Articles tagged with Nitrogen
A University of Washington team has sequenced the genome of a key ocean microbe, revealing its surprising role in removing life-supporting nitrogen from the water. The findings provide new insights into how these microbes interact and carry out fundamental processes in the ocean, particularly in deep, low-oxygen waters.
Researchers aim to understand farmers' preferences for cover crop contracts, which could lead to higher adoption rates. Cover crops offer benefits like soil health improvement and nitrogen scavenging, but farmers often face constraints such as conflicting planting dates with cash crops.
Researchers are using bioreactors to intercept nitrogen-rich drainage water from tile-drained fields, neutralizing the nutrient that causes problems for aquatic ecosystems. The trenches enhance a natural process, converting nitrogen into benign gas, and have shown promise in improving water quality.
Plants can grow faster with higher atmospheric carbon dioxide levels if they have enough nitrogen, according to a new study. Microbes, particularly fungi that partner with plants, are essential for this process.
A recent study analyzed data from 25 previous studies to identify factors influencing ammonia emissions in dairy barns. Researchers found that reducing crude protein in a dairy cow's diet can significantly lower nitrogen excretion, resulting in reduced ammonia emissions. The study provides key information for farmers and farm advisers ...
Scientists found that neutralizing acidic forest soils with calcium boosted tree growth, but also caused a significant increase in nitrogen export to nearby streams. This unexpected result sheds new light on watershed dynamics and highlights the complexity of mitigating acid rain.
Researchers at UMD developed a method to build diamond-based hybrid nanoparticles in large quantities, enabling precise control of their properties. The technique uses nanoscale diamonds with nitrogen vacancies to create customizable semiconductors, magnets, and qubits.
A USGS study found historic nitrate levels in Midwest streams in 2013, with Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois experiencing the highest concentrations. The research suggests that fertilizer application and manure are primary sources of nitrate, posing health risks to water users.
Researchers have devised a new method for synthesizing communesins, a group of fungal compounds with anticancer properties, by transforming carbon atoms into radicals and joining them together. This approach enables the production of designed variants with potentially greater potency.
New Horizons team members used computer models to determine the depth and rate of Pluto's convective cells, which are 10-30 miles across and less than a million years old. These cells help support Pluto's atmosphere by refreshing its surface.
Researchers have discovered how cyanobacteria create patterns to optimize nitrogen fixation, a process vital for life. The patterns allow cells to distribute fixed nitrogen efficiently, enabling complex life forms like humans to survive.
A Purdue team suggests Rayleigh-Bénard convection cells explain the quilted appearance of Sputnik Planum region on Pluto. The researchers found that convection could produce the unique terrain, which would renew the surface and erase impact craters.
Research finds that isoprene emitted by trees can influence ozone production in the St. Louis area, particularly at night and into the morning. The study suggests that a specific combination of nighttime chemistry and morning isoprene emissions can drive elevated ozone levels in urban areas downwind of major deciduous forests.
A recent study reveals that bacteria can differ significantly in their response to a lack of nutrients, allowing the group to continue growing even when some cells suffer. This phenomenon promotes flexibility and diversity within bacterial populations.
A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland and others found significant inaccuracies in traditional chamber techniques for measuring nitrous oxide emissions from soils. The eddy covariance method with modern laser technology provides more accurate continuous measurements, averaging out spatial and temporal variations.
A new study from the University of Illinois reports a 10% reduction in nitrate load in the Illinois River from 2010 to 2014, compared to the 1980s and early 1990s. The reduction is linked to improved fertilizer management and higher corn yields, resulting in less nitrogen left in the soil and washed into the river.
New research from Colorado State University finds that agricultural ammonia emissions now surpass fossil fuel combustion emissions as the dominant source of nitrogen cycle disturbance. Excess nitrogen in the atmosphere causes environmental impacts such as soil acidification and decreased biodiversity.
Bioreactors are passive filtration systems that remove up to 45% of nitrate from water draining from farm fields. Researchers are urging large-scale deployment to address the 'dead zone' issue in the Gulf of Mexico.
Researchers at Utah State University and other institutions have developed a light-driven process for nitrogen fixation, which could revolutionize agriculture and reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels. The new process uses nanomaterials to capture light energy, making it more energy-efficient than traditional methods.
Scientists at NREL developed a new, light-driven chemical process to produce ammonia, the main ingredient of fertilizer. The research uses nanocrystals to harness light energy, which then energizes electrons to trigger nitrogen transformation.
