows Long COVID Disease Burden vs. Other Conditions, by Sex Predominance.

A study in Communications Medicine finds that Long COVID’s disability burden rivals that of Alzheimer’s and asthma in the US, but Long COVID receives 14% of its years lived with disability-proportionate funding from the National Institutes of Health. go.nature.com/4v23Nzv #medsky 🧪

Decoding bacterial and fungal richness with autoencoders yields a unified ratio indicating soil health and ecological susceptibility - Communications Earth & Environment The bacterial-to-fungal richness ratio serves as a unified, scalable indicator of microbial balance, soil health and ecological susceptibility, derived from spatial analysis, deep autoencoders, and st...

📣 What lives in your soil tells you how healthy your ecosystem is. Our new paper proposes a bacterial-to-fungal richness ratio as a scalable soil health indicator—we explain ~60% of microbial diversity variance across Australia
🌏🌱🌐🧪🔬 #soil #science #Microbiome
nature.com/articles/s43247-026-03398-y

Abstract: The increasing concern about the presence of pesticides in vegetable leaves has underscored an urgent need for real-time, nondestructive, and accurate detection methods. Traditional methods are reliable but laboratory-based, costly, and unsuitable for field monitoring. In this study, we propose an efficient learning model pipeline that uses hyperspectral reflectance signatures to detect pesticide residue in plant leaves. We extract a comprehensive set of 39 domain-specific features based on vegetation indices, red-edge metrics, spectral statistics, and derivative profiles. To enhance the performance, use a multilayer perceptron to extract more features. A feature fusion module is used to combine both domain-specific features and features extracted by a multilayer perceptron. Further refinement is achieved through a feed-forward attention scoring module that dynamically weights important features. The efficiency of the system is evaluated using an enhanced extra trees classifier, which shows superior classification performance and stability across different feature formats. With cross-validation, our model achieves an accuracy of 94.69%, significantly outperforming conventional classifiers such as convolutional neural networks, support vector machines, and ensemble models such as random forest and extra trees. This framework not only improves interpretability and performance but also provides a foundation for a real-time, on-site pesticide monitoring solution.

New from Applied Spectroscopy!
Advanced #Hyperspectral Signature Processing for Chemical Stress Detection in Vegetable Leaves Using Hierarchical Feature Extraction and Enhanced Ensemble Model
More: https://doi.org/10.1177/00037028251411953
#SAS #Spectroscopy #pesticides #classification #monitoring

Does a 'historic' plan to protect WA's largest river go far enough? A long-awaited draft plan aimed at protecting one of Western Australia's largest rivers has been released for public consultation, but traditional owners, environmental groups and pastoralists say key...

The Fitzroy River catchment is one of the few unregulated rivers with natural dynamic flows. Some years it floods but many years it does not. Water extraction benefits few individuals - it should be protected
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...

On the occasion of the new paper on LIBS by PhD student Teresa Hu in the @ejsoilscience.bsky.social, I wrote about why soil sensing needs more than just spectroscopy.

📝 research.curtin.edu.au/scieng/resea...

📑 doi.org/10.1111/ejss.70305

🧪🔬🌏 #soil #soilscience @slsl-curtinuni.bsky.social

Assessing the Effect of a Deep‐Rooted Grass on Belowground Carbon Storage in Cultivated Land: Insights From a Multi‐Site US Study Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, L.) stored significantly more carbon in root biomass than shallow-rooted crops at 12 sites across the USA Switchgrass had no detectable effect on soil organic carbo...

You wanna know if deeply rooted grasses put more carbon in the ground? "Sometimes you've gotta rent a van and drive around the country..." So said @ericslessarev.bsky.social & team in this wonderful study. 12 sites in central/eastern USA...
dx.doi.org/10.1029/2025...

Microbes play a key role in phosphorus cycling in all soils. Here are some key pathways.

Soil Sensing With a Handheld LIBS: Effect of Sample Preparation and Instrument Precision Rapid and scalable methods for characterising soil elements are needed to understand soil conditions. Handheld Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) enables simultaneous multi-element analysis,...

