Articles tagged with Algae
A study found that ocean acidification reduced the strength and density of fleshy seaweed tissues, making them more fragile and susceptible to damage. The research suggests that this could have drastic effects on coastal ecosystems, leading to a decrease in seaweed coverage and negatively impacting organisms dependent on these habitats.
A novel biodegradable optical fiber made from agar has been developed to measure or modulate electrical currents in the body. The fiber can be used to monitor bioelectrical stimuli produced in the brain or muscles, serving as a biodegradable alternative to conventional electrodes.
A new University of Washington study measures how sea-ice microbes respond to changing conditions, offering clues to the impacts of climate change on this remote ecosystem. The results show that single-celled algae produce cryoprotectants to survive in winter and adjust their salt-like organic molecules to balance water balance.
A research team from the University of Göttingen investigated the molecular networks of a single-celled alga to understand plant terrestrialization. They identified 'hub genes' that play a central role in coordinating gene expression, revealing insights into long-term evolutionary patterns.
Researchers analyzed chytrid DNA from Japanese alpine snowpack sites and found three novel lineages of parasitic fungi. These chytrids are related to well-known frog pathogens but have a unique relationship with snow algae, potentially inhibiting melting of glaciers.
A historic red tide event in 2020 was caused by an exceptionally dense bloom of Lingulodinium polyedra, a plankton species that can swim and outgrow its competitors, leading to harmful algal blooms. The study validated a 50-year-old hypothesis and highlighted the exceptional swimming ability of dinoflagellates.
Researchers found that sinking culled fruit trees into the Wadden Sea boosted local marine life diversity and abundance. The study shows native biodiversity can be restored using trees as reefs.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed an isochoric vitrification technique that preserves and revives live coral fragments without forming ice. This breakthrough enables the collection of coral samples throughout the year, supporting conservation efforts to protect reefs and their diverse ecosystems.
Researchers studying foraminifers, tiny algae with calcareous shells, have discovered six different strategies under various environmental conditions. These strategies are crucial for predicting changes in the ocean's calcium balance and carbon cycle under climate change.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new approach using VOCs to detect toxic cyanobacterial blooms in waterways. The method shows promise for predicting the start and end of bloom events, potentially reducing economic losses attributed to these harmful algae blooms.
The study reveals extensive genome size variation among closely related algal strains, with a more than twofold range of approximately 450-1,100 megabases. Genome-wide copy number variation, rather than duplication or proliferation, drives this dynamics, suggesting rapid changes in genome size through frequent duplications and deletions.
A new study by Ohio State University suggests that the toxicity of Lake Erie's harmful algal bloom varies over the summer, with an overestimation in warmer months and underestimation in cooler months. The research aims to develop a more accurate toxicology forecast for Lake Erie.
Researchers have developed a new method to remove harmful algal blooms by coating a floating sponge in charcoal-like powder. The technique successfully destroyed over 85% of algal cells, including toxin-producing cyanobacteria, without generating unwanted products.
Researchers replicate the movement of algae and hurricanes using laser beams and microscopic rotors, offering new insights into complex natural dynamics. The study demonstrates the ability to reproduce synthetically the dance of algae on a cellular scale.
Researchers discovered a TIR1/AFB-independent auxin signaling mechanism in Klebsormidium nitens, a primitive alga. They identified KnRAV as a key transcription factor that activates auxin-inducible genes and binds to promoter sequences.
Researchers have identified a phenomenon that could help coral reef managers plan and act for the future. Ocean processes during El Niño strengthened the North Equatorial Counter Current, driving cooler plankton-rich waters to Palmyra's coral reefs and enabling them to better manage heat stress.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered twenty species of sea lettuce in the Baltic Sea region, including three invasive species. The survey highlights the importance of knowing which species grow in specific areas to maintain and protect valuable ecosystems.
New research from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences reveals that coccolithophores can survive in low-light conditions by taking up dissolved organic forms of carbon. This finding challenges current understanding of the biological and alkalinity pumps driving carbon transport in the ocean.
Researchers at POSTECH have developed a bioink using alginate from algae and visible light, resulting in enhanced cell viability and printing resolution. This innovation could lead to the creation of artificial organs and tissues, as well as cultivated meat with lower environmental impact.
