Articles tagged with Nitrates
Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in nitrogen metabolism, informing plants of their ammonium content and helping regulate its use. This discovery could lead to the development of new methods to prevent overuse of nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which harm the environment.
Researchers at Silent Spring Institute found 27 unregulated contaminants in private well water samples on Cape Cod, including pharmaceuticals and flame retardants. The study suggests that backyard septic systems are likely the source of contamination, which poses health risks to 44 million Americans relying on private wells.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that higher dietary nitrate and green leafy vegetable intake is associated with a lower risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. Participants who consumed more nitrate-rich foods had a 20-30% reduced risk of developing the condition.
A team at Tohoku University developed sNOOOpy, a genetically encoded FRET-based indicator that senses nitrate and nitrite levels. The sensor can monitor intracellular levels in real-time and has potential applications in various organisms and research fields.
A study found that isosorbide mononitrate, a common medication for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), did not improve exercise tolerance or daily activity levels in patients. The drug actually decreased daily activity by 18 minutes per day at the highest dose.
A recent study published in Nitric Oxide found that consuming beet juice rich in nitrates can restore reduced blood vessel function at high altitudes. This natural substance helps the body acclimatize to lower oxygen levels by converting nitrate into nitric oxide, which improves blood vessel relaxation.
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that high nitrate beetroot juice improved both sprint performance and decision-making during prolonged intermittent exercise. The study showed a 3.5% increase in sprint performance and a 3% improvement in decision speed for athletes consuming the nitrate-rich version.
Researchers found that concentrated beet juice increases muscle power in patients with heart failure by up to 13% within two hours, benefiting activities of daily living. The study suggests dietary nitrates may be a valuable strategy for improving quality of life in this population.
Nearly 2 million Americans live near wells exceeding EPA's uranium guideline; nitrate mobilizes uranium through bacterial and chemical reactions. High Plains aquifer contains concentrations up to 89 times the EPA standard.
A new handheld device replaces traditional methods with a safer, more accurate, and affordable testing procedure. It is adaptable for different chemical measurements and can be used by schools and individuals to gather real data in their communities.
Researchers found that wetlands created between tile-drained agricultural fields and rivers can remove 62% of nitrates from water. The slow flow of water through the wetland allows microbes to eliminate nitrate, reducing its emission as a greenhouse gas. Building a wetland is an effective long-term solution for reducing nitrate runoff.
A new study published in The FASEB Journal found that nitrate supplementation can lower hemoglobin levels in normoxic animals and improve liver oxygenation. Researchers also discovered that higher doses of nitrate can increase erythropoietin expression, which may have implications for conditions like polycythemia.
A recent study revealed a significant increase in anthropogenic nitrate levels in the North Pacific Ocean over the past 30 years, primarily due to enhanced atmospheric deposition. This shift in nutrient availability may favor certain marine organisms and alter the base of the marine food web.
Researchers found that isolated patches of soggy soil act as hot spots for microbial activity, removing nitrogen from groundwater and returning it to the atmosphere. This process can improve water quality but also reduces forest productivity.
Researchers found that patches of waterlogged soil in forested watersheds act as hotspots for microbial activity, removing nitrogen from groundwater and returning it to the atmosphere. This process, known as denitrification, can improve water quality by reducing nitrate levels in streams.
Researchers analyzed microbial communities from sandy tidal flats, finding three key factors controlling denitrification and ammonification: nitrite to nitrate ratio, carbon to nitrogen ratio, and generation time. The study's findings shed light on the complex interactions between microbes and their environment.
Researchers propose combining 'fertigation' and decentralized water treatment with drip irrigation to create 'tailored' water containing high levels of nitrate. This approach aims to reduce waste and increase efficiency in lawn care, but further study is needed to address potential challenges.
The Hudson River has undergone significant changes in its flow, chemical composition, and ecology over the past quarter-century. A 40% increase in freshwater flow has countered the effects of higher temperatures, while pollution levels have decreased, prompting rapid evolutionary responses in certain species.
A new method reveals that nearly every drop of water in the Mississippi River network passes through a chemical filter, but this process is operating at max capacity due to high nitrate levels. The river's natural ability to filter out nitrates is being overwhelmed, resulting in an increased risk of dead zones and aquatic life decline.
