Articles tagged with Nutrients
A German-Peruvian science team found that ocean eddies play a crucial role in distributing oxygen and nutrients in the oxygen minimum zones. This discovery helps improve model computations to predict future expansions of low-oxygen areas in the ocean, addressing the threat of ocean de-oxygenation.
The buffaloberry contains high amounts of lycopene and methyl-lycopenoate, making it an excellent source of antioxidants and nutrients. The fruit is also being considered as a natural food colorant and has potential applications in commercial wine production.
University of Illinois researchers suggest a partnership between farmers and scientists to develop effective practices for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agricultural fields. The goal is to find widespread regional acceptance and reduce the size of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
The productivity of many lands has been dramatically reduced due to soil erosion, salinity accumulation, and nutrient depletion. A sustainable approach to agriculture is needed to maintain soil fertility and address climate change and biodiversity loss.
Whitehead Institute scientists report that the FLCN protein acts as a trigger to activate the mTORC1 pathway, which regulates cell growth in response to nutrient levels. This unexpected finding may provide insight into how cancer cells distort normal cellular functions to maintain their own harmful ways.
A study published in Nature finds that climate change could lead to a decline in plant production due to changes in soil nutrients. As drylands become drier, the imbalance of essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus may affect crop growth, livestock forage, and fuel production.
The Gulf of Mexico's dead zone is exacerbated by excessive nutrient runoff from US agricultural practices. Experts recommend adopting cover crops and subsurface drainage systems to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus export. Despite potential challenges, implementing these practices could mitigate the problem.
A new study reveals that microscopic suspension feeders overcome physical constraints by changing their angle relative to surfaces, maximizing access to fresh water and filtering the surrounding water. These tiny organisms filter up to 25% of seawater daily, making them essential for aquatic ecosystems.
Biologists have developed a new technique to determine if seagrasses contain sulfur, indicating stressed seabeds. This method reveals the health state of plants, aiding restoration efforts for lost or diminished seagrass meadows.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have found that a specific diet immediately before spawning significantly impacts the fatty acid content of red drum eggs. This discovery could lead to improved survival rates and reduced resource usage in fish farming, benefiting both the environment and the state of Texas.
Researchers developed a high-throughput assay to track cell growth at low nutrient concentrations, revealing metabolic differences among cells of the same strain in the same environment. The study also found significant genetic variation in Sherpa populations' mitochondrial genomes, suggesting an adaptation for low oxygen environments.
Researchers discovered that the Earth's cyclic wobble affects the production of fixed nitrogen, a nutrient crucial for marine organisms. The study reveals that precession-driven upwelling brings nitrogen-poor water to the surface, where blue-green algae convert it into biologically usable forms.
Researchers applied simple math to a long-studied biological process, finding that catabolite repression is controlled by the difference between glucose and other essential nutrients. This discovery demonstrates the power of quantitative biology in elucidating complex biological processes.
A large Gulf of Mexico oxygen-free 'dead' zone was found to be 5,840 square miles in size, larger than expected but smaller than predicted. This year's measurement highlights the continued effects of nutrient pollution from agricultural and human activities in the Mississippi River watershed.
Researchers found that a transient 'perfect storm' of nutrients and light led to the brief bloom of phytoplankton 14,000 years ago. The study resolves conflicting ideas about the relationship between iron and biological productivity in the North Pacific, with implications for geo-engineering efforts to curb climate change.
Plants with thinner roots show natural variation in cortical cell number, reducing energetic cost of soil exploration and increasing rooting depth. This trait could lead to improved seed production for agriculture, maintaining high yields in drought-prone regions.
Chinese agriculture's remarkable success in feeding the world's population comes with significant environmental costs. Massive losses of nutrients pollute streams, rivers, soil, and air, while CAFOs drive global resource consumption. Efforts to shift focus towards food security, efficient use of resources, and environmental protection ...
A new approach to getting kids to eat their veggies involves teaching them a conceptual framework for nutrition, which encourages understanding of why eating a variety of foods is ideal and increases vegetable consumption. The study found that preschoolers who were taught about nutrition showed more knowledge about nutrition and increa...
Researchers confirm their 2008 model for mitochondrial function, which explains the symptoms of diseases and reveals the role of five molecular machines in converting energy. The study also highlights the dynamic nature of mitochondrial energy extraction, which can be optimized based on dietary composition.
The University of Michigan ecologist predicts a very large and potentially record-setting 2013 Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone,' expected to be between 7,286 and 8,561 square miles. This would be roughly equivalent to the size of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia combined.
