Articles tagged with Nutrients
A study by University of Montreal and University of Western Australia scientists reveals that plants in Australian bushland use an array of root strategies to obtain nutrients from poor soils, defying expectations.
Climate models assume plants will absorb more CO2 as carbon dioxide levels rise, but a new study suggests limited soil nutrients may curb this growth. The research found that nitrogen limitation could reduce plant uptake of CO2 by 19%, while combined limitations would decrease it by 25%.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that the type of fish and its body size can predict nutrient recycling rates in ecosystems. The researchers analyzed data from over 900 fish and invertebrates in a diverse marine community, finding that body mass and taxonomic identity are key factors in predicting these rates.
A new study found that groundcover management systems can improve soil organic matter and reduce bulk density in organically managed apple orchards. The research suggests that using green compost or commercial fertilizer with these systems can increase plant-available water and meet National Organic Program goals.
Hippos' organic matter provides essential nutrients to river fish and aquatic insects, highlighting the ecological importance of hippos in river ecosystems. The study's findings are crucial for understanding the impact of climate change and human development on hippo populations and entire food webs.
Researchers from CNIO have discovered that the MCRS1 protein induces increased mTOR activity in response to excess nutrients, leading to cell growth and proliferation. This correlation was found in human colorectal cancer samples, suggesting a potential link between MCRS1 activity and disease prognosis.
Researchers used novel molecular and analytic tools to study how similar diatom species utilize resources differently, known as niche partitioning, in Narragansett Bay. The study found that two species of chain-forming diatoms coexist but use available nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, differently.
Northern coastal marshes are more susceptible to overgrazing by herbivores from nutrient-rich runoff, leading to destabilization and reduced function. This study integrates field experiments and finds that latitude plays a key role in mediating the impact of nutrient loading on plant-herbivore interactions.
Researchers from CNIO have developed a new anti-obesity treatment that reduces body weight and improves metabolic syndrome symptoms in obese mice and monkeys. The treatment, CNIO-PI3Ki, selectively targets the storage of nutrients in excess, leading to weight loss without affecting other tissues or brain function.
Researchers at Western Michigan University are working on a multi-pronged nutrient bio-remediation system to clean up algal blooms in waterways. The algae can be used as a feedstock for biofuels, while the waste is high in nutrients and carbohydrates, suitable for recycling back into farm fields as organic fertilizer.
A recent study by the University of Illinois has identified specific nutritional needs for soybeans to improve yield and seasonal nutrient supply. The researchers found that nutrients such as phosphate, potassium, nitrogen, sulfur, and copper are critical for high-yielding success.
A new study calculates the magnitude of submarine groundwater discharge into the Mediterranean Sea, revealing it can add as much nutrients as rivers. The annual volume of SGD ranges from 30 to 500 billion cubic meters, with a median nutrient flux comparable to atmospheric deposition and riverine runoff.
A research team found oxygen in the entire thickness of nutrient-poor seafloor areas, contrary to previous beliefs that only surface layers contain oxygen. The findings have significant implications for our understanding of microbial life, geochemical processes, and Earth's interior composition.
The coco de mer palm tree invests energy into reproduction, producing large amounts of pollen and huge fruits that fall at the base. Its unique leaves capture water, animal waste, and debris, creating a 'parental care' system for its offspring. This modified habitat ensures other plants struggle to establish in nutrient-poor areas.
A new study reveals that nutrient pollution can reduce stream-dwelling species' food source, as moderate amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus halve the in-stream residence time of leaves and twigs. This loss of forest-derived carbon impacts stream health and aquatic life.
Researchers have identified a chemical compound that prevents plants from taking up cesium, reducing the harmful effects of radiation-contaminated soil. The compound, CsTolen A, selectively binds to cesium, preventing its entry into plant cells and promoting physiological processes.
A new study finds that nutrient pollution reduces the availability of forest-derived carbon in stream ecosystems, cutting its energy source for aquatic life. This loss accelerates the breakdown of leaf litter, affecting the entire food web.
Researchers study ionosphere irregularities to improve GPS communications and investigate nutrient upwelling in the Salish Sea. The study reveals that estuary-enhanced upwelling in the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a critical source of nitrogen, driving enhanced upwelling and influencing marine life.
A recent study suggests that helping fetuses achieve optimal weight before birth may prevent metabolic problems like high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity in grandchildren. Researchers found that low birthweight infants may pass on their risk of metabolic disease to their own children and grandchildren.
