Articles tagged with Algae
Researchers developed a new approach to monitoring algae blooms near lake shores, combining satellite and drone imaging for early detection. The tool offers near-daily updates, fast water quality monitoring, and better chorophyll a distribution maps.
A University of Adelaide researcher tested a theory on the evolution of sexes in algae, finding that the classic Disruptive Selection Theory is supported. The study used data from various species of green algae and found that the ratio of larger gametes to smaller ones must be greater than three for males and females to evolve stably.
Researchers developed tiny robots measuring a few millionths of a metre long that can diagnose and treat illness in hard-to-reach areas. The robots could track chemical changes linked to illness onset and deliver targeted drugs with high precision, potentially paving the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
New research from Oregon State University reveals that a heat-tolerant Symbiodinium species may not be able to form a healthy partnership with corals, exacerbating the threat of climate change. The study used an established model system, sea anemones, to test the hypothesis.
Penn researchers have developed a method to mimic the solar transformation process of giant clams to improve the production of biofuel. By controlling the size and optical properties of nanoparticles, they can efficiently convert sunlight into energy, mimicking the iridocytes found in giant clam shells.
A team of scientists has identified a specific group of giant bacteria, Epulopiscium, that dominate the intestines of Red Sea surgeonfish and enable them to digest different types of algae. The discovery sheds light on the basis of surgeonfish diversity and provides a valuable genetic resource for developing algal-based biofuels.
Scientists from the University of Minnesota found that excessively fertilized lakes in Iowa had low algae growth due to the destructive effect of nitrate particles, resulting in increased water clarity. This study suggests that relying on water clarity to gauge water quality may not be effective in all regions.
The Colorado State University team aims to increase algal cultivation productivity, optimize biomass composition, and extract different types of algal lipids to reduce upgrading costs. The goal is to double the yield of biofuel precursors from algae to around 3,700 gallons per acre per year.
Scientists have created Algal droplet bioreactors on a chip that can screen millions of cells for improved growth rates and lipid content. The technology holds promise for accelerating the discovery of super algal strains that can efficiently produce biofuels, potentially making commercial-scale production a reality.
Two studies of green algae reveal details about their ability to concentrate carbon dioxide from the air. Researchers found that the pyrenoid, a key organelle in photosynthesis, behaves like a liquid droplet that can dissolve and condense during cell division.
Parrotfish rotationally harvest their favorite food, creating pockets of space without turf algae that enable tiny coral larvae to settle and grow. This behavior supports coral reef health by reducing the harmful impact of turf algae.
Research has found that ancient coral reefs were bolstered by their bond with red algae, which also strengthens them today. The study suggests that understanding this relationship is crucial for preserving coral reefs in the face of climate change.
A new study found that water quality of lakes in the Midwest and Northeast US has not overwhelmingly degraded or improved over recent decades, with only a small percentage experiencing clearer conditions. The researchers suggest that management practices are holding the line, but large-scale problems require a bigger picture approach.
A new study reveals that the chloroplast lineage split from its closest cyanobacterial ancestor over 2.1 billion years ago in low salinity environments, marking a crucial step in photosynthesis evolution. The association of the chloroplast with its eukaryotic host took place around 800-750 million years ago in marine environments.
Researchers used algae modeling to study competing ideologies and their survival rates. They found that a balance between offensive and defensive strategies is key, with a 50-50 mix being the most effective.
A team of scientists from Drexel University has discovered a dinosaur-era plant, Lychnothamnus barbatus, alive in North America for the first time. The species was previously thought to be extinct and is now found in lakes across Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Researchers at Washington State University developed a unique biofilm reactor that efficiently grows algae in days, not weeks. The system uses recycled gases, less water, and lower light than traditional reactors, producing algae rich in fats suitable for biodiesel production.
The Porphyra genome revealed insights into its survival in extreme environments, including ultraviolet protection and thermal tolerance. The research also found a reduced cytoskeleton and unique signaling molecules that contribute to the species' small stature.
Scientists have identified a phylogenetically old alga's hydrogen-producing enzyme, which shares characteristics with its bacterial counterpart. The study reveals that these enzymes are used for light-driven generation of hydrogen in green algae.
Scientists have long known algae are crucial to human life and ecology, but a new review reveals they hold secrets to biofuels, therapeutic compounds, and climate change resilience. Advances in molecular techniques are unlocking major genetic processes shaping algal evolution.
