Articles tagged with Phosphorus
In a study published in Ecology, researchers found that banded tetras play a keystone role in nutrient recycling due to their diet composition and excretion rates. This finding highlights the importance of conservation efforts in maintaining ecosystem function.
A Fulbright scholar is studying the ecological theory of Patagonian lakes in Argentina's Andean heights, focusing on nutrient chemistry and planktonic inhabitants. The research aims to establish a baseline for understanding lake nutrient supplies in 'ancestral,' pre-development conditions.
Researchers uncover the mechanism by which Didymo 'scrubs' phosphorus from streams and rivers, making it available for growth. This study solves the puzzle of Didymo blooms in low-nutrient waterways.
Research models suggest that agricultural intensity is the main factor contributing to phosphorus loading in the Mississippi River, while manure and over-fertilization play a lesser role. Phosphorus from human waste also poses a significant threat.
A Danish study examines the relationship between soil texture and nutrient leaching in agricultural fields. The results show that injecting dairy slurry into loam soil reduces phosphorus leaching, while its effect on sandy loam and loamy sand is limited.
Removing manure solids through a low-cost two-stage lagoon system increases nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, reducing environmental damage. This results in higher crop yields and greater nitrogen recovery compared to using whole manure.
Researchers analyzed 47 studies involving over 327,000 patients with chronic kidney disease and found no significant association between serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, or calcium levels and the risk of death or cardiovascular events. The study suggests that current clinical guidelines for mineral metabolism in patients with kid...
A new framework for understanding biogeochemical cycles highlights the importance of balancing human needs with the health of the planet. This integrated view could help predict and manage climate change, improve sustainable forestry practices, and balance agricultural needs with estuary health.
A detailed global map of critical phosphorus use and misuse has been produced, highlighting large imbalances in phosphorus application worldwide. The study reveals that both overuse and deficits occur in various regions, including sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
A vegetarian diet has been shown to lower blood and urine phosphorous levels in patients with chronic kidney disease. The study found that grain-based protein sources, such as those found in vegetables, may help reduce the risk of accumulating toxic levels of phosphorus in the body.
Rapid turnover of lipid membranes enables phytoplankton to adapt to phosphorus scarcity, potentially supporting further growth when conditions improve. The process occurs within 24 hours and is a physiological response by individual cells.
Researchers at the University of Utah have successfully stored information in atomic nuclei for 112 seconds, a major breakthrough towards developing faster quantum computers. The new technique uses magnetic 'spins' in the centers of atoms to store and read data electronically.
Research from the University of Gothenburg reveals that cyanobacteria like Nodularia spumigena become more toxic when facing eutrophication conditions, producing hepatotoxin nodularin. This toxin attacks the liver, posing a risk to humans and livestock consuming contaminated water.
Scientists have found a bacterium that can grow using arsenic instead of phosphorus, challenging our understanding of life's chemical requirements. This discovery expands the scope of the search for life beyond Earth and suggests that alternative forms of life might exist in unusual environments.
A bacterium isolated from Mono Lake has been found to use arsenic as a building block for its growth and survival. The new finding has significant implications for the origins of life research and could redefine our understanding of what constitutes life.
Researchers found a strain of bacteria that can grow and produce life using arsenic in place of phosphorus. The discovery suggests that arsenic is being incorporated into the bacterial cells, replacing phosphorus in DNA, RNA, and proteins.
A new study links the rise of early animals to a spike in ancient marine phosphorus concentrations during the mid-Neoproterozoic period. High phosphorus levels facilitated an oxygen-rich ocean-atmosphere system, paving the way for animal diversification and ecological evolution.
Ancient ocean sediments revealed phosphorus played a crucial role in establishing the first animals on Earth. Oxygen levels surged due to phosphorus, allowing complex life forms to emerge.
Researchers found a significant spike in marine phosphorus concentrations from 750 to 635 million years ago, linked to Snowball Earth glacial events. This increase in nutrient levels is believed to have facilitated the emergence of complex life, including animals, by driving oxygen production and ocean-atmosphere system shifts.
Scientists compare ocean microbe genomes to understand environmental adaptations and evolutionary changes. The study found significant differences in phosphorus-related genes between Atlantic and Pacific populations, revealing a strong selective force driving these adaptations.
A study found that low socioeconomic status is associated with higher serum phosphate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease, regardless of race. This suggests that limited access to healthy food choices contributes to the racial disparity in kidney disease progression.