Researchers discovered how sea anemones distribute sugar from symbionts to recycle nitrogen waste, enabling them to build massive reef ecosystems. The study reveals that sea anemones play a major role in recycling scarce nitrogen, challenging the belief that algae are the sole actors.
Researchers found that using seaweed coverage as an indicator of reef health is flawed and may even hide signs of stress. Local species behave differently in response to human impacts, making it crucial for scientists to develop new methods to assess reef health.
Researchers have found that corals in the Indo-Pacific region are more flexible and resilient to climate change due to their symbiotic relationships with algae species. These partnerships may help them withstand greater environmental changes, making them better equipped to survive in a warming ocean.
A Texas A¼M researcher has received a $3M NSF grant to test 3D printing living matter for substituting petroleum-based plastics in packaging, furniture and construction industries. The project aims to create locally available materials that can generate domestic jobs.
Researchers from Aarhus University have discovered thousands of microscopic organisms thriving on glaciers, including a black algae that darkens the ice and accelerates melting. The study highlights the importance of understanding microbial life in extreme environments to better comprehend climate change.
Researchers at Lund University studied green algae in Swedish lakes to understand how multicellularity evolved. They found that multicellular groups form as a by-product of single-celled strategies to reduce environmental stress, challenging the idea that multicellularity is inherently beneficial.
Research reveals that Arctic ice algae, Melosira arctica, contain ten times more microplastic particles than surrounding seawater. The clumps of dead algae transport plastic pollutants quickly into the deep sea, posing a threat to creatures that feed on them.
A new study reveals that different species of bacteria colonize specific areas on diatoms, reflecting their metabolic properties. The findings provide insight into the complex interactions between algae and bacteria in marine environments.
Researchers at Concordia University have developed a system of floating geotextile filters that efficiently remove suspended solids, algae, and nutrients from shallow lakes. The study shows promising results in lake water remediation, with the potential to scale up and benefit larger bodies of water.
The study analyzed ancient dolomite deposits to estimate the temperature and composition of a shallow inland sea during the Palaeoproterozoic era. The findings suggest that the conditions were ideal for photosynthetic algae to emerge, pumping oxygen into the atmosphere.
The latest issue of PLOS Biology features a special collection on biology-based solutions to reduce plastic pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, and produce food or energy more sustainably. Insect enzymes may degrade plastic waste, while photosynthetic algae can capture CO2 produced by industrial applications.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that microplastic pollution reduces energy production in microscopic creatures like Paramecium bursaria. The microorganisms rely on algae for energy through photosynthesis, but severe contamination can lead to a 50% decline in net photosynthesis.
Researchers found an increase in biologically available nitrogen during the time when marine eukaryotes became dominant, leading to a new era for life on Earth. This discovery links ancient ocean records to the present and beyond, providing context for global changes.
Researchers from China and Singapore study the radiative properties of polyamide-12, a common marine microplastic pollutant. They found that most of the incident radiation is scattered by PA12 particles, affecting ocean light transmission and marine ecology.
Researchers found that a simple 19th century Secchi disk is effective in monitoring phytoplankton abundance, providing valuable long-term data on ocean changes. The tool's continued use supports scientists studying climate change, ecosystem health, and water quality.
Researchers at TU Dresden created perovskites from algae, leveraging the natural nano-architectures and crystal properties of these single-celled organisms. The team's method allows for fine-tuning of electro-optical properties by altering chemical composition, enabling mass production of unique functional materials.
Researchers found that mineral-organic carbon preservation slowed down decomposition, allowing atmospheric oxygen levels to increase unhindered. This process enabled complex life forms to evolve and ultimately led to the development of intelligent life on Earth.
Researchers at the University of Sussex have developed biodegradable health sensors using natural ingredients like rock salt, water, and seaweed, combined with graphene. These sensors outperform existing synthetic alternatives in terms of sensitivity, making them highly effective for monitoring vital signs.
Researchers developed a coral-reef-friendly sunscreen by using polymerization to create large molecules that block UV radiation without penetrating skin or coral. The new filter was found to be more effective at preventing sunburn in mice than existing sunscreens, while also being safe for coral and algae.
Estuaries along the Atlantic coast and eastern Gulf of Mexico are expected to experience significant increases in nutrient loading, posing risks for harmful algal blooms and ecosystem health. The study identified regions with high adaptive capacity as having more resources to mitigate these effects.
