Articles tagged with Nutrients
A team of scientists at the University of Rhode Island tested shallow marine systems' response to increased nutrients, focusing on eelgrass survival. They found that rapid leaf elongation and low root growth can indicate a poor prognosis for bed survival in these ecosystems.
A recent study on Brazilian brachiopods has provided valuable insights into the life and times of ancient creatures. The research, led by David Rodland, sheds light on the encrustation patterns of modern brachiopods and their potential to estimate water depth and plankton productivity in ancient oceans.
The study found that when blue crabs disappeared from a salt marsh, periwinkle snails flourished, eating all the cordgrass and causing ecosystem collapse. Overgrazing by periwinkles can convert southern salt marshes into barren mudflats within eight months.
Grasshoppers are drawn to plants with mycorrhizal symbiosis due to their increased nutrient content and tolerance to grazing. The study, conducted by Kansas State University researchers, found that grasshoppers avoid plants without this beneficial relationship, suggesting a crucial role for fungi in ecosystem health.
New research suggests that acid rain can deplete the nutrient pool available to trees in forests, making them more vulnerable to acid rain's effects. This finding has important implications for industrially influenced forests in the northeastern United States and Europe.
New research suggests that unpolluted forests may exhibit more uniform nitrogen biogeochemistry than previously thought, with complex and idiosyncratic responses to human activities. This challenges long-held assumptions about the ecological function of forests near populated regions.
The article reviews the possible psychopharmacologic effect of several nutrients on mood and behaviour. Key findings include the potential mild antidepressant effects of SAMe, folic acid, and tryptophan, as well as the relation between carbohydrate consumption and sedation.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison propose that anthocyanins in plants like maples and oaks produce vibrant autumn colors. The pigments shield sensitive photosynthetic tissue from excessive light and other stresses as trees reabsorb nutrients, allowing them to store energy.
A new technology, InStreem™, has been successfully demonstrated at the George DeRuyter Dairy in Washington state, reducing odors and solids in waste lagoons. The system converts existing lagoons into extended aeration systems, establishing conditions favorable for both aerobic and anaerobic degradation of wastes.
A study published in Nature found that plant-eating insects have diets so poor in nutrients they impair growth, unlike aquatic animals which thrive on nutrient-rich foods. The researchers analyzed the chemical composition of plants and animals to determine how different environments affect food webs.
A study by Alaskan and Canadian researchers found that climate change and commercial fishing negatively affect sockeye salmon runs in Alaska. The research used nitrogen isotope analysis to track salmon populations over 300 years, revealing a link between climate shifts and changes in salmon abundance.
Scientists at Rutgers University have found that humans have significantly altered the global carbon cycle over the past 200 years, leading to a rapid increase in atmospheric CO2 levels. The study's authors caution that governments must adopt new technologies to mitigate this trend and prevent unforeseen consequences for the Earth system.
The USGS report found complex mixtures of nutrients and pesticides in streams with significant agricultural or urban development. However, concentrations of individual pesticides were often lower than current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standards.
A study by Ohio State University researchers reveals that humic acid can trap nitrogen-containing proteins in soil, reducing their availability to plants. The process may be responsible for declining rice yields in Southeast Asia despite increased fertilizer use.
Researchers are exploring ways to control the rush of nitrogen and other chemicals into the Mississippi River watershed. Ecotechnology may hold the answer by restoring or building wetlands and riparian buffer zones along waterways.
A new liquid-manure applicator developed at Purdue University can be integrated into precision farming setups, improving nutrient management and reducing environmental impact. The equipment uses GPS technology and flow measurement systems to accurately apply manure, increasing its value as a sustainable fertilizer source.
Research suggests that dietary levels of nutrients during formative months and years are important determinants of blood pressure. Studies found that children who consumed more calcium and fiber had lower diastolic blood pressure, while eating more fat was linked to higher diastolic pressure.
A new study found that people who regularly eat breakfast cereal tend to consume more fiber and calcium, but less fat, compared to those who eat other foods for breakfast. The study analyzed data from the US Department of Agriculture's survey and found that cereal-eaters were also more likely to consume other nutritious foods.
The Cheseapeake Bay experienced record flows in 1996, with rivers carrying a combined average of 87.5 billion gallons per day, affecting water quality and ecosystem health. Environmental effects could have been worse, but management actions and favorable timing reduced the impact.