Governments around the world have pledged to conserve 30% of the terrestrial realm by 2030, but official data suggest that the target is barely halfway to being met. A combined global and national-level data set now shows that up to 27% of land area is conserved, but gaps in ecological representation remain.

The fossil discovery of an early avian ancestor in China reveals that flightless birds lived alongside the known flying species.

Twelve methane-sensing satellites were tested for their accuracy in measuring controlled-release events in the Arizona desert over a year-long blind test. Many were found to detect and quantify releases accurately, with instruments purpose-built for methane sensing performing best.

Alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells are the stem cells of the lung’s air sacs and are responsible for maintaining alveolar structure and gas exchange. A study that tracked AT2 cells shows that, after injury to the airway, they can also migrate between lung compartments and become bronchiolar cells to help repair damaged airways.