Articles tagged with Nitrogen
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 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.
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.
Scientists have created a way to plant imperfections called 'NV centers' at specific spots within a diamond lattice, advancing quantum computing and atomic-scale measurement. The technique successfully localized NV centers within a cavity approximately 180 nanometers across.
The study found that beef is the most costly to the environment, followed by dairy and poultry, while pork and eggs are relatively similar. The researchers developed equations to calculate the environmental costs per calorie and protein unit, providing a comprehensive picture of the ecological impact of various foods.
Researchers from North Carolina State University assessed the effectiveness of three filter bed substrates (sand, soil, and slate) in reducing pollutants and supporting plant growth in rain gardens. The study found that all three substrates functioned in reducing pollutant quantity, but with varying levels of success.
Researchers found that applying green compost to organic apple orchard floors can increase soil organic matter and total nitrogen mineral soils. The study demonstrates the sustainability of organically managed systems and has implications for sustainably and conventionally managed orchards as well.
The new NASA images demonstrate a significant reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels across the United States over the past decade, indicating improved air quality. This decrease is attributed to regulations, technological advancements, and economic changes, despite increasing population and vehicle numbers.
Agriculture accounts for 80% of human-caused nitrous oxide emissions, which rise faster than expected when fertilizer rates exceed crop needs. Applying more precise amounts of nitrogen-based fertilizer can help combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Phaseolus genome study provides valuable information on the genetic basis of nitrogen fixation in common beans, a crucial legume for agricultural sustainability. The research identified dense clusters of genes related to disease resistance and nitrogen metabolism, offering potential targets for future crop improvement efforts.
Researchers created a titanium dioxide roof tile coating that breaks down 21 tons of nitrogen oxides daily, equivalent to an 11,000-mile car drive. The coating costs only $5 per roof, making it a cost-effective solution for reducing smog in the region.
Researchers have confirmed that Chlamydomonas acidophila microalgae can grow in agri-food waste effluent and assimilate ammonium, preventing air pollution. The resulting biomass can be used as animal feed, compost or fertilizer, and is a rich source of lutein, a powerful antioxidant.
Researchers suggest that fungi may be causing nutrient scarcity in boreal forests by competing with trees for nutrients, rather than alleviating it. The study's findings have implications for understanding climate change and the role of mycorrhizae in forest ecosystems.
Scientists identified the mix of elements thrown off by the star before its explosion, which helped paint a picture of how heavy elements in the universe are formed. The findings revealed a nitrogen-rich wind similar to those of Wolf-Rayet stars, providing a window into the workings of the cosmos.
Researchers at the NH Agricultural Experiment Station will investigate plant-soil interactions to reduce environmental nitrogen losses. By understanding how plants coordinate microbial priming to coincide with plant demand for nitrogen, they aim to create more efficient agricultural systems.
A new study finds that human activities have more than doubled tropical nitrogen inputs, contradicting previous assumptions. This shift highlights the need for immediate action to preserve human and ecosystem health in response to growing environmental concerns.
A study suggests that nitrogen pollution can be reduced by 50 percent through targeted fertilizer application, recycling animal dung, and changing consumer habits such as reducing food waste and meat consumption. The findings highlight the importance of addressing nitrogen pollution to mitigate both health and climate impacts.
Researchers warn of a 70% increase in unhealthy summertime ozone levels across the US by 2050 due to climate change. A sharp reduction in emissions could counteract this increase, however, and reduce ozone pollution even as temperatures warm.
Scientists at Ames Laboratory have observed magnetic properties typically associated with rare-earth elements in iron, when positioned between two nitrogen atoms. This discovery opens the possibility of using iron to provide both magnetism and permanence in high-strength permanent magnets.
A new report reveals that cutting down on meat and dairy products can reduce nitrogen air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and free up large areas of farmland. Adopting a demitarian diet across Europe could reduce nitrogen pollution levels by about 40%.
A groundbreaking nationwide study found that people of color are exposed to 38% higher levels of nitrogen dioxide outdoor air pollution compared to white people. The health impacts are substantial, with an estimated 7,000 deaths from heart disease among nonwhites each year if they breathed the lower NO2 levels experienced by whites.
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 found that both denitrification and anammox are at work in the oceans, with a 70-30 ratio of nitrogen removal. The study settles a decades-long debate over how nitrogen is removed from the ocean and has real-world applications for understanding global climate and productivity.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science found that fertilizer N applied during the reproductive stage is a significant N source for inflorescence development in Phalaenopsis. Research also showed that providing ample nitrogen fertilization at all growth stages is essential for optimal flowering.
A study published in Agricultural Systems found that planting cover crops increases eight of eleven ecosystem services, including carbon and nitrogen retention, erosion prevention, and weed suppression. The research highlights the importance of considering temporal dynamics when assessing management system effects on ecosystem services.
A new national study found that urban lawn care practices vary significantly across cities, despite uniformity in appearance. The research suggests that local climate and social factors play a more significant role than initially expected, requiring tailored solutions to address environmental challenges. Understanding these patterns is...
Research associates high traffic-related air pollution exposure with increased right ventricular mass and volume, linking it to a higher risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death. The study found that participants exposed to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide had greater right ventricular changes.
New research reveals that the ocean's surface acts as a sink for nitrogen oxides at night, removing about 15% of these chemicals from polluted air. The study measured dinitrogen pentoxide and nitryl chloride in the air above the sea surface, finding no net exit of nitryl chloride into the air.
Researchers found that oxygenating cyanobacteria first colonized the oceans around 800 million years ago, providing enough bioavailable nitrogen to facilitate the next 'great leap forward' towards complex life. This pivotal moment in evolution may have been triggered by changes in nitrogen fixation in the open ocean.
