Articles tagged with Soils
Researchers discovered high levels of multidrug-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in commercially available compost, soil, and flower bulbs. The fungus poses a significant risk to human health, particularly for individuals with compromised immune systems.
Researchers used modern technology to estimate the number of rock gardens on Easter Island and food production, revealing that the island couldn't sustain a large population. The study's findings contradict the long-held notion of an ecological catastrophe and instead suggest a more sustainable approach to agriculture.
Researchers at the University of Zurich discovered that plants benefit from a variety of interactions with pollinators and herbivores, leading to local adaptation and ecotypes. Plants pollinated by bumblebees adapted best to different soil types, while others showed less significant adaptation.
A team of researchers created an advanced method for automatic microfossil detection and analysis using AI. The method has shown great potential in utilizing AI to analyze vast amounts of microfossil data, potentially helping geologists better utilize wellbore samples.
Nearly 40% of US households will exceed safety recommendations for lead-contaminated soil, with remediation costs potentially exceeding $1 trillion. The study found that approximately 29 million households are affected by elevated lead levels in their yards.
Researchers developed a simple method to measure nano/microplastic concentrations in soil using spectroscopy, eliminating the need for separation processes. The method uses a wavelength combination of 220–260 nm and 280–340 nm to accurately quantify N/MPs in different soil types.
A study by Dartmouth College finds that regenerative agriculture's impact on farmers extends beyond financial gain, influencing their relationships and quality of life. By adopting practices like reduced tillage and cover cropping, farmers experience reduced dependence on agrochemicals and improved soil fertility.
Researchers tracked how a mixture of plant waste was metabolized by bacteria to contribute to atmospheric CO2. Microbes respired three times as much CO2 from lignin carbons compared to cellulose carbons, shedding light on the role of microbes in soil carbon cycling and its impact on climate change.
Researchers at WVU are exploring the potential of solar panels to generate energy on grazing lands, diversifying farmers' income streams and promoting more sustainable practices. The study aims to understand how dual-use solar systems impact soil health and animal performance.
Researchers use nanomedicine and digital twin technologies to develop Plant Nanobiotechnology, addressing agricultural challenges and increasing crop yield. Digital twins of plants enable the design of nanocarriers that target nutrient delivery to specific plant organs.
Researchers at Salk Institute found that higher temperatures drain plants of important dietary nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, affecting their long-term sustainability. The study's findings will inform the engineering of climate-resilient crops to address global warming's impact on food production.
A significant shift in the Nile River's evolution around 4,000 years ago may have contributed to ancient Egypt's agricultural economy prosperity and cultural achievements. The research found that changes in the landscape enlarged arable land near Luxor and improved soil fertility.
Researchers developed a predictive model that maps soil-bearing layer distribution, enabling city planners to assess site suitability and optimize building design. The model improves prediction accuracy by combining geotechnical data and geographic coordinates.
A new UC Riverside study found that boreal forests in the northern hemisphere are particularly vulnerable to negative effects of cleaning up aerosol pollution. Reducing levels of human-made aerosols causes an increase in wildfires, especially in northern hemisphere forests.
A new study found that biodegradable teabags made from polylactic acid (PLA) can take years to break down in soil and cause harm to earthworms. The research highlights the need for clear disposal information on product packaging, as many manufacturers are not providing accurate guidance.
A study found that climate change is shifting tree populations away from mycorrhizal fungi, which supply plants with critical nutrients. Trees in the pine family are most at risk, and those that survive in harsh conditions have more diverse fungal partners.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have found that storing soil samples under refrigerated or air-dried conditions can retain microbial community composition and structure for many years. This discovery can help future researchers save time and energy when studying microorganisms in soils.
Research in the Alaskan-Aleutian subduction zone found evidence of splay fault uplift generating additional tsunami activity in half of last eight earthquakes. Splay faults can create local tsunamis reaching shores in under 30 minutes, exacerbating coastal destruction.
A new tool identifies toxic metals in mineral phosphate fertilizers worldwide, with higher levels found in US and Middle East fertilizers compared to China and India. Researchers use strontium isotopes to detect fertilizer impacts on soil and water resources.
Farny will investigate the impact of methylation on gene expression of Pseudomonas putida in soil and laboratory conditions, building gene circuits to test engineered bacteria. The project aims to advance the use of bacteria for environmental cleanups and create educational resources for undergraduate students.
