Researchers found that closing the yield gap on underperforming lands could boost production significantly, while also reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. The study suggests that more strategic use of fertilizer and water could lead to substantial gains in crop production and reduced adverse environmental impacts.
A new analysis of coconut water found it contains up to 1,500 mg/liter of potassium, compared to Powerade and Gatorade. The study suggests coconut water is a healthy drink that replenishes nutrients lost during moderate exercise.
Research found that nutrient imbalance in reef waters increases bleaching susceptibility of corals. Balancing nutrient input in coastal waters could mitigate effects of warming oceans on coral reefs.
Microcystins are present in every Canadian lake, posing health risks to humans and wildlife. The study found that water quality is most at risk in lakes with high microcystin concentrations, which are linked to low nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios.
Deer hinds in dominant positions select nutrient-rich foods, outperforming subordinates with lower-quality options. The study demonstrates preferential access to high-energy food sources, improving body condition and milk production.
A clinical trial found that Souvenaid improved verbal-memory performance in 40% of patients with mild Alzheimer's, while a control group showed deterioration. The nutrient cocktail boosts new synapse formation, potentially reversing cognitive decline.
Tiny Osedax worms have a unique ability to penetrate bone using acid-secreting enzymes, partnering with bacteria for digestion. Researchers discovered this chemical drilling strategy in female worms, which live in gelatinous tubes surrounded by males.
A recent study has discovered that potted plants grow significantly larger when placed in bigger pots, with some species reaching up to 40% increase. The researchers found that the plants' roots sense the pot size, allowing them to adjust their growth accordingly.
Researchers from Lund University call for abandonment of geo-engineering efforts to mix oxygen into the Deep Baltic due to unforeseen effects. The Baltic Sea is experiencing hypoxia, and while geo-engineering schemes promise short-term improvements, they are also potentially dangerous.
This year's predicted dead zone size features a wide range of 1,197 to 6,213 square miles due to differences between two forecast models. The actual size will be released after monitoring surveys led by Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium.
High doses of beta-carotene, selenium, and folic acid have been shown to increase cancer risk in a recent study. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has warned that these supplements should not be taken beyond their recommended daily allowance.
A study aims to analyze sediment cores to identify the relative contributions of land, ocean, and buried sediments to phosphorus influx. The researchers hope to provide information useful to resource managers in controlling phosphorus overloads.
Fiber intake among the global population is extremely low, posing serious long-term public health implications. New research supports the role of soluble corn fiber in enhancing calcium absorption in adolescents, promoting gut fermentation, and improving digestion, while also addressing challenges related to bloating and tolerance.
A team led by Dr. Rachel Morgan-Kiss sampled Lake Bonney's ice-covered waters to study the single-celled organisms that inhabit it. These microbes play a crucial role in global climate change, with their mixotrophic metabolism influencing carbon cycling.
Research found that strip-till farming produces higher yields than no-till systems due to more efficient phosphorus and potassium use. The study also revealed that strip-till helps retain soil water, leading to better plant growth conditions.
Case Western Reserve researchers identify Kruppel-like Factor 15 (KLF15) as a key player in the body's ability to burn fat during exercise, increasing muscle force production. The discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms behind exercise benefits and may lead to therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders.
Lake Christina's transformation from clear waters to murky state has impacted migrating ducks and fish. Extensive modern records and sediment analysis reveal a 200-year history of management, leading scientists to propose bottom-up landscape management to restore the lake's ecosystem.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a specialized transport protein required for plant-fungus symbiosis, enabling more efficient nutrient uptake and harvesting. This discovery could lead to improved crop yields and reduced parasite damage in low-nutrient soils.
A study published in European Journal of Nutrition found that serum taurine intake was associated with significantly lower coronary heart disease risk among women with high total cholesterol levels. Higher taurine intake was linked to a 60% lower risk of developing or dying from CHD.
A study published in Neurology found that people with lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had lower brain volumes equivalent to about two years of structural brain aging. Omega-3 deficiency was also linked to poorer performance on tests of visual memory and executive function.
A new study reveals that cells employ a dual-pump mechanism to maintain optimal nutrient levels, allowing for efficient preparation for starvation and rapid recovery afterwards. This regulatory system enables the cell to deal with fluctuations in nutrient supply, offering crucial survival advantages.