Scientists from the Institute of Botany discovered a widespread phenomenon called alcobiosis, where algae live inside fungal tissue and engage heavily in photosynthesis. The coexistence is common among corticioid basidiomycetes and is distinct from lichens.
Research from the University of Cambridge and Cardiff University found that damselfish scare off cleaner fish customers, leading to fewer species receiving vital cleaning treatment. This disruption could contribute to the breakdown of delicate ecosystems supported by coral reefs.
A new study found that some coral reefs in the Eastern Pacific could maintain high coral cover into the 2060s by shuffling symbiotic algae communities. The reefs predominantly built by corals in the genus Pocillopora and hosting heat-tolerant alga Durusdinium glynnii are better equipped to survive and maintain high levels of coral cover.
A team of researchers has identified a molecular switch that regulates autophagy in plants, bridging two quality control pathways. The study reveals that this regulatory mechanism is conserved in eukaryotes and essential for preventing cells from 'eating' healthy cellular components.
Scientists have identified a new species of microalgae, Medakamo hakoo, which has the smallest known genome of any freshwater algae. The discovery could lead to the mass production of substances such as functional foods, cosmetics, and biofuels at low cost.
Coral hosts can punish selfish algae by limiting nutrient supply, promoting more beneficial species. This finding sheds light on coral survival and potential interventions to prevent bleaching due to climate change.
Researchers have developed a system using microvesicles from algae that promote skin cell proliferation and migration, leading to increased collagen synthesis. The findings show promising results for the treatment of wounds and skin regeneration.
Researchers discovered a new enzyme with molecular protection against oxygen, increasing its resistance by genetic modification. This breakthrough aims to improve protein dynamics and control inorganic centre reactivity for carbon-neutral hydrogen production.
Researchers discovered that brown algae's fucoidan can remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the global cycle in the long term. The fucoidan is a recalcitrant molecule that does not return to the atmosphere quickly, making the brown algae particularly effective in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
A new study reveals that marimo algae balls are susceptible to photoinhibition when exposed to high light intensities and low water temperatures. Researchers found that while the algae can recover from brief periods of bright sunlight, prolonged exposure leads to cell damage and death.
New study reveals marine algae adapt to nutrient-poor ocean conditions, sustaining productivity even in depleted waters. This 'metabolic hack' could impact global ocean productivity and carbon sequestration.
A WVU engineer has developed a technology that can treat urine on site rather than at a centralized wastewater treatment facility, allowing for the recovery of nitrogen as a valuable fertilizer. The approach enables quick treatment and promotes the reduction of nutrient discharge into lakes and rivers.
A new analysis led by Dr. Asaf Tzachor finds that replacing beef with Spirulina algae can save nearly 100kg of greenhouse gas emissions, 340 square meters of land and 1,400 liters of water for every kilogram of beef meat replaced.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University discovered a coral species that can survive without algae for a year, maintaining its biological clock and essential metabolic processes.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that while phosphorus is a key ingredient for algae blooms, other factors like calm winds, warm surface waters, and low zooplankton populations can delay or prevent blooms. Drastically reducing phosphorus use on land may be the only option to head off future blooms.
Researchers have discovered that reef halos, visible from satellite imagery, can provide insights into coral reef health globally. These bands of bare seafloor surrounding coral patch reefs are more common and dynamic than expected, with the potential to serve as a window into reef health.
Marine aquaculture systems can provide a nutrient-rich alternative to terrestrial agriculture, reducing ecological impact and freshwater usage. Microalgae-based aquaculture offers high protein content and micronutrients without land or water requirements.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute successfully revived ancient enzymes, revealing a novel protein component that increased CO2 specificity in Rubisco. This discovery provides new insights into the evolution of modern photosynthesis and suggests adding new components may improve its efficiency.
Scientists have clarified the structure of a new protein complex that catalyses energy conversion processes in photosynthesis, known as Photosystem I. The research reveals that two monomers can join together as a dimer, leading to improved hydrogen production in certain plant species.
A two-year research project aims to overcome technical difficulties in large-scale algae cultivation, a promising method for climate change mitigation. The ROBA project focuses on developing economically feasible algal cultivation processes using advanced measurement technologies and bioprocess engineering.
Research identifies Colorado River flow decline as main cause of Salton Sea's shrinking, leading to increased salt and chemical concentrations. The study highlights the need for a watershed-centric approach to mitigate the environmental risks and health impacts of the Salton Sea's decline.