Articles tagged with Algae
Tiny single-celled algae and bacteria rebounded quickly after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, consuming oxygen and slowing larger organisms' recovery. This process was driven by volcanic activity and resulting ocean acidification, which fueled explosive algae blooms.
Researchers found that algal secretions can increase ice salinity and create channels in ice, allowing algae to live and grow. This adaptation may help sea-ice algae thrive in a warmer climate.
Scientists have discovered unrecognised substances released by algae blooms that can interfere with reproductive hormones, leading to potential harm to humans and aquatic animals. The researchers used zebrafish as a test subject and found that these substances can cause endocrine disrupting effects.
The world's phosphorous stocks are depleting rapidly, posing a risk of global shortages within the next 20 years. Excess phosphorous from fertilizer use is causing widespread eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems, threatening aquatic life and human water quality.
Scientists have identified a 24-hour internal clock in red blood cells, which works independently of DNA and gene activity. This discovery sheds light on the ancient mechanism that controls daily and seasonal activities across all living organisms.
A study by Wildlife Conservation Society and University of California at Santa Cruz found that overfished reef systems have fewer sea urchins, leading to higher coral growth rates and more structure. Reefs with complete fish communities outperform those without predators, which allows coralline algae to thrive.
Researchers reconstruct carbon dioxide levels during the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum, a 400,000-year period of extreme global warming. They found that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels doubled, leading to temperature increases of 4-6 degrees Celsius.
Researchers found that 71% of examined black coral species contain algae, even at depths over 400m. The discovery highlights the diverse habitat preferences and environmental ranges of symbiotic algae.
Toxic blue-green algae, like Aphanizomenon ovalisporum, dominate freshwater ecosystems by inducing phosphate-limitation responses in other microorganisms. This 'enslavement' mechanism enables the algae to gain a nutrient advantage and proliferate dangerously in freshwater bodies.
Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that carbon dioxide-induced global warming is killing off a major coral species in the Red Sea. Coral growth has declined by 30% and may cease altogether by 2070 due to summer sea surface temperatures remaining 1.5 degrees Celsius above ambient.
A team of American scientists from the University of Nevada, Reno, is working to find solutions to Guatemala's Lake Atitlan's algae bloom problem. They are building on research started in the 1970s and have collected data and samples from the lake, including sediment cores and near-shore sampling.
Researchers discovered damselfish selectively weed algal gardens to promote Polysiphonia growth, reducing competition from other algae. This 'gardening' behavior leads to a mutualistic association between the fish and Polysiphonia, showcasing cultivation mutualism in non-terrestrial habitats.
Researchers developed an algae-based system to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from livestock manure runoff, reducing agricultural pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay. The system recovered 60-90% of nitrogen and 70-100% of phosphorus, with costs comparable to other manure management practices.
Small algae consume more bacteria than specialized predators, gaining a competitive survival edge in the open ocean. This finding supports the idea that bacteria are a crucial nutrient source for these microorganisms.
Researchers have observed dynamic behavior of allophycocyanin protein for over one second, a significant increase from previous methods, revealing new insights into its shape-changing dynamics.
A study published in Plant Biotechnology Journal found that algae can produce human therapeutic proteins such as VEGF, HMGB1, and fibronectin at levels comparable to mammalian cell cultures. This could significantly reduce the cost of expensive treatments for diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes.
Kansas State University researcher Weiqiao Yuan has received a five-year, $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation's CAREER program to develop economically viable methods for producing energy from algae. His project aims to identify optimal solid carriers and surface textures for algae growth in ocean biofuels manufacturing.
Iowa State University researcher is developing a micro-algal platform to stack desirable traits in algae, leading to increased oil production and hydrocarbon conversion for more sustainable biofuels. The goal is to create a flexible source of biofuels with reduced environmental impact.
Coral reefs face a dire outlook due to rising ocean temperatures, with mass bleaching events predicted under different climate scenarios. Despite this, some habitats like shaded areas may support reef survival, and researchers are studying unique ecosystems in the central equatorial Pacific to better understand reef resilience.
Researchers are exploring algae as a promising new fuel source to meet the country's energy needs. Algae can produce biomass and oils, utilizing abundant sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water in optimal environments, which could lead to a significant reduction in land use requirements compared to traditional crops.