The NOAA is predicting a record-setting deadzone in the Gulf of Mexico, spanning between 7,286 and 8,561 square miles. This would be among the largest ever recorded, potentially affecting commercially important fisheries and the regional economy.
Female southern bottletail squid consume male ejaculates, using nutrients for egg growth, and target larger females to minimize consumption. This strategic behavior affects males' chances of fertilizing eggs.
Oceanic oxygen levels decrease as ice sheets melt, leading to accelerated denitrification and a shift in the ocean's nitrogen cycle. Phytoplankton growth and productivity are affected, potentially altering atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.
Researchers discovered a mutualistic relationship between ants and carnivorous pitcher plants, where ants help prevent nutrient loss to flies. The study found that ant colonies increase plant growth and capture efficiency by hunting mosquito larvae, demonstrating a novel type of nutritional interaction.
A compound found in plant-based foods like parsley and celery has been shown to re-educate cancer cells into normal cells, making them more susceptible to death. The study, led by Ohio State University researchers, suggests that apigenin can restore normal gene regulation, leading to increased cell death rates among breast cancer cells.
A new journal supplement highlights the nutritional benefits of white vegetables, debunking the myth that they are less nutritious than their colorful counterparts. Key findings include a substantial body of evidence demonstrating how white vegetables contribute important amounts of essential shortfall nutrients to the American diet.
Researchers at EPFL discover that corals depend strongly on algae to extract nutrients from the water. The algae temporarily store nitrogen in the form of uric acid crystals, building up reserves for times when supplies run low. This symbiotic relationship is crucial for coral survival in nutrient-poor environments.
A study evaluating restaurant meal nutrition found that breakfast, lunch, and dinner options were high in calories (56% of daily recommendation), fat (89%), and sodium (151% of recommended daily intake). The research highlights the need for public health initiatives to address nutritional profiles in restaurant meals.
Hundreds of deliberate fires were detected in Guerrero, Oaxaca, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco regions. The fires are managed by farmers to clear land and enhance crops, but also produce smoke degrading air quality.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that the ATP7A gene is essential for copper absorption, leading to a better understanding of Menkes disease. The study used laboratory mice and discovered that the gene's absence can lead to copper deficiency symptoms similar to those seen in children with the disease.
Food and nutrition scientists highlight white vegetables' nutritional value, citing gaps in data on nutrient intakes and health outcomes. Presenters discuss the importance of potatoes, carbohydrates, and magnesium in a well-balanced diet.
A global-scale modeling study finds that carbon emissions from human activities on land were 40% higher in the 1990s due to nitrogen's limiting effect on plant growth. This underestimation has significant implications for international policy, requiring deeper emission cuts to meet mitigation targets.
Researchers found that high amounts of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur are needed for modern corn hybrids, with applications made during key growth stages to maximize crop growth. Adequate accounting for nutrients with high harvest index values is vital to maintaining long-term soil productivity.
A multi-author review paper reviews ocean nutrient patterns and interactions, highlighting their influence on climate by fuelling biological production. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding nutrient cycles in predicting future environmental changes.
A record-breaking algae bloom in Lake Erie was triggered by a combination of long-term agricultural practices and extreme weather events. The researchers predict that future blooms will be even more severe unless agricultural policies are revised to reduce nutrient runoff.
A research team led by Anna Michalak found that the 2011 record-breaking algal bloom in Lake Erie was triggered by long-term agricultural practices combined with extreme precipitation, weak lake circulation, and warm temperatures. The team predicts future mega-blooms unless scientifically guided management plans are implemented.
A study in Montana found that grazing sheep during fallow seasons can improve soil chemistry, increasing calcium, sulfur, and electrical conductivity. Grazing also had no negative effects on soil organic matter and crop yields, with the sheep returning phosphorus and potassium to the soil through their feces and urine.
A new study by North Carolina State University and NOAA found that harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico become two to seven times more toxic when phosphorus levels are low. This increased toxicity allows the algae to defend themselves against grazing zooplankton, posing a threat to human health and ecosystem.
Researchers found that the brain prioritizes neural diversity over number of neurons when faced with limited nutrients, a strategy essential for survival. This discovery may have implications for understanding human brain development and addressing intrauterine growth restriction.
The Dynamic Gastric Model simulates human stomach processes accurately, enabling drug and food testing. A new £900k project will refine the model to predict nutrient and drug availability in humans.