Researchers discover that tree legumes can significantly contribute nitrogen to silvopastoral systems, benefiting both livestock and the environment. The study found two types of legume trees with different decomposition rates and nutrient cycles, but both show promise as alternatives to industrial fertilizers.
The study identifies a key region in the genome where selection has changed the behavior of rhizobia, making them less beneficial to plants exposed to nitrogen fertilizer. This finding has significant implications for finding sustainable solutions to address environmental concerns.
Researchers developed a new composite catalyst using nitrogen-rich graphene dotted with copper nanoparticles that can convert carbon dioxide to ethylene efficiently and selectively. The study showed a selectivity of 79 percent for ethylene production, significantly higher than other approaches.
Researchers at MIT describe a feedback-control system that preserves quantum superposition in nitrogen-vacancy centers, enabling reliable quantum computing. The system uses entangled spins of nitrogen and NV center atoms to correct errors during computations.
Researchers at Juelich's Peter Gruenberg Institute have discovered that effective graphene doping is influenced by the choice of substrate material. The scientists found that nitrogen atoms in the interface layer can dope the lattice without destroying it, leading to promising results for future applications in micro- and nanoelectronics.
Researchers found a unique cyanobacterium that provides nitrogen to a more complex cell host without photosynthesis, evolving around 90 million years ago. This 'slaving event' is crucial for the marine food web, providing bioavailable nitrogen.
A study of 200 years reveals a steady loss of butterfly species in nature conservation areas, which are largely ineffective in protecting them. The decline is attributed to high emissions of reactive nitrogen, promoting the growth of plants that outcompete larval host plants and alter nutrient composition.
A new study finds that nitrogen fertilizer applied to fields today will pollute water for decades, increasing the risk of blue baby syndrome and other serious health concerns. The researchers discovered that nitrogen is building up in soils, creating a long-term source of nitrate pollution in ground and surface waters.
A recent UCR study found that biomass burning of polluted forest fuels exacerbates poor air quality and related health concerns in heavily polluted areas. The research showed that emissions from polluted fuels released more nitrogen oxides and small fine particles, posing respiratory health risks.
Researchers found that modern corn hybrids maintain per-plant yield in environments with low nitrogen, can recover from mid-season stress, and take up nitrogen after silking. This suggests reserving a portion of nitrogen fertilizer for later application could be beneficial for growers.
Researchers studied oysters at six sites in Great Bay over a three-year period to quantify nitrogen dynamics and assess the role of oyster farms. They found that farmed oysters varied depending on size, farm site, age, seasonal variability, water quality, and time of harvest.
Penn State researchers found that growing feed grains on-farm reduces fossil energy inputs compared to importing from the Midwest. The smallest farm with only forage crops imported all feed grain had a large energy input, but larger farms using canola fuel crops showed significant savings.
Researchers found that CRP biomass yield can reach up to 6.4 metric tons per hectare, but economic analyses show that costs of fertilizer application may outweigh benefits. Implementing a system where land owners harvest one-third of their acreage per year could reduce government costs by $31 million annually.
A survey of 1400 endangered species found 78 vulnerable to nitrogen-induced harms. Nitrogen's impacts on biodiversity are diverse, including direct toxicity, depleted oxygen, and invasive species that outcompete native populations.
A new study reveals that certain fungi associated with tree roots can alter the fate of tropical forests, boosting plant diversity or giving one tree species a distinct advantage. The research found that these fungi, particularly ectomycorrhizas, make nitrogen unavailable to competing species, allowing dominant trees to thrive.
Researchers detected a trend of lowering aerosol percentage in Moscow over the XXI century. The decrease is attributed to reduced anthropogenic emissions of proto-aerosol gases due to higher petrol quality and lower sulfur oxide emissions, with significant effects during spring and autumn periods.
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 aim to unlock the secret of nitrogen fixation in legumes, which could revolutionize agriculture by reducing fertilizer usage and saving billions of dollars. The project will use advanced DNA sequencing and computational analysis to understand the signaling between plants and bacteria in the root nodules.
A team of international scientists led by Maren Friesen from Michigan State University discovered a previously unknown bacteria that can fix its own nitrogen, a compound used in critical biological functions. The finding has significant implications for reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, making it a 'unicorn' worth chasing.
The study found that the US, China, India, and Brazil are responsible for 46% of global nitrogen emissions, while developing countries export large amounts of nitrogen through food, textiles, and clothing. The results highlight the need for policies to reduce nitrogen pollution globally.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba identified the catalytic structure and proposed a mechanism for non-platinum oxygen reduction catalysts, showing that pyridinic nitrogen is key to its performance. The study's findings will enable optimization studies to focus on improving catalyst efficiency.