📣 New paper from one of our PhD students, Teresa Hu, out in the @ejsoilscience.bsky.social! 🍾

Hu et al. (2026) investigate what it takes to get reliable measurements from handheld LIBS for soil analysis.
Read: doi.org/10.1111/ejss.70305

🧪🔬🌏 #soil #soilscience #SLSL @curtinuniversity.bsky.social

On soil health and the pivotal role of sensing Abstract. Soil underpins the functioning of all terrestrial ecosystems and human societies, yet its accelerating degradation demands urgent action. Sustainable soil management is essential to prevent ...

Soil health is everywhere, from national strategies to ‘healthy soils by 2030’, but we still lack a clear, operational way to define and measure it beyond agriculture.
🧪🌏🔬 #soilscience #soil

New paper in SOIL by PhD graduand Teresa Hu et al. offers a way forward: soil.copernicus.org/articles/12/...

Do you: Have a strong interest in science? A passion for journalism and writing? Our paid 3-month internship might be for you! We are looking for talented candidates from all backgrounds, especially those traditionally underrepresented in publishing. Applications close 9 March 2026.

Calling all budding science writers!

Applications for our paid London-based internship, starting in June, are now open.

Deadline: 9 March 2026

Full info here: springernature.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Spring...

#PaidInternship #Internship #Journalism

Temperature variation and life history mediate nonlinearity in fluctuations of marine fish populations worldwide - Nature Ecology & Evolution A global analysis of marine fish populations involving 243 recruitment and 266 spawner time series across 143 species finds that nonlinear dynamics are widespread and that the degree of nonlinearity i...

A global analysis of marine fish populations involving 243 recruitment and 266 spawner time series across 143 species finds that nonlinear dynamics are widespread and that the degree of nonlinearity is amplified by temperature variation and in fast-lived species 🧪 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

New unit at Curtin: ENST2007 Landscapes, Soils and Surface Environments! Teaches soil formation, hydrology, biogeochemical cycles, Indigenous knowledge, two-way science for sustainable land mgt.

Read more: research.curtin.edu.au/scieng/resea...

#SoilScience #LandscapeScience #CurtinUni #SDGs 🧪🔬🌏

Image description: A hiker observing a red sandstone cliff. Text reads: '' EGU’s 2026 Education Fellowship for Early Career Scientists. Apply NOW''

Want to bring #geoscience #education to the next level⬆️?

The EGU 2026 Education Fellowship offers €2500 for Early Career Scientists to develop innovative #teaching projects.

📆 Apply by 23 February 2026!

👉Learn more here: https://www.egu.eu/2D84CM
📸 Vladimir Shipilin on https://imaggeo.egu.eu

Damage from a heart attack comes from brain signals, mouse study suggests Nature - The brain and vagus nerve play a key role in exacerbating tissue damage after a heart attack, but there are ways to block it.

The brain and vagus nerve play a key role in exacerbating tissue damage after a heart attack, but there are ways to block it

go.nature.com/3ZG17Jr

New in Geoderma: "Enhanced weathering and biochar co-deployment boosts CO2 sequestration through changing soil properties" by Emily E.E.M. te Pas, Rob N.J. Comans, Sarai Bisseling & Mathilde Hagens. doi.org/10.1016/j.ge...
@WUR

The Ecology of Soil: From Communities to Ecosystems YouTube video by Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative

📣Did you miss today's GSBI Speaks webinar?

No worries! You can find it here, along with all of our previous webinars on our Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuer...

Our PhD student Nathan Wells presenting his final Milestone 3 thesis presentation:

‘Plant diversity as a driver of soil carbon stabilisation in mineral soils’ 🌱🧪🌏

…compressing 3.5 years of research into 30 minutes! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

#soilscience #soilcarbon #restoration
#soilecology

⏰Tomorrow!! Do not miss this opportunity hear from Dr. Lindo & Dr. Bardgett about this new book.

If you would like to check out the book, please find the link below:
academic.oup.com/book/61607?l...