Researchers found evidence of the U.S. Clean Air Act in Greenland ice cores, showing a link between air acidity and nitrogen preservation. The study suggests that the relationship between emissions and isotopes is less direct than thought, with sulfur and nitrogen emissions contributing to the final signal recorded in the ice cores.
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University found that liquid fertilizing techniques through drip irrigation result in lower groundwater pollution rates compared to intensive organic farming. High nitrate concentrations in aquifer water lead to drinking-water well shutdowns due to down leaching of nitrates under intensive organic farming.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a new catalyst that can rapidly break down nitrites, a harmful contaminant found in drinking water. Gold-palladium nanocatalysts are up to 15 times more efficient than pure palladium nanocatalysts in breaking down nitrites.
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.
A study led by Temple University School of Medicine reveals that beta-blockers and nitrates may help the failing heart by blocking enzyme GRK2, which can trigger heart cell death. This finding suggests new drugs aimed at GRK2 could protect the heart from progressive disease.
Researchers found that nitrogen fertilizer applied to crops in 1982 still lingers in soil organic matter three decades later, releasing nitrate into groundwater over several decades. This persistence poses a significant risk to aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies worldwide.
A young Bangladeshi chemist has developed a reactor that removes nitrates from drinking water using electrodes, a process that also preserves healthy minerals. The tech aims to improve access to clean drinking water in Bangladesh and other developing countries.
Scientists have found two strains of bacteria that work together to convert nitrogen into usable forms in the ocean. The partnership, between Thioploca and anammox, intensifies the nitrogen cycle and creates localized zones where fixed nitrogen is depleted faster than expected.
A new study reveals that giant bacteria like Thioploca are invaded by anammox bacteria, which steal their nitrogen, leading to reduced algal growth and less food for marine organisms. This discovery may impact ocean productivity and have implications for fish life and fisheries.
A cup of beetroot juice a day reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 10 mm Hg in participants. Increasing dietary nitrate intake through vegetables like beets may be an accessible way to manage blood pressure, researchers suggest.
Recent research highlights a catastrophic acceleration in Canadian Arctic glacier melt, with projections suggesting up to 18% mass loss by the end of the century. Climate change is deemed effectively irreversible, according to model simulations.
A new model reveals that oxygen-poor toxic conditions in ancient oceans may have delayed the spread of complex life forms. The study shows how bacteria using nitrate in their metabolism controlled the formation of toxic hydrogen-sulphide-rich states.
Researchers at UC Davis have uncovered a biological mechanism by which harmful bacteria thrive in the guts of those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The discovery may lead to new treatments with fewer side effects than current therapies, targeting molecular pathways that generate nitric oxide and nitrate.
A CU-led study reveals that pine beetle outbreaks do not harm adjacent stream water quality, but instead increase the uptake of nitrates by smaller trees and understory vegetation. This compensatory response provides potent water quality protection in western forests.
A University of Illinois study found that perennial biofuel crops such as miscanthus can greatly reduce nitrogen losses in the environment. The crops showed high efficiency in reducing nitrate leaching and nitrogen oxide emissions, making them a promising alternative to traditional corn-based ethanol production.
New research from the University of Washington suggests that a decrease in nitrogen-15 levels in Greenland ice core samples is linked to increased atmospheric acidity. The decline in nitrogen-15 has been attributed to sulfur dioxide emissions, which form sulfuric acid in the atmosphere.
A UC Davis report reveals that over 90% of human-generated nitrate contamination comes from agricultural activity, posing health risks to 1 in 10 people in the state's most productive agricultural areas. Fixes for drinking water systems could cost $20-35 million per year.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that past disturbances, such as logging, can obscure the effects of climate change on forest ecosystems. Researchers used decades-long data from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest to uncover a complex legacy left by these historical events.
Researchers at Arizona State University are working on new methods for ensuring water safety in small communities. They aim to develop more effective treatment technologies using recent advances in technology, chemistry, physics, and materials science. The team will focus on reducing nitrates in water supplies using photocatalysts.
A study tracking water quality in the Thames River basin over 140 years found significant rises in nitrate concentrations since World War II. The researchers suggest it may take several decades for any reduction in nitrate levels, highlighting the need for long-term sustainable groundwater management practices.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have created a graphene 'Big Mac' structure that isolates graphene from environmental influences, allowing for better electronic properties. This breakthrough enables the potential replacement of silicon chips in computers with graphene-based transistors.