A new study by the University of Plymouth found that saturated soils in upland regions could negatively impact the survival rates of young oak saplings and acorns. The research highlights the importance of considering soil conditions when creating temperate rainforests to combat climate change.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have found a family of natural compounds that stall the unique metabolic process used by parasites to survive in the human gut. The discovery offers potential as new and more effective treatments for parasitic worm infections, which cause debilitating symptoms and developmental defects.
Planting cover crops on bare soil before maize can significantly mitigate agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. According to a new study, this practice can equivalent to 13% of EU's agricultural emissions reduction
A new accounting method evaluates the impact of agricultural practices on nitrous oxide emissions, finding long-term no-till management and specific fertilizer types can effectively cut emissions. The study provides a more accurate estimate of N2O emissions than previous methods, enabling policymakers to make informed recommendations.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a framework to predict crop yield using satellite images of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. This approach could help farmers react to changing conditions, improve crop health, and reduce poverty. By leveraging satellite data, the method is cheaper and faster than traditional yiel...
A new AI model, DyLEMa, reduces ET prediction uncertainty by up to 30% and captures land use dynamics accurately. The model improves daily continuous ET data generation and estimation of soil erosion.
Researchers created new maps that accurately describe phosphorus levels in Amazonian soil using artificial intelligence, revealing the region's low concentration of the mineral. This information is crucial for understanding how tropical forests will react to climate change.
A recent study by an international group found that forests with higher trait diversity adapt better to climate change and thrive. Higher productivity levels were maintained in diverse trees compared to monoculture forests.
Researchers found microbial communities in Atacama Desert soil, dominated by Actinobacteria and possibly relying on gypsum for water. The discovery hints at a previously unknown deep biosphere under hyper-arid desert soils, with potential implications for the search for extraterrestrial life.
Viable microbes detected down to depths of 4.20 meters, expanding understanding of desert biodiversity and search for life on other planets.
A 23-year 'megadrought' in the western US is being studied by WVU researcher Steve Kannenberg to understand its effects on natural ecosystems, agricultural systems and human water resources. The research aims to identify areas with depleted groundwater and soil moisture, as well as assess carbon capture and storage in dryland plants.
A recent study published in Science reveals a vast store of global soil inorganic carbon (SIC) amounting to 2,305 billion tons, surpassing vegetation's combined carbon content. This 'hidden pool' is vulnerable to environmental changes, posing significant risks to ecosystem functions and climate change mitigation strategies.
Researchers developed a method to map soil salt content worldwide at 10m resolution, addressing land degradation's impact on agriculture and environmental health. This innovation integrates satellite imagery, machine learning, and climate data to estimate soil salinity, offering valuable insights for sustainable land practices.
A new study found that rotating crops, conserving soil nutrients, and deploying diversification strategies can yield major benefits for the environment and people. The research discovered that farmers can achieve more benefits if they employ several agricultural solutions in tandem.
A new global study by the University of Copenhagen and University of Hohenheim finds that diversified agriculture improves food security, biodiversity, and well-being while having no negative effect on yields. Strategies such as livestock diversification and soil conservation yield positive outcomes.
Recent advancements in AI and IoT have improved earthquake prediction by identifying patterns in historical seismic data. However, limitations such as computational complexity, data quality, and interpretability remain, requiring a comprehensive approach to integrate diverse datasets.
A study by the University of Basel found that corn plants release benzoxazinoids, which reduce arsenic uptake and mitigate toxicity. This mechanism could be used to cultivate hyper-emitting plant varieties for arsenic-contaminated locations, reducing food chain contamination.
A study by Duke University researchers found that manganese stimulates decomposition of soil organic matter and releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
A new study predicts that Australia's soil will become a net emitter of carbon dioxide, releasing more CO2 into the air than it absorbs. This could account for 8.3% of current emissions and worsen climate change unless farming methods are improved.
A study published in Nature Food reveals that optimized phosphorus use can extend its stock for up to 531 years, reducing the demand by 3,000 kt annually. Currently, around 30-40% of farm soils have over-applications, mainly due to European and North American countries.