Researchers found that raw meat diets met many nutrient requirements for cats, but there were gaps in linoleic acid and arachidonic acid levels. Pet owners may need to supplement with other nutrients, including fat and essential fatty acids. The study highlights the importance of proper nutrition for domestic and exotic felines.
Research by USDA scientist Eton Codling shows that treated wastewater solids called biosolids can increase soil phosphorus levels for years. The study found that soluble phosphorus levels in biosolid-amended soils exceeded typical plant requirements after application.
Modified Nutrition Facts labels can improve accuracy in measuring calories and nutrient content, especially for products with two servings per container. Dual-column and single-large serving formats showed significant improvements in consumers' ability to assess nutrition information.
Researchers discovered that some single-celled algae cheat on producing toxins to gain an advantage, contradicting the theory that cooperation should break down in such circumstances. The cheaters can survive and multiply while their 'honest' peers produce toxins, allowing them to invest energy into making more offspring.
Three WHOI projects will investigate the complex interactions between marine microbes, nutrients, and their environments using advanced technologies and methods. The grants aim to improve understanding of microbial communities and their impact on ocean health and productivity.
Whitehead Institute researchers identify Rag GTPases as key mechanistic regulators of autophagy, a process to break down internal energy sources. Rag GTPase's continuous activity leads to permanent activation of mTORC1, resulting in nutritional crisis and death in newborn mammals.
A new process produces super-nutritious puffed rice with three times more protein and eight times more dietary fiber than commercial products. The rice also contains essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and zinc, making it ideal for school lunch programs and other applications.
A new study reveals that fish play a crucial role in recycling nutrients, providing fertilizer for sea grass and algae growth. The research found that fish populations around reefs can cause significant changes in ecosystem productivity.
Research reveals that symplasmic transport plays a crucial role in transporting nutrients and signaling molecules long distances within tree tissues. The study found that fluorescent dyes could be visualized in living cells and cytoplasmic bridges, confirming intercellular movement.
Scientists have created a slow-release fertilizer using attapulgite, guar gum, and humic acid, reducing waste and promoting sustainable agriculture. The new fertilizer has been shown to improve soil moisture content, regulate soil acidity and alkalinity, and minimize nutrient loss via runoff and leaching.
A team of researchers has analyzed bacterial communities on rocks similar to those found in Mexican marshes, providing insights into the Martian environment. The study reveals two distinct communities, one adapted to lack of nitrogen and another without phosphorus, offering clues about potential nutrient limitations on Mars.
A long-term study reveals that excessive nutrients can cause salt-marsh loss, leading to habitat destruction for fish and wildlife. The research highlights the need for better waste management practices to protect these critical coastal ecosystems.
A recent study by the U.S. National Science Foundation found that excessive nutrient enrichment can cause salt marsh loss, leading to habitat destruction for fish and shellfish. The research showed that nutrient-enriched marshes experienced extensive erosion, converting vegetated areas into mudflats with reduced productivity.
Researchers found that fertilizer introduction stimulates bacterial growth, breaking down peat and vital components of the soil, leading to rapid changes in creek morphology and salt marsh retreat. The team's study highlights the devastating impact of nutrient enrichment on coastal ecosystems, threatening cities from storm surges, carb...
Researchers found that ragweed plants will invest resources for the benefit of their group when planted with kin, leading to a larger fungal network and greater benefits. This cooperation is likely due to plant kin recognition, which can enhance altruism towards relatives and promote sustainable farming practices.
Scientists have identified a key metabolic hormone called leptin in fruit flies, which regulates energy intake and appetite. The discovery opens up new avenues for genetic research on the molecular mechanisms of fat sensing and could provide insights into obesity and diabetes.
Consuming greater amounts of choline during pregnancy may lower an infant's vulnerability to stress-related illnesses later in life. Higher maternal choline intake led to a more stable hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in less cortisol and a reduced risk of chronic conditions.
A lack of AgRP-neurons leads to obesity if fed a regular carbohydrate diet, but high-fat diets counteract this effect. The study reveals the importance of brain-cell interactions in nutrient metabolism and storage.
Providing energy-dense food supplements to malnourished children has limited effect on reducing wasting, but increases height and hemoglobin levels. A cluster-randomized controlled trial found that adding Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food to a general food distribution had little impact on acute undernutrition.
A team of scientists from Texas A&M AgriLife Research is conducting a study to monitor fertilizer runoff and establish management practices for new turf in Central Texas. The study, sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, aims to understand how different fertilization and irrigation methods affect runoff volume and nutrient load.