A $1.875 million EDGE program award will help Virginia Weis study the microscale mechanisms behind coral-algal symbiosis, a key component of coral reef ecosystems threatened by environmental stress and climate change. The project aims to develop new genomic tools and techniques for understanding coral health and stress.
Researchers have mapped the genome of C. zofingiensis, a green alga that produces astaxanthin, an antioxidant with potential health benefits. The study reveals critical genes and enzymes for producing astaxanthin, which could lead to advances in biofuels and medicine.
Researchers used time-lapse photography to study interactions between predatory fishes, urchins, and algae in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The findings show that triggerfish control pencil urchin abundance, affecting algae consumption, while green urchins are not preyed upon by fish.
Scientists successfully completed the first EPA-approved outdoor field trial for genetically engineered algae, testing a strain in real-world conditions without adverse impact on native populations. The study demonstrates the feasibility of cultivating genetically engineered algae outdoors while maintaining engineered traits.
A green alga living in the cells of spotted salamanders undergoes molecular changes that stress its energy production, while salamander cells remain unaffected. The symbiotic relationship is unusual and may have implications for other symbiotic systems.
Researchers found that two species of triggerfish control pencil urchin populations, reducing their consumption of algae. This mid-level predator has a strong impact on the coastal ecosystems' vitality.
A recent study by Waseda University researchers found that the glaucophyte Cyanophora paradoxa has metabolic interactions with respiration similar to those in cyanobacteria. This suggests that cyanelles retain many characteristics of their ancestral cyanobacteria, challenging current understanding of algae evolution.
Researchers found that competition among grazers, such as herbivorous fishes and algae, structures the space use patterns and feeding behaviors of bulletheads. The study suggests that predation risk has a limited impact on prey foraging behaviors in areas with high levels of competition.
Researchers found that melt ponds in Arctic waters provide a nutrient-rich environment for algae and bacteria to grow, supporting marine life. This increase in productivity could lead to more food available for creatures such as seals, sea cucumbers, and fish in the polar seas.
Researchers have discovered the evolutionary history of cyanobacteria, the microorganisms responsible for 'inventing' oxygen-producing photosynthesis. The study found that Oxyphobacteria were the only group to evolve this process, with oxygenic photosynthesis arising around 2.3 billion years ago.
A new study by University of Cologne researchers reveals that herbivores have a significant positive impact on plant biodiversity. The interaction between nutrient availability and consumer species diversity is found to be crucial in maintaining producer diversity, highlighting the importance of preserving this balance for ecosystem he...
Research suggests that phytoplankton can rapidly adapt to global warming by increasing photosynthesis rates, leading to increased oxygen production and a more stable food supply for aquatic life. The study monitored green algae in waters warmed by four degrees centigrade above ambient temperature over ten years.
Scientists have discovered the world's oldest plant-like fossils, estimated to be 1.6 billion years old, in sedimentary rocks in central India. The findings suggest that advanced multicellular life evolved much earlier than previously thought, challenging our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth.
New research published in the Journal of Applied Ecology finds that organic additives in road salt alternatives act as fertilizers, boosting algae growth and increasing zooplankton populations. This can have both desirable and undesirable effects on aquatic ecosystems, highlighting the need for further study.
A Griffith University study found that increased CO2 emissions will cause algae to outcompete and poison coral in the Great Barrier Reef. If left unchecked, this could lead to significant reef degradation and death by 2100.
Researchers have developed a method to inhibit hazardous seawater fouling using cerium dioxide nanoparticles, mimicking the natural defense mechanism of algae. The particles block bacterial communication and prevent biofilm formation, making them an eco-friendly alternative to copper-based biocides.
A new study reveals that parrotfish play a vital role in maintaining healthy coral reefs. When parrotfish were more abundant, the reef grew faster and remained healthier due to their algae-eating habits. The research suggests that conserving parrotfish populations is essential for protecting corals.
Researchers have discovered that vitamin B-12 exists in two forms in the oceans, with cyanobacteria producing a "pseudo" version that's not usable by other organisms. This finding has implications for how algae and other marine life access this essential nutrient.
A new collaborative project is using a unique climate-simulating laboratory system to quickly identify promising algae strains for renewable fuels. The Algae DISCOVR Project aims to reduce the cost and time needed to move promising algal strains from the laboratory to production.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati studied pink snow algae growing on volcanic terrains in the Pacific Northwest, finding it can lower albedo and increase surface melting. The study suggests atmospheric sources of ammonia and nitrate may be driving the growth and survival of these algae.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that growing multiple algal species helps stabilize biocrude production and makes the system more reliable. However, competition among species often causes mixtures to produce less biocrude than individual species.