Researchers discovered diverse corals harboring unusual, thermally tolerant algae species in the Andaman Sea. These findings suggest some coral reefs may persist despite future global warming.
Researchers at University of Toronto have found evidence of quantum mechanics in marine algae's ability to optimize photosynthesis. This discovery suggests that energy from absorbed light resides in a state known as coherence, allowing for efficient flow of energy through the system.
Scientists analyzed early Pliocene algae records to find evidence of sustained coastal upwelling off California's coast, even in a warmer climate. This insight provides valuable information on how ocean currents drive regional and global climate patterns.
Researchers have discovered a specific protein in algae that acts as a safety valve to dissipate excess absorbed light energy. This finding could lead to the development of more robust, commercially viable strains for biofuel production and help plants survive extreme environmental conditions.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences challenges the long-held notion that fish obtain up to 50% of their carbon from terrestrial sources. Instead, researchers found that algae provide a much more nutritious and abundant diet for fish and other aquatic life.
Researchers at Kansas State University are exploring the feasibility of growing algae on large platforms in ocean water to produce oil. By understanding how algae attach to surfaces and grow, they aim to create a more efficient and cost-effective system for producing biodiesel, which could help the US transition away from fossil fuels.
A new theory proposes that toxic algae may have caused the world's great species annihilations during five of Earth's largest mass extinctions. Algae blooms can kill thousands of fish and poison shellfish, with some plants on land also picking up toxins through their roots.
Researchers at Clemson University found evidence that toxin-producing algae played a deadly role in mass extinctions. The scientists analyzed ancient algal deposits and found that these algae were present in sufficient quantities to kill off plants and animals.
Researchers at North Carolina State University aim to create fuels that can be used in place of conventional diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel. They plan to genetically modify Dunaliella algae to produce fatty acids that can be converted into fuels, with the goal of creating a cost-competitive, renewable energy source.
Researchers at Uppsala University have discovered that cellulose nanostructure from green algae can serve as an effective coating substrate for environmentally friendly batteries. The new material enables the production of lightweight batteries with high charge capacities.
A team of biologists found that a rare species of algae proliferated in corals during a period of high sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean Ocean. The results suggest that this species may save some corals from bleaching, but its long-term impact on coral health is uncertain.
Salt-loving algae can be grown on marginal lands with brackish water, producing biofuels 10-30 times more than terrestrial crops. Their growth is non-seasonal, making them suitable for recycling atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Researchers have identified novel bacterial strains capable of breaking down microcystins, a toxin produced by blue-green algae. These bacteria can be used to create a reliable and cost-effective purification system for removing microcystins from contaminated water.
Scientists have shed light on the collapse of coral reefs, revealing their genetic complexity and intricate symbiotic relationship with algae. The delicate communication process between the coral and algae is also being stressed by global change, leading to coral bleaching and collapse.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen discovered that North Sea oil-bearing layers resemble a sponge, with tiny pores and gaps where oil 'hides' and can only be pressed out by injecting water. The chalk particles should repel oil, but the surface coating on the pores allows it to stick.
A team of scientists has sequenced the genomes of two tiny marine algae, revealing unexpected genes with functions similar to those found in land plants and bacteria. The findings highlight the complexity of these organisms and their potential role in shaping marine food webs and carbon cycling.
Researchers have decoded the genomes of two tiny algal strains, highlighting their genes that enable them to capture carbon and maintain its delicate balance in the oceans. The study also sheds light on how these algae may cope with environmental change.
Researchers have developed a novel, eco-friendly process to convert algae oil into biodiesel fuel, promising a cheaper alternative to traditional methods. The 'continuously flowing fixed-bed' method produces no wastewater and uses a proprietary solid catalyst, reducing processing costs and increasing efficiency.
Research shows that higher CO2 concentrations in freshwater micro-algae lead to a reduction in their nutritional value, affecting the small animals that eat them. This can have detrimental effects on the entire underwater food chain, influencing ecosystems and potentially leading to changes in aquatic species distribution.
A Yellowstone alga has been found to detoxify arsenic through a process of oxidation, reduction, and conversion, rendering it less toxic. The discovery could have significant implications for bioremediation efforts and the potential for life to exist on other planets or moons.
