Articles tagged with Algae
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.
Researchers discovered significant gene expression changes in coral when introduced to algae at four hours after the symbiotic relationship begins. This finding highlights the adaptive process of coral cells responding to the introduction of the symbiont and its impact on phagosome functionality.
New research reveals that singlet oxygen plays a crucial role in triggering coral bleaching by expelling algae from coral tissue. The findings may help protect reefs and support marine species dependent on them.
The Great Barrier Reef has suffered severe damage from coral bleaching, with 93% of the reef's corals affected. Severely bleached corals have lost nearly all their zooxanthellae, making recovery highly unlikely.
Researchers identified genes allowing some algae to tolerate high ocean temperatures, which could help predict coral bleaching risk. The study found that warmer reef algae can activate heat-tolerant genes to counter damaging effects of reactive oxygen species.
The algorithm combines all published algae studies prior to February 2015 to rank genetic types' thermotolerance, helping identify colonies at risk from climate change. By pinpointing thermotolerant algae, conservationists can focus their efforts on preserving coral reefs.
Scientists have found that a type of commercial red algae may help counteract food allergies in mice. The researchers isolated polysaccharides from the seaweed and fed them to mice with a severe shellfish allergy, resulting in reduced allergy symptoms.
Researchers discovered a protein, EPYC1, that enables green algae to efficiently capture CO2 from the air. This finding is crucial for harnessing algae's power in agriculture, which could enhance crop yields by up to 60%.
Algae farming is sensitive to fertilizer costs, with ammonia and carbon dioxide being major concerns. Approaches like increasing surface area, partial pressure, and contact time can improve nutrient utilization efficiency for CO2. Dosing ammonia at a controlled rate can minimize its volatility and toxicity.
A new study finds that excessive algae growth in coral reefs causes microbes to dominate the food chain, depleting oxygen and releasing harmful pathogens. This leads to a runaway feedback loop, further coral death and ecosystem collapse. The research highlights the impact of human activities on coral reef ecosystems.
Researchers sequenced the genome of Gonium pectorale, a simple green algae, to understand how it evolved from a single cell into a multicellular organism. The study sheds light on the early stages of multicellularity and its significance in the evolution of life.
The Maine Algal Research and Innovation Accelerator (MARIA) will be a center for developing universal algal standards, exploring new and varied ways that algae could be incorporated into products. MARIA aims to accelerate innovation in natural products created using micro and macro algae.
Researchers have found ancient multicellular marine algae fossils over 555 million years old, providing crucial insights into the earliest evolution of multicellular life. The discovery helps scientists understand life in the Ediacaran Period and its correlation with Earth's ancient environments.
A study by Rice University and Oregon State University found that significant marine virus outbreaks may be associated with coral bleaching events, especially due to multiple environmental stresses. Viral groups, including a herpes-like virus, were detected in corals undergoing bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.
A new biorefinery process developed by NREL has significantly improved ethanol production from algae, with a yield of 126 gallons of gasoline equivalents per ton of biomass. The process, called Combined Algal Processing (CAP), reduces costs by nearly $10/GGE compared to traditional methods.
Coralline algae, crucial for marine biodiversity, are becoming less robust due to ocean acidification. The skeletal structure of these algae is vulnerable to changes in carbonate chemistry, which can lead to habitat loss and reduced support for other species.
Scientists have discovered four new species of deep-water algae from Hawaii, which are similar in appearance to limu palahalaha and hold great cultural significance for Native Hawaiians. The newly discovered species were collected between 200-400 feet deep and are believed to redefine our understanding of algal distributions in Hawaii.
Researchers found that iron fertilization in one area can inhibit growth in others, highlighting the complexity of ocean nutrient cycles. This study challenges the idea that fertilizing oceans with iron could be a major force in spurring and maintaining ice ages.
Researchers at the University of York and Exeter have discovered a single-celled protozoa called Paramecium bursaria benefits from exploiting a green algae inside it. The study suggests that symbiosis may not be mutually beneficial, but rather exploitative in nature.
Researchers present genetic and morphological evidence that terrestrial green algae are the ancestors of modern land plants, contradicting long-held theories. The study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of plant evolution and adaptation to life on land.
Concordia University researchers have created a technology to harness the electrical energy from plants using blue-green algae. The invention utilizes electron transfer chains in photosynthesis and respiration to produce electricity. This scalable technology could lead to cheaper ways of generating carbon-free energy.
