Nitrogen found to affect soil invertebrates and insects
Higher levels of nitrogen in the environment (coming from fertilizers and livestock, for example) not only affect plants but also soil invertebrates and insects. The diversity of roundworms declines in areas with high input of nitrogen, and numbers o.....»»
From roots to leaves: The nitrogen connection to photosynthetic efficiency
Photosynthesis efficiency in plants is influenced by the type of nitrogen absorbed. Ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) are the primary nitrogen sources, each affecting plant physiology differently. Variations in leaf anatomy, such as cell wall thickn.....»»
Fish biodiversity found to benefit nutrition, particularly for lower income people
Households caught and consumed a far more diverse array of fish than they sold at market, which has important implications for how loss of biodiversity might affect people's nutrition, especially for those with lower incomes. A Cornell study is one o.....»»
Study highlights the benefits of mixing cover crops
A University of Kentucky study titled "Productivity benefits of cereal-legume cover crop mixtures under variable soil nitrogen and termination times" suggests that mixing cover crops is a beneficial strategy for modern agriculture......»»
Forest monitoring reveals self-cleansing effect of radiocesium in ecosystem after Fukushima Daiichi plant accident
A forest monitoring survey conducted more than 13 years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident has revealed that the natural downward migration of radiocesium in soil exhibits a decontamination effect that reduces the air dose rate.....»»
Smart soil can water and feed itself
A newly engineered type of soil can capture water out of thin air to keep plants hydrated and manage controlled release of fertilizer for a constant supply of nutrients......»»
Study identifies rhizobacteria to combat Striga and boost sorghum yields in Ethiopia
A research team has identified potential Striga-suppressing rhizobacteria associated with sorghum, which have been shown to significantly reduce Striga seed germination rates. This study highlights the value of soil-borne bacteria as bioherbicides to.....»»
Chlorinated flame retardants found to affect avian embryonic development
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) were listed under the category of globally controlled persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention in 2017. However, SCCPs toxicity, particularly its developmental toxicity in avian embryo.....»»
Ground surface conditions found to impact speed and distance of leaking natural gas
When natural gas leaks from a subsurface pipeline, a ground cover of water/snow saturation, asphalt paving or a combination of these can cause the gas to migrate away from the leak site up to three to four times farther than through dry soil, a new s.....»»
Irish peat soils are far more vast than previously known, suggests study
New figures suggest peat soils cover 13% more area than previous peat soil maps, which are useful in land use planning—with peat soils critical in absorbing greenhouse gases (GHG) and helping to meet some of Ireland's most pressing environmental ch.....»»
Metabolomic insights into soybean defense strategies against diverse pathogens
Soybean, as a globally critical leguminous crop, faces continuous threats from different pathogens, which profoundly affect global production. Although the genetic interactions between soybean and pathogens have attracted extensive attention and res.....»»
New dataset reveals accelerated global soil phosphorus release at higher temperatures
A study published in Science Advances shows that phosphorus (P) release from soils is enhanced at higher mean annual temperatures (MAT). This finding is based on a new compilation of data on global surface soil temperatures and phosphorus content......»»
Study unveils complexity of zoonotic transmission chains
Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna have dissected the complex interactions involved in zoonoses, which annually affect over two billion people worldwide. They introduce the concept of a "zoono.....»»
2023 Rolling Hills Estates landslide likely began the winter before
Californians are familiar with landslides that occur around storms, when saturated soil and rock loses its grip and slips from its perch on the substrate. These types of landslides can be triggered by intense rainfall, and incoming storms can be a wa.....»»
Selection processes play dominant role in shaping coexisting assemblages of trees and soil fungi: Study
Community assembly is shaped by four main processes: selection—fitness differences between organisms; dispersal—organisms' movement across space; drift—unpredictable variation in abundance; and diversification—new genetic variants. However, w.....»»
New hypothesis rethinks tech"s impact on social interaction
A new study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking introduces a novel hypothesis that could reshape our understanding of how digital technologies affect human sociality and mental health......»»
Fires and climate are changing. The science must change as well, says paper
A new paper on the many ways wildfires affect people and the planet makes clear that as fires become more intense and frequent, the urgency for effective and proactive fire science grows. By addressing these challenges, the fire research community ai.....»»
Digging deep—value of the soil microbiome unearthed
Researchers in South Australia are digging deep into history of soil biology in the state to gain a better understanding of how the soil microbiome functions to ensure sustainable broadacre farming into the future......»»
How the Supreme Court’s ‘Chevron Deference’ Ruling Could Remake the Energy Sector
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on “Chevron deference” could affect federal regulations of everything from power plant emissions to electric vehicles to transmission lines.....»»
From robots and drones to sheep trackers, new tech can help farmers monitor and improve soil health
Twelve million hectares of agricultural soils are lost globally through soil degradation every year. As an ecologist, I work alongside farmers and growers in the field and have seen how farming can help solve this global soil crisis......»»
Study reveals impact of postharvest treatments on tomato ripening
Tomato fruit ripening, a process initiated by key gene demethylation, is significantly influenced by postharvest handling practices. These practices, while extending shelf life, can alter ripening dynamics and affect fruit quality......»»