Articles tagged with Nitrogen
A review of dozens of ecological studies found little proof of cheating among cooperating species, challenging a commonly held belief. The study's authors provided a scientific definition of cheating that ecologists can use to determine whether one species is cheating its mutualist partner.
Researchers at Yale University have created a new process for synthesizing an organic compound that inhibits HIV. The approach uses aromatic nitrogen heterocycles to streamline the synthesis, reducing time and increasing efficiency.
A team of MSU researchers, led by Sarah Evans, will study how plants interact with microbes to obtain nitrogen in abandoned farmlands. The goal is to maximize biofuel yields while minimizing fertilizer use and preserving soil health.
A $475,000 grant will support a study examining the huge amount of particulate organic nitrogen transported downstream during intense storms and its impact on freshwater streams and rivers. The researchers aim to understand how this contributes to the overall nitrogen load and what happens to the particulate materials.
A new study reveals that climate change will irreversibly force key ocean bacteria into high-speed reproduction, producing 50% more nitrogen. This accelerated growth can't be reversed and may lead to catastrophic die-offs of the microorganism and dependent species.
Researchers found that natural sunlight triggers release of smog-forming nitrogen oxide compounds from urban grime, leading to greater ozone creation and potentially significant contributor to air pollution in cities. The study confirms laboratory findings using field studies in Leipzig, Germany, and Toronto, Canada.
SwRI scientists suggest that geologic activity brings nitrogen up from Pluto's interior to resupply its atmosphere. They also consider the possibility of cryovolcanism and ongoing geysers as sources of nitrogen.
Researchers at Northeastern University have developed a new material that exhibits magnetic, optical, and electrical properties, including thermal sensitivity. The material, known as 2D-BNCO, has the potential to be used in various applications such as high-resolution camera arrays, photo detectors, and atomically thin transistors.
A University of Minnesota-led study reveals that nitrous oxide emissions from the US Corn Belt have been significantly underestimated, with estimates off by as much as 40%. The researchers found a strong relationship between stream size and emission strength, which can be used to scale up emission estimates. This discovery has importan...
Using powerful computer simulations, researchers identified a material made of hafnium, nitrogen, and carbon with a melting point of over 4,400 kelvins, two-thirds the temperature at the surface of the sun. The next step is to synthesize the material and corroborate the findings in the lab.
A team of scientists used X-ray spectroscopy to analyze the interactions between active metals and gas molecules in catalytic converters. They found that different materials exhibit unique reaction paths, which can help improve their efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory design a multifunctional landscape that balances economic feasibility, bioenergy, and environmental health. By analyzing subareas of a cornfield, they found that planting bioenergy crops like willows or switchgrass can provide biomass feedstock while limiting nitrogen fertilizer runoff.
Biochar, a product of cooking chicken manure into charcoal, can retain nitrogen in soil longer than traditional fertilizers, capturing carbon in the process. This approach has been shown to improve nutrient retention in agricultural fields, offering a potential solution to the Chesapeake Bay's pollution problems.
Researchers at Chapman University found tremendous diversity in how nitrogen-fixing plants regulate their relationships with soil bacteria. Plants were grown across a gradient of nitrogen availability, revealing that some species can turn off nitrogen fixation under high soil conditions, while others do not regulate it.
Researchers found that increased CO2 levels restrict plants' ability to absorb nitrogen, a key nutrient for crop growth. The study reveals reduced nitrogen content in crops regardless of growth stimulation or fertilizer addition.
A recent study in Japan reveals that overcrowded, older tree plantations are a significant source of non-point nitrogen pollution. The findings highlight the need for better forest management practices to restore their ability to clean water rather than pollute it.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a type of grass, Setaria viridis, that can fix nitrogen using bacteria, making it a potential model for studying this process in crops like corn and rice. This discovery could lead to more efficient use of fertilizer and promote sustainable agriculture.
A study found that controlled-release fertilizers can reduce the environmental impact of landscape palms by limiting nitrogen and phosphate application. Areca palms, in particular, showed growth comparable to traditional fertilization methods when using a 0-0-16 fertilizer formulation.
A recent study documents a significant increase in harmful algal blooms in the Chesapeake Bay over the past 20 years, fueled by excessive nitrogen runoff. The findings highlight the need for continued efforts to reduce nutrient pollution and restore a healthy ecosystem in the Bay.
