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End of 'free ride' on ecosystem CO2 absorption

A study led by Duke University ecologist Robert Jackson found that soil nitrogen availability constrains the capacity of ecosystems to absorb increased atmospheric CO2. The research suggests that natural systems will no longer be able to take up excess carbon dioxide, emphasizing the need for stringent emissions controls.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·DateMay 15, 2002

Surviving hypoxia

The Reduced Oxygen-Breathing (ROB) device induces symptoms of hypoxia in a normal room at normal air pressures, reducing the risk of decompression sickness and pressure trauma. This cost-effective training tool will be used for periodic hypoxia familiarization training for naval aviators.

U.S. forests may be products of pollution

New research suggests that unpolluted forests may exhibit more uniform nitrogen biogeochemistry than previously thought, with complex and idiosyncratic responses to human activities. This challenges long-held assumptions about the ecological function of forests near populated regions.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature·DateMar 13, 2002

Designing Chicken Manure

A Penn State poultry nutritionist is developing strategies to balance chicken diets and minimize manure production, reducing nitrogen and phosphorus waste. The approach involves adjusting feed formulation, using better feed additives, and tailoring feeds to the life cycle of birds.

Nitrogen And Global Warming

A recent study found that high levels of nitrogen deposition in grasslands lead to the loss of plant species diversity and the disruption of ecosystem functioning. Native prairie species are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of excessive nitrogen addition, which can cause their extinction and reduce carbon storage.