Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New fat cell metabolism research could lead to new ways to treat diabetes and obesity

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 16, 2015

Strangled cells condense their DNA

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.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalGenome Biology·DateNov 9, 2015

Living alone can dent healthy diets

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.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNutrition Reviews·DateNov 2, 2015

Declines in whales, fish, seabirds and large animals disrupt Earth's nutrient cycle

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.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2015

A balanced diet is good for corals too, study finds

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.

Southern Ocean: Reconstructing environmental conditions over the past 30,000 years

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.

Male seahorse and human pregnancies remarkably alike

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.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateSep 1, 2015

Boosting nutrients gives a leg up to invasive species

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.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 15, 2015

When trees aren't 'green'

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.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJun 10, 2015

New study: Gut bacteria cooperate when life gets tough

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.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 2, 2015

HIV's sweet tooth is its downfall

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 28, 2015

New planning toolset gives farmers more options for improving water quality

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...

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateMay 27, 2015

Coexisting in a sea of competition

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.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 13, 2015

Better season-long nutrient supply in soybean a 'low-hanging fruit' to improve upon

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.

Submarine groundwater discharge adds as much nutrients as rivers to the Mediterranean Sea

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.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2015

Protecting crops from radiation-contaminated soil

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 5, 2015

'Blue-green algae' proliferating in lakes

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.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEcology Letters·DateFeb 26, 2015