Articles tagged with Nutrients
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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that simulated conservation dairy-farming systems in Pennsylvania's Spring Creek watershed reduced nutrient and sediment losses, improving water quality. By growing all their own feed and forage, using no-till planting and manure injection, these farms achieved significant pollution reductions.
Researchers use automated systems to collect around-the-clock data on bacterial populations, finding that more frequent feast cycles lead to faster recovery from famine states. The team uncovers the mechanism behind this phenomenon, attributing it to dispersal of cells during feast conditions.
Research reveals that ancient herders' livestock dung created fertile environmental niches for diverse wildlife over three millennia. Fertile sites attracted wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and carnivores, influencing migration patterns.
A new study from Binghamton University suggests that women's diets play a bigger role in their emotional wellbeing than men's. Women are less likely to experience mental distress until they follow a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health warns that high CO2 levels could lead to widespread nutritional deficiencies, affecting 1.9% of the global population by 2050. The research estimates that 175 million people will become zinc deficient and 122 million will become protein deficient due to lower crop yields.
The NIH study found that the EXP2 protein forms a channel in the vacuole membrane of Plasmodium falciparum, enabling the parasite to obtain essential nutrients. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this nutrient transport mechanism.
A new study published in The Lancet Public Health journal found that moderate carbohydrate intake is associated with the lowest risk of mortality. Diets low in carbohydrates and high in protein and fats from animal sources were linked to a higher risk of death, while those with moderate carbohydrate intake had the longest lifespan.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a model to identify cities that can benefit from re-circulating human-waste-derived nutrients into farm fields. This approach could promote agricultural sustainability and economic independence in developing countries.
A recent study by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel found that glacier depth has a significant impact on plankton blooms off Greenland. The team discovered that as glaciers retreat, summer plankton blooms decrease due to reduced nutrient input from meltwater.
Hayat Ullah, an AIT graduate student, received the IPNI Scholar Award for his research on nutrient management strategies for rice cultivation. The award recognizes his efforts to promote food security and safety in Asia.
A study found that tropical tree species have distinct nutrient-capture strategies, with some producing more phosphatase in poor soils. The research highlights the importance of biodiversity for successful reforestation projects and suggests that applying basic biological processes can maximize carbon capture.
A new study reveals that clothing, furniture, and other non-food products are significant contributors to ocean and freshwater pollution. The researchers used a modeling tool to calculate country-specific 'eutrophication footprints', which show that the EU's non-food consumption primarily generates pollution in other regions.
A new study reveals that ancient communities in the Amazon used intensive farming methods to expand crop production without depleting soil nutrients. This approach, known as polyculture agroforestry, has left a lasting impact on modern forest ecosystems.
E. coli bacteria adapt to limited nutrients by building up protein-production infrastructure, indicating an 'optimism' for future abundance. The cells optimize resource usage, producing more assembly lines under carbon limitation, but using fewer under phosphorus limitation.
Researchers created a mathematical model to understand microbial community stability, diversity, and reproducibility. They found that cross-feeding processes and nutrient consumption levels contribute to the emergence of multiple levels of consumption, promoting higher diversity and stability.
A new study by Finnish and German researchers found that oxygen loss in the Baltic Sea's coastal areas is 'unprecedentedly severe' over the past century. Human-induced pollution from fertilizers, sewage, and agricultural runoff is the main driver of this issue.
Researchers found that lawns in Salt Lake Valley up to 100 years old show no signs of being saturated with fertilizer nutrient nitrogen, contradicting previous studies. The study suggests that natural processes may account for the unusual pattern, including storage in the soil and losses through groundwater leaching.
Scientists found that late-season replenishment of oxygen allows the Bay to clean itself, leading to smaller and shorter-lived dead zones. This natural response suggests progress in reducing eutrophication and improving water quality.
Researchers found that early ocean organisms grew tall to disperse their offspring and colonize their surroundings. The study suggests that reproduction was the main reason life on Earth got big during the Ediacaran period.
A new study found that combining nanomaterials with nutrient runoff from fertilized cropland can intensify harmful algal blooms in wetlands. The nanoparticles accelerated the growth of algae, reducing dissolved oxygen levels and creating toxic conditions for aquatic organisms.
Researchers have identified a potentially new approach to treating lethal fungal infections by starving the fungi of essential nutrients. The team found that blocking the phosphate starvation response prevents the spread of infection in mice, offering a novel treatment avenue for patients with weakened immune systems.
Researchers found that golden snub-nosed monkeys increase their energy intake from fats and carbs in winter to counteract elevated thermoregulatory costs. This adjustment enables the monkeys to balance their macronutrient content and meet specific nutritional needs, suggesting a key adaptation for survival in cold environments.
A recent study by researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa found that nutrient pollution accelerates ocean acidification's negative impacts on coral reefs. This increases calcification rates, disrupts natural chemical dynamics, and promotes seaweed growth over corals.
A study of ancient rat remains from Polynesia finds that isotopic trends reflect resource depression and reshaping of nutrient flows by early human settlers. The declines may be due to changes in food sources, such as a shift from slash-and-burn agriculture to agroforestry and nearshore fishing.
Researchers found that honey bees shift their nutrient intake according to the season, increasing calcium consumption in the fall and seeking high-potassium sources. This adaptation helps prepare the bees for colder months when they need these minerals to generate warmth.
A comprehensive review of scientific evidence over 27 years concludes that cow's milk and dairy products do not promote childhood obesity. The study analyzed data from 95 trials involving 203,269 individuals and found no association between milk and dairy consumption and body fatness in children.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University found that even highly resilient coral reefs can be compromised by local disturbances like excess nutrients and sewage. The study's results suggest that removing these pollutants is crucial to securing the world's most valuable ecosystems.
Genetically modified pigs have been shown to digest key nutrients in their feed, reducing environmental impact. The study found that these pigs can absorb more nitrogen and phosphorus from their grains, lowering emissions and improving feed efficiency.