The production of algae-based biodiesel has been shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding the use of fossil resources. Additionally, establishing an algal biodiesel plant could create up to 45 jobs in rural areas and provide opportunities for diversifying agricultural sectors.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno successfully harvested their first outdoor crop of algae as part of a collaborative project with industry partners. The project showed that it is possible to grow algae outdoors year-round in Nevada, using salt-loving algae varieties that produce high amounts of oil and starch.
Researchers have discovered lignin, a key component of wood, in marine algae, challenging the long-held assumption that it is unique to land plants. The finding provides a new perspective on the early evolution of support tissues and may affect how land plants are distinguished from aquatic algae.
Phycologists and algal biotechnologists in China are addressing pressing issues in algae research, including resource exhaustion and environmental impact. The country's largest seaweed cultivation industry has become a crucial driver of innovation and growth in the field.
Researchers will screen different types of algae to learn which species produce the most oil and grow them in large numbers to produce biodiesel. Algae have benefits that make farming them easier on growers, such as being able to use non-prime agricultural land and water not suitable for food crops.
Researchers found that tadpoles help keep algae at the base of the food chain productive, but their absence leads to more sediment and less productive algae. The study demonstrates how the grazing activities of tadpoles help maintain a healthy stream ecosystem.
Scientists are using cyanobacteria and plant materials to identify anticancer lead compounds that may be more effective than current treatments. The goal is to develop naturally occurring substances that target key cellular targets such as the proteasome and histone deacetylase.
Researchers at Kansas State University are exploring the potential of ocean-grown algae as a sustainable energy source. The project aims to identify suitable materials and attributes that enable algae growth on solid carriers, with the goal of developing a cost-effective process for biofuel manufacturing.
Cyanobacteria blooms are becoming more frequent and widespread due to global warming, posing a threat to human health and water ecosystems. The algae can cause digestive, neurological, and skin diseases in humans, and deplete oxygen in water reservoirs.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory are exploring the use of algae to produce hydrogen gas through photosynthesis. This method could potentially create a large amount of hydrogen gas comparable to oxygen production, with benefits including reduced competition for food resources and easier harvesting.
The University of Colorado at Boulder has received a $1 million grant from the USDA and DOE to develop solar-thermal biomass-to-gas conversion systems. The three-year project will use concentrated sunlight to convert biomass into synthesis gas, which can be easily converted into hydrogen or liquid fuels.
Researchers found that healthy coral polyps rely on both photosynthetic carbon from algae and feeding-derived carbon for survival. The study suggests a key role for this dual carbon source in coral recovery from bleaching, with implications for the management of these critical ecosystems.
Dr. Andrew Baker's work focuses on developing techniques to enhance thermal tolerance of corals and help them survive bleaching events. He plans to boost the natural abundance of heat-tolerant algae inside reef corals.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that coral reefs in sites with varying seasonal temperatures are more likely to survive rising ocean temperatures. This 'tough love' approach allows corals to adapt to environmental variation, increasing their chances of survival.
Three species of Galapagos corals and 74 seaweeds were listed as threatened or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to climate change and over-fishing. The study highlighted the urgent need for marine conservation practice to address these environmental pressures.
Researchers at Arizona State University are working on a project to convert vegetable and algal oils into Jet Propellant-8, a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based jet fuel. The goal is to achieve 90% energy efficiency and reduce production costs, with potential applications for commercial jets.
Research reveals that parasites can significantly alter the abundance of edible algae, which is a crucial resource for various organisms. This finding suggests that non-lethal impacts of parasites can have far-reaching effects on entire ecosystems.
Duke University researchers engineer mice whose olfactory brain cells 'fire' when exposed to light, enabling real-time monitoring of brain activity. This breakthrough provides a new approach for studying mammalian neural circuitry and has potential applications in treating brain injuries and diseases.
Researchers have identified a new group of algae, Picobiliphytes, found in the smallest members of photosynthetic plankton. The discovery was made using molecular techniques and has revealed a wide distribution of these previously unknown organisms.
A group of researchers has successfully identified algae of the genus known to represent coral symbionts and demonstrated that isolated algae can establish symbioses with new corals. This finding potentially bolsters future efforts to protect and rehabilitate coral reefs.