A new species of algae has been found in reef corals of the Persian Gulf, enabling them to survive in extremely high temperatures. This discovery provides hope for coral reefs to adapt to climate change, but also highlights other threats such as pollution and nutrient enrichment.
A global study reveals a rapid increase in cyanobacteria levels in lakes over the past two centuries, with alarming acceleration since the mid-20th century. The research highlights the potential for toxic algal blooms to contaminate drinking water and pose serious health risks.
Bacteria living in marine sponges capture phosphorus from the water and convert it into polyphosphate, a form of phosphorus usable by the reef community. This discovery sheds new light on nutrient cycling in coral reefs.
Scientists discovered that bacteria use direct connections to exchange nutrients, rather than releasing them into the environment. The study found that gut microbe E. coli forms unique nanotubes to connect with other bacteria.
Researchers created a comprehensive guide for farmland in the Ohio and Upper Mississippi River Basins, narrowing the scope of choice to optimize run-off mitigation. The guide recommends specific conservation practices based on soil type, land slope, crops, and nutrients used.
Researchers discovered how coral-dwelling microalgae harness nutrients from seawater and transport them to corals through a complex process. The findings provide new insights into the impact of coral bleaching on reef ecosystems, highlighting the importance of this symbiotic relationship.
A recent study published in PLOS Genetics reveals that lysosomal dysfunction may be the underlying cause of infant failure to thrive. This condition occurs when infants are unable to absorb essential nutrients, leading to delayed growth and weight gain issues.
Researchers found that Rapa Nui communities were abandoned due to environmental constraints, with nutrient-rich areas maintaining viable populations despite external threats.
A study published in Geology highlights the dangers of coral reefs facing erosion due to ocean acidification and nutrient pollution. The researchers found that bioeroders can thrive in waters with high nutrient levels and low pH conditions, tipping the balance towards erosion.
Researchers identify SLC38A9 as a protein that senses amino acid arginine, activating mTORC1 signaling even in the absence of nutrients. This discovery sheds light on the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway and its role in regulating cellular growth.
A new study recommends CRF placement methods that can reduce fertilizer and irrigation expenses and minimize nutrient leaching into the environment. The dibbled method has potential to produce the greatest quantity of leachable nutrients, while also conserving expensive fertilizer resources.
Researchers found that fast food portions remained relatively consistent in terms of calories, saturated fat, and sodium, but showed variation among chains. The exception was a decline in trans fat content, likely due to legislative efforts.
Scientists found that a trace nutrient can cause genome-wide changes to how organisms encode proteins, boosting speed and accuracy. The nutrient's availability determines which codons are optimal for protein production, leading to widespread genetic changes.
A team at Imperial College London identified a brain mechanism that senses glucose levels and prompts animals to seek more if it detects a shortfall. The researchers believe this mechanism may play a role in humans' preference for sweet and starchy foods.
A study found that koalas selectively eat eucalyptus leaves with higher available nitrogen, indicating a preference for nutritious food. The researchers suggest that access to quality food plays a crucial role in shaping the distribution of koala populations in habitats with low nutritional value.
Researchers at UNH are investigating how certain plants and bacteria communicate to form beneficial partnerships. Using next-generation sequencing tools, they aim to understand the chemical signals between Frankia bacteria and actinorhizal plants.
Phytoplankton in the open ocean are responsible for half of global oxygen production, but how they assimilate limited nutrients was unclear. A new framework describes how microbial biodiversity affects phytoplankton's ability to take up phosphorus, a key nutrient.
Researchers find that climate change may affect the ratio of oxygen consumed to phosphorus released during organic matter respiration in the subsurface ocean. This shift could lead to more carbon being stored in the ocean, potentially offsetting the slowdown of the ocean's uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Researchers reconstructed the spatial pattern of major earthquakes along the Tangshan-Hejian-Cixian fault in Tianjin, revealing a 160-km seismic gap that has not been ruptured for over 8,400 years. This gap may be the next to rupture, generating a devastating earthquake similar to the 1976 Tangshan earthquake.
Researchers found that nitric oxide signals plants to limit nitrogen uptake, allowing for optimal growth without excess pollution. This discovery could inform crop breeding and fertilizer use, resulting in more sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found 12 diverse sources of nutrients that fuel Florida red tides, including undersea sediments, decaying fish, and atmospheric deposits. The study's findings suggest a complex interplay between natural and human-contributed nutrient sources, highlighting the need for further research to mitigate the impacts of red tide blo...
