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Super-urinators among the mangroves: Excretory gifts from estuary's busiest fish promote ecosystem health

A new study led by University of Michigan researchers found that highly active gray and cubera snappers in a Bahamian mangrove estuary spread the highest levels of essential nutrient nitrogen through their urine, nearly doubling its presence. This fertilizer supports more plant growth and food at the base of the food web.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 26, 2020

Looking for local levers

A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that high levels of nitrogen pollution lower the temperature at which coral begins to bleach and increases its severity. The team surveyed over 10,000 corals around Moorea and found that both types of branching corals showed identical responses to nutrient pollution.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 24, 2020

Rice scientists simplify access to drug building block

The Rice University team has introduced an inexpensive organic synthesis technique that catalyzes the transfer of nitrogen atoms to olefins, making valuable pharmaceutical precursors. The process combines nitrogen and hydrogen atoms in triangular aziridine products, which are readily available to react with other agents.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Catalysis·DateFeb 24, 2020

New artificial intelligence algorithm better predicts corn yield

A new AI algorithm developed by University of Illinois researchers accurately predicts corn yield using deep learning and convolutional neural networks. The approach incorporates various topographic variables, soil electroconductivity, nitrogen treatment rates, and seed application to optimize crop management decisions.

Nitrogen-fixing trees help tropical forests grow faster and store more carbon

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that nitrogen-fixing trees can double the amount of carbon stored in a forest's first 30 years of regrowth. Forests with these trees also take up 10% more carbon at maturity. Planting fixers as part of reforestation efforts could boost forest development and carbon accumulation.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 13, 2020

Nitrogen fertilizers finetune composition of individual members of the tomato microbiota

Researchers discovered that nitrogen fertilizers shape the composition of individual members of the tomato microbiota, with Actinobacteria colonizing root tissues. The diet represented by different nitrogen treatments determines the plant microbiota, highlighting potential targets for optimizing plant nutrition and global food security.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPhytobiomes Journal·DateJan 29, 2020

The salt of the comet

Researchers have discovered traces of five different ammonium salts on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, shedding light on the presence of nitrogen on comets and its potential link to the emergence of life on Earth. The study found high concentrations of ammonia in the form of these salts.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 20, 2020

Nanosatellites improve detection of early-season corn nitrogen stress

Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed nanosatellite technology that can detect nitrogen stress in corn early in the season. This allows farmers to plan in-season nitrogen fertilizer applications and alleviate nutrient stress for crops, potentially increasing yield and reducing environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing·DateJan 13, 2020

Changes in oxygen concentrations in our ocean can disrupt fundamental biological cycles

Researchers found that a decline in ocean oxygen can break down feedback mechanisms controlling the marine nitrogen cycle, which is essential for all forms of life. The team used a data-constrained earth system model to show that extreme deoxygenation can lead to a collapse of the ocean's bioavailable nitrogen inventory.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019

Typhoons and marine eutrophication are probably the missing source of organic nitrogen in ecosystems

Researchers found that typhoons and eutrophic surface sea waters may be significant sources of dissolved organic nitrogen (ON) in wet deposition. Approximately one-third of total ON wet deposition was attributed to the co-occurrence of intense events like typhoons and strong rainfall.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateNov 14, 2019

Explosion in Tianjin Port enhanced atmospheric nitrogen deposition over the Bohai Sea

A recent study found that the Tianjin Port explosion significantly increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Bohai Sea, with a 308.49 micromole N increase per square meter per day. The study suggests that the impact area of the explosion on the Bohai Sea is approximately 1/5 of its total area.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateNov 13, 2019

Land management practices to reduce nitrogen load may be affected by climate changes

A new study from University of Illinois researchers used computer modeling to estimate how land management practices may be affected by climate changes. The study found that redistribution of land uses and certain management practices can help reduce nitrogen loss without changing fertilizer application rates.

Building on UD, Nobel legacy

Researchers have discovered a new reaction that enables the production of indoline scaffolds, which are crucial for developing new medicines. By using nitrogen as a catalyst, the reaction can create complex assemblies more easily and efficiently.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 23, 2019

A new way to make valuable chemicals

Researchers developed a new process to form high-value chemicals called amides by coupling carbon and nitrogen bonds in an electrochemical reaction. This breakthrough enables the production of useful substances in various industries, including pharmaceuticals.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Chemistry·DateAug 26, 2019

Rice chemists show it's hip to be square

Rice University chemists have developed a fast and inexpensive synthetic route to azetidines, a class of molecules that can be used as building blocks in drug design. The new method allows for the creation of NH-azetidines, which contain unprotected nitrogen atoms, making them more accessible for further reactions.

SourceRice University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateAug 9, 2019

Fertilizer feast and famine

A UC Davis study highlights the need for a coordinated international policy to address the global nitrogen problem. The research suggests that applying fertilizers more precisely, removing pollution from the environment, and empowering consumers to think about sustainable food options can help alleviate the issue.