Articles tagged with Soils
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati and Boston University explored the decline of ancient civilization using modern biology techniques. They found that soil formation after abandonment led to poor preservation of historic remains, including the survival of thicker cattle bones.
A study has found that cation exchange capacity varies by pine bark batch, with differences in particle size distribution being a key factor. Substrate pH had no effect on CEC, while adding sphagnum peat did not increase composite CEC. Growers can improve nutrient retention and pH stability by analyzing their substrates for CEC.
A Penn State researcher developed a simple model to select the right-sized boulder to stop a truck traveling at 30 miles per hour. The model considers factors like soil density and boulder displacement, accurately predicting an effective boulder size for embassy protection.
A new study suggests that water is bound to sulfates in Martian soil, a key finding with implications for the search for life on Mars. The research team analyzed elemental data from the Gamma Ray Spectrometer onboard the Mars Odyssey orbiter and found a spatial association between sulfur and hydrogen in the southern latitudes of Mars.
A UT Arlington civil engineering team has installed a new mix of lime and fly ash on a section of U.S. 82 to reduce soil sulfate heaving and extend the life of the highway. The project aims to increase road longevity and reduce deterioration, with the potential to benefit motorists' vehicles.
Climate change alters soil microorganisms' metabolic activity and composition, positively stimulating denitrification and increasing N2O emission rates. This shift impacts plant-microbe competition for nitrogen, with implications for ecosystem function and global climate.
A new study by University of Toronto atmospheric chemist Jennifer Murphy reveals that soil plays a crucial role in the production of nitrous acid, a key pollutant in air quality. The research suggests that soils can take up nitrous acid at night and release it into the atmosphere the next day through reaction with stronger acids.
A new study reveals the vast diversity of life below-ground, with rapid responses to climate change having far-reaching impacts on future ecosystems. The research suggests that healthy soil is essential for healthy crops, and that integrating knowledge of soil biodiversity into land management decisions could help mitigate climate change.
Researchers at Washington State University identified summer fallow management practices that can help farmers conserve soil, prevent sky-darkening dust storms, and improve air quality. Undercutter-tillage or no-till fallow systems were found to be the most effective options for reducing wind erosion in the Horse Heaven Hills region.
Researchers found differences in grasshopper types and numbers between undisturbed and post-agricultural woodlands, challenging conventional ecological wisdom. The study suggests new strategies are needed to promote ecological recovery in disturbed environments.
Researchers found that using clear polyethylene mulch on well-irrigated beds under high tunnel glazing can achieve significant disinfestation of soil pathogens and pests within less than one week. This method requires a combination of daily solar radiation, high temperatures, and low relative humidity.
Researchers developed a non-subjective technology to analyze and classify landslide risks on a landscape scale, revealing some areas have landslides from one time or another in history. The new system can identify risks common to broad areas, potentially leading to increased awareness and informed land use decisions.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a microbe that enhances plant tolerance to industrial pollutants like phenanthrene. The approach uses probiotic microbes to supplement plant defenses, allowing plants to take up to 25-40% more of the pollutant than untreated plants.
A recent study published in Nature found that no-till farming often leads to yield declines compared to conventional tillage systems, except in dryland areas where it can show promise. Implementing all three conservation agriculture principles is crucial for maximizing yields and minimizing environmental impacts.
Researchers found that invasive seaweed provides shelter for native crustaceans, increasing their population by up to 100 times. Meanwhile, mature forests capture and stabilize excess nitrogen from human activities, providing an unappreciated service by storing it in soil.
Researchers used fiber-optic cables to measure Antarctic ice loss in real-time, with potential implications for global sea levels. In another study, scientists explored the Indian Ocean's legacy and future research efforts. Meanwhile, Oregon landslides were found to be more susceptible to catastrophic failure during earthquakes.
Researchers in Italy have developed a new technology using distributed optical fiber sensors to monitor soil slopes and detect the onset of landslides. This innovation can help mitigate devastating losses of life and property by providing early warnings, making it an entirely new tool for landslide risk monitoring.
Researchers found that environmental filtering is the main driver of plant diversity variation along resource gradients in ancient dunes. The study used a chronosequence of soils to test alternative theories and provided new insights into biodiversity.
Hurricane Edouard's maximum sustained winds near 90 mph, with life-threatening rip current conditions expected along the US East Coast. The storm is forecast to rapidly weaken on Sept. 18, dropping in intensity to a tropical storm.
