Articles tagged with Nutrients
Researchers discovered that stressed plants control iron levels within cells, adapting to scarcity rather than redistribution. This finding highlights the importance of 'external borders' in cellular response strategies.
Sunscreens release aluminum, silica, and phosphorous into seawater after UV treatment, potentially harming marine ecosystems. On a typical summer day at the beach, beachgoers could increase coastal waters' aluminum levels by 4% and titanium by almost 20%
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.
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.
A new study suggests combining biomass with waste materials can improve the sustainability of manufactured soils by reducing nutrient loss. The research found that adding biochar reduces essential nutrient retention, improving conditions for plant growth and lowering fertiliser reliance.
Scientists discovered that microbes adopting a 'co-operative' approach to acquiring nutrients thrive in fluctuating environments. In contrast, internal nutrient breakdowns lead to instability and population decline due to exploitation by neighboring microbes.
Researchers found a common vulnerability among aneuploid cancer cells, which are bloated and overstuffed due to high intracellular protein concentrations. The team identified a molecular pathway involving proteins ART1 and Rsp5 that regulates nutrient uptake in these cells.
Dodder parasitic plants have stolen over 100 functional genes from their host plants, contributing to their ability to latch onto and steal nutrients. The transferred genes also produce small segments of RNA that may act as weapons to silence host defense genes.
Climate change and increased CO2 levels are projected to significantly reduce the availability of critical nutrients such as protein, iron, and zinc worldwide. By 2050, nutrient availability is expected to decrease by 19.5% for protein, 14.4% for iron, and 14.6% for zinc globally.
Researchers found that biosolids with low organic matter content yield more bioavailable nitrogen when applied to urban soils, making them a valuable resource for restoring degraded soils. The study highlights the importance of adjusting biosolid application rates based on soil degradation levels.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that sanitation systems can recover resources such as nutrients, water, and organic material, which can be used to improve ecosystem services. These services include water purification, nutrient cycling, food provisioning, and climate regulation, among others.
Scientists have discovered a massive seaweed bloom stretching from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, dubbed the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. The belt of brown algae is likely here to stay due to ocean currents and changing chemistry, potentially leading to ecosystem shifts.
The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt experienced a major bloom every year from 2011 to 2018, except for 2013. The study found connections between annual bloom events and nutrient inputs, including human-derived fertilizer use and natural oceanic conditions.
The team discovered that the belt forms seasonally in response to two key nutrient inputs: human-derived from Amazon River discharge and natural from West African upwelling. The blooms are expected to be a new normal, with data indicating a possible regime shift since 2011.
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.
A study by the University of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences has investigated the impact of melting ice on nutrient supplies in the ocean. The research found that glacial sediments, which are rich in nutrients, play a crucial role in cycling these essential elements through shallow marine sediments.
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.
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.
Researchers used computer simulations to study Ediacaran organisms' feeding habits, showing they engaged in complex suspension feeding and oriented themselves to amplify nutrient-rich currents. This work helps place Ediacarans on the tree of life alongside modern sea creatures, providing new insights into their evolution.
Coral and algal symbiotic relationships are crucial for reef construction. Researchers analyzed cellular processes in anemones hosting native and non-native dinoflagellate algae to understand preferential relationships and potential for revival of bleached coral communities. They found elevated protein expression associated with nutrie...
Plant scientists at Cambridge and Bordeaux have discovered a gene called Phloem Unloading Modulator (PLM) that affects nutrient trafficking in plants. The study found that PLM relieves a bottleneck, allowing plants to transport nutrients more efficiently, resulting in faster-growing roots.
Researchers found that changes in Asian dust input induce nutrient fluctuations in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre ecosystem, affecting biological productivity.
A new study identifies a 'midlife crisis' in human molecular aging, where key longevity programs cease functioning after 50 years. Researchers found that humans use the same biochemical pathways as short-lived animals but stop using them from about age 50.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists have discovered that graphene can be used to purify water by capturing bacterial cells, making it drinkable. The process involves adding graphene oxide to solutions containing E.coli bacteria, resulting in the formation of flakes that can be easily extracted and reused.
Researchers used 3D modeling to understand nutrient exchange in the human placenta, a process critical for fetal growth. The study found that terminal villi geometry determines solute exchange capacity between mother and fetus.
Researchers found that plants and microbes forge symbiotic relationships to gain access to nutrients, leading to the dominance of specific tree species in different biomes. This understanding can help predict how ecosystems will shift in response to climate change.
A study published in The Lancet found that globally, 11 million deaths (1 in 5) were associated with poor diet, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause. Diets high in sodium and low in whole grains, fruits, and nuts were found to be major contributors.
A new study connects excess nutrients in West Maui's coastal waters to a sewage treatment facility that injects treated wastewater into the ground. The researchers developed a procedure for analyzing nitrogen isotopes in coral skeletons, providing a 40-year record of changes in nitrogen sources over time.
Researchers discovered that genes respond differently to individual amounts of water and nitrogen versus their combination. This finding has implications for engineering crops that can thrive in dry or nutrient-poor soils, which could increase global food production.
A newly discovered mechanism in plant nutrition could help achieve higher harvests in a sustainable way. The study found that the balance between nitrogen and phosphorus is crucial for crop yield, with nitrogen controlling phosphate absorption.
