Articles tagged with Algae
A new study found that Sydney harbor's seaweeds contain high levels of toxic heavy metals, harming small animals that eat them. Up to three-quarters of juvenile crustaceans are killed when exposed to copper, highlighting the potential consequences for marine food chains.
Scientists have discovered a link between bacterial growth fueled by algae and the death of corals. The study shows that bacteria suffocate corals by cutting off oxygen supply, leading to a positive feedback loop that accelerates reef decline. Human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change exacerbate this process.
Researchers discovered that some coral species can replenish energy reserves by increasing feeding rates, allowing them to recover from bleaching events. However, even resilient species face a significant threat as global warming projections suggest up to 60% of the world's coral reefs could be lost within 10-30 years.
The study found a pattern of steady cooling in the EEP over 5 million years, with temperatures dropping by roughly one degree Celsius every million years. The research suggests that ocean regions near Antarctica were the main driver of EEP cooling, contradicting previous theories about rapid glacier growth in high northern latitudes.
A new method using ultrasound and genetically modified algae can remove up to 60% of mercury from contaminated water, according to Ohio State University researchers. The technique uses ultrasonic waves to release mercury from sediments, which is then absorbed by the algae, leaving the sediment clean.
Merchant identified a critical protein molecule that measures copper levels and responds to its presence in green algae, shedding light on the adaptive mechanisms of life. Her research has implications for human nutrition and may reveal new strategies for allocating essential nutrients.
Researchers found that algae need vitamin B12 from bacteria due to an alternative metabolic process. This discovery highlights the importance of symbiotic relationships in maintaining ecosystem balance, with implications for global health and biodiversity.
The study reveals that nutrient enrichment has reduced sea grass beds and lowered dissolved oxygen concentrations in the Chesapeake Bay. Revitalizing habitats such as sea grass beds, oyster reefs, and tidal marshes may lead to substantial benefits toward recovery from nutrient enrichment.
A study by Vanderbilt University researchers reveals that biological clocks enhance the fitness of organisms by adapting to daily environmental changes. However, when illuminated constantly, these internal pacemakers become obsolete and can even hinder growth, according to the research.
Modern phytoplankton's evolutionary history reveals that their ancestors did not appear until 250 million years ago. The study found that changes in sea level, water chemistry and carbon-dioxide levels contributed to the rise of dominant phytoplankton groups.
Researchers at University at Buffalo found that corals can take up new algal symbionts from their environments, increasing cell densities and demonstrating a mechanism for recovery from bleaching. This study provides evidence of coral resilience in the face of environmental change.
Engineers at Ohio State University determined which computer models perform well for monitoring Great Lakes water quality, aiding studies of global climate change. The study used satellite images to gauge algae levels in Lake Erie and other lakes, enabling scientists to remove atmospheric interference and compare model performance.
A study by Queen's University researchers found that taste and odour-causing algae have increased in 90% of lakes in the Muskoka-Haliburton region since the early 1800s. The increase is attributed to climate change and acidic deposition, with significant rises over the past two decades.
Scientists discovered that plants can thrive under quartz rocks, possibly mirroring ancient life on early Earth. The study found that sunlight filtering through the rocks provides a greenhouse effect, keeping plants warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
In a laboratory experiment using rotifers and algae in chemostats, rapid evolution allowed prey to adapt and outnumber their predators. This phenomenon, predicted by computer models, demonstrates how evolution can play a crucial role in ecological dynamics and could have implications for understanding diseases like HIV.
The book is a comprehensive guide to the flora of the Caribbean, featuring over 700 underwater color photographs and detailed information on 565 species of marine plants. The award recognizes the widespread need for this reference among students, researchers, and reef managers.
Researchers create a new, cost-effective way to produce human therapeutic proteins using algae. They can now make large quantities of antibodies and other proteins much cheaper than traditional methods.
Researchers have successfully determined the structure of a biological clock protein called KaiC in blue-green algae, shedding light on internal clock mechanisms. The protein's ring-like hexagonal structure suggests it interacts directly with DNA, potentially regulating gene expression and controlling the wake-sleep cycle.
The sequencing of Chlamydomonas' chloroplast genome reveals its potential for improving crop tolerance to phosphates, reducing fertilizer use and environmental pollution. The algae may also be used as a source of renewable hydrogen and bioreactor for producing novel proteins.
A new study confirms Pfiesteria cultures can produce a toxic compound, contradicting previous claims that it was non-toxic. The research used standardized methods to test the strain, showing it could kill fish at low cell densities, and detected a potent water-soluble toxin in both pure culture and with algae.
Brown algae's DNA composition was examined to reorder the division Phaeophyta, resulting in a new classification of 20 orders. A new species, Sphacelaria tsengii, was also discovered with unique propagules used for asexual reproduction.
Researchers at Dartmouth College found that algae helps to reduce the concentration of methylmercury in Daphnia and fish by dispersing it widely throughout single-celled algae cells. This discovery has significant implications for understanding mercury biomagnification in aquatic ecosystems.
The U.S. Navy is seeking non-toxic solutions to combat barnacle infestations, which cost billions of dollars annually due to drag on ship hulls. Researchers are exploring flexible and textured coatings that may repel or deter barnacles without harming marine organisms.
Researchers have identified a key molecular cue regulating zygotic genome activation in green algae Chlamydomonas. The abnormal expression of the mt+ gamete-specific gene gsp1 induces zygote development without fertilization. This finding opens up new avenues for understanding zygotic genome activation in higher organisms.
Researchers are conducting field studies on three Hawaiian islands to examine the origins and evolution of plant life on Earth. The team is collecting plant samples in various ecosystems to identify invasive species and determine their impact on native biodiversity.
A team of researchers, led by Keith Cooksey from Montana State University, is on a mission to find microorganisms that can naturally lower carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. They plan to use the heat-loving microbes found in Yellowstone National Park's hot springs to scrub CO2 from industrial exhaust.
Researchers at Ohio University are developing an algae-based system to remove carbon dioxide from smokestacks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The system uses photosynthesis and could process up to 20% of a plant's CO2 emissions, producing 200,000 tons of algae per year.
A new study by researchers at Dartmouth College found that fertilized lakes in Ontario, Canada, exhibit unpredictable algal composition and abundance fluctuations from year to year. This unpredictability makes it challenging for lake managers to make accurate predictions for planning management and research efforts.
Coral reefs are experiencing extensive bleaching due to gradual warming of ocean temperatures. A new study found that heat damage to symbiotic algae is degrading their ability to convert light into utilizable energy. The damaged algae, including the D1 protein, impair photosynthesis and lead to coral expulsion.
Vanderbilt University biologist Carl Johnson's research finds that internal clocks in humans and lower organisms are entrained by both artificial and natural light. The human biological clock speeds up with age, leading to early wake-up times and sleep disruptions, while napping is an innate function.
Researchers have identified the precise mechanism by which marine algae produce DMSP, a compound that helps clouds form in the atmosphere. This discovery could lead to genetically engineered crops with improved drought, freeze, and salt tolerance, potentially regulating global climate.
Researchers at UC Davis analyzed eight lake studies and found that limiting nutrient supply is a stronger mechanism for controlling algae blooms than tinkering with food webs. This challenges the 'trophic cascade hypothesis,' which suggests manipulating food web structure can regulate lake clarity.