Articles tagged with Nutrients
A WSU biologist has spent 20 years studying the movement of nutrients through plants, confirming an 86-year-old hypothesis about phloem transport. His research could lead to new strategies for fighting plant diseases and improving crop efficiency.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that bacteria in tree branches can fix nitrogen, a crucial nutrient for plant growth, without requiring root nodules. This breakthrough could significantly reduce fertilizer use and costs, benefiting agricultural crops and bioenergy production.
A recent study reveals that bacteria can differ significantly in their response to a lack of nutrients, allowing the group to continue growing even when some cells suffer. This phenomenon promotes flexibility and diversity within bacterial populations.
A new framework proposes that rapid marsh bank sediment build-up does not equate to increased land loss resilience, according to researchers from LSU and Boston University. The study suggests that natural sediment recycling processes in marsh channels may be overestimated when vertical accretion rates are compared to sea-level rise.
New research reveals Saharan dust enriches underwater plants in the Caribbean with iron and other nutrients. However, this increase in nutrients also supports an explosive bloom of toxic bacteria such as Vibrio.
Researchers have developed a method to detect and map fungal associations between forests and fungi using satellite data, providing insights into tree species' nutrient status and ecosystem productivity. This technique allows scientists to study complex processes like nutrient cycling at vast scales.
Algae farming is sensitive to fertilizer costs, with ammonia and carbon dioxide being major concerns. Approaches like increasing surface area, partial pressure, and contact time can improve nutrient utilization efficiency for CO2. Dosing ammonia at a controlled rate can minimize its volatility and toxicity.
Using satellite data and subsurface observations, researchers aim to better understand the ocean's biological carbon pump and its response to climate change. The study's findings have significant implications for predicting CO2 levels and understanding the Earth's climate.
Researchers found that levels of magnesium rise and fall in a daily cycle, controlling the cells' internal clocks and impacting metabolism. This discovery may aid the development of chronotherapy and crop varieties with increased yields or adjustable harvesting seasons.
A new biotechnology discovered by ASU researchers enhances plant tolerance to stress, improving water and nutrient use. This leads to increased biomass and yield, reducing the need for fertilizers and other resources.
A new University of Michigan-led study concludes that meeting the goal of reducing levels of algae-promoting phosphorus in Lake Erie by 40 percent will require widespread use of strong fertilizer-management practices, significant conversion of cropland to grassland and targeted conservation efforts.
Researchers found a unique cyanobacterium that provides nitrogen to a more complex cell host without photosynthesis, evolving around 90 million years ago. This 'slaving event' is crucial for the marine food web, providing bioavailable nitrogen.
Researchers discovered that thale cress plant tolerates fungus when it needs help obtaining phosphate, rejecting it otherwise. The plant controls interaction through its immune system linked to a sensor for phosphate availability.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo discovered how yeast cells decide their direction of growth, revealing the concept of polarity and its role in propelling single-celled organisms forward. The study found that Bud proteins play a crucial role in determining cell orientation, adapting to changes in nutrient availability.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers finds that excess nutrient input leads to imbalances in mutualistic species interactions. This can have far-reaching implications for ecosystems, including decreased growth of fungal partners and increased growth of plant partners.
A study evaluated organic trailing blackberry production practices, recommending weed mat management to increase production and profits. Soil pH, organic matter content, and macronutrient concentrations were affected mainly by year and weed management strategy.
Researchers from KU Leuven develop a technique to precondition bone cells for improved survival, increasing their chances of repairing large bone fractures. By activating a dual defense mechanism, the cells can store energy and produce antioxidants, leading to better healing outcomes.
Soilless farming proposed as a solution to Qatar's food shortage, increasing crop yield by 100 times compared to conventional farming. The system uses nutrient-enriched water and advanced hydroponics to provide reliable quantity and quality of crops, while reducing costs and environmental impact.
Recent studies on the Elaeocarpus joga tree from Guam have identified nitrogen and potassium as limiting factors for its growth in limestone soils. This knowledge is crucial for conserving large charismatic trees and restoring degraded landscapes to improve island ecosystem health.
Researchers found that iron fertilization in one area can inhibit growth in others, highlighting the complexity of ocean nutrient cycles. This study challenges the idea that fertilizing oceans with iron could be a major force in spurring and maintaining ice ages.