Researchers found small algae-grazing sea urchins and parrotfish may take the place of larger grazers to prevent algae from overgrowing reefs. These tiny organisms, comprising up to 95% of grazing biomass, can preempt shifts from coral to algae on degraded reefs.
Scientists have developed a method to predict full-scale algae blooms in lakes and reservoirs, enabling resource managers to take action before they develop. Automated monitoring systems that identify regime shifts can detect early warnings more than two weeks prior to the bloom.
Scientists at Princeton University have discovered a vibrational resonance mechanism that enables the efficient transfer of light energy in cryptophyte algae. This finding provides valuable insights for designing artificial light-harvesting systems, potentially leading to more efficient solar energy collectors.
Cryptophyte algae have been found to harness light energy at an unprecedented rate, thanks to the ability of molecular vibrations to enhance photon absorption. This discovery has potential applications in developing more efficient light-harvesting technologies, such as sensors and communication systems.
Researchers analyzed feeding behaviors of 15 common species of algae-eating fish to understand their role in maintaining coral reef health. The study found that individual species selectively graze on different types of algae and in varying ways.
Researchers found complex and active life under the ice in over 100 lakes, with productivity exceeding summer levels in some cases. This discovery complicates understanding of freshwater systems as climate change warms lakes worldwide.
Researchers found wild chimpanzees in Guinea using long and robust sticks as tools to extract freshwater green algae from streams and ponds. This new behaviour variant differs from previous reports and suggests that algae provide an important nutritional benefit during the dry season.
Researchers have developed a light-seeking synthetic Nanorobot that can be injected into patients' bodies to help surgeons remove tumors. The Nanorobots use light as the propelling force, responding to the light shining on them like moths being drawn to flames.
A large-scale study of Caribbean coral has yielded discoveries on the pairing process between an endangered coral and its microscopic symbiotic algae. Environmental factors play a crucial role in this relationship, rather than host-symbiont genetics, which could inform work to protect and promote recovery in reefs.
A new study confirms that the coral-algae symbiotic relationship dates back to the late Triassic period, around 210 million years ago. This finding highlights the importance of symbiosis for the health and development of coral reefs, which provide habitat for a quarter of all marine life.
Research on Greenland's glaciers reveals that cryoconite granules, formed by cold-loving microbes and mineral particles, accelerate melting. The study found a correlation between fine mineral particle concentrations and cryoconite granule presence.
Scientists have discovered a mutation in algae that increases oil yields without sacrificing growth, opening up the prospect of reprogramming metabolism to produce more oil. The finding, published in The Plant Cell, reveals a new way to understand how cells control carbon metabolism and storage.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a new method to harness the unused potential of photosynthesis by introducing an additional enzyme that captures more light energy. This innovation enables the efficient bioremediation of polluted wastewater areas, as shown in their study published in ACS Synthetic Biology.
Researchers from Queensland University of Technology have captured the first videos of a coral's bleaching behavior, showing how it employs pulsed inflation to expel Symbiodinium algae. The study suggests that this rapid expulsion may increase the coral's chance of survival during abnormally high sea temperatures.
Scientists have successfully decoded the DNA of Okinawa mozuku, a valuable seaweed species with unique properties. The study provides a platform for future research on its cultivation, growth, and health benefits, aiming to restore production levels and promote sustainable farming practices.
A new report by an international team led by a University of Arizona geoscientist shows that Lake Tanganyika's fishery productivity has been declining since the 19th century due to global warming. The lake's algae, which serves as a food source for fish, has also decreased in abundance.
Researchers have discovered a novel repair system in algae that can cut out interrupting sequences from proteins, potentially leading to new biotechnological applications such as producing pharmaceuticals or protein products. The study found that chloroplast extracts and light can restore RNA-cutting activity to inactive proteins.
Researchers developed a novel microscope to study marine microorganisms in their natural settings, revealing new insights into ecological processes on the seafloor. The Benthic Underwater Microscope captured images of coral polyp interactions, including turf wars and 'kissing' behavior.
New study reveals Arctic algae play a crucial role in the ocean's food web, with species at great depths relying on carbon from these algae. The decline of Arctic sea ice could have significant impacts on marine life, including fish, seals and polar bears.