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Nitrogen addition and mowing alter drought resistance and recovery of grassland communities

A five-year field experiment found that nitrogen addition increases biomass recovery but decreases structural recovery after drought, while annual mowing improves both biomass and structural recovery. The study highlights the importance of dominant species and plant functional groups in determining grassland stability under drought.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateMay 4, 2023

A panoramic view on lithium-mediated electrochemical dinitrogen reduction reaction

The review summarizes the recent progress of Li-eN2 RR, covering reaction mechanisms, catalysts developed, and electrolytes involved. It highlights the challenges and possible resolving strategies in the field. The study also discusses the importance of rational design of electrocatalysts and electrolytes for efficient NH3 production.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 24, 2023

For eco-friendly ammonia, just add water

Stanford researchers develop a simple and environmentally sound method to produce ammonia by combining nitrogen from the air with tiny water droplets, requiring minimal energy and low cost. This innovative approach could revolutionize agriculture and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with current industrial methods.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2023

Rooting out how plants control nitrogen use

Scientists at Tohoku University identified regulatory mechanisms in plants that utilize nitrogenous fertilizers, suggesting potential ways to generate crops with reduced fertilizer needs. The study focused on thale cress and aims to apply its findings to major crop plants like rice and cereals.

SourceTohoku University·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateApr 10, 2023

How plants adapt to nitrogen deficiency

Scientists have identified specific genetic variants in wheat and barley that enable plants to adapt to nitrogen deficiency by increasing root growth and improving nitrogen content. These findings offer promising opportunities for plant breeding to develop varieties with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNew Phytologist·DateMar 30, 2023

New soil sensor may improve efficiency of crop fertilization

A new soil sensor has been developed to accurately measure temperature and nitrogen levels in soil, enabling farmers to optimize fertilizer use and reduce environmental pollution. The sensor can decouple temperature and nitrogen signals, allowing for precise monitoring of crop health and growth.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

Beneficial bacteria in the infant gut uses nitrogen from breast milk to support baby’s health

Researchers at UMass Amherst have discovered that beneficial microbes in infant gut use nitrogen from human milk to support pediatric nutrition and development. The study provides new insights into the molecular underpinnings of these processes, which could lead to improved infant health around the world.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalGut Microbes·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023

New machine-learning approach enables to identify one molecule in a billion molecules selectively with graphene sensors

Researchers developed a machine learning model that maps graphene-gas molecule van der Waals complex bonding evolution for selective gas detection. The model achieved 100% accuracy in distinguishing between different atmospheric environments, showcasing its potential for environmental monitoring and non-invasive medical diagnosis.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalSensors and Actuators B Chemical·DateMar 17, 2023

The giant faba bean genome decoded

The giant faba bean genome has been successfully sequenced, offering insights into its traits such as drought tolerance and protein content. This breakthrough has the potential to improve crop yields and reduce reliance on artificial fertilizers, making faba bean a more attractive crop for sustainable agriculture.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2023

Study forecasts tile drainage and crop rotation changes for nitrogen loss

A new study from the University of Illinois forecasts how increased tile drainage and crop rotation will impact nitrogen loads in Midwestern watersheds. The research team developed a model that reveals the mechanism behind nitrate increases with flow, providing a starting point for reducing nutrient loss.

Air pollution linked with blood pressure in London teens

A study of 3,284 London adolescents found associations between air pollutants and blood pressure. Higher nitrogen dioxide exposure was linked to lower systolic blood pressure in girls, while higher particulate matter 2.5 exposure was linked to higher systolic blood pressure in boys.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 8, 2023

New horizons for organoboron and organosilicon chemistry with triple elementalization

Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a new synthesis method that allows the introduction of multiple B- and Si-containing groups into aromatic nitrogen heterocycles. This breakthrough unlocks the creation of versatile platforms for organic compounds relevant to medicinal chemistry. The approach enables the production o...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2023