After 15 years, man-made and natural wetlands were found to be similarly effective in retaining phosphorus and nitrates, and both acted as significant carbon sinks. The naturally colonizing wetland produced more plant biomass and emitted more methane, while the planted wetland hosted a higher diversity of plant species.
Researchers are investigating how different forms of phosphorus trigger toxic algal blooms in the Great Lakes, with a focus on the blue-green algae species Microcystis. Understanding which types of phosphorus are most instrumental in stimulating bloom formation is crucial for protecting public health and the coastal ecosystem.
Researchers at Arizona State University have improved cyanobacteria growth conditions for biofuel production, enabling high biomass yields and efficient CO2 utilization. The findings provide a vital foundation for optimizing photobioreactor technology.
A five-year study found that one-time tillage did not negatively impact grain yield or soil structure in no-till crops. However, it may help manage perennial weeds and reduce phosphorus stratification. The researchers concluded that tilling should only be done to address specific problems, as it increases erosion risk.
A team of scientists has developed an application of rare earth elements to control and track phosphorus runoff from soils receiving livestock manure. The method reduces phosphorus solubility and can be used to label and track soil erosion and sedimentation during storm events.
According to a new paper, large quantities of phosphorus in oceans led to vast algal blooms, pumping oxygen into the environment, allowing larger organisms to thrive. This oxygenation had major consequences for the evolution of complex life and may have played a key role in creating an oxygenated atmosphere.
Researchers developed an algae-based system to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from livestock manure runoff, reducing agricultural pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay. The system recovered 60-90% of nitrogen and 70-100% of phosphorus, with costs comparable to other manure management practices.
Researchers have identified the enzyme that produces phytate, a naturally-occurring phosphate deposit found in seeds, beans, and tubers of many crops. This breakthrough has significant implications for reducing phytate-related pollution and improving animal feed efficiency.
A growing body of evidence suggests that global phosphorus reserves are declining, threatening food security. The Arizona State University Sustainable P Initiative aims to develop solutions through technological innovation, conservation strategies, and recycling measures.
Researchers have found that shallow-rooted bean plants can thrive in poor soil conditions, improving crop production by 600% and decreasing erosion. Shallow-rooted soybeans are also being developed for low-phosphorus soils, while efforts are underway to improve nitrogen efficiency in corn.
A study found that small increases in phosphorus are associated with higher coronary artery calcification and an increased risk of heart disease. Participants with lower kidney function were also more likely to have progressive CAC.
Phosphorus is a crucial element in agriculture, but its excessive use leads to massive eutrophication problems in water bodies worldwide. Dr. Curtis Richardson will discuss phosphorus biogeochemistry and its role in wetland functioning, highlighting the need for realistic management techniques.
A new study has solved a ten-year-old mystery about the source of an essential nutrient in the ocean. Researchers have discovered that Trichodesmium, a marine phytoplankton group, produces and consumes phosphonate, a rare form of organic phosphorus. This finding is important for understanding the global carbon and nitrogen cycles.
A University of Michigan study found that banning phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers led to a significant decrease in phosphorus levels in the Huron River. Phosphorus levels dropped by an average of 28% after Ann Arbor adopted the ban, suggesting that ordinances can be effective in reducing pollution.
Excess phosphorus and nitrogen from human activities harm aquatic life and ecosystems; a dual nutrient strategy is needed to tackle both issues. The study highlights the need to consider the entire freshwater-marine continuum for effective nutrient control.
Scientists have successfully synthesized a soccer-ball-shaped molecule made of 60 carbon atoms, dubbed the C80 fullerene. The researchers used pentaphosphaferrocene and copper chloride as building blocks and a carborane template to form the spherical supermolecule.
A study published in Biology and Fertility of Soils found that the rate at which a dried soil is rewetted affects phosphorus loss into surface water. High phosphorus concentrations can lead to harmful algal blooms and disrupt food webs, affecting drinking water quality and recreational activities.
Phytoplankton in tropical and subtropical seas use non-phosphorus containing 'substitute lipids' that utilize sulfur instead of phosphorus, allowing them to continue growing under phosphorus stress conditions. This unique strategy has implications for the future structure and biodiversity of Hawaiian marine ecosystems.
