Add BrightSurf on Google Email

In Cuba, cleaner rivers follow greener farming

A joint Cuba/US research team discovered that Cuban fertilizer pollution is significantly lower than in the US's Mississippi River, with much lower phosphorus and nitrogen levels. The study suggests improved management strategies to reduce animal manure and sediment loads could further improve central Cuban river water quality.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalGSA Today·DateJan 30, 2020

How microbes reflect the health of coral reefs

A study by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution compared seawater from protected and impacted reefs in Cuba and Florida Keys, finding that protected reefs have higher microbial diversity and lower nutrient concentrations. This suggests that offshore and highly-protected reefs are healthier than nearshore reefs with less protection ...

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateDec 19, 2019

Mathematical models provide a snapshot of the human gut microbial community

The study uses mathematical models to predict metabolites generated by microbial species within the gut, revealing a four-level trophic organization. The findings suggest that species composition changes along the gut, with bacteria near the end forming the lowest trophic level.

Helping plant nurseries reduce runoff

Researchers found that additives like dolomite and micronutrient fertilizer can reduce phosphorus concentrations in drainage water by an average of 70%. These amendments help keep phosphorus in the pot, addressing a major environmental concern. The study aims to explore the long-term retention of retained phosphorus in containers.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateDec 11, 2019

Agriculture of the future: Neural networks have learned to predict plant growth

Researchers trained neural networks to predict plant growth patterns using computer vision algorithms and efficient graphics processing units. The system uses Raspberry Pi with Intel Movidius graphics card to calculate and predict the optimal ratio of nutrients, enabling continuous monitoring and prediction in artificial growing systems.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement·DateOct 31, 2019

Study: Underground fungal relationships key to thriving plants

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a crucial role in plant thriving by providing up to 80% of the nutrients and water plants need to grow. The study analyzed over 17,000 trait observations from nearly 3,000 woody plant species and found that these fu...

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2019

Fungi could reduce reliance on fertilizers

A study by University of Leeds researchers found that introducing fungi to wheat can boost nutrient uptake and potentially lead to new, climate-resilient crop varieties. The partnership between wheat and soil fungi could help reduce the use of fertilizers, a major contributor to global carbon emissions.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 23, 2019

Reduce, reuse, recycle: The future of phosphorus

Researchers emphasize the need to boost phosphorus use efficiency in farming systems due to its limited supply and environmental concerns. Strategies include breeding crops that utilize phosphorus more efficiently, designing crop rotations, and utilizing soil organic matter and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateSep 16, 2019

Flathead Bio Station researcher helps uncover ocean iron level mystery

Researchers discovered that Asian dust brings nutrients to the ocean, affecting plankton growth and nutrient availability. The study confirms how tightly coupled plankton biology is to iron supply from the atmosphere, highlighting the need for considering atmospheric and ocean circulation variability in forecasting climate change impacts.

SourceThe University of Montana·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2019

UCI-led study: Plankton are more resilient to nutrient stress than previously thought

A UCI-led team has created the first high-resolution map of ocean surface phosphate, showing that marine phytoplankton are more resilient to nutrient stress than previously believed. This finding holds important implications for climate change predictions, as plankton communities can thrive even in nutrient-deficient environments.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 28, 2019

Why young men aren't eating their five-a-day

A study published in the journal Nutrients reveals that young men aged 18-24 are struggling to eat even three portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Young men with the best diets had a more positive attitude towards healthy food, enjoyed preparing and eating a wide range of fruit and veg, and had a holistic view of health and diet.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNutrients·DateAug 13, 2019

Control theory: Mother nature is an engineer

A University of Arizona research team discovered complex biochemical circuits in cells that follow control theory principles, controlling growth in response to nutrient availability. The study found that the TOR and PKA pathways work together like a thermostat, with one pathway speeding up response and the other maintaining stability.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 8, 2019

Diet quality may affect risk of frailty in older adults

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society found that poorer overall diet quality was associated with a higher incidence of frailty in older adults. Improving diet quality may help lower the risk of frailty, with good-quality diets shown to have a significantly lower risk compared to poor- and medium-quality diets.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 3, 2019

Ant farmers boost plant nutrition

Research shows that ant farming has remodelled plant physiology, leading to the evolution of ultra-absorptive plant structures. These structures actively target ant-derived nutrients, providing a key asset for epiphytes living in soilless canopies.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNew Phytologist·DateJun 24, 2019

Researchers find a mechanism to improve pancreatic islet transplantation in type 1 diabetes

Researchers from the University of Barcelona and IDIBAPS identified a molecular target, PTP1B phosphatase, that promotes the creation of new blood vessels in transplanted pancreatic islets. This study aims to improve the revascularization process, increasing the viability of cells and restoring regular sugar levels and glucose tolerance.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 20, 2019

Chimps caught crabbing

A study by Kyoto University reveals that chimpanzees habitually catch and consume freshwater crabs, suggesting a year-round source of protein and salts for females and growing juveniles. This finding sheds light on human evolution and the diverse diets of our closest genetic relatives.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateMay 29, 2019

Genetic discovery may improve corn quality, yields

Researchers have discovered genetic regulators that synthesize starch and protein in corn, improving its yield and nutritional value. The study, published in PNAS, found two transcription factors that play key roles in regulating starch and protein synthesis, paving the way for further research to improve corn quality.

SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2019

Ammonium fertilized early life on earth

Researchers at Syracuse University and international team discover evidence of abundant ammonium in pre-GOE oceans, providing a nutrient-rich environment for early life. This finding sheds light on the critical importance of nitrogen and phosphorus in Earth's history.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 21, 2019

Over-fed bacteria make people sick

A Kiel University team proposes that over-fed bacteria disrupt the human microbiome, leading to disease development. The researchers suggest that an unnatural nutrient supply decouples bacteria from their host organisms, promoting disease growth.

SourceKiel University·JournalmBio·DateMay 15, 2019

New clues to coastal erosion

A new physical mechanism erodes seabed sediment at depths up to 20 meters, adding nutrients stirred by breaking surface waves. This process complements littoral drift and has significant implications for coastal sediment management practices like dredging.

SourceFlinders University·JournalOcean Dynamics·DateMay 1, 2019