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Related Concept Videos

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Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment within the body, which is crucial for the proper functioning of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. The body has various control mechanisms that work together to regulate various physiological parameters such as temperature, blood pressure, pH balance, and fluid balance, to name a few. These control mechanisms are based on feedback loops that can be either positive or negative.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 1, 2025

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
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Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

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Human-driven global nutrient imbalances increase risks to health.

Josep Penuelas1,2, Jordi Sardans1,2

  • 1CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Eco-Environment & Health
|March 4, 2024
PubMed
Summary

The global nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) ratio is rising due to human activity, potentially impacting human health by influencing non-infectious and infectious diseases. Further research is crucial for understanding and managing these N:P ratio effects.

Keywords:
Infectious diseasesMedical treatmentsN:P ratioNitrogenNon-infectious diseasesPhosphorus

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Human Health
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Human activities have significantly increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs into the biosphere.
  • This has led to an escalating global anthropogenic N:P ratio, a key driver of environmental change.
  • The implications of this N:P ratio for human health remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential effects of the N:P ratio on human health, specifically concerning non-infectious and infectious diseases.
  • To highlight the need for scientific and policy attention on the human-induced biospheric N:P ratio's health impacts.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preliminary data and existing literature on N:P ratios and disease.
  • Exploration of potential links between N:P ratios and disease etiology.
  • Identification of research gaps and future directions.

Main Results:

  • Preliminary data suggest a potential role of N:P ratios in the rise of non-infectious diseases (e.g., cancer).
  • The N:P ratio may also influence the proliferation of infectious diseases (e.g., Zika, malaria).

Conclusions:

  • The human-induced N:P ratio presents a significant, underappreciated factor affecting human health.
  • Understanding the mechanisms driving these effects is critical.
  • Manipulating N:P ratios offers potential avenues for improving human health through medical and agricultural strategies.