You can also check out the webinar on the GSBI Youtube page: www.youtube.com/@globalsoilb...

Published!📖

Forest structural and functional diversity can attenuate forest productivity losses after harvesting and fires. In undisturbed forests, dominance boosts productivity via selection effects, but not after harvesting🌳🌲🌍

Read here:https://buff.ly/Gw5Hq6X

🦠🪵Lignin–microbial necromass carbon coupling drives the vertical stratification mechanism of deep soil carbon sequestration in subtropical forests

This new paper offers a pathway to maximize soil organic carbon sequestration across the whole soil profile 🌱

Read more: buff.ly/Y57kJ3L

📢 EGU26 abstract submission is still open! 🌱

Share your soil science research at EGU 2026! With 14 outstanding SSS sessions, you'll find the perfect fit for your work.

🗓️ Deadline: 15 January 2026, 13h CET
📍Location: Vienna, 3-8 May 2026
👉 www.egu26.eu/pg/SSS

#SoilScience #EGU #EGUSSS #abstract

Perfect!

🌏 PhD proposal presentation by Tashi Tshering of the @slsl-curtinuni.bsky.social: “Iron Oxides and SOC Stabilisation in Australia’s Semi-Arid Ecosystems” – fascinating research and soil science insights!
🧪🧫🔬🌱
#PhDProposal #SoilScience #IronOxides

🚨 PhD Scholarship 2026 @MurdochUni! Unlock biodiverse recarbonising potential of Australian soils. Study microbe-soil-plant interactions in semi-arid ecosystems.

Must: PhD-ready, passion for science, field/lab work, must write well…

🧪🌱🌏 SEE 👇 🧫🔬🥼🧬

#SoilScience #PhDopportunity #EcoRestoration

🚨 PhD Scholarship 2026 @CurtinUni!
Unlock biodiverse recarbonising potential of Australian soils. Study soil-plant-microbe interactions in semi-arid ecosystems.
Must: PhD-ready, passion for science, field/lab work, must write well…
🧪🌱🌏 SEE 👇 🧫🔬🥼🧬

#SoilScience #PhDopportunity #EcoRestoration

PNAS – Profile of Johannes Lehmann, Cornell University, University of Bayreuth, Germany. National Academy of Sciences Member.

PNAS highlights Johannes Lehmann’s pioneering soil science—from revealing the secrets of Amazonian dark earths to advancing biochar for fertility and climate solutions. His work is reshaping sustainable agriculture. Read the PNAS Profile: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Thank you @PawseyCentre for showcasing our work! High-res soil carbon maps (27.6 Gt) powered by supercomputing & ML guide Australia’s climate action & sustainable land management. 🧪🔬🌏 #SoilScience #ClimateChange @lewis-walden.bsky.social @williamzhope.bsky.social @ravr19.bsky.social

We are proud to share that Curtin PhD student—Sadichhya Adhikari from the Soil & Landscape Science Lab—has successfully presented part of her research at the 2nd Global Conference on Sandy Soils… ... We are proud to share that Curtin PhD student—Sadichhya Adhikari from the Soil & Landscape Science Lab—has successfully presented part of her research at the 2nd Global Conference on Sandy Soils, "Shi...

Sadichhya Adhikari from the @slsl-curtinuni.bsky.social presented part of her research on soil organic carbon and clay mineralogy at the 2nd Global Conference on Sandy Soils (sandysoils.org), Perth July 21–24, 2025.

🧪🌏🌱🔬 #SoilScience #Soil

Read more about it here: www.linkedin.com/posts/curtin...

Erosion-Driven Vertical Decoupling: Molecular Signatures of Dissolved Organic Matter and Microbial Coevolution in Subsoil Hotspots Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is crucial to agricultural biogeochemical cycles, yet its molecule characteristics and interactions with microbial communities in eroding landscapes─particularly subsoil...

Erosion-Driven Vertical Decoupling: Molecular Signatures of Dissolved Organic Matter and Microbial Coevolution in Subsoil Hotspots #EST #MassSpec pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...