A review of over 150 studies reveals that optimal nitrogen-phosphorus and nitrogen-potassium ratios are crucial for high-yielding corn production. Achieving these balanced nutrient uptake ratios can lead to significant yield increases regardless of the region where the corn is grown.
Recent studies suggest that warming may stimulate decomposition rates in soils, releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide. However, a new study reveals that microbial community responses are more complex and may even increase CO2 release from soils.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that boron plays a crucial role in the growth and development of corn plants. A lack of boron causes problems with the meristems, or stem cells, leading to stunted tassels and reduced crop yields.
Researchers propose that high-energy particles from solar storms can create sparking, altering the moon's polar soil and potentially reactivating permanently shadowed regions. This 'breakdown weathering' process could change our understanding of planetary evolution in extremely cold regions.
A University of New Hampshire and NASA study suggests that high-energy particles from solar storms can charge the moon's polar soil, creating sparking and potentially altering its composition. This process could have significant implications for our understanding of planetary surfaces in extremely cold regions.
Researchers are studying the effects of projected climate changes on native plant species in the Pacific Northwest. By growing 12 species of range-limited native grasses and forbs in simulated future climate conditions, scientists aim to understand how plants will adapt and potentially disappear as temperatures rise.
Researchers found that applying green compost to organic apple orchard floors can increase soil organic matter and total nitrogen mineral soils. The study demonstrates the sustainability of organically managed systems and has implications for sustainably and conventionally managed orchards as well.
A study by Eric Brennan and Jim Leap found that drilling is more effective than broadcasting for establishing uniform and dense cover crops on beds. Drilled cover crops had greater uniformity and faster emergence, leading to increased weed suppression.
A new MIT study provides direct evidence of plants in the Neanderthal diet, suggesting a more varied diet than previously thought. The researchers analyzed fecal remains from El Salt, Spain, finding metabolized versions of animal-derived cholesterol and phytosterol, a compound found in plants.
Unique groups of microbes, known as Dehalococcoides, can convert hazardous chlorinated chemicals like TCE into ethene, a benign end product. However, they may stall at this stage, producing toxic intermediates. New research proposes that microbes are out-competed for hydrogen, a necessary electron donor, causing the breakdown to fail.
Scientists have discovered a new species of spider in Mexico that uses soil particles for camouflage. The Paratropis tuxtlensis has an exoskeleton covered in soil particles, which helps to protect it from predators and deceive its prey.
Researchers link massive flooding in China to human-caused environmental degradation and flood-mitigation efforts dating back 3,000 years. The Yellow River's levee system was built over 2,900-700 years ago to control erosion, but it ultimately made periodic floods worse.
Deeply buried fossil soils in the Great Plains have been found to be rich in carbon, potentially grossly underestimating carbon storage capacity. The study's findings suggest that these ancient soils could contribute significantly to global climate change as they are disturbed.
Adding camelina or safflower to crop rotations with winter wheat and summer fallow increases wind erosion risk in the Pacific Northwest. No-till fallow or planting another crop without a fallow year can help control blowing dust.
Scientists have discovered a new plant species that can absorb high amounts of nickel, accumulating up to 18,000 ppm without being poisoned. This rare phenomenon has great potential for developing green technologies such as phytoremediation and phytomining.
Researchers propose a method to determine underground details without drilling, improving climate models and predicting water runoff, landslides, and plant response to climate change. The technique uses groundwater drainage to predict weathered bedrock thickness across landscapes.
Asteroid and comet impacts can preserve the signatures of ancient life in Earthly impact debris. Researchers found fragments of leaves and preserved organic compounds in ancient impact glasses from Argentina, which could provide a snapshot of environmental conditions at the time of those impacts.
Researchers found that soil pH, iron concentrations, and total cadmium levels are excellent predictors of biologically available cadmium for plants. Increasing soil acidity can also release more cadmium into the soil, while iron oxides bind it tightly.
A robotic digger, RoboClam, has been created to mimic the unique mechanisms employed by the Atlantic razor clam. The robot can transform soil into a liquid and achieve deep digging with high efficiency, making it suitable for applications such as anchoring underwater robots and subsea cable installation.
A new study from IIASA and the University of Vienna suggests that soil microbes can break down organic matter more efficiently, emitting fewer carbon dioxide emissions. This finding has significant implications for understanding climate feedbacks and the role of soil in the global carbon cycle.
A new study highlights the need for clear information on managing contaminants in urban soils to protect consumers and gardeners. Researchers found that gardeners generally recognize the importance of knowing a site's prior uses but lack expertise to determine accurately potential contaminants.
