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Soil Moisture Current Events | Soil Moisture News

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Climate models need deeper roots, scientists say
By soaking up moisture with their roots and later releasing it from their leaves, plants play an active role in regulating the climate. In fact, in vegetated ecosystems, plants are the primary channels that connect the soil to the atmosphere, with plant roots controlling the below-ground dynamics.   view more (2005-12-06)

Researcher works with European Space Agency to test moisture satellite
Europeans want to peek into our soil and see how dry we are. And an Iowa State University professor is eager to help, and even check their results.   view more (2008-04-28)

The Raining Champions
A better understanding of the ground beneath our feet may be the key to improved seasonal weather forecasts, say an international team of environmental scientists in the journal Science today. Researchers investigating the impact of soil moisture on rainfall have found that, across the globe, there... view more (2004-08-19)

ESA and EADS-CASA sign contract to build instrument for the SMOS mission
A significant milestone in the development of ESA's Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission was reached last week when the contract to build the payload was signed between ESA and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company)-CASA from Spain. The contract, worth 62 million euros,... view more (2004-06-17)

Entekhabi will lead science team for NASA satellite mission to map Earth's water cycle
MIT Professor Dara Entekhabi will lead the science team designing a NASA satellite mission to make global soil moisture and freeze/thaw measurements, data essential to the accuracy of weather forecasts and predictions of global carbon cycle and climate.   view more (2008-04-29)

Cowpeas could add sustainability to cropping systems
Ground left fallow in the High Plains to store soil moisture between crops may be better off with a legume crop such as cowpeas, according to a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station researcher.   view more (2005-10-13)

Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere linked to decreased soil organic matter
A recent study at the University of Illinois created a bit of a mystery for soil scientist Michelle Wander - increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was expected to increase plant growth, increase plant biomass and ultimately beef up the organic matter in the soil -- but it didn't.   view more (2008-03-12)

Water found to be main culprit in Argentine ant invasions
According to a study conducted by two biologists at the University of California, San Diego, Argentine ants in Southern California need wet soil to live and breed.   view more (2006-03-30)

University of Iowa team discovers first moisture-sensing genes
Researchers in the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine have discovered the first two genes involved in moisture sensing (hygrosensation).   view more (2007-11-08)

The manikin that sweated
A manikin called Walter that can be used to test new clothes for extreme environments is described in research published today in the Institute of Physics publication Journal Measurement Science and Technology. Jintu Fan and Yisong Chen of the Institute of Textiles and Clothing at Hong Kong... view more (2002-06-18)

An unexpected outcome of atmospheric CO2 enrichment
Unseen belowground interactions impact the composition of natural plant communities. Mycorrhizae, symbiotic associations between soil fungi and plant roots, help plants acquire soil nutrients but also drain substantial carbon from plants. Whether mycorrhizae help or hinder plant growth depends upon... view more (2003-05-22)

Beaver dams create healthy downstream ecosystems
Beavers, long known for their beneficial effects on the environment near their dams, are also critical to maintaining healthy ecosystems downstream.   view more (2006-06-06)

Study yields mixed results on potential for pine trees to store extra carbon dioxide
Southern pines appear to grow and conserve water somewhat better in the carbon-dioxide-enriched atmosphere expected by mid-century, a Duke University study has found.   view more (2005-08-10)

New research forecasts better weather forecasts
A Purdue University researcher and his team have used improved satellite imaging and powerful computer modeling to more accurately forecast the likelihood and intensity of storms and tornados.   view more (2006-03-01)

Fishing for a better bit of batter
Good news for lovers of fish and chips, Japanese scientists have come up with the perfect recipe to make a crispy batter which is also lower in fat, reports Joanna Harries in Chemistry & Industry, the magazine of the SCI.   view more (2007-09-24)

Estimate Soil Texture-by-Feel
The ability to estimate soil texture-by-feel is an important skill that students and registered soil scientists should learn.   view more (2008-10-16)

Latex means environmentally friendly packaging
For several years, Caisa Andersoon has been trying to create a better barrier against moisture and oxygen in our food packaging. On December 20, she will submit her doctoral dissertation at Karlstad University in Sweden. Latex has long been used for various types of surface treatment of paper. In... view more (2002-12-17)

Weather affects Lyme Disease in northeast USA
Weather and changing climate are contributing to the pattern of Lyme disease fluctuation seen throughout the northeastern United States, according to new research from the University of East Anglia, UK. A record 18,000 cases were reported in 2002 to the US Centers for Disease Control and... view more (2003-03-13)

POLYMER PROTECTS GRASS
To help the nature to recover from harmful impacts of the mining industry, Svetlana Mesyats and her team from the Geological Institute of the Kola Research Center RAS offer the method, which implies the application of a thin invisible polymeric film onto the soil surface and provides for a fast and... view more (2002-06-04)

Dust storms may carry bacteria to Japan from China
Bacteria found in soil around Tokyo are not indigenous to the area. A study published in the open access journal Saline Systems reveals a large proportion of salt-loving bacteria in non-saline soil around Tokyo. The researchers suggest that dust storms may have carried the bacteria from their... view more (2005-10-20)

The effect of transgenic nematode resistance on non-target organisms in the potato rhizosphere
A paper published today in the December Issue of Journal of Applied Ecology by Cowgill et al describes the results of small-scale field trials that were used to assess the effect of PI-expressing potatoes on non-target soil organisms. The impact of a currently used PCN management option, the... view more (2002-11-26)

Experts support call for new focus on soil management
Professor Mark Kibblewhite, Director of the recently launched National Soil Resources Institute, today strongly supported calls by the Environment Agency for a new focus on environmentally-friendly soil management practices. This comes after publication by the Agency of a report on Agriculture and... view more (2002-06-18)

Glass fibre predicts uptake in earthworms
Dutch researchers have discovered that glass fibres absorb the same types and quantities of toxic substances from damp soils as earthworms, which form the basis of the current methods soil researchers use for toxicity analyses. The Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment... view more (2003-06-24)

Manipulating biotope space can enhance beneficial biodiversity effects
Using diverse plant mixtures instead of monocultures can increase yield and other ecosystem goods and services on which humans depend. Recent studies showed that such beneficial effects of biodiversity depend on complementarity between species in resource use, as is the case if species root in... view more (2004-06-10)

NASA helps Texas respond to most widespread flooding in 50 years
On July 3, a NASA aircraft equipped with a state-of-the-art sensor provided emergency response officials with critical soil moisture data for several regions across Texas that were threatened by flooding.   view more (2007-08-06)

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