All articles tagged with #urea
New research suggests that the delayed rise of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere was controlled by the levels of nickel and urea, which initially limited cyanobacterial growth. As these compounds declined, cyanobacteria proliferated, releasing oxygen and triggering the Great Oxidation Event, a key step in making Earth habitable and providing insights for life beyond Earth.
Scientists from ETH Zurich and the University of Geneva have developed a new method to observe chemical reactions in liquids at an extremely high temporal resolution, using X-ray spectroscopy. This breakthrough allows them to track molecular changes within femtoseconds, shedding light on reactions involving molecules like urea that may have played a role in the emergence of life on Earth. The researchers discovered that ionizing radiation causes a hydrogen atom transfer within urea molecules, leading to the formation of urea radicals and potentially the building blocks of RNA and DNA. This new technique has broad implications for understanding biochemical processes and chemical syntheses in liquids.
New research from the University of Manchester reveals that ocean areas rich in marine life are major sources of atmospheric urea, a key nitrogen compound. This discovery has profound consequences for marine productivity and climate stability, as urea can benefit nutrient-deficient environments and be transported over long distances through the atmosphere. The findings call for a revision of current nitrogen cycle models and highlight the need to understand the complex interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, and ecosystems to address climate change effectively.
Scientists at The University of Manchester have discovered that the primary source of urea, a nitrogen-rich compound vital for the growth and development of living organisms, comes from the ocean. The research also reveals that urea can be transported over long distances through the atmosphere to benefit other environments that may be nutrient-deficient. The findings have significant implications for our understanding of the nitrogen cycle and calls for a revision of current models, which could have far-reaching consequences for marine productivity and climate stability.