Tag

Phosphorus

All articles tagged with #phosphorus

space1 month ago•10 min saved

Enceladus’ plumes reveal a hydrogen-powered hidden ocean

Saturn’s moon Enceladus vents a subsurface ocean through its south-pole tiger stripes, and Cassini measurements show hydrogen in the plume, likely produced by water-rock reactions in the ocean (serpentinisation) that energy-hungry microbes could exploit as in Earth's hydrothermal vents. New analyses find a broader suite of organic compounds and phosphates in plume grains, bringing five of the six bio-essential elements to the scene, but no life is detected and sulfur remains elusive. The results strengthen the case for habitability and set the stage for a future mission to search for signs of biology rather than a new discovery of life itself.

via Space Daily|

#enceladus #hydrogen #hydrothermal-vents

science2 months ago•5 min saved

Jupiter Likely Shaped Earth's Life-Element Origins

A NASA-backed study argues Earth acquired its life-essential phosphorus and nitrogen primarily from inner Solar System planetesimals, with Jupiter's gravity redistributing materials and limiting outer Solar System contributions, challenging the idea that comets and asteroids from farther out delivered these ingredients.

via Universe Today|

#inner-solar-system #jupiter #nitrogen

science2 months ago•5 min saved

Inner Solar System Shaped Earth’s Life Essentials, Study Finds

A NASA‑backed study using lab experiments and geochemical models argues Earth’s supply of life‑supporting phosphorus and nitrogen came mainly from inner solar system planetesimals (iron meteorites and related material), not outer‑solar‑system chondrites. Jupiter’s growth likely restricted the movement of these elements, helping inner bodies retain a higher phosphorus-to-nitrogen ratio and seed Earth with the needed ingredients for habitability. The findings suggest Earth acquired its P and N from the inner solar system, though it remains open whether a Jupiter‑like planet is essential for such elemental budgets.

via NASA Science (.gov)|

#chondrites #inner-solar-system #iron-meteorites

science3 months ago•11 min saved

Sahara’s Dust Fuels the Amazon’s Phosphorus Budget Across Oceans

Each year about 27.7 million tons of Saharan dust reach the Amazon, delivering roughly 22,000 tons of elemental phosphorus—nearly balancing the rainforest’s phosphorus losses from runoff and helping sustain its productivity. While Bodélé Depression was once thought the main source, newer research points to El Djouf and other western North African regions as major contributors; the exact mix remains debated. This intercontinental dust transport establishes a real, if still uncertain, nutrient link between the desert and the rainforest, with implications as climate patterns shift.

via Space Daily|

#amazon-rainforest #bodele-depression #phosphorus

science5 months ago•32 min saved

Female Caribou Chew Shed Antlers to Stock Mineral Pantry for Calves

A Nautilus study of shed caribou antlers and bones from Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge found that about 86% of the 1,567 shed antlers bore gnaw marks, mostly by caribou themselves, while 44% of bones showed gnaw marks by carnivores or rodents. The researchers conclude that female caribou chew antlers to access minerals such as calcium and phosphorus to support pregnancy, nursing, and the winter, effectively seeding essential nutrients at calving grounds and across their migratory landscape.

via Yahoo|

#antlers #calving #caribou

politics6 months ago•2 min saved

Trump taps DPA to bolster U.S. glyphosate and phosphorus production

President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides (Roundup), citing defense and food security; the move aligns with the Make America Healthy Again stance amid ongoing controversy and lawsuits over glyphosate's health effects, and tasks the Agriculture Secretary with implementing expanded production while highlighting U.S. reliance on limited domestic producers and potential supply-chain vulnerabilities.

via CNBC|

#defense-production-act #domestic-production #glyphosate

health10 months ago•2 min saved

Expert Tips for Long-Term Bone Health and Strength

Strong bones require more than just calcium; essential nutrients like magnesium and phosphorus are crucial for bone strength and flexibility. A holistic approach including diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits is recommended for lifelong bone health, according to Dr. Anil Raheja.

via Hindustan Times|

#bone-health #calcium #health

environment2 years ago•4 min saved

"Soil Microbes and Nutrient Competition Impact Forest Growth and Climate Change"

New research reveals that increased CO2 levels lead soil microbes to retain more phosphorus, limiting its availability for tree growth, particularly in eucalypts. This challenges current climate projections that assume higher CO2 will boost forest growth and mitigate global warming, highlighting the need to consider soil nutrient dynamics in climate models.