Researchers found increased nitrate levels in coastal waters of Korea and Japan since the 1980s, correlated with human-generated atmospheric nitrogen. This shift may influence marine plants and ecosystems, favoring organisms adapted to high nitrate conditions.
Researchers found that using flat bed systems increased yields by an average of 6 percent and improved water and nitrogen use efficiency. The study supported the USDA's commitment to enhancing sustainable agriculture, helping farmers increase yields, save water resources, and reduce nitrate leaching.
Excess nitrogen levels in air and water pose significant threats to human health, including respiratory problems and cancer risk. Nitrogen pollution also exacerbates climate change, but reducing it could lessen these impacts.
Research by the University of Exeter reveals that drinking beetroot juice enables competitive-level cyclists to cut down the time it takes to ride a given distance. The study found that riders who consumed beetroot juice had a higher power output and were 11 seconds quicker over a 4km distance.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have found that dietary inorganic nitrate can stabilize mitochondria and protect against free-radical damage in the heart. The study suggests that nitrate supplementation may reduce the risk of heart damage in patients undergoing chemotherapy with doxorubicin.
A University of Michigan ecologist found that biologically diverse streams are better at removing nitrate, a nitrogen compound pollutant, than less rich waterways. Niche partitioning, where each species occupies a unique habitat, increases the stream's absorbent sponge-like ability to clean pollutants.
Researchers found that supplementing rats with nitrate before vessel injury limited damage, while a diet low in nitrate exacerbated it. The study suggests that leafy green diets may benefit vascular health through nitric oxide production.
New research from Karolinska Institutet shows that nitrate improves mitochondrial function in humans, consuming less oxygen and producing more ATP per molecule. This finding has significant implications for sports physiology and may also have positive effects on diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction.
A new study suggests that consuming inorganic nitrate from spinach can improve mitochondrial efficiency, leading to reduced oxygen consumption while exercising. This increase in efficiency may contribute to the known health benefits of fruits and vegetables, particularly leafy greens like spinach.
A new study found that grafting melon plants onto commercial rootstocks significantly improves nitrogen use efficiency, reducing the need for nitrate-rich fertilizer. This approach allows growers to maintain high crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts.
New research suggests beetroot juice can reduce the amount of oxygen needed to perform low-intensity exercise by up to 12%, enabling people to walk for longer periods. The study's findings have potential implications for older adults and individuals with heart or lung conditions.
A recent study reveals that tile drainage in the Mississippi Basin is a significant source of nitrate pollution, particularly in the highly productive cornbelt region. Farmers are not blamed for this issue, as they are using the same amount of nitrogen since 1993 and achieving higher yields.
New research from North Carolina State University reveals that fertilizer chemicals can be converted into toxic nitric oxide by water fleas, causing developmental and reproductive problems. The study's findings raise concerns about the impact of these chemicals on other organisms and highlight the need for further research.
Recent research found that forest fires stimulate the conversion of ammonia to nitrates, a crucial step in the nitrogen cycle. This process is triggered by charcoal deposition and can continue well after the fire has passed, benefiting coniferous forests in the inland Northwestern US.
A recent study suggests that consuming meat related compounds, particularly those found in red and processed meats, may be linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer. The researchers found that individuals with the highest intake of nitrate and nitrite had a significantly higher risk of developing bladder cancer.
Mid-ocean algae thrive in areas with little to no nitrate, an essential nutrient. Researchers found that these algae obtain nitrate from deep waters, using it for growth and reproduction near the surface.
A University of Colorado at Boulder study found a tight link between nitrogen and carbon in the environment, which may help address regional pollution issues. The research suggests that microbial communities in ecosystems regulate this relationship, with nitrates decreasing in areas with sufficient organic carbon.
Researchers found that a solid-state illuminator decreases nitrate concentrations by 44-65% while increasing beneficial nutrients. The technology allows for short-term preharvest treatment, making it suitable for northern countries with poor lighting conditions.
Researchers have developed a urine test that measures the extent of nitrosation and garlic consumption in humans. The study found that higher garlic intake was associated with lower levels of potential carcinogenic compounds, suggesting that garlic may play a role in inhibiting cancer formation.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have discovered a potential signature of nitrate and ammonia that can be found in ice cores corresponding to suspected impacts. This finding could help scientists better understand the frequency of comet strikes on Earth, providing valuable insights for future predictions.