Articles tagged with Nitrogen
Scientists have discovered that whales' feces pump up ocean productivity, increasing phytoplankton growth and secondary productivity. This boost has a significant impact on fisheries, resulting in bigger fisheries and higher fish abundances.
A new study reveals that human activities are overloading ecosystems with nitrogen, leading to ecological damage and pollution. Sustainable practices such as crop rotations, optimized fertilizer use, and traditional breeding techniques can help reduce this damage.
Researchers from USDA's Agricultural Research Service found that subsurface injection of liquid manure can reduce ammonia emissions from dairy farms by 65% compared to surface broadcasting or shallow incorporation. This method limits manure nitrogen losses from volatilization, improving air quality and soil health.
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.
The USGS has developed a new method for tracking the progress of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus delivery from the watershed to the Bay. Analysis reveals both good and bad news about progress over the past 31 years, with significant improvements in some watersheds but increases in others.
A randomized controlled trial found that cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen resulted in a 49% cure rate for common warts, compared to 15% for salicylic acid and 8% for the wait-and-see approach. Cryotherapy caused more side effects but patients were most satisfied with this treatment.
The study found that Miscanthus uses more water than other crops like switchgrass and corn, but reduces the potential for nitrogen pollution. This could lead to a decrease in runoff and surface water supplies, particularly during late summer and early fall.
Researchers have invalidated the most commonly used model to explain the behavior of highly mismatched alloys, which could lead to more efficient solar cells. By using molecular beam epitaxy, they created gallium arsenide nitride alloys with nitrogen that can tap into infrared radiation.
A comprehensive CEAP study reveals troublesome nitrogen and copper levels in a major Chesapeake Bay tributary, primarily sourced from agricultural fertilizers. High copper concentrations were found at lower reaches of the river, posing a threat to aquatic life.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed an integrated system that stores excess energy and uses it to supply electricity during peak demand. This innovative system cuts greenhouse gas emissions by reducing nitrogen oxide emissions and capturing carbon dioxide in solid form for storage.
The University of Maryland's new bio-filtration system improves phosphorus and nitrogen removal from urban runoff, reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. The system combines bioretention projects with advanced technologies to conserve rainwater and reduce environmental impact.
A long-term study found that biochar can reduce nitrous oxide emissions by up to 73% and ammonium leaching by up to 94%, with reductions occurring over time due to 'ageing' of the biochars in soil. The research highlights the potential of biochar as a tool to mitigate climate change.
The new sewage treatment process uses low-oxygen conditions to encourage nitrous oxide production, which can be used as fuel. This approach could reduce costs and increase energy generation while eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study found that excess nitrogen in estuaries can alter the composition of plant species, favoring grasses over sedges that respond poorly to rising CO2 levels. This shift can impact ecosystem capacity to store carbon and adapt to climate change.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have successfully controlled individual electrons within simple atoms and molecules by stripping them away using intense pulses of X-ray light. This breakthrough enables the creation of hollow atoms with potential applications in future imaging experiments.
Researchers at University of Arizona successfully created nitrogenated organic molecules in a laboratory setting that mimics Titan's atmosphere. The findings suggest that complex organic molecules could be present on Titan, potentially creating conditions conducive to life.
Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics have made a breakthrough in developing diamond nitrogen vacancy materials for room-temperature quantum computing. The team's discovery could lead to significant advances in condensed matter physics, quantum information science, and diamond making technology.
Researchers found that shorter pulse lengths produce fewer higher charge states in nitrogen molecules, reducing damage. This phenomenon, known as frustrated absorption, prevents outer valence electrons from being stripped, safeguarding molecule integrity.
Researchers at SLAC's Linac Coherent Light Source use the facility's bright, brief flash to study how x-rays strip electrons from nitrogen atoms. The results show that nitrogen molecules absorb less x-ray radiation with shorter flashes, enabling snapshots of ultra-fast chemical and molecular processes.
A new study published in the Journal of Chemical Physics suggests that decompression sickness is caused by the formation and loss of small gas bubbles in soft tissues. The researchers propose a model where these bubbles are stabilized by pockets of reduced pressure, allowing them to persist despite their expected collapse.
