Articles tagged with Nitrogen
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed a method to stabilize graphene nanoribbons and directly measure their unique magnetic properties. By substituting nitrogen atoms along the zigzag edges, they can discretely tune the local electronic structure without disrupting the magnetic properties.
Despite over 200 restored wetlands in Denmark, botanical diversity remains low, with only 9.5 species per four square meters found in the studied areas. High nutrient input from agriculture continues to affect plant species dispersal and immigration, making it a significant barrier to increased biodiversity.
Researchers have discovered that vast ice forms on Pluto's surface are formed by the sublimation of nitrogen ice, powering convection in the ice layer of Sputnik Planitia. This process is consistent with climate models and has implications for other planetary bodies.
The study found that nitrogen fertilizer accelerated residue decomposition, producing more carbon dioxide and reducing the incorporation of residues into soil organic matter. This long-term problem can cause microbes to attack stable organic matter, leading to a decline in soil health.
Research comparing site-specific nutrient management approaches to existing farmer fertilization practices shows SSNM improves average rice yield by 644 kg/ha, increases profitability, and reduces N losses. SSNM also promotes better nutrient balance and considers micronutrients like zinc and iron.
Scientists have developed a novel way to analyze nitrogen isotopes in whale baleen to reconstruct the animal's diet, trophic level, and migration pattern. The method reveals annual migration patterns between Arctic and North Atlantic oceans, providing insights into threatened population migration pathways.
A previously unknown source of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide has been found in East Siberian Yedoma permafrost. The discovery highlights the significance of thawing permafrost as a globally important positive feedback to climate change.
A study by FAU Harbor Branch reveals that even properly functioning septic systems contribute to nitrogen pollution in the Indian River Lagoon. Groundwater samples showed higher dissolved nutrient concentrations than surface waters, indicating contaminated groundwater as a major source of nutrient loading.
A combined experimental and computational study published in Nature Catalysis introduces a new class of complex metal hydride catalysts that can synthesise ammonia at temperatures as low as 300°C and pressures as low as 1 bar. These catalysts have the potential to pave the way for more sustainable means of ammonia production.
Researchers have developed efficient catalysts for ammonia synthesis under mild conditions using ternary ruthenium complex hydrides. The unique configuration and function mechanism of these complexes enables non-dissociative activation of nitrogen, leading to superior kinetics and favored ammonia production.
Researchers from York University found that COVID-19 lockdowns in India had less impact on air pollution than initially thought. The study revealed that local sources of emissions, such as vehicles and fuels, had less influence on air pollutant levels than regional emissions sources.
A new Illinois study compares performance of static and dynamic nitrogen recommendation tools, finding that complex dynamic tools do not consistently increase profits but offer a 15% reduction in nitrogen leaching. The researchers highlight the need to refine these tools and prioritize environmental outcomes over economic gains.
Researchers created a fine-grain understanding of how human wastewater affects coastal waters worldwide, mapping global sources and destinations of nitrogen. The study highlights the impact of modern diets on marine ecology and provides insights for local solutions to tackle a complex global problem.
A health impact assessment shows that European cities can avoid 109,188 and 57,030 premature deaths per year by meeting the new PM2.5 and NO2 guidelines, respectively. Meeting these standards could prevent up to 125,000 and 79,000 annual premature deaths.
A global study reveals that reducing nitrogen compounds' contribution to PM2.5 air pollution is the most cost-effective measure to improve public health, with a cost of $1.5 per kg of NH3-N compared to $6.9 per kg for NOx-N abatement.
A University of Cambridge study reveals that periodic caterpillar outbreaks improve lake water quality but increase CO2 emissions by altering nutrient cycling and favouring greenhouse gas-producing bacteria. This phenomenon is likely to worsen as climate change expands the insects' range, threatening northern forests.
Seagrasses have a symbiotic relationship with bacterial partners that convert nitrogen gas into a form the plants can use, allowing them to thrive in nutrient-poor habitats. This unique partnership enables seagrasses to reach their largest growth during summer months when nutrients are scarce.
Researchers will test inexpensive techniques to increase asymbiotic nitrogen fixation, aiming to reduce reliance on expensive certified organic fertilizers. The project aims to provide evidence for a cheap, effective, and sustainable form of nitrogen for organically managed crops.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma are leading a global study to understand the impact of increased nutrients on soil microbial biodiversity and ecosystem functions in grasslands worldwide. The project aims to develop new mathematical models to predict how nutrient changes affect soil microbe diversity and functions.
