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.....»»
Uneven strain distribution induces detwinning in penta-twinned nanoparticles
Twinned nanoparticles have regions of clear symmetry that share the same crystal lattice, separated by a clear boundary. Changing the twin structure can affect the properties of the nanoparticles, which makes controlling twinning to create tailored n.....»»
Scientists develop sticky pesticide to combat pest insects
Researchers from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Leiden University have engineered a biological barrier that protects plants from diseases and pests. It concerns a sticky substance that is sprayed on leaves, to which pests stick......»»
New iPad Air review roundup: Screen and Apple Pencil Pro are standouts
The first reviews of the iPad Air are in, and while there is a lot of focus on how there's now a larger-screen version, all also wonder how this will affect sales of the iPad Pro.The 11-inch and 13-inch iPad AirIt doesn't seem possible to review any.....»»
Nitrogen pollution is less harmful to mixed forests, study shows
In a study published in the journal Plant and Soil, researchers from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have shown that mixed larch and deciduous forests are more resistant to soil acidification—a decrease in soil p.....»»
Non-photosynthetic vegetation helps improve accuracy of wind erosion impact assessment
The process of soil wind erosion is influenced by vegetation cover. From a functional point of view, vegetation can be divided into photosynthetic vegetation (PV) and non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV). The NPV represents dormant and dead vegetation.....»»
The secret to mimicking natural faults? Plexiglass and Teflon
When a fault ruptures in nature, some sections of the fault slip suddenly and seismically, weakening as velocity increases. Other regions creep slowly and strengthen with increasing velocity. The relative locations of these sections affect the size a.....»»
Unveiling crucial virulent milRNAs implicated in the initial infection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is a typical soil-borne fungus that causes Fusarium wilt by infecting the roots and blocking the vascular tissues of host banana plants, and threatens global banana production. In total, four races have been re.....»»
Convergence science in the changing Arctic
The Arctic is undergoing rapid changes that affect its natural environment, its people, and its role in global-scale natural processes. The interplay of climate change, industrialization, and other stressors makes the Arctic an intriguing subject for.....»»
The wasps that tamed viruses
Some insects have transformed wild viruses into tiny biological weapons. Enlarge / Xorides praecatorius is a parasitoid wasp. (credit: TorriPhoto via Getty) If you puncture the ovary of a wasp called Microplitis demolito.....»»
Phantom braking lands troubled EV-maker Fisker in feds’ crosshairs
This makes four open federal safety investigations for the Fisker Ocean. Enlarge (credit: Graham Hughes/Bloomberg via Getty Images) The federal government is looking at a phantom braking problem that appears to be affect.....»»
Study finds consistent decline in nitrogen oxides emissions from human activities in China since 2020
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) form aerosols and ozone in the atmosphere and are significant contributors to air pollution and climate change. China is the largest emitter, yet accurate and timely information on NOx emissions in China has been lacking since 2.....»»
Saturated soils could impact survival of young trees planted to address climate change
The saturated soil conditions predicted to result from increased rainfall in the UK's upland regions could have a knock-on effect on the ambition to create more woodland in the fight against climate change, a new study has found......»»
New rhizobia-diatom symbiosis solves long-standing marine mystery
Nitrogen is an essential component of all living organisms. It is also the key element controlling the growth of crops on land, as well as the microscopic oceanic plants that produce half the oxygen on our planet. Atmospheric nitrogen gas is by far t.....»»
Affordability to affect new-vehicle purchases, study says
An Urban Science and Harris Poll study found 55 percent of consumers said they're likely to change their vehicle purchase or lease plans due to economic concerns in the near future, lower than dealers' expectations......»»
Woodlice hold the new record for smallest dispersers of ingested seeds
Even bugs as small as woodlice can disperse seeds they eat, setting a new record for smallest animal recorded to do so. The Kobe University discovery underscores the crucial yet often overlooked role that small invertebrates play in ecosystems......»»
How rising treelines can affect Alpine lakes
An EPFL scientist along with colleagues from universities across Europe have completed the first-ever quantitative study of the changes that soil organic matter from forests can cause in high-altitude and high-latitude lakes once it's dissolved in th.....»»
How workforce reductions affect cybersecurity postures
In its State of Pentesting Report, Cobalt reveals an industry struggling to balance the use of AI and protecting against it, while facing significant resource and staffing constraints. Pentesting plays a key role in addressing this challenge, equippi.....»»
Study demonstrate improved root growth in radio-cesium contaminated soil
Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) have identified a way for plants to gain resistance to cesium, a radioactive toxin that can be found in contaminated soil. After manipulating a specific biological signaling path.....»»
Loss of large herbivores affects interactions between plants and their natural enemies, study shows
Insects and microorganisms that feed on plants, cut up leaves, modify leaf tissue or produce leaf spots and other kinds of damage, are usually known as pests and considered harmful, yet interactions between plants and their natural enemies are import.....»»
Unraveling isopods" culinary secrets and why it matters for ecosystems
New research on desert isopods' dietary preferences is the revelation of the complex factors influencing their food choices. By understanding how these animals meticulously regulate their nutrient intake and prefer biological soil crusts over plant l.....»»