Articles tagged with Nitrogen
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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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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...
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...
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 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.
A team of UChicago chemists has developed a way to easily edit molecule structures, paving the way for faster and more efficient chemical discoveries. This breakthrough method allows for direct nitrogen deletion from molecules, bypassing traditional intermediate steps.
Rice University scientists attribute Earth's nitrogen to rapid growth of moon- to Mars-sized bodies. The study shows that the competition between accretion and differentiation determines the retention of volatile elements like nitrogen.
A novel matrix-based slow-release urea was developed to improve nitrogen use efficiency in rice production, reducing nitrogen loss and increasing soil nitrogen availability. The new fertilizer showed significant agronomic nitrogen efficiency gains and improved rice yields.
A SLAC X-ray laser study reveals the molecular structure changes during charge transfer in N,N'-dimethylpiperazine (DMP) gas molecules. The research team observed how the molecule's atomic scaffolding deforms and redistributes charges, leading to a lopsided response to light.
Scientists have created a cube-shaped iron-sulfur cluster that can support a multiple bond between iron and nitrogen, a structural motif involved in biological nitrogen fixation. The discovery shows the cluster's ability to accommodate an unusual bond without distorting its structure.
A century ago, human populations consumed a more diverse diet than today. The rise of industrial agriculture and globalization led to a significant narrowing of dietary breadth for modern human populations.
A recent study found that ozone pollution in Germany has decreased primarily due to reduced nitrogen oxide emissions. Ozone formation is often linked to NOx emissions from traffic and industrial processes. Lower NOx levels are positively correlated with lower ozone concentrations, especially in regions like southwestern Germany.
A study by Penn State researchers suggests that dairy farmers can reduce nitrous oxide emissions from corn crops by applying manure after planting and using organic nitrogen amendments. The results show that this approach can lower total nitrogen application and mitigate climate change, while also protecting water quality.
A new study shows that incorporating legumes into traditional crop rotations can significantly reduce environmental impacts while increasing nutritional value for humans and livestock. Legumes are a sustainable source of nitrogen, enriching the soil with essential nutrients and providing protein, fiber, and vitamins.
Tropical forest soils capture carbon dioxide into organic matter interacting with soil minerals, leading to reduced CO2 emissions. Excessive nitrogen deposition stimulates soil carbon storage by 7-21% in tropical forests.
Researchers at Marine Biological Laboratory found that replacing beef with chicken, swapping meat meals for vegetarian options, and upgrading lighting could reduce the institution's nitrogen footprint by up to 7.7%. These 'low-effort' solutions require no major changes or additional funding.
Researchers found that excess nitrogen deposition increases soil carbon and nitrogen concentrations in tropical forests, accelerating acidification and physical protection. However, this sink cannot offset human-induced carbon emissions, highlighting the need for sustainable land management practices.
A new study found that bacteria in the soil enhance plant growth by promoting lateral root formation and improving nitrogen absorption. This breakthrough could lead to more sustainable agriculture practices by reducing fertilizer use and environmental pollution.
Assistant Professor Xin Zhang received a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to investigate how to align stakeholder interests with nitrogen reduction goals. The research aims to improve decision-making and develop innovative solutions for sustainable nitrogen management.
A global study led by the University of Gothenburg found that groundwater discharges are a major source of nitrogen and phosphorus to coastal waters worldwide, often exceeding river pollution at 60% of sites. This discovery highlights the importance of considering groundwater aquifers in managing coastal water quality.
India aims to quintuple wind and solar energy capacity by 2030, which could hold greenhouse gas emissions at 2018 levels while nearly doubling electricity supply. Researchers also discover a hidden charge-generating pathway in copper-phthalocyanine:fullerene material for more efficient sunlight conversion.
Research suggests even slight increases in nitrogen dioxide levels are associated with significant rises in cardiovascular and respiratory deaths. The study's findings support revising and tightening current air quality guidelines for greater public health benefit.
Climate change impacts grassland vegetation through increased CO2 concentration, leading to reduced stomatal conductance, nitrogen uptake, and yield. Researchers found that heavy nitrogen fertilization no longer boosts yield performance, instead hindering it.