A long-term analysis of water quality monitoring data reveals that climate change is affecting Buzzards Bay's ecosystem by increasing average summertime temperatures by almost 2 degrees Celsius. This warming fueling an increase in algae growth, which in turn worsens water quality and poses challenges for coastal ecosystems.
Three diamonds found in Johannesburg show that plate tectonics was in operation on Earth as early as 3.5 billion years ago, revealing key findings about the ancient planet's history.
The Danforth Center is collaborating with the University of Illinois to identify genetic variants impacting photosynthesis and nitrogen uptake in maize. This project aims to improve crop yields while reducing fertilizer usage, offering economic and environmental benefits.
Researchers found that human activities contribute far less nitrogen to the open ocean than previously thought. The study suggests that the ocean plays a substantial role in recycling organic nitrogen, reducing the impact of nitrogen pollution on the carbon cycle.
A recent study found that faba beans can increase soil nitrogen and carbon levels, providing long-term benefits for farmers. The research suggests that growers should adjust their fertilizer recommendations to account for the slow-release nitrogen in pulse crops.
A new study found that manure applications in high-input greenhouse environments can lead to significant nitrogen accumulation and loss, potentially resulting in economic losses. The research suggests reevaluating the role of manures to balance economic benefits with environmental risks.
Researchers have discovered that aphids deplete all the amino acids in sugary sap they consume and then break them down to build essential amino acids from scratch. This process allows the insects to survive on an unbalanced diet, similar to other animals with gut microbes or symbionts that provide additional nutrition.
High-resolution satellite maps track air pollution trends over the last decade, revealing a human fingerprint on global air quality. Nitrogen dioxide levels have decreased significantly in the US and Western Europe due to environmental regulations, while China saw an increase in emissions.
Researchers propose that plants 'decide' to thrive in certain environments, influencing biome productivity and composition. Nitrogen-fixing trees, which produce their own fertilizer, flourish in tropical zones but struggle in temperate forests, highlighting the importance of plant strategy in ecosystem evolution.
Researchers identify a new type of bacteria, Nitrospira, capable of converting ammonia to nitrate through comammox process, revealing a long-sought organism in the nitrogen cycle. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding the environment and wastewater treatment.
A study suggests that increasing nitrogen use efficiency globally can improve crop yields while reducing nitrous oxide emissions and other forms of nitrogen pollution. Researchers propose specific targets for different regions to achieve a global average nitrogen use efficiency of 70% by 2050.
Researchers at KIT scientists have developed a new process for low-pressure carbonitration using methylamine, which combines advantages of low-pressure processes with atmospheric carbonitration. The method results in more homogeneous hardness profiles and improved efficiency.
Experts at RMIT University have created a reliable method of detecting nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a significant air pollutant responsible for over seven million deaths worldwide. The new sensor is designed to be highly selective, sensitive, and affordable, aiming to improve public health by providing early detection of harmful NO2 levels.
Researchers have developed ultrasensitive gas sensors using boron-doped graphene, detecting noxious gas molecules at extremely low concentrations. The sensors outperform current state-of-the-art sensors by six orders of magnitude, opening a path to high-performance detection of toxic gases and other molecules.
Researchers at the University of Chicago and University of Wisconsin developed a new method to split water into hydrogen and oxygen efficiently using solar energy. By incorporating nitrogen into an electrode made of bismuth vanadate, they increased photon absorption and electron transport, leading to higher fuel efficiency.
Research found beaver-created ponds can remove 5-45% of nitrogen from water, reducing the risk of algal blooms and low oxygen levels. The study's findings suggest a new perspective on the ecological benefits of beavers in the region.
Researchers discovered that umbrella-shaped diamond nanostructures with metal mirrors can collect photons three to five times more efficiently than bulk diamond. This breakthrough could lead to applications in magnetic sensors and quantum computing.
Researchers from Loughborough and Nottingham Universities developed a multi-SQUID device that can operate at 77 K, outperforming standard 4.2 K SQUID magnetometers. The new design uses flux focusers to achieve high temperature performance with low noise levels.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a manganese-based catalyst that combines high reactivity and selectivity, enabling chemists to install nitrogen into carbon-hydrogen bonds with greater ease. This breakthrough has the potential to accelerate drug discovery and development, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.