Researchers found that areas previously depleted of salmon are on a fast track to recovery, with American dipper birds showing improved physical condition and reproductive success when accessing salmon. The studies suggest rivers can recover within a generation after dam removal, offering a promising conservation outcome.
A study by Michigan State University found that scheduling irrigation according to plants' daily water use can reduce water applications by 22-28% and runoff volume by 36-67%, while decreasing nutrient loads. The technique also shows no negative impact on plant growth, offering a sustainable solution for nursery producers.
A new study predicts that climate change will lead to a doubling of severe algal blooms in Lake Erie over the next 100 years. The study suggests that reducing nutrient inputs may not be enough to prevent these blooms, which could have devastating impacts on the region's drinking water and tourism industries.
Researchers used biosolids to create a soil blend that supported healthy bacteria, fungus, and plants, outperforming traditional compost in restoring the degraded surface area of Lake Calumet Cluster Site. The 'dream treatment' has potential to restore poor quality soils in Chicago's dense urban areas.
A new University of Florida study suggests that coral reefs may be more vulnerable to nutrient pollution from human activities, even with the presence of herbivores. The research highlights the need for a holistic approach to protecting these ecosystems.
A new study reveals that just 9% of migratory birds have adequate protection across their migration cycle. Many species face declining numbers over the past 30 years, emphasizing the need for improved conservation efforts.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that walnuts may provide 146 calories per serving, 39 calories less than the previously listed 185 calories. The research used bomb calorimetry to calculate metabolizable energy and took into account the digestibility of walnut pieces.
Researchers have successfully mapped the 3D structure of cubosomes, a biological 'capsule' that delivers molecules with high efficiency. The breakthrough can help promote the use of cubosomes in medicine and food science.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how fat cells metabolize nutrients to produce fatty acids. This discovery could lead to new insights into potential irregularities in fat cell metabolism and help identify better drug targets for treating diabetes and obesity.
A recent study has shown that when cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, their DNA becomes compacted into tight clusters. This dramatic change reduces gene activity and leads to cell shutdown. The discovery may help researchers develop new treatments for diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, and cancer.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed nanoparticles that increase the nutrient content and growth of tomato plants. The study found that treated plants produced nearly 82% more fruit than untreated ones, with higher antioxidant content.
Research by Queensland University of Technology found that people living alone are more likely to have poor dieting habits due to inadequate cooking skills and lack of motivation. The study also found a gender disparity in healthy eating practices, with men living alone having poorer diets than women.
A new study reveals that the loss of large land animals, whales, and seabirds has disrupted the global nutrient cycle, with a significant reduction in phosphorus transport. The researchers calculate that the ability of these animals to transport nutrients around the globe has been reduced to just 6% of its former capacity.
A new study reveals massive declines and extinctions of whales, fish, seabirds have damaged the planet's nutrient recycling system. This has weakened ecosystem health, fisheries, and agriculture.
A new study found that consumers are increasingly buying packaged foods from mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs, and convenience stores, leading to a decline in nutritional quality. The study revealed that households purchase more calories, sugar, sodium, and saturated fat compared to grocery stores.
A new study published in Limnology and Oceanography found that a nutrient-rich, balanced diet is beneficial to corals during stressful thermal events. The researchers discovered that excess nitrogen alone and zooplankton made high-temperature bleaching events worse, while a balanced mix of nutrients afforded coral resilience.
A NASA study found a significant decline in microscopic plant-life, including diatoms, in the world's oceans over the past 15 years. The reduction may impact the ocean's ability to draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it for long-term, leading to climate change.
Researchers reconstruct environmental conditions in the Southern Ocean over the past 30,000 years, showing that seasonal sea-ice zones had significant influences on ecosystems and carbon cycling. The study reveals that nutrient-rich waters allowed phytoplankton to store CO2, contributing to global cooling during ice ages.
Researchers found male seahorses play a crucial role in nourishing and protecting embryos during pregnancy, delivering energy-rich lipids and calcium. Their gene expression during pregnancy was also similar to that of humans, suggesting a common genetic mechanism for managing pregnancy across species.
A research group in Japan and Korea found that certain dipeptide species support CML stem cell activity. Pharmacological inhibition of nutrient uptake decreased CML stem cell activity in vivo, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for CML therapy. This discovery may provide concrete benefits to patients with CML.
