How nitrogen has been underestimated in lake ecosystems
An ecological imbalance in a lake can usually be attributed to increased nutrient inputs. This results in increased phytoplankton growth, oxygen deficiency, toxic cyanobacterial blooms and fish deaths. Until now, controls in lake management have focu.....»»
A machine learning-based approach to discover nanocomposite films for biodegradable plastic alternatives
The accumulation of plastic waste in natural environments is of utmost concern, as it is contributing to the destruction of ecosystems and is causing harm to aquatic life. In recent years, material scientists have thus been trying to identify all-nat.....»»
Study uncovers the role of soil microbes in forest ecosystems
Assessing the function of forest ecosystems requires a deep understanding of the mechanisms of soil nitrogen mineralization. A study conducted by a team of researchers has shed light on how soil N-cycling genes drive soil nitrogen mineralization duri.....»»
A model to promote the coordination between environmental protection and agricultural development in Erhai Lake
Erhai Lake, covering 252 km2, located in Yunnan Province, is one of the seven largest freshwater lakes in China. However, over the last three decades, the lake has suffered pollution episodes. In order to solve this problem, the local government has.....»»
Africa"s iconic flamingos threatened by rising lake levels, study shows
It is one of the world's most spectacular sights—huge flocks or "flamboyances" of flamingos around East Africa's lakes—as seen in the film "Out of Africa" or David Attenborough's "A Perfect Planet.".....»»
Q&A: El Niño drought leaves Zimbabwe"s Lake Kariba only 13% full—a disaster for people and wildlife
Water levels at Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe have dropped dramatically because of the latest El Niño drought. The country's president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has declared a national disaster......»»
Scientists discover first nitrogen-fixing organelle
Modern biology textbooks assert that only bacteria can take nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into a form that is usable for life. Plants that fix nitrogen, such as legumes, do so by harboring symbiotic bacteria in root nodules. But a recen.....»»
Researchers find a new organelle evolving
A "nitroplast" converts nitrogen from the air to a chemically useful form. Enlarge / A photo of Braarudosphaera bigelowii with the nitroplast indicated by an arrowhead. (credit: Tyler Coale) The complex cells that under.....»»
It just became the perfect time to buy a last-gen Intel CPU
Intel made an unexpected decision regarding its 13th generation of processors, which is why now is a good time to buy a Raptor Lake CPU......»»
Tropical coral-infecting parasites discovered in cold marine ecosystems
Parasites thought only to infect tropical coral reefs have been discovered in a large variety of creatures in cold marine ecosystems along the Northeast Pacific, according to new research from University of British Columbia botanists......»»
Officials brace for "uncertainty" in water transfers to Lake Mead
Key backup tubes inside the Glen Canyon Dam might be damaged, potentially threatening the delivery of water to Lake Mead in the future if water levels ever dip too low in Lake Powell, according to a Bureau of Reclamation memo......»»
Earthquakes may not be primary driver of glacial lake outburst floods
Glacial lakes form when meltwater is trapped behind a dam, usually glacial ice, bedrock or a type of moraine (terminal types being an unconsolidated pile of debris at the maximum extent of the glacier). When a dam fails, the resulting sudden release.....»»
Snowmelt timing impacts grassland plant communities, new study finds
Researchers at the Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have shed light on how the timing of snowmelt affects the plant communities in grasslands, which are vital ecosystems around the world......»»
Archaeological study suggests cultural diversity increases biodiversity of ecosystems
Cultural diversity is likely to have an overall positive effect on the biodiversity of ecosystems. The homogenization of human life forms may therefore be regarded as an important motor of the ongoing major extinction events in the "Age of Humans" (A.....»»
Measuring the atmospheres of other worlds to see if there are enough nutrients for life
Life on Earth depends on six critical elements: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, and sulfur. These elements are referred to as CHNOPS, and along with several trace micronutrients and liquid water, they're what life needs......»»
Greek valley that became a lake stirs drought debate
Gracefully rising above a din of croaking frogs as the sun sets, a pelican flies over Lake Karla, one the largest inland expanses of water in Greece......»»
A frozen lake and several Lamborghinis provide lessons on traction control
Electronic traction control is more important than ever as electric motors proliferate. Enlarge / You can learn a lot about traction when there's very little of it around. (credit: Michael Teo Van Runkle) Lamborghini pro.....»»
First-of-its-kind integrated dataset enables genes-to-ecosystems research
A team of Department of Energy scientists led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory has released the first-ever dataset bridging molecular information about the poplar tree microbiome to ecosystem-level processes. The project aims to inform research regar.....»»
eDNA methods give a real-time look at coral reef health
The human gut is full of microbes. Some microbes can make people sick, while others are responsible for balancing gut health. But humans aren't the only species whose health depends on these microorganisms. Coral reef ecosystems rely on microorganism.....»»
Live in Henry Ford"s winter home for $4.5 million
The Cherry Hill House, built around 1870, overlooks a private golf course and Lake Clara at the Ford Field & River Club outside Savannah, Ga......»»
Can savanna emerge in the cold high latitudes and altitudes due to ongoing rapid warming?
Recent studies have shown that rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations and consequential warming may compromise the community structure and functioning of the cold tundra ecosystems. However, in addition to carbon uptake, natural vegetation—particula.....»»