More than 160 years ago, the monk Gregor Mendel meticulously studied seven traits of peas (Pisum sativum), including the shape and color of seeds and pods, and achieved groundbreaking research on genetic inheritance. In a paper published in Nature  on April 23, the genes responsible for the last three pea traits of the seven traits were identified.

With the world on track to significantly exceed the temperature goal set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, governments, utility companies, and hundreds of startups around the world are investing in carbon removal strategies based on three main approaches: directly absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, modifying the oceans to absorb more carbon than usual, and enhancing land-based carbon removal. Here are some key points from an editorial in Nature magazine.

More than 120 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer are applied annually to support food production for a world population of 8 billion people, causing serious environmental problems such as deterioration of air and water quality, ecosystem health, and climate stability. Increasing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) to improve crop yields while simultaneously curbing excess nitrogen in the environment is essential for the sustainability of the planet. A study published in Nature Food integrated high-resolution global data on soil, climate, and field management practices to systematically evaluate the impact of soil health on agricultural productivity and showed that soil health management is important to achieve both food security and environmental sustainability.

The role of food systems science is more necessary than ever in policy formulation to rapidly respond to challenges such as climate change, conflict, biodiversity loss, and hunger. However, for many policymakers, applying science often seems problematic due to a lack of appropriate data and information, as well as clarity and practicality. As part of its efforts to connect science to policy, CGIAR, the world's largest global agricultural innovation network, has released a guide for decision makers on using food systems science.

Many countries and companies have climate goals aimed at the Paris Agreement targets, but it is considered almost inevitable that global warming will exceed 1.5°C. Based on a review paper, we introduce the concept of "overshoot", i.e., a trajectory of global warming that exceeds the 1.5°C warming limit for a certain period of time but returns to below that limit within a certain period of time.

Marine heatwaves are extreme weather events characterized by persistent warm ocean waters that severely impact marine life. These events have become more intense, longer, and more frequent as a result of anthropogenic global warming. A paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on April 14 showed that global warming has tripled the number of days per year that the ocean experiences extreme surface heat conditions.

The world is rapidly aging, and the spread of non-communicable diseases caused by unhealthy diets will further strain the health system, so promoting healthy diets is a global priority. A recent paper published in Nature Medicine examined follow-up data for up to 30 years and suggested that dietary patterns high in plant foods and moderate amounts of healthy animal foods may promote healthy aging.

In Japan, amazake is called "drinkable intravenous drip" and is said to have beauty benefits. In fact, there is amazake in Thailand called "Khao mak"

Nature-based solutions offer promising opportunities, especially for vulnerable countries facing the double burden of climate change impacts and food system inefficiencies, and are expected to provide a pathway for global food system transformation. However, their technical feasibility and economic viability are highly context-dependent, and therefore require appropriate incentives and policy conditions to promote adoption.