New insights on why improvements to Chesapeake Bay remain a challenge

A new study on Chesapeake Bay water quality found that pollution thresholds affect reduction efforts, and larger reductions may be needed to induce complete reversal of eutrophication-induced hypoxia. The research revealed that the system responds only until a certain threshold is crossed, then it takes twice the effort to make a change.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 30, 2023

How habanero peppers respond to stress

Researchers found that metabolite changes were most evident in ripe fruit, with nitrogen deficiency increasing some compounds and phosphorus deficiency decreasing diversity. Salinity threshold above which metabolites change was identified, which could impact harvested pepper resistance to pathogens.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Agricultural Science & Technology·DateJan 19, 2023

Producing fertilizer without carbon emissions

Researchers at ETH Zurich investigate carbon-neutral production of nitrogen fertiliser, finding a transition is possible and may increase food security. However, alternative methods have advantages and disadvantages, with the key to success likely being a combination of approaches.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateDec 19, 2022

Toward net-zero emissions nitrogen fertilizers

Researchers propose alternative fertilizer production methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but emphasize the need for careful environmental assessment. The global food supply depends on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which require significant energy and lead to carbon pollution.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 19, 2022

Finding current toilet technology flushes profits, WVU researcher takes aim at turning yellow into green by recycling urine

A WVU engineer has developed a technology that can treat urine on site rather than at a centralized wastewater treatment facility, allowing for the recovery of nitrogen as a valuable fertilizer. The approach enables quick treatment and promotes the reduction of nutrient discharge into lakes and rivers.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalEnvironmental Technology·DateDec 12, 2022

Microphytobenthos in the Dutch Wadden Sea feeds on ‘left-overs’ in the bottom

Research reveals that microphytobenthos, a key component of the Dutch Wadden Sea food web, obtains its nutrients primarily from detrital nitrogen in pore water. This finding provides new insights into the ecosystem's dynamics and highlights the importance of considering all nutrient pools in models predicting future changes.

SourceRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateNov 29, 2022

Study: Turning wastewater into fertilizer is feasible and could help to make agriculture more sustainable

Researchers at Drexel University have conducted a lifecycle analysis of nitrogen reclamation from wastewater, showing that it's technically viable and could help reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer production. The study suggests air-stripping technology can be used to remove ammonia from wastewater, producing fertilizer chemi...

SourceDrexel University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 18, 2022

Natural nutrient enrichment caused today’s largest ocean “dead zone” 8 million years ago

A team of scientists found that the largest open ocean dead zone in the eastern Pacific Ocean emerged eight million years ago due to increasing nutrient content. This natural phenomenon was caused by changes in weathering and erosion on land, leading to a major transition in terrestrial ecosystems.

SourceBoston College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 31, 2022

As winters warm, nutrient pollution threatens 40% of US

As winters warm, nutrient pollution is putting water quality at risk in over 40 US states. The first-of-its-kind national study finds that previously frozen winter nutrient pollution is affecting 53% of the contiguous US and putting 50% of nitrogen and phosphorus pools at risk.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 5, 2022

Laughing gas in space could mean life

Researchers propose nitrous oxide as a potential biosignature for exoplanets, detectable by the James Webb Space Telescope. They modeled N2O production on Earth-like planets and found it could be comparable to CO2 or methane in star systems like TRAPPIST-1.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 4, 2022

Brazilian soybean growers’ use of biofertilizer is highlighted by a leading science journal

Using biofertilizer on 80% of their planted area, Brazilian soybean growers enjoy environmental and economic benefits by employing the microbiome instead of chemical fertilizers. The use of biofertilizer saves farmers huge amounts of money, with costs significantly lower than chemical fertilizer.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateSep 28, 2022

Will climate-change-driven temporal variation in precipitation affect crop yields and reactive nitrogen losses?

Temporal variation in precipitation caused by climate change negatively affects crop growth, leading to declining yields and increasing reactive nitrogen losses. The study found that adjusting fertilizer application amounts can reduce nitrogen losses, but may not increase crop yields.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2022