Research found that adding straw residue to hairy vetch cover crops can reduce legume nitrogen losses, but may lower crop yields. The study revealed that straw residue reduced soil inorganic nitrogen content by an average of 7.3% compared to treatments with only legume residues.
A study by US Department of Agriculture researchers found that only 20-35% of nitrogen fed to dairy cows is converted into milk, with 16-77% necessary for grass and other pasture plants. The research provides tools to improve nitrogen use efficiency, promoting better practices for farmers and reducing environmental impact.
A new study finds that adding straw residue to hairy vetch cover crops can reduce nitrogen loss into waterways. However, this method also results in reduced crop yields due to the straw's removal from the field for sale. The research suggests integrating legume cover crops with synthetic fertilizers could improve sustainability.
A new study suggests that reducing nitrogen pollution in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta could help restore the endangered California delta smelt population. The research found that high levels of nitrogen from wastewater treatment plants are affecting the food web and altering the ecology of the system.
Researchers developed an algae-based system to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from livestock manure runoff, reducing agricultural pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay. The system recovered 60-90% of nitrogen and 70-100% of phosphorus, with costs comparable to other manure management practices.
A new model has estimated that large amounts of organic nitrogen are stored in the soil beneath fields in Nebraska and Maryland, where corn and soybean crops are grown. The study found that leaching accounted for most of the nitrogen lost from the soil, particularly in irrigated areas.
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 cowpea produced comparable onion yields to bare ground, while foxtail millet was less effective as a mulch due to its thickness. Soybean meal showed potential as an effective source of nitrogen for organic onion production.
A study by Penn State researchers found that women undergoing in vitro fertilization had lower success rates if exposed to high levels of nitrogen dioxide. The study, which analyzed data from over 7,400 women, suggests that air pollution may be a factor in reproductive health.
Scientists found nitryl chloride levels comparable to those in marine air near Boulder, Colo., indicating a global source of the pollutant. Chloride from coal burning and other non-coastal areas may contribute to smog formation.
Scientists are working with breeders and the food industry to create high-quality pea varieties that can reduce nitrogen fertilizer use, thereby cutting carbon emissions. The goal is to increase the uptake of legume farming and improve profit margins for farmers.
Researchers are exploring the use of synthetic biology to enable corn plants to fix their own nitrogen, eliminating the need for fertilizers. This technology has the potential to increase crop yields while reducing environmental degradation and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a new biological process in legumes that enables them to fix nitrogen from the air, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. This breakthrough has the potential to make agriculture more sustainable and aid efforts to mitigate climate change.
A 2-year field study found that peppermint yields and oil content are higher in Mississippi compared to other regions. Delaying the first harvest until late July promotes accumulation of menthol, a key oil ingredient.
A marine microorganism has been found to have a remarkably reduced set of genes, allowing it to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form available to other organisms. This process fertilizes the oceans, controlling biological productivity and affecting carbon dioxide absorption.
New research reveals heat from the Pacific Ocean is responsible for Arctic sea ice loss. Satellite radar can accurately measure hurricane wind speeds. Nitrogen dynamics may accelerate global warming by constraining carbon dioxide absorption.
Researchers from Purdue University and Cummins Inc. developed an advanced engine-control system to reduce biodiesel fuel consumption and emissions. The system uses closed-loop control techniques to self-adjust engine settings based on feedback from sensors, improving fuel economy while minimizing nitrogen oxide emissions.
Researchers detected ocean internal tides using seismic imaging, revealing a new tool for studying ocean mixing. Meanwhile, Arctic ice was found to be 'rotten' due to uniform temperature, threatening marine ecosystems and climate science.
Researchers developed a technique to triple the number of events in reading qubits, strengthening the signal and enabling more efficient quantum data storage. This approach uses the spin of Nitrogen nuclei to add steps to the process, potentially paving the way for practical quantum computers at room temperature.
Research by McMaster University scientist Mark Loeb found that long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter increases the risk of hospitalization for pneumonia in adults aged 65 and older. Exposure to air pollution may compromise lung immune defenses, making individuals more susceptible to pneumonia.
A study published in HortScience found that ornamental canna plants are effective in removing nitrogen and phosphorus from stormwater runoff. Harvesting the above-ground biomass of canna can effectively remove these pollutants from the treatment system.