When bacteria face starvation, they can eject their flagella to conserve energy. This behavior allows them to survive in nutrient-poor environments. The discovery provides new insights into bacterial evolution and potential targets for antimicrobial drugs.
New research reveals a previously unknown mechanism for microbes to conserve energy in lean times. By ejecting their flagella, bacteria can avoid switching to a stationary phase and prevent potential leakage of cellular contents.
A recent study found that high levels of inorganic P-fertilizer can reduce microbial functions critical to crop health. Soil microorganisms from treated soils negatively impacted plant yield. The study suggests excessive phosphate fertilizer use may have lasting negative effects on crop productivity.
Researchers from the Center for Genomic Regulation have discovered a direct link between nutrient metabolism and gene regulation in embryonic stem cells. The AHCY protein is found to be a key activator of genes involved in controlling stem cell proliferation, with implications for understanding embryonic growth and infertility.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters finds that the volume of the Gulf of Mexico's dead zone is more responsive to nitrogen load reductions than its area. This suggests that measuring hypoxic volume could be a more effective way to assess the impacts of nutrient pollution on fisheries.
Scientists at Kobe University found a unique protein in Striga hermonthica that enables it to steal water and nutrients from its hosts. The team identified the ShPP2C1 gene, which blocks ABA signaling and allows high transpiration rates, leading to new potential control methods for this devastating parasitic weed.
Red alder trees have been found to tap nutrients from bedrock through their symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This process accelerates rock dissolution, releasing mineral nutrients that allow plants and trees to grow. The study highlights the importance of nitrogen-fixing trees in sustaining forest ecosystems.
Gypsum, recovered from coal-fired power plants, is a rich source of calcium and sulfur, promoting better root development and reducing aluminum toxicity. Its application also improves soil structure, reducing erosion and phosphorus movement, benefiting various crops like corn and alfalfa.
Researchers found that leaves in grassland communities change their nutrient content in response to fertilisation, climate and soil conditions. This discovery provides a new tool for understanding the impact of environmental changes on ecosystems.
Prairie strips have been shown to significantly reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and increase beneficial insect populations. By converting a small portion of a crop field to prairie, farmers can lower their financial costs while creating numerous ecological benefits.
Researchers developed high-protein rice lines with increased yield and improved grain quality, providing a solution to global protein deficiencies. The 'Frontière' line has a 53% higher protein content than original rice varieties, making it suitable for various applications such as specialty food products.
A new scientific paper proposes an omega-3 DHA target blood level of 5% or higher for pregnant women to reduce their risk of preterm birth. DHA levels below this threshold have been linked to a reduced intake and increased risk of inadequate nutrition.
Research at Cornell University found that green tea brewed with bottled water contains double the amount of antioxidant EGCG as tap water, making it more bitter. In contrast, consumers prefer the sweeter taste of tea brewed with tap water.
Researchers at NTNU are developing self-contained planters to allow astronauts to grow food in space. The goal is to provide fresh produce for long-duration missions like those to Mars and beyond. By growing plants directly in water with dissolved nutrients, fertilization and irrigation can be controlled precisely.
Researchers found predictable patterns of fluid movement in stationary biofilms, enabling the drawing of distant nutrients. Biofilms can generate strong currents capable of pulling in nutrients, regardless of bacterium orientation.
A new study from Stockholm University shows that seal predation on fish does not significantly decrease cod, herring, and sprat populations in the Baltic Sea. Climate change, nutrient load, and fisheries have a greater impact on commercial fish stocks, but excessive seal numbers could still harm fish in extreme scenarios.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire are studying water flow in fish tanks to improve aquaponic systems. Their study suggests that reducing water flow rates can result in similar velocity profiles, leading to lower operational costs. The findings aim to increase sustainable food production through integrated farming methods.
A fast new way to check nutrient levels in grasslands allows farmers to quickly monitor changes and adapt grazing methods. Overgrazing below 7cm significantly reduces protein and digestibility.
Two NUS studies examine the relationship between a crab spider and its pitcher plant host, revealing that when resources are scarce, this partnership is beneficial. The research suggests that under stressful conditions, mutualism increases in frequency and intensity, supporting the idea that a 'friend in need' can be beneficial for all...
Research by Rebstock and Boersma found that Río de la Plata's plume affects female penguin body conditions, but not males. A weaker plume may increase prey density and visibility, helping females catch fish.
A Chalmers University of Technology project has shown that process waters from the seafood industry contain valuable nutrients, such as proteins and micronutrients, which can be recycled and used in food or aquaculture feed. The research team recovered up to 98% of protein and 99% of omega-3 rich fats from these waters.
A new study from Berkeley Lab found that accounting for plant nutrient uptake at night and during non-growing seasons can weaken terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks with the atmosphere, leading to weaker greenhouse gas emissions. The study's findings imply that plants may be able to take up more carbon dioxide and soils lose less nitrous o...
Researchers developed a new approach to measure freshwater environments and found New Jersey's current nutrient levels are likely too high. The team suggests a lower threshold of 50 micrograms per liter to maintain healthy ecosystems.
Unicellular diatoms demonstrate primitive behavioral biology by choosing between nutrient sources and mating partners. Researchers found that cells move towards pheromones or food depending on hunger level, influencing biofilm dynamics.
The study found that dietary cholesterol alters cellular programming, promoting hormone-producing cells and nutrient-handling cells. Low nutrient availability triggers changes in intestinal structure and metabolism with long-term effects on metabolic health.