via The Conversation Indonesia|

#co2-emissions #environment #forest-growth

astronomy2 years ago•3 min saved

Unexpected Discovery: Life Ingredient Found on Galaxy's Edge

Phosphorus, a critical ingredient for life, has been discovered on the outskirts of the Milky Way galaxy, surprising scientists who believed it was only created in supernova explosions. The finding suggests that there may be alternative means of forging this life-crucial element. The discovery of phosphorus in a cloud known as WB89-621, located 74,000 light-years from the center of the galaxy, challenges current understanding of how massive stars form in regions with sparse material. This exciting discovery extends the habitable zone of the galaxy and may motivate further studies of distant exoplanets in the search for extraterrestrial life.

via ScienceAlert|

#astronomy #galactic-outskirts #habitable-zone

science-and-technology2 years ago•3 min saved

Unlocking Lunar Agriculture: Harnessing Bacteria to Transform Moon Soil for Crop Growth

Scientists have discovered a method to make lunar soil fertile for agriculture by introducing bacteria that enhance the availability of phosphorus, an essential plant nutrient. In experiments using simulated lunar soil, the treated soil produced plants with longer stems, roots, and larger clusters of leaves compared to untreated soil. The bacteria made the soil more acidic, causing insoluble phosphate-containing minerals to dissolve and release phosphorus, making it more available for plants. This research could pave the way for future lunar greenhouses and sustainable food production on the moon, reducing the need for Earth-moon transportation.

via Reuters|

#bacteria #lunar-soil #moon-agriculture

space3 years ago•4 min saved

"Enceladus Holds Key Ingredient for Life"

Researchers analyzing archival data from the Cassini mission have discovered evidence of phosphorus in the form of sodium phosphates in the subsurface ocean of Saturn's moon Enceladus. This is the first time phosphorus has been measured in a liquid environment beyond Earth. Phosphorus is a crucial element for life as we know it, and its presence in Enceladus's ocean suggests that it may be more abundant in the outer solar system than previously thought. The discovery further supports the possibility of finding life beyond Earth on Enceladus and other icy moons in the solar system.

via Eos|

#cassini-mission #enceladus #phosphorus

science-and-technology3 years ago•3 min saved

"Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Aluminum: Advancements in Sustainable Redox Flow Batteries"

Researchers have developed a proof-of-concept for a new class of molecules based on main group elements, specifically phosphorus and sulfur, that can efficiently store and release energy in redox flow batteries. This discovery offers potential for improving energy storage from intermittent sources like solar and wind. The molecules, called terthiophenes, demonstrated high stability and the ability to store electrons at extreme potentials. While solubility remains a challenge, further modifications to the structure are expected to increase solubility, energy density, and robustness. This research opens up possibilities for using organic systems in flow batteries and reducing reliance on scarce materials and corrosive compounds.

via Chemistry World|

#energy-storage #main-group-elements #phosphorus

space-science3 years ago•4 min saved

Enceladus: Key Element for Life Found on Saturn's Icy Moon

Researchers from Freie Universität Berlin have discovered phosphorus in the subsurface ocean of Saturn's moon Enceladus, providing evidence of a key building block for life. Using data from the Cassini space mission, the team detected phosphates in ice particles ejected into space by the moon's cryo-volcanic plume. The presence of phosphates, essential for DNA, RNA, cell membranes, and energy production, satisfies one of the requirements for habitability. Enceladus, with its soda ocean, organic compounds, and hydrothermal activity, is considered a prime candidate for extraterrestrial life. Future missions will continue the search for life on this icy moon.

via SciTechDaily|

#cassini #enceladus #extraterrestrial-life

space3 years ago•7 min saved

"Enceladus' Phosphate Discovery Bolsters Life's Possibility"

Scientists analyzing data from the Cassini mission to Saturn have discovered evidence of phosphorus, a key ingredient for life, in the subsurface ocean of Saturn's moon Enceladus. This finding means that Enceladus now has evidence for all six critical elements needed for life, making it the only other place in the solar system besides Earth with such evidence. The phosphorus found is soluble, suggesting it could be available for any potential life. The discovery increases the likelihood of finding life elsewhere in the solar system and highlights the potential habitability of Enceladus. Future missions, including an orbiter and lander, are being planned to further explore the moon and search for signs of life.

via Astronomy Magazine|

#cassini #enceladus #life

environment3 years ago•2 min saved

Recycling Wastewater for Valuable Soil Nutrient.

Scientists have developed a method to recycle phosphorus from wastewater and infuse it into biochar, a soil superfood made from incinerated organic material. Biochar acts like an underground rainwater sponge that delivers necessary phosphorus and other nutrients for plant growth. The process not only recycles phosphorus and produces cleaner water but also increases soil health and creates a carbon sink that reduces atmospheric greenhouse gases. The method has been patented and could be used to tackle several major problems related to agriculture and pollution.

via Good News Network|

#agriculture #biochar #environment