Scientists have developed tools to observe nitrogen uptake in real-time, improving understanding of the process and potentially increasing crop yields. The technology allows for the study of transport proteins involved in nitrogen absorption, enabling the development of more efficient agricultural practices.
A three-year study across five continents found that fertilizer increases grass production but reduces stability, leading to wilder swings in forage availability. This results in fewer species thriving, reducing the overall diversity of grasslands.
A study found that reducing nitrogen levels and using selected cultivars minimizes environmental impact in greenhouse pepper production. The research demonstrates how the environmental impact of intensive agriculture can be minimized without harming fruit yield or quality.
A study published in Global Change Biology found that a growing yield gap in Africa is largely caused by the underuse of phosphorus-based fertilizers. Increasing nitrogen applications could help close this gap, but at a significant cost due to limited phosphorus reserves.
A team of researchers successfully controlled the positions of two protons in a porphycene molecule by approaching a single copper atom. This breakthrough demonstrates a new way to manipulate matter at the atomic level, paving the way for the development of nanomachines and other cutting-edge technologies.
Researchers discovered that widespread deforestation leads to shifts in nitrogen-fixing microorganism communities, potentially reducing the Amazon's ability to lock up carbon dioxide. The findings suggest a complex relationship between land use change and microbial composition.
Scientists have discovered novel compounds produced by chemical reactions that are hundreds of times more mutagenic than their parent compounds. These newly found NPAHs were not previously known to exist and raise concerns about the health impacts of heavily-polluted urban air or dietary exposure.
A UNIST research team has developed a method for the mass production of boron/nitrogen co-doped graphene nanoplatelets, which led to the fabrication of graphene-based field-effect transistors (FETs) with semiconducting nature. This breakthrough opens up opportunities for practical use in electronic devices.
A recent study published in Nature has found a significant increase in Pacific nitrogen content over the past 1,000 years, tied to climate change. The research uses deep-sea corals as natural recorders of changes in biogeochemical cycles, revealing a dramatic long-term shift in the Pacific ecosystem.
A study by University of California, Santa Cruz researchers found a significant shift in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre's food web since 1850, driven by changes in nitrogen sources. The shift may be related to the expansion and warming of open ocean gyres, which limits nutrient delivery to surface waters.
Researchers have created a method for producing high-quality aluminum nitride (AlN) layers with atomic-scale thickness and at half the temperature of other methods. This breakthrough expands the potential for new advanced specialty materials in next-generation electronics.
The study found that cyanobacteria in floodplains fixed a significant amount of nitrogen, making it available for plants, unlike previously assumed. This discovery could lead to more accurate models and potentially reduce fertilizer use by utilizing naturally occurring cyanobacteria in soils worldwide.
A team of scientists has revealed the details of a microbial process regulating the global nitrogen budget in the oceans. They found that anammox, a process converting fixed nitrogen to N2, affects primary productivity and isocyan signature patterns in oxygen minimum zones.
A global study of 224 dryland sites in 16 countries predicts that increasing aridity will disturb the balance of nutrients in the soil, leading to a reduction in carbon and nitrogen and an increase in phosphorus. This imbalance will have severe effects on essential soil processes, particularly in areas with reduced plant cover.
The Gulf of Mexico's dead zone is exacerbated by excessive nutrient runoff from US agricultural practices. Experts recommend adopting cover crops and subsurface drainage systems to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus export. Despite potential challenges, implementing these practices could mitigate the problem.
A study published in HortScience reveals that current nitrogen fertilization practices in California's strawberry production system are not efficient, leading to decreased water quality. The researchers suggest reducing fertilizer rates and implementing drip irrigation management to improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce groundwate...
A study found that vetch residue management strategies combined with organic fertilizers increased marketable zucchini yield by 46.6% and 38%. The technique of roller-crimper mulch also improved soil moisture and fertility, contributing to better crop quality.
A study published in Science found that reducing phosphorus levels in lakes can lead to decreased nitrogen removal processes, resulting in nitrogen accumulation. This has significant implications for global pollution control efforts, as many large lakes are affected by successful phosphorus control measures.
Researchers find that US national parks are experiencing 'accidental fertilization' at or above critical thresholds due to nitrogen compounds carried on the wind. The team predicts significant increases in agricultural land and fertilizer use by 2050, requiring a 55% reduction of anthropogenic NH3 emissions.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new eco-friendly material for better power-converting magnets in wind turbines and electric cars. The material reduces neodymium-iron-boron production costs from $60 per kilogram to around $10 per kilogram, improving the magnetic remanence of the resulting magnets.
A new study finds that high carbon dioxide levels in the ancient atmosphere may have counteracted the effects of a weak young Sun, allowing life to thrive on Earth. The researchers used tiny air samples trapped in quartz rocks to reconstruct the atmosphere's composition, finding higher-than-expected CO2 levels.
Scientists evaluated different sources of supplemental nitrogen fertilizer on soil organic matter composition. The results showed that organic matter in soils was heavily influenced by the type of supplemental nitrogen added, with manure-enriched soil having higher amounts of microbial turnover compounds. This study aims to optimize ni...
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a beneficial relationship between crops and bacteria that could lead to reduced nitrogen fertilizer use. By understanding how legume crops interact with rhizobia bacteria, scientists hope to develop new methods for improving plant nutrition and reducing waste.
Invasive plant species alter soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, facilitating their establishment. Microbial agents associated with invasive plants change soil biogeochemistry and enable their continued growth.
Researchers found that installing a few wetlands was more cost-effective than upgrading wastewater treatment plants to remove nitrogen pollution. However, the benefits of offering multiple payments for environmental services from wetlands are unclear, and their impact on market outcomes is still debated. The study's findings suggest th...