Researchers identified a new gene, Meg1, regulating nutrient flow from mother to offspring in maize plants, which could help increase global food production. The discovery of this imprinted gene provides scientists with a molecular tool to manipulate and improve seed traits.
Researchers discovered a cellular mechanism allowing brain cells to translate different diets into distinct activity patterns. The orexin/hypocretin neurons are stimulated by amino acids, but inhibited by glucose, revealing a complex 'push-pull' control by sugars and proteins.
A new study from the University of Cambridge found that amino acids, found in proteins like egg whites, stimulate orexin neurons more than other nutrients. This discovery has implications for understanding obesity and sleep disorders.
The size of dead zones in the Chesapeake Bay has decreased steadily since the late 1980s, linked to reduced nutrient pollution efforts, while early summer spikes are influenced by climate forces, not pollutants
MDC researchers have determined the molecular structure of dynamin, a key player in cellular nutrient uptake. The study provides fundamental insights into the 'wire-puller' mechanism of dynamin during endocytosis, which is essential for signal transmission and immune system function.
A new study reveals the ancient deep ocean was devoid of oxygen and rich in iron for nearly a billion years, challenging previous models for life-essential nutrient distribution. The research suggests hydrothermal systems on the seafloor controlled iron deposition, potentially affecting early evolution.
Climate change is causing significant changes in polar ecosystems, particularly in the Arctic where permafrost thawing affects land and water ecosystems. This can lead to increased nutrient levels, altered stream networks, and changed habitats for plants and animals.
A study by Washington State University-Vancouver and the University of California-Davis investigated the relationship between human phosphorus sources and aquatic nutrient levels. The research found that a small area contributed to most phosphorus input from human sources, with fertilizer and livestock manure being key drivers.
Researchers at IBEC used a computational model to study the effect of external loading on two important cell solutes related to disc metabolism: oxygen and lactate. They found that the effect of loading was greater when compressing a healthy disc than a degenerated one, promoting fluctuations in solute concentration.
A new study demonstrates that even a simple microbe can achieve sophisticated sensory adaptation, allowing its behavior to remain consistent in ever-changing background conditions. Researchers found that E. coli responds to relative changes in sensory inputs rather than absolute concentrations.
Scientists developed a conceptual framework to diagnose nutrient and non-nutrient interactions in agroecosystems, increasing yields and reducing environmental costs. The model considers both nutrient and non-nutrient resource effects on growth, such as light conditions and soil moisture content.
In a study published in Ecology, researchers found that banded tetras play a keystone role in nutrient recycling due to their diet composition and excretion rates. This finding highlights the importance of conservation efforts in maintaining ecosystem function.
Researchers uncover the mechanism by which Didymo 'scrubs' phosphorus from streams and rivers, making it available for growth. This study solves the puzzle of Didymo blooms in low-nutrient waterways.
A comprehensive analysis of human geophagy reveals that eating dirt is a widespread behavior that provides protection against intestinal parasites and pathogens. The study found that people are more likely to consume earth during vulnerable life stages or in environments with high levels of foodborne microbes.
A new study at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging identifies N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) as a novel metabolic signaling pathway that coordinates the aging response to nutrient availability. This discovery suggests a link between endocannabinoids, dietary restriction, and aging that may be conserved across species.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found a link between a brain molecule, TXNIP, and the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Elevated levels of TXNIP in nerve cells contribute to energy imbalance, decreased physical activity, and impaired glucose tolerance.
A new study finds that shallow disk injection of manure is an effective way to reduce nutrient losses to the environment. This technique, which increases the incorporation of manure, reduces ammonia emissions and phosphorus runoff, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
A Purdue University study suggests that drought-exposed leaves may negatively impact soil nutrients by accumulating high levels of tannins. These tannins can interfere with critical enzymes in soil, potentially slowing down decomposition and nutrient cycling.
The US nursery and greenhouse industry has launched an online knowledge center to promote sustainable practices, providing resources and tools for growers and students. The Green Industry Knowledge Center offers in-depth learning modules on water and nutrient management, irrigation, and substrate handling.