Researchers have identified a novel way to target newly manufactured proteins to the correct location in cells, utilizing a previously unknown compartment called an acidocalcisome. This discovery has implications for understanding protein function and regulation.
Antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria can exchange nutrients with each other and even with normal microbes to increase virulence during an infection. This challenges existing dogma on infectious diseases and may inform new treatment strategies.
Research reveals that consuming non-native algae 'superweeds' rich in arginine promotes the deadly virus causing tumors in endangered sea turtles. The disease is considered the leading cause of death for green sea turtles, with over 60% of Kāne'ohe Bay turtles bearing tumors.
A new study finds that more healthy foods have risen significantly in price over time, with a total average increase of £1.84 per 1000kcal for more healthy food across the decade, compared to £0.73 for less healthy food. This trend could contribute to growing food insecurity and health inequalities.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have discovered a trio of poorly understood growth regulators called the Sestrins that play a crucial role in regulating mTORC1 signaling. The study found that the Sestrins work cooperatively to inhibit mTORC1 signaling by interacting with GATOR2, suggesting new potential targets for drug development.
A review of over 150 studies reveals that optimal nitrogen-phosphorus and nitrogen-potassium ratios are crucial for high-yielding corn production. Achieving these balanced nutrient uptake ratios can lead to significant yield increases regardless of the region where the corn is grown.
Research reveals that brown tide algae can survive and thrive in conditions degraded by human activity, such as low light and high organic nutrients. The study also highlights the unexpected ability of these algae to pump toxic arsenic out of their cells into water.
Researchers have adapted a biomedical technique to study the ocean, revealing how single-celled marine organisms and ecosystems are operating. By measuring proteins, scientists can identify biochemical reactions happening within organisms and diagnose how the oceans respond to pollution and climate change.
A new study reveals that modest reductions in nutrient pollution led to long-term improvements in water clarity, allowing underwater grasses to thrive. The plants' rapid growth was fueled by positive feedback loops, where they improved their own growing conditions and resisted disturbances.
Scientists at MIT and Weizmann Institute found that corals actively engineer their environment to enhance nutrient exchange through turbulent flows. The cilia on coral surfaces produce strong swirls of water that draw in nutrients while driving away waste products.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that boron plays a crucial role in the growth and development of corn plants. A lack of boron causes problems with the meristems, or stem cells, leading to stunted tassels and reduced crop yields.
Researchers found that gut bacteria can sway food choices by releasing signaling molecules into the gut, influencing physiological and behavioral responses. The microbiome's diversity of interests can be manipulated through diet and supplement changes, offering a tractable approach to obesity and unhealthy eating.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge created detailed reconstructions of ancient organisms called rangeomorphs, which were among the earliest large animals on Earth. The creatures thrived in ocean environments during the Ediacaran period but went extinct due to changing conditions and competition from emerging animal groups.
Research suggests climate change could reduce the size of extreme low-oxygen waters in the ocean. As trade winds weaken, nutrient-rich water percolates up from the deep sea, supporting marine life and oxygen levels.
The Gulf of Mexico dead zone measures 5,052 square miles this summer, slightly smaller than last year's record high. Nutrient runoff from agricultural activities continues to affect the nation's coastal resources and habitats in the Gulf.
Researchers found that p53 in flies adapts metabolic response to nutrient deprivation, making cells 'tighten their belts' and optimize energy stores. The study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of p53 and its potential involvement in diabetes and obesity.
Researchers from the University of Miami found that iron-rich Saharan dust provides nutrients for specialized bacteria producing carbonate-based foundation. The study suggests that high concentrations of iron-rich dust blown across the Atlantic Ocean are responsible for the formation of the Great Bahama Bank.
Researchers propose combining 'fertigation' and decentralized water treatment with drip irrigation to create 'tailored' water containing high levels of nitrate. This approach aims to reduce waste and increase efficiency in lawn care, but further study is needed to address potential challenges.
A new study suggests that boosting protein content in the diet can lead to effective weight loss by reducing hunger for other macronutrients. Researchers found that primates prioritize protein over carbohydrates and fat, which may explain the recent surge in human obesity cases in Western societies.
Scientists discovered that locusts prefer food sources with optimal protein/carbohydrate ratios at specific temperatures. The study found that locusts modify their behavior to get the maximum benefit from available nutrients.