The Toxoplasma parasite's ability to infect and grow within various cell types is attributed to its broad culinary tastes. However, this adaptability comes at the cost of energy expenditure. Researchers have identified a critical enzyme, TgFBP2, that plays a crucial role in the parasite's survival.
Researchers found that gastric bypass surgery enhances energy expenditure, allowing patients to lose and maintain weight over time. The study used a metabolic chamber to track the body's energy requirements before and after surgery.
Scientists have discovered that a strain of bacteria can survive without traditional nutrients by harnessing trace gases like hydrogen from the air. This breakthrough reveals the 'minimalist approach' to survival used by these microorganisms in extreme environments.
A recent study by the University of California - Davis found that algae concentrations are key to maintaining Lake Tahoe's iconic blue color, contradicting previous assumptions about the relationship between clarity and blueness. The report also highlights improvements in water clarity and climate change impacts on the lake.
Researchers found that yeast modify their genomes to produce more ribosomes in response to excess calories, enabling faster replication and optimal growth. This study reveals a new mechanism by which organisms can adapt to environmental changes.
A global study by University of Minnesota researchers found that adding nutrients to grasslands gives invasive species a leg up on native species. The study, published in Nature Communications, used data from 64 sites across 13 countries to pinpoint the role of nutrient availability and herbivore density in plant invasion.
Biochar, a product of cooking chicken manure into charcoal, can retain nitrogen in soil longer than traditional fertilizers, capturing carbon in the process. This approach has been shown to improve nutrient retention in agricultural fields, offering a potential solution to the Chesapeake Bay's pollution problems.
The Chesapeake Bay's hypoxic and anoxic zones are caused by excessive nutrient pollution, primarily from human activities. Scientists predict a smaller 'dead zone' this summer, with midsummer volume expected to be approximately 1.37 cubic miles.
The Gulf of Mexico is forecasted to have a large 'dead zone' this year due to nutrient-rich runoff from farming states, with the predicted size ranging from 4,344 to 5,985 sq mi. The region's oxygen levels are expected to drop significantly, affecting commercial and sports fisheries.
Scientists expect this year's Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone to be approximately 5,483 square miles, similar to the last several years. The dead zone affects important commercial and recreational fisheries, threatening the region's economy.
A recent study in Japan reveals that overcrowded, older tree plantations are a significant source of non-point nitrogen pollution. The findings highlight the need for better forest management practices to restore their ability to clean water rather than pollute it.
A study of Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay found that nutrient runoff from land use leads to low oxygen levels, affecting fish populations and commercial fisheries. The research suggests improvements in land management could benefit estuaries and fisheries.
Researchers discovered how gut bacteria respond to changes in their environment by cooperating with each other, stabilizing the community and adapting to new situations. This cooperative behavior helps the bacterial community survive and function despite fluctuations in oxygen levels and nutrient availability.
Scientists discovered the switch that turns on the immune cell's abundant sugar and nutrient pipeline, then blocked it with an experimental compound, starving HIV to death. The approach also slows the proliferation of abnormal immune cells, reducing inflammation and potentially reducing organ damage.
A promising new solution for improving water quality is the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF), a systematic approach to identifying best options for reducing nutrient losses and erosion within a watershed. The framework provides an inventory of conservation possibilities, allowing farmers and stakeholders to choose th...
Researchers from Princeton University created a 'cradle-to-grave' model of the world's most powerful internal waves in the Luzon Strait. The study found that these waves amplify size and energy when passing through underwater ridges, ultimately affecting heat and nutrient transport in the ocean.
Soil erosion and nutrient removal, exacerbated by climate change and farming practices, pose a significant risk to global food security. The authors propose recycling nutrients from waste treatment facilities and improving soil management to mitigate losses.
Research links environmental factors to Great Barrier Reef's eight-thousand-year growth slowdown, highlighting the need for conservation efforts in the face of projected port expansions and nutrient runoff. The study suggests a two-thousand-year delay in reef growth following sea level rise and flooding of pre-existing reefs.
Researchers reveal that gland cells in uterine lining store glucose as glycogen and deliver it to placenta with glycoproteins for energy conversion. Early nutrition plays a crucial role in successful pregnancy and child health.
A new study successfully grew stem cells with dead feeder cells, challenging the theory that feeder cells provide nutrients. The discovery suggests that stem cells may only like the topology of feeder cells, enabling a simpler approach to growth using nanomanufacturing techniques.