Reducing both nitrogen and phosphorus is crucial to alleviate eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. Policymakers must adopt holistic approaches to address the root causes of pollution, as single-nutrient reduction strategies can lead to downstream problems.
A team of scientists recommends a two-pronged approach to managing nutrient pollution, which includes reducing both phosphorus and nitrogen inputs along the land-to-ocean continuum.
Patients with end-stage renal disease who participated in an education program to limit their intake of phosphorus-containing food additives showed a significant decline in serum phosphorus levels. After 3 months, intervention participants had a 0.6-mg/dL larger decline in average phosphorus level compared to control participants.
Researchers discovered that many processed and fast foods contain phosphorus additives, which can be just as dangerous for patients with advanced kidney disease as naturally high-phosphorus foods. Studies found that avoiding these additives significantly lowers phosphorus levels among patients.
Researchers used NMR spectroscopy to analyze phosphorus forms in treated and untreated soils. The study found orthophosphate as the dominant form, with significant differences between treated and untreated soils.
Researchers have discovered phytoplankton in the Sargasso Sea that build cell membranes without phospholipids, using substitute lipids instead. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of cell biochemistry and could lead to rewriting fundamental principles.
Researchers Jane Hill and Barbara Cade-Menun found that phytate concentration was high in manures but not retained in crop soils and sediments. The study concluded that phytate is most likely to be hydrolyzed in situ by microorganisms.
Studies suggest taking phosphorus binders reduces death risk in new dialysis patients and those with less-severe CKD. The treatment could benefit a larger population of patients with pre-dialysis CKD.
A study published in JASN found that even mild increases in serum phosphorus levels are associated with cardiovascular events in people with moderate chronic kidney disease. Vascular calcification, detected by CT scans, was more common in patients with higher phosphorus levels, increasing the risk of coronary artery calcification.
Swine waste fertilizer can be improved by altering phosphorus levels in the diet, resulting in slower phosphorus accumulation in soil. This approach reduces excess nutrients that can pollute the environment.
Researchers found that diatoms store phosphorus in polyphosphate and apatite forms, and transport it to the ocean floor. This discovery sheds new light on the ocean's phosphorus cycle.
A recent study by Arizona State University professor James Elser found that ecosystems are not as different as they seem when it comes to nutrient limitation. The study analyzed over 300 publications and found that nitrogen and phosphorus are equally important in freshwater systems, contradicting conventional wisdom.
A six-year study by Duke University scientists found that current phosphorus standards protect the Everglades, but high levels persist near outer edges. The researchers suggest a threshold protective zone of 12-15 micrograms per liter is more realistic for the changeable system.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have confirmed that a natural enzyme called phytase has helped Delaware chickens digest more phosphorus, reducing output in chicken manure. As a result, phosphorus loads to the environment have been reduced by some 2 million to 3 million pounds per year.
Researchers found high levels of phosphorus and low organic carbon in vegetable growing soils, leading to reduced crop yields. Compost made from recycled garden offcuts can help improve soil quality and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
A UC Irvine scientist has discovered that excess nutrients in an ecosystem can lead to a decrease in plant species diversity while increasing the productivity of a few selected species. This finding provides a new explanation for why polluted ecosystems often contain limited numbers of plant species.
Researchers at the University of Utah have demonstrated a way to read data stored in the magnetic spins of phosphorus atoms, a major obstacle for building a particular kind of quantum computer. This breakthrough could lead to the development of superfast computers based on quantum physics.
Long-term Fosrenol treatment improves bone formation and reduces phosphorus levels in CKD stage 5 patients, according to a two-year study. The reformulated tablets also demonstrate efficacy as monotherapy for controlling serum phosphorus levels.
Researchers have discovered phosphorus-enriched soils at the Krasnyi Yar site, which matches what would be expected from horse manure. The finding suggests that horses were domesticated in northern Kazakhstan around 5,600 years ago, supporting the theory of early horse domestication.
A new study published in Kidney International found that Fosrenol, a phosphate binder used to treat hyperphosphatemia in CKD Stage 5 patients, did not negatively impact cognitive function deterioration. The two-year trial compared Fosrenol with standard therapy and showed similar declines in cognitive function for both groups.
Katie Lee Joel joins forces with experts to promote low-phosphorus cooking, sharing six new recipes to honor her grandfather's memory and help patients manage chronic kidney disease. The Kidney Friendly Comfort Foods program aims to show that kidney-friendly foods don't have to be boring.