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A new view of wintertime air pollution

A recent study found that targeting nitrogen oxides emitted by cars and power plants may increase harmful wintertime air pollution in the US West. Instead, limiting volatile organic compounds could be a more effective way to reduce particulate matter pollution.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 9, 2019

Nitrogen pollution's path to streams weaves through more forests (and faster) than suspected

A study by the USDA Forest Service reveals that more nitrogen from rain and snow reaches streams than previously believed, flowing downstream at a faster rate through US and Canadian forests. This unprocessed nitrate bypasses biological filters, contributing to forest decline and growth of nuisance vegetation.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 15, 2019

Nitric acid and ammonia electrosynthesis

Researchers at Tianjin University have developed an alternative strategy for synthesizing nitric acid and ammonia through electrochemical reactions using air and waste nitrate combined electrocatalytic process. This approach offers a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly method compared to traditional industrial processes.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMar 5, 2019

Green leafy vegetables may prevent liver steatosis

A diet rich in green leafy vegetables, especially those high in inorganic nitrate like spinach and rocket, may prevent liver steatosis. Researchers found that increased nitrate intake reduced fat accumulation in the liver and improved insulin/glucose homeostasis in mice with type 2 diabetes.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2018

A water treatment breakthrough, inspired by a sea creature

A team of Yale researchers has developed a novel, highly stable nanocoagulant that removes both suspended and dissolved contaminants from water in a single step. This breakthrough promises to significantly improve on centuries-old coagulant-based water treatment methods, addressing global water scarcity.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 26, 2018

Eating leafy greens could help prevent macular degeneration

A new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that consuming vegetable nitrates, primarily from green leafy vegetables and beetroot, can reduce the risk of early-stage age-related macular degeneration by 35%. Eating 100-142mg of vegetable nitrates daily was associated with this reduced risk.

SourceWestmead Institute for Medical Research·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateOct 18, 2018

Boxing up ag field nitrogen

Saturated riparian buffer strips can effectively reduce nitrate loads into nearby streams and lakes by reconnecting water flow through the soil, allowing growers to continue using tile drains. The system's cost per pound of nitrate removed is $1.33 for a 40-year lifetime, making it a simpler and cheaper alternative to other systems.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateOct 10, 2018

Nitrite's got to be cruel to be kind

Researchers at Umeå University discovered that Vibrio cholerae uses nitrate respiration to control its population expansion and survival, even in the absence of oxygen. This smart metabolic mechanism allows the bacterium to thrive in the intestine's low-oxygen environment.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 1, 2018

Why cereal is better

Researchers discovered that two amino acids in the guard cells' protein SLAC1 enable grasses to quickly close their stomata and prevent water loss. This mechanism allows grasses to adapt better to drought, making them more suitable for water-scarce regions.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 27, 2018

Optimal fertilization thanks to sensor and cloud

A new nitrate sensor developed by Ruhr-University Bochum can analyze one drop of plant juice in seconds to determine optimal fertilization levels, resulting in improved crop yields and reduced waste. The sensor is linked to a cloud-based system that estimates regional fertilizer demand and provides farmers with real-time data.

Removing nitrate for healthier ecosystems

A study has identified areas where nitrogen is removed from agricultural streams, revealing that buffer zones with fine soils and organic matter are effective at reducing nitrate levels. These findings suggest that conserving existing buffer zones and reconnecting streams to them can improve water quality.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateSep 27, 2017

New system could remove two water pollutants from ag fields

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new system that can remove both nitrate and phosphorus from agricultural runoff, potentially improving water quality. The system uses woodchip bioreactors and P-filters to trap pollutants, with one type of filter showing significantly higher effectiveness in removing phosphorus.

Research finds new approach for quantifying nitrate discharge from groundwater to streams

A new approach has been developed to measure the rate of movement of nitrate from groundwater into streams, which is critical for understanding how this pollutant moves through the environment and assessing water quality management. The research found that the rate of nitrate input to the aquifer dropped by 6 percent in 2013, while the...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalWater Resources Research·DateNov 11, 2016

Eating your greens could enhance sport performance

A recent study published in Frontiers in Physiology found that taking nitrate supplements alongside Sprint Interval Training can improve athletic performance in low-oxygen conditions. After just five weeks, the muscle fiber composition changed with enhanced nitrate intake during training in these conditions.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateOct 5, 2016