Scientists from Berkeley Lab and University of Hawaii at Manoa recreated conditions around carbon-rich stars to find formation pathways of nitrogen-containing molecules. They successfully synthesized quinolone and isoquinoline in hot environments, which could lead to the creation of biorelevant molecules such as nucleobases.
Researchers found that Victorian-era babies' nitrogen isotope levels could predict their likelihood of survival and potential health issues later in life. High levels were linked to malnutrition and stress, while low levels indicated breastfeeding and a healthy start.
Research suggests that selective breeding of maize led to the evolution of root systems more efficient in acquiring nutrients like nitrogen. The study found that newer commercial varieties performed better in every agronomic environment, with characteristics known to increase nitrogen uptake.
A recent paper by University of South Carolina paleoceanographer Kelly Gibson shows that rapid climate change affected marine ecosystems in the Cariaco Basin, a body of water off Venezuela's coast. The study used nitrogen isotope ratios to estimate changes in primary productivity and carbon sequestration in the ocean.
Researchers used novel molecular and analytic tools to study how similar diatom species utilize resources differently, known as niche partitioning, in Narragansett Bay. The study found that two species of chain-forming diatoms coexist but use available nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, differently.
A group of scientists, economists, and agriculture experts is working together to develop sustainable farming practices that minimize environmental pollution. The goal is to increase food production while ensuring farmers can make a living and the environment remains healthy.
Researchers found a negative relation between atmospheric nitrogen emissions and plant diversity in Switzerland, with a 19% loss in phylogenetic diversity. High nitrogen deposition favors few highly competitive species, leading to decreased overall plant diversity.
Experiments show that living mulch can reduce broccoli yields, with reduced effects when organic fertilizer is added.
Researchers found that liquid corn and fish fertilizers are good options for organic blackberry production, meeting plant nutrient needs except for calcium and boron. The fertilizers were effective in delivering nutrients through the drip system, but regular flushing was recommended to prevent emitter clogging.
Researchers at MIT have created a new magnetic-field detector that is significantly more efficient than its predecessors. The device uses synthetic diamonds with nitrogen vacancies to measure magnetic fields and has the potential to be used in medical imaging, contraband detection, and geological exploration.
A study published in HortScience found that hydrolyzed fish fertilizer is an economically feasible nitrogen source for growing organic vegetables, even when yields are reduced. The authors concluded that the premium price and resultant profit associated with organic products can offset the yield reductions.
Researchers find that nitrogen dioxide and ground-level ozone can increase the potency of airborne allergens, contributing to rising allergy rates. The study suggests chemical modifications of allergenic proteins may play a key role in the increasing prevalence of allergies worldwide.
New computer simulations suggest that thawing permafrost will release more carbon into the atmosphere than plants can absorb, leading to potential acceleration of climate change. The models also indicate a large range of uncertainty in the outcomes, highlighting the need for further research.
A new study reveals that nutrient pollution can reduce stream-dwelling species' food source, as moderate amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus halve the in-stream residence time of leaves and twigs. This loss of forest-derived carbon impacts stream health and aquatic life.
A new study finds that nutrient pollution reduces the availability of forest-derived carbon in stream ecosystems, cutting its energy source for aquatic life. This loss accelerates the breakdown of leaf litter, affecting the entire food web.
A team led by Montana State University ecologist Jia Hu will investigate the movement of nitrogen through a western Montana forest to provide baseline information on nitrogen availability and forest productivity. The goal is to help forest managers make informed decisions leading to healthier forests across the West.
Researchers study ionosphere irregularities to improve GPS communications and investigate nutrient upwelling in the Salish Sea. The study reveals that estuary-enhanced upwelling in the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a critical source of nitrogen, driving enhanced upwelling and influencing marine life.
A University of Oklahoma research team found a link between severe weather and feather malformations in young birds. The study revealed that the stress caused by hailstones during a tornado led to abnormal nitrogen levels in the developing feathers, resulting in 'pallid bands'.
A team of researchers from Rice University has developed a metal-free aerogel catalyst that outperforms platinum in fuel cells. The new material, made from graphene nanoribbons with boron and nitrogen, provides an abundance of active sites for oxygen reduction reactions.