A new model integrating soil microbes and large perennial grasses into the DayCent framework improves its representation of ecosystem dynamics. The updated model includes a live microbial biomass pool and dead microbial biomass pool to simulate carbon storage in soils, enhancing the evaluation of bioenergy crop sustainability.
Researchers have found tiny microplastic particles in archaeological soil samples dating back to the first century, potentially compromising preserved remains. The study suggests that preserving archaeology in situ may no longer be appropriate due to microplastic contamination.
Scientists have found that climate change is altering the timing of plant and soil processes in the Alps, leading to disruptions in nutrient cycling and potentially threatening biodiversity. The high mountains are warming at a faster rate than surrounding areas, resulting in reduced snow cover and changes in vegetation patterns.
A recent study reveals that sandy soil reptiles are more vulnerable to extinction and habitat loss due to climate change. The research analyzed occurrence records for ten species of lizard and snake adapted to sandy habitats in South America's dry regions.
A Washington State University-led research team discovered a set of genes in wild bacteria that allow them to survive exposure to nickel, enabling them to thrive in toxic soils. The genetic discovery could inform future bioremediation efforts to return plants to polluted soils.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg developed a new method to identify the origin of harvested trees using chemical footprints in wood tissue. The study focused on Eastern European countries, but the method is applicable worldwide, tackling over half of tropical timber's illegal harvest.
Researchers discovered a group of common microbes that work together to decompose flesh, allowing for accurate time-of-death estimates. A predictive model based on microbial activity demonstrated high accuracy in predicting time of death within three calendar days.
Researchers at NJIT's Newark College of Engineering and College of Science and Liberal Arts receive $265K in grants from the New Jersey Health Foundation to develop biodegradable materials, enhance bone regeneration, and create air filters for viral removal. The projects focus on addressing environmental impact and promoting healthcare...
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology develop new methodology to accurately simulate soil behavior in rigid state, leveraging MSP method and Bingham fluid biviscosity model. The study highlights the impact of parameters on simulation accuracy and computational costs.
Researchers at University of Oklahoma discover that climate warming accelerates soil priming in temperate grassland ecosystem, leading to increased soil carbon release. This finding highlights the crucial role of soil priming in terrestrial carbon cycle feedback processes and climate regulation.
Researchers found elevated radon gas levels in rural homes near drilled groundwater wells, with a 30% higher exposure risk compared to urban areas. Regular testing is crucial for mitigating radon-related lung cancer risks in rural communities.
A new study reveals that warmer soils harbor a greater diversity of active microbes, contradicting the assumption that increased growth rates accelerate carbon release. This finding has significant implications for predicting microbial behavior and its impact on future carbon dynamics.
A recent study reveals that converting rainforests to plantations erodes and restructures food webs, fundamentally changing their functioning. The researchers found that energy flows differently in plantation ecosystems compared to rainforests, with a greater emphasis on invasive species and reduced predation.
A new study found that potassium deficiency is a significant threat to global food security, affecting 20% of agricultural soils worldwide. The researchers recommend six policies and practices to mitigate the issue, including better management of soil potassium and intergovernmental coordination.
A study of 8,859 samples from Danish meadows and pastures reveals a decline in plants with large seeds and thin leaves, contradicting theoretical expectations. The data suggests that nature is changing and acting unexpectedly, with fewer weeds and less grazing, despite the expected increase in heavy-seeded species.
Researchers found that root microbes can boost theanine levels and improve amino acid content in tea plants, leading to better-tasting tea. The discovery could help reduce chemical fertilizer use and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
A common mineral in red soils, goethite locks away trace metals over time, rendering them unavailable for plants and animals. The study found that up to 70% of nickel was non-recoverable and only 8% of cadmium was irreversibly bound.
Research published in ACS Environmental Science & Technology Letters reveals that exposure to pesticide-treated seeds can adversely affect earthworms' health. Earthworms exposed to non-lethal amounts of insecticides and fungicides showed poor weight gain and mitochondrial DNA damage.
A recent Harvard University study found that soil moisture increased across 57% of the US during summer between 2011-2020, contradicting the assumption that rising temperatures lead to drier soils. Precipitation, rather than temperature, is the primary driver of soil moisture trends.
New research reveals permafrost's dominant role in shaping Arctic rivers and storing massive amounts of carbon. Thawing permafrost could unleash billions of tons of CO2, exacerbating climate change.