Agricultural runoff from fertilizer is converted into nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, in rivers and streams. Researchers found that denitrification efficiency and streambed conditions significantly impact N2O emissions, offering potential avenues for reducing climate change.
McGill researchers have discovered how bacteria create cyanophycin granules, a reserve of nitrogen and energy. The study uses cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography to visualize the active enzyme in action, opening up possibilities for biotech applications.
A new study reveals that Earth's natural habitats can remove significant amounts of carbon dioxide due to previously undiscovered rock nitrogen weathering reactions. Preserving these ecosystems is vital to conserve the planet's carbon sink service and combat climate change.
A new study reveals that low-income neighborhoods and communities of color in US cities experience higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution, primarily due to proximity to trucking routes. The disparity is driven by diesel trucks emitting NO2 and other air pollutants.
A new study led by the American Museum of Natural History suggests that the extinct ground sloth Mylodon was an omnivore, contrary to previous assumptions. The researchers analyzed amino acid nitrogen values in fossil samples to determine their diet, finding evidence of meat consumption.
Salt stress alters legume responses to symbiotic rhizobacteria by modulating gene expression. Several genes with well-characterized functions in nodulation are highly induced under salt stress, making the plant hypersensitive to bacterial signals.
Researchers found that clover grown with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Martian regolith experienced significant 75% more root and shoot growth compared to uninoculated plants. However, the regolith showed no excess production of nitrogen compounds, suggesting a potential role for these microbes in terraforming Mars soils.
A new study using machine learning uncovers 'genes of importance' in plants that help them grow more efficiently with less fertilizer, reducing economic and environmental costs. The approach also predicts additional traits in plants and disease outcomes in animals.
A study by ICTA-UAB finds that implementing teleworking two, three or four days a week would reduce nitrogen dioxide levels by 4%, 8% and 10%. This is achieved through a decrease in traffic-related emissions, with the greatest reduction expected when all employees in the service sector work from home.
A study by McGill University reveals significant regional variation in Canada's nitrogen footprint, with Ontario and Quebec contributing the most. The research highlights the importance of understanding local drivers of nitrogen pollution to develop targeted solutions.
Researchers have developed a new method for preparing cryo-electron microscopy samples using liquid nitrogen, which cools at rates roughly 50 times slower than ethane. This results in sharper images with reduced beam-induced motion and simplified workflows.
The study found that policies promoting comprehensive nitrogen mitigation options could alleviate hunger by 590 million people by 2050. Increasing nitrogen use efficiency in agronomic practices is the most effective strategy to reduce undernourishment while respecting regional nitrogen boundaries.
A study published in Biology Letters reveals a drastic fall in the number of aquatic insects in the Paraná River basin due to dam construction. The research, conducted over 20 years, found that dams alter the nutrient balance and provide a clearer water environment, making insects more vulnerable to predation.
A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment suggests that bioenergy crops can be produced on economically marginal land. The research team estimated that 1.4-2.2 million hectares in the rainfed region are suitable for bioenergy crop production on such land.
A new study introduces a wild-grass chromosome segment that inhibits nitrification, reducing fertilizer use and nitrous oxide emissions in wheat crops. The technology has the potential to increase yields and grain quality in both well-fertilized and nitrogen-poor soils.
A new NIH grant will fund research on how beneficial microbes in infant gut use nitrogen from human milk to support pediatric nutrition and development. The study aims to understand the interactions between mother's diet, breast milk, and infant needs, as well as the role of probiotics and maternal lifestyle.
Researchers from Tel Aviv and Berkeley Universities propose a model for seaweed farms to absorb nitrogen, reducing pollution in estuarine and marine environments. The study shows that these farms can produce a natural decontamination facility with significant ecological and economic value.
A new study found that US-China trade tensions would lead to increased nitrogen and phosphorus pollution and irrigation water consumption in agriculture, affecting not only the two countries but also other nations through international trade.
A team of scientists from Princeton University found that the Arctic Ocean's nitrogen supply is limited by strong stratification, preventing plankton growth and potentially affecting fish populations. The research used fossilized plankton to study the history of nitrogen sources and supply rates in the western and central Arctic Ocean.
Researchers have found that purple sulfur bacteria in a modern-day lake can fix nitrogen very efficiently, even at low molybdenum concentrations. This discovery provides the first indication that these bacteria may have played a significant role in nitrogen fixation in the Proterozoic ocean.
A team of researchers has identified a gene called ZmCIPK15 that regulates the angle of root growth in corn, leading to improved nitrogen capture. This discovery could support breeding of crops with deeper roots to enhance food security, particularly in regions where nutrient deficiencies are prevalent.