Researchers at Cornell University have modeled a methane-based, oxygen-free life form that can metabolize and reproduce like life on Earth. The theorized cell membrane, called an azotosome, is composed of small organic nitrogen compounds and shows stability and flexibility similar to Earth's phospholipid membranes.
Researchers found that nitrogen-fixing bacteria evolved to become less beneficial to legumes when exposed to long-term nitrogen fertilizer. This shift could have far-reaching ecological and environmental consequences in natural areas adjacent to farmland or areas with nutrient pollution. The study suggests that changes in the quality o...
Scientists have discovered evidence of life pulling nitrogen out of the air and converting it into a form that could support larger communities, 3.2 billion years ago. This finding suggests that life on early Earth was more diverse than previously thought, with no nitrogen crisis to limit its growth.
Northwestern University scientists have developed a catalyst that can convert nitrogen to ammonia under natural conditions, mimicking the process found in nature.
Researchers at Indiana University have discovered a way to use nitrogen gas as a nitrogen source for bioethanol-producing bacteria, increasing ethanol yield and reducing costs. This breakthrough could make cellulosic ethanol more competitive with corn ethanol and gasoline, benefiting the industry and environment.
A report by a team of researchers warns that four of nine 'planetary boundaries' have been crossed due to human activity, posing risks to the stability of Earth's systems. The boundaries include climate change, loss of biosphere integrity, and altered biogeochemical cycles like phosphorus and nitrogen runoff.
A new multi-institution study shows that cyanobacteria can set up positive feedback loops in lakes, amplifying the effects of pollutants and climate change to create ideal conditions for blooms. This finding sheds light on what makes cyanobacteria successful and may lead to new methods of prevention and control.
A recent study published in HortScience suggests that nitrogen from reclaimed water can support optimal turfgrass growth. The researchers found that turfgrass responded positively to higher concentrations of nitrogen in the irrigation water, but the concentration needed was at least 5 mg·L−1.
Climate change alters soil microorganisms' metabolic activity and composition, positively stimulating denitrification and increasing N2O emission rates. This shift impacts plant-microbe competition for nitrogen, with implications for ecosystem function and global climate.
Research published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles analyzed rain samples from Bermuda to investigate the origin of oceanic nitrogen. The authors found that certain nitrogen isotopes likely represent ammonium recycled from the ocean rather than inputted from human activities.
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 nitric oxide signals plants to limit nitrogen uptake, allowing for optimal growth without excess pollution. This discovery could inform crop breeding and fertilizer use, resulting in more sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found 12 diverse sources of nutrients that fuel Florida red tides, including undersea sediments, decaying fish, and atmospheric deposits. The study's findings suggest a complex interplay between natural and human-contributed nutrient sources, highlighting the need for further research to mitigate the impacts of red tide blo...
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.
A recent study suggests that most ammonium deposited over the open ocean comes from natural marine sources, not human activities. The research used rainwater samples and nitrogen isotopes to separate human-made and natural sources.
Researchers have successfully crystallized carbon monoxide bound to the FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase, a long-sought structure that could reveal the enzyme's mechanism. The breakthrough, achieved by Thomas Spatzal and colleagues, uses optimized crystallization methods and tiny crystal seeds to accelerate growth.
Researchers found that invasive seaweed provides shelter for native crustaceans, increasing their population by up to 100 times. Meanwhile, mature forests capture and stabilize excess nitrogen from human activities, providing an unappreciated service by storing it in soil.
Scientists at UC San Diego and Hebrew University found that nitrogen fingerprints in biomolecules can be explained by chemistry within the solar system. By generating ammonia with skewed ratios of nitrogen-15, they recreated the conditions that produce life's fundamental molecules.
A review of over 150 studies reveals that optimal nitrogen-phosphorus and nitrogen-potassium ratios are crucial for high-yielding corn production. Achieving these balanced nutrient uptake ratios can lead to significant yield increases regardless of the region where the corn is grown.
Research reveals that brown tide algae can survive and thrive in conditions degraded by human activity, such as low light and high organic nutrients. The study also highlights the unexpected ability of these algae to pump toxic arsenic out of their cells into water.
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.