Researchers found that pesticides reduce earthworms' weight, affect their metabolism rate, and increase energy demand, ultimately hindering their reproduction and survival in contaminated soil. This study highlights the importance of considering the impact of pesticides on non-target organisms like earthworms.
Researchers created a robotic clam called RoboClam that can burrow into undersea soil using little energy. By mimicking the movement of an Atlantic razor clam, RoboClam can liquefy the soil around its shell, reducing drag and allowing it to move quickly and efficiently.
New results show that mobile microorganisms can increase the transport of toxic PAHs up to 100-fold, making them more accessible to bacteria and plant roots. This discovery opens new perspectives for cleaning PAH-contaminated soil through biological treatment.
Researchers from Purdue University and the University of Texas at Austin have conducted field trials to test four shallow-ground-improvement methods aimed at increasing structural resilience in soils prone to liquefaction. The results show that rapid impact compaction, rammed aggregate piers, low-mobility grouting, and double row of ho...
Scientists discover five new species of armored spiders living in caves in the South China Karst, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This finds brings the total number of known spider species in China to 4300, with over 2000 caves investigated.
Scientists have devised a pair of math equations that better describe how topography, rock compositions, and water movement affect the geologic carbon cycle. The research, supported by the National Research Foundation, aims to improve understanding of the recycling process between carbon dioxide and rocky interior.
Researchers found a shift in soil microbial communities as shrubs invaded remnant hill prairies, with woody fungal communities emerging in response to increased shrub density. This change could impact the ability to restore prairies, as shrubs may outcompete grasses and alter ecosystem function.
Elsevier has launched a new journal, Geoderma Regional, which focuses on regional soil science research. The journal aims to increase understanding and scientific knowledge of soils in all regions worldwide. It will publish original research articles and reviews on various aspects of soil science.
Recent research on serpentine ecosystems sheds light on the mechanisms of adaptation, natural selection, and endemism. Kruckeberg's seminal paper (1951) has influenced subsequent research on local adaptation, evolutionary pathways, and climate-soil relationships.
A burgeoning deer population alters forest progression by creating environmental havoc in the soil and disrupting seed banks. The study found that deer grazing stunts forest development, promoting invasive species like buckthorn and viburnum, which stall natural growth and reduce native plant diversity.
Scientists discovered that Amazonian canopy trees have evolved unique chemical portfolios to optimize growth in different soils and elevations. The study found that these communities are organized into a large mosaic controlled by geological factors, providing insights into how forests assembled over evolutionary time.
Soil bacteria, such as Mycobacterium smegmatis, use enzymes to efficiently scavenge hydrogen from the atmosphere, ramping up activity when carbon-based energy sources are scarce. This discovery has implications for understanding global climate processes and developing new catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells.
The new atlas highlights the delicate relationships between soils and climate, as well as their role in food security, particularly in relation to climate change. Soils also support six out of seventeen countries hosting the highest rate of biodiversity, with approximately 185 Gt of organic carbon stored down to a depth of 1m.
Articles in GSA Bulletin explore the impact of geological processes on rivers and coastlines. Researchers examined river morphology in Oregon, coastal responses to sea-level changes in Brazil, and aditification differentiation in NE Iran, providing insights into the effects of tectonics and environmental changes.
A study reveals that the Georgia Basin, a rigid soil bowl beneath Vancouver, can amplify earthquake effects, causing potential devastation beyond building codes' preparedness. The basin's unique geography traps and amplifies seismic waves, predicting extended shaking times for shallow quakes.
Researchers in New Zealand have discovered that rock can transform into soil more than twice as fast as previously thought possible. Soil production rates range from 0.1 to 2.5 millimeters per year, depending on soil thickness and location. This breakthrough has implications for the Earth's carbon cycle and weathering processes.
Researchers at TUM discovered that carbon binds to small mineral particles with rough surfaces, leading to preferential spots for sequestration. The study used a mass spectrometer to visualize and compare soil structures, revealing areas with high carbon content.
The Silver Banksia plant genus has developed a strategy to cope with phosphorus scarcity by reducing ribosomal RNA in their cells, saving phosphorus and water. By optimizing phosphate use, Proteaceae plants outperform Arabidopsis thaliana in photosynthetic efficiency.
A new detection method and model enable determinations of pesticide residues' biodegradability. The study classifies residues into three types based on their release mechanisms, allowing for more accurate evaluation of pesticide environmental impact.
A team of scientists used advanced mathematical modeling techniques to understand the precise role of soil structure in water uptake by crops. They found that flow properties near the surface of aggregates are a key factor determining overall flow properties in soil.