A new study by George Washington University researchers reveals that even during COVID-19 shutdowns, marginalized neighborhoods experienced higher levels of health-harming nitrogen dioxide compared to wealthier communities. Nitrogen dioxide emissions from traffic were found to persist in these areas despite reduced passenger vehicle tr...
A new paper synthesizes results from nearly thirty researchers on nitrogen management in agriculture, identifying areas for improvement and providing a foundation for sustainable nitrogen management. The study's findings have significant implications for addressing food security and environmental pollution challenges.
The University of Minnesota has developed a new tool to help farmers make informed crop input decisions, balancing economic and environmental costs. The tool uses machine-learning-based metamodels to predict nitrogen reduction scenarios and identify hotspots for mitigation, while also considering regenerative practices like cover cropp...
The xAire project measured nitrogen dioxide levels in 725 locations, providing unprecedented information on Barcelona's air pollution. The study found that 5% of samples exceeded the WHO threshold, with significant differences between districts and streets.
A new study published in Environmental Research found that various dolphin species can coexist without competing for food, even though they hunt at the same depth. The researchers used stable nitrogen isotopes to determine the trophic level of each species, revealing surprising differences in their diets.
Researchers demonstrate that microbial fixation of nitrogen can occur on marine snow particles, leading to low oxygen concentrations and enabling anaerobic N2 fixation. The study's model shows the depth distribution of N2 fixation in the marine water column, highlighting the importance of particle size, density, and sinking speed.
A study published in Nature Communications found that nearly all nitrogen that fertilizes life in the open ocean of the Gulf of Mexico originates from coastal waters. This discovery is crucial for understanding the food web and survival of commercially valuable species like Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Researchers used NASA data to map PM 2.5 levels across China, Europe, and North America during the pandemic. They found seasonal differences driven primarily by meteorology, not lockdowns, but did see a significant reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions.
Researchers developed county-level nitrogen application datasets for corn, improving the accuracy of greenhouse gas calculations. The new approach found excess nitrogen application in most US corn-producing counties, particularly in the Midwest and Northern Plains.
A new study separated the impact of anthropogenic and natural pollutants on air quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers found that 72% of nitrogen oxides emissions in urban centers came from traffic and factories, while agricultural activities in rural areas contributed to faster recovery after lockdown.
A study by researchers at the University of Basel found that excess nitrogen deposited into soils via air pollution endangers butterfly diversity in Switzerland. The team analyzed data on plant and butterfly diversity across 383 plots and discovered a clear link between nitrogen intake and reduced vegetation diversity.
A new calibration sample set for milk urea nitrogen testing has been developed to improve accuracy in measuring nitrogen use by dairy cows. This improvement is crucial for understanding the environmental and economic impacts of dairy farming.
Researchers elucidated the molecular structure of RcaE, a representative cyanobacterial photosensor, revealing its unique conformation and potential proton transfer route to bilin. The study provides insights into how cyanobacteria evolved diverse spectral sensitivities and contributes to the development of new photoswitches.
Researchers found that smaller marine snow particles, which are abundant and sink slowly, transport more nitrogen than larger flakes. This discovery is crucial for improving Earth system models and understanding the marine nitrogen cycle.
Researchers have found that small marine snow particles are crucial for the anammox process, which converts nitrate into nitrogen gas, releasing it to the atmosphere. These tiny particles, about the size of a hair, transport more nitrogen than larger clumps, making them essential for the nutrient balance in the oceans.
Researchers from Hokkaido University revealed a molecular mechanism for plant flowering under low-nitrogen conditions. The FBH4 protein, regulated by SnRK1 activity, controls gene expression essential for flowering and nitrogen recycling.
MIT researchers have discovered how metal clusters weaken the strong nitrogen-nitrogen bond, enabling microbes to convert nitrogen into usable forms. The study sheds light on the mechanism of nitrogenases, critical enzymes that fix nitrogen in the atmosphere.
A new study published in PNAS proposes using a blend of nitrate and ammonium to reduce nitrogen pollution and increase food production. The researchers argue that this approach can bind to soil, reducing the risk of leaching into waterways and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
A study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that increased nitrogen availability is transforming Sargassum into a toxic 'dead zone' with catastrophic impacts on coastal ecosystems and human health. The research, published in Nature Communications, suggests that global nutrient pollution is driving harmful algal blooms.
Researchers have discovered a new oxygen-coordinated molybdenum single atom catalyst that exhibits high nitrogen reduction reaction activity and stability in producing ammonia. The catalyst, anchored on activated carbon, shows promising results for efficient electrosynthesis of ammonia.