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Lightning strike creates phosphorus material for the first time on Earth

A team of scientists, led by University of South Florida professor Matthew Pasek, discovered a new phosphorus material in a fulgurite created by a lightning strike. The material is transitional between space minerals and those found on Earth, and its formation could have implications for our understanding of high-energy events.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateApr 11, 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

Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of losing muscle strength by 78%

Researchers found that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of dynapenia, an age-associated loss of muscle strength, by 70-78%. Vitamin D supplementation was shown to reduce this risk. The study analyzed data from over 3,000 individuals aged 50 and over, highlighting the importance of vitamin D for maintaining muscle strength.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCalcified Tissue International·DateDec 13, 2022

Study finds that big rains bring big algae blooms … eventually

A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that while phosphorus is a key ingredient for algae blooms, other factors like calm winds, warm surface waters, and low zooplankton populations can delay or prevent blooms. Drastically reducing phosphorus use on land may be the only option to head off future blooms.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateNov 28, 2022

First-of-its-kind database tracks agricultural phosphorus use world-wide

A new database quantifying cropland phosphorus budgets around the world helps identify nutrient management gaps in different regions. The study provides valuable insights into phosphorus management challenges and opportunities in various countries, shedding light on how to improve global phosphorus use efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 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

SwRI scientist helps identify new evidence for habitability in Enceladus’s ocean

Scientists have discovered new evidence of phosphorus availability in Enceladus's ocean, making it a prime target in the search for extraterrestrial life. The discovery suggests that Enceladus's subsurface ocean is likely habitable due to its high levels of dissolved phosphorus.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 19, 2022

New findings on dietary phosphorus intake

A two-part study by the International Food Additives Council found that Americans' daily natural phosphorus intake increased by 12% between 1988-1994 and 2015-2016. High phosphorus intake was associated with increased bone mineral content, reduced high blood pressure risk, and lower HDL cholesterol levels.

SourceKellen Company·JournalNutrients·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 16, 2022

Brushing thin films onto electrodes preserves batteries

Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to create a thin film coating on lithium anodes using powder brushing, which improves battery life and capacity. The coated anodes retained 70% more capacity after 340 charge-discharge cycles than off-the-shelf batteries.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Amazon's growth limited by lack of phosphorus

New research shows that the Amazon rainforest's growth rate is limited by a lack of phosphorus in the soil, which could reduce its ability to store carbon and increase vulnerability to climate change. Phosphorus availability played a critical role in increasing productivity in a recent experiment.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2022

Tomatoes, but not farm workers, gardeners, safe from soil lead

A University of Illinois study found tomatoes in Chicago backyard gardens have low levels of lead, making them relatively safe for consumption. However, improper soil handling and lack of washing can still pose health risks. Researchers recommend minimizing dust with heavy mulch and careful fruit washing to safely grow tomatoes.

University of Sheffield study shows potential to reduce reliance on non-renewable fertilisers in agriculture

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have identified a unique bacterial phosphatase, PafA, that can efficiently release phosphate from its organic forms. This discovery has potential to help reduce the consumption of phosphate chemical fertilisers and promote sustainable agriculture.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2022

"Seafloor fertilizer factory" helped breathe life into Earth

Scientists have discovered that the onset of microbial fertilizer factories on the Earth's seafloor roughly 2.6 billion years ago was a crucial step in the rise of oxygen levels during the Great Oxidation Event. This recycling process fueled photosynthetic bacteria, which increased oxygen production and paved the way for complex life t...

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2022

Color-changing indicator predicts algal blooms

Researchers developed a color-changing indicator that detects rising levels of alkaline phosphatase, forecasting phytoplankton growth and impending algal blooms. The portable system reliably detected enzyme activity using smartphone scanning apps, potentially enabling real-time field monitoring and prediction.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·DateNov 3, 2021