A Danish study examines the relationship between soil texture and nutrient leaching in agricultural fields. The results show that injecting dairy slurry into loam soil reduces phosphorus leaching, while its effect on sandy loam and loamy sand is limited.
A three-year study on the Nauset Marsh Estuary's red tide problem begins next week. The researchers will collect water samples and analyze them for concentrations of toxic algae to better understand environmental factors influencing the incidence of red tides.
A CSIRO study found that mining by-products can effectively remove phosphorus and nitrogen from water, reducing the risk of algal blooms. The research suggests using these by-products as a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solution for treating wastewater.
A global collaboration found that invasive plant species often have similar or lower abundance at introduced and native sites, challenging a common assumption. This suggests that biosecurity screening procedures need to be revised to address how species behave in non-native communities.
A global collaboration found that invasive plant species have similar or lower abundance at introduced versus native sites, challenging the 'abundance assumption'. This study used standardized protocols across over 60 sites worldwide to collect population and community data, providing a new approach to address critical ecological issues.
A new study found that traditional dietary surveys, relying on self-reported data, are inconsistent and can be influenced by memory impairment and digestive issues. Using nutrient biomarkers through blood tests, researchers aim to improve the accuracy of nutritional assessments and develop more effective therapies for cognitive health.
A study found that oysters can effectively filter ag and urban runoff in the Chesapeake Bay, removing significant amounts of nutrients. Eight large-scale oyster farms could potentially remove one ton of nitrogen from the bay annually, providing a practical ecosystem service.
A study found that moderate decreases in maternal nutrition during early pregnancy impaired fetal brain development, including decreased cell-to-cell connections and growth factors. The research uses a nonhuman primate model to demonstrate the importance of good maternal health and diet on fetal development.
Scientists in Japan have discovered a compound in tomatoes that enhances fatty acid oxidation and regulates hepatic lipid metabolism. The extract, 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid, has anti-dyslipidemic effects and can help prevent vascular diseases.
A new study by the University of Maryland suggests that rewarding eco-friendly farmers with financial incentives can help reduce fertilizer run-off and capture carbon dioxide, both contributing to combating climate change. By setting up a 'nutrient trading market,' farmers can earn credits for using best practices, which can then be so...
Stem cells can sense a decrease in available nutrients and respond by retaining only a small pool of active stem cells for tissue maintenance. Upon re-feeding, insulin-like peptide expression and stem cell numbers recover quickly.
A new international research project will explore how nutrient pollution and biodiversity changes affect seagrass beds worldwide. The project aims to improve computer models and management strategies for predicting coastal zone change.
A study led by Dr. Stuart Painter identifies five distinct water masses controlling coccolithophore blooms off the southeast coast of South America, highlighting the region's complexity and productivity. The research cruise measured salinity, chemistry, and nutrient levels, confirming that specific conditions foster bloom formation.
Scientists have discovered that whales' feces pump up ocean productivity, increasing phytoplankton growth and secondary productivity. This boost has a significant impact on fisheries, resulting in bigger fisheries and higher fish abundances.
The USGS has developed a new method for tracking the progress of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus delivery from the watershed to the Bay. Analysis reveals both good and bad news about progress over the past 31 years, with significant improvements in some watersheds but increases in others.
Native submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) cover increased tenfold and diversity of plant species rose as nutrients declined and water clarity improved. Improved restoration efforts have boosted SAV abundance, benefiting ecosystem health.
Toxic blue-green algae, like Aphanizomenon ovalisporum, dominate freshwater ecosystems by inducing phosphate-limitation responses in other microorganisms. This 'enslavement' mechanism enables the algae to gain a nutrient advantage and proliferate dangerously in freshwater bodies.
Two studies found that US adults who used nutritional labels consumed healthier nutrients, with significant differences in calorie and fat intake. A pilot study also showed that point-of-purchase nutrition information influenced college students' purchasing behaviors, promoting the sale of healthful food items.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a stormwater model that accurately predicts pollution impacts from proposed developments. The model uses regional data and can be easily modified for use elsewhere, allowing regulators to make informed decisions about project approvals.
A new study suggests that adding nutrients to the sea could lower viral infection rates among phytoplankton, enhancing the biological carbon pump. This process involves transferring carbon from the atmosphere to the deep ocean, potentially helping mitigate global warming.