Researchers at TUM have developed a probe to take samples directly from the combustion chamber while running, aiming to discover soot formation methods and develop new emissions control techniques. The engine produces barely measurable nitrogen oxides and soot particles per kilometer, surpassing Euro 6 Norm standards.
A University of Minnesota study found that elevated CO2 levels can reduce species richness by 16 percent under ambient conditions, but this effect is halved when more CO2 is added. The interaction between CO2 and nitrogen enrichment ameliorates biodiversity loss, offering relief in the fight against environmental degradation
A USDOE and USDA study found switchgrass to produce more dry biomass per dollar cost than the other three species, making it the optimal choice for a field. The study recommends fertilizing with 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year and harvesting once per year after senescence.
Leaf-cutter ants cultivate fungus for food and depend on nitrogen-fixing bacteria to make their gardens grow. The partnership between ant and microbe permits leaf-cutters to be amazingly successful.
A new Cornell study finds that rising temperatures cause nitrogen to escape from desert soils, leading to decreased plant life and soil fertility. The researchers warn that this could exacerbate air pollution and contribute to further desertification.
A study published in Science reveals that airborne nitrogen from fossil fuels and fertilizers affects alpine lakes, altering the balance of phosphorus and nitrogen. This shift limits phytoplankton growth, affecting food webs and potentially biodiversity.
Researchers at NIST have developed a method to quantify extremely low levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a molecule that indicates cardiovascular disease risk. The new certified reference material will improve the accuracy of clinical laboratory tests for CRP, enabling more precise detection of individuals at high risk of heart attack.
New data from a 10,000-kilometer cruise reveals that iron availability significantly controls the input of fixed nitrogen into the Atlantic Ocean. This finding is crucial for understanding global climate patterns and their potential implications on carbon dioxide sequestration.
Scientists estimate that lightning produces 8.6 million metric tons of nitrogen oxide gas per year, mostly affecting the upper atmosphere. New research suggests stronger NOx production in mid-latitude thunderstorms than previously thought, with implications for climate and air quality models.
Researchers at Caltech have discovered that methane-consuming archaea are actively fixing nitrogen and sharing it with their bacterial neighbors. This finding may help explain the discrepancy between known sources and sinks of fixed nitrogen in the global nitrogen cycle.
A new study suggests that China's efforts to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions may not mitigate the effects of acid rain if nitrogen emissions are not addressed. The research highlights the importance of integrating measures to reduce sulfur, nitrogen, and particulate matter in order to effectively control pollution.
A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that air pollution may trigger appendicitis in adults. The research found correlations between high levels of ozone and nitrogen dioxide and the incidence of appendicitis among different age groups and genders.
Researchers propose nine planetary boundaries, including climate change and biodiversity loss, which have already been crossed or are at risk of being transgressed. The study aims to provide an important element for sustainable development by identifying critical thresholds that humanity must respect.
Researchers have found a candidate quantum bit in diamond that can sense atomic-scale variations in magnetism, hinting at the possibility of MRI-like devices for probing individual drug molecules and living cells. This technology could sidestep the need for cooling, making it suitable for medical applications.
A Princeton-led team of scientists has found that denitrification is the dominant process in returning nitrogen to the air in low-oxygen ocean environments. The team's research confirms the importance of conventional denitrification and suggests that the current mainstream view on the nitrogen cycle may be based on a false impression.
Scientists are presenting research on coupled biogeochemical cycles, which study the interactions between Earth's biology, chemistry, and geology. The study highlights the importance of understanding these interconnected processes in addressing human impacts such as global warming and acid rain.
Researchers find that nitrogen oxides combine with hydrochloric acid to create chlorine atoms, speeding up smog formation and contributing to corrosion indoors. This phenomenon should be added to atmospheric models to better predict air pollution levels.
A recent study found that climate change models may underestimate the impact of changing atmospheric chemistry on water runoff. The researchers discovered that increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and ozone in the atmosphere and nitrogen in the soil can lead to a 17% increase in forest runoff in eastern US forests.
Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows that invasive plant species like Eastern white pine can accumulate and hold onto nitrogen, leading to increased biomass and productivity. This nitrogen accumulation allows the plants to outcompete native species and invade their habitats.