Researchers have sequenced the complete genetic makeup of a type of algae called haptophytes, which are abundant in oceans and account for 30-40% of photosynthesis. The study reveals new insights into how these algal species regulate their fat content, which could help improve biofuel production, nutrition and ecology.
Researchers discovered that coral species storing more fat reserves can survive annual bleaching events and recover fully within a year. The study sheds light on which coral species are most resilient to heat stress, offering crucial information for predicting the persistence of coral reefs.
Researchers at University of Edinburgh discover key components in algae that enable efficient photosynthesis, leading to potential breeding of high-yield crops. By understanding and replicating these mechanisms, scientists aim to create more productive varieties of wheat, rice, and barley.
A new report by Plymouth University finds that ocean acidification is benefiting invasive species such as algae and jellyfish, which can cause toxic blooms and harm native herbivores. As CO2 levels rise, these organisms are becoming more resilient and spreading to new areas.
Researchers found that lipid ceramide enables motile cilia in algae and brains to function properly. In brains, ceramide helps keep cerebrospinal fluid moving by regulating GSK3 enzyme activity.
Research reveals individual corals have varying capacities to adapt to changing ocean conditions brought about by climate change. The study found that some corals are more protective of their partner algae in harsh environmental conditions, suggesting a greater capacity to respond to climate change.
Researchers found dramatic differences in pond ecosystems depending on the ratio of males to females in mosquitofish populations. Female-dominated ponds exhibited fewer zooplankton and a greater abundance of algae.
Research reveals that ancient aquatic algae were genetically pre-adapted to form symbiotic relationships with microorganisms, crucial for plant nutrient acquisition. This finding sheds light on the evolution of land plants from freshwater algae and could help unlock efficient nutrient acquisition in crops like cereals.
Scientists have discovered how an ancient alga could inhabit land and survive without a symbiotic relationship with fungi. The discovery sheds light on the origins of life on Earth and reveals that the alga had the necessary genes to interact with beneficial fungi while still in the water.
The Algae Foundation has been awarded a three-year grant from the Department of Energy to develop an associate's degree in algal biology, cultivation, and technology. This program will strengthen industry workforce capabilities by focusing on skills needed for commercializing algal products.
Researchers at Concordia University have developed micro-photosynthetic cell technology that can generate clean energy. The technology involves trapping electrons released by blue-green algae to produce electricity, with the potential for high power density and scalability.
Scientists studied how a more acidic ocean affects the protective shell of the mermaid's wineglass algae. They found that in high carbon dioxide conditions, skeletons contained 32% less calcium carbonate and were 40% less stiff and droopier. This could make them more susceptible to damage from ocean currents and grazing by marine animals.
Reduced skeletal calcification in marine algae leads to impaired performance, threatening ecosystem balance. The study reveals a significant impact on material stiffness and flexibility, with even small changes causing substantial drops in ability to resist loads.
Researchers identify two transcription factors that regulate lipid accumulation in stressed algae, enabling sustainable fuels production. The study also demonstrates a strategy for overexpressing PSR1 to trick cells into producing lipids without dying.
Scientists created a novel sunscreen from algae's natural molecules, combined with chitosan, to protect against UV rays. The material is biocompatible, heat-stable, and absorbs both UVA and UVB radiation with high efficiency.
A recent study by the University of California - Davis found that algae concentrations are key to maintaining Lake Tahoe's iconic blue color, contradicting previous assumptions about the relationship between clarity and blueness. The report also highlights improvements in water clarity and climate change impacts on the lake.
Research from the Institute of Food Technologists highlights algae, quinoa and pulses as promising alternatives to meat, rich in protein and low in environmental impact. These plant-based options are being increasingly adopted in food products, offering a sustainable solution for feeding the world's growing population.
Researchers found that phytoplankton exposed to fluctuating CO2 levels adapted more to future changes than those grown in stable conditions. However, the adapted algae evolved more and were smaller, potentially impacting marine animal feeding and carbon sequestration.
Researchers found an invasive micro-alga, Symbiodinium trenchii, improves coral resilience to heat stress but reduces calcification rates and diminishes coral's ability to build reefs. The introduction of this species poses concerns for ecosystem stability and function.
A recent PNAS study reports that the stress-tolerant alga Symbiodinium trenchii is not native to the Caribbean but was introduced from the Pacific Ocean. This finding raises concerns about the long-term damage it could cause on coral reefs, which cover only a small percentage of the world's oceans.
Scientists discovered a new DNA modification that regulates gene expression in insects, worms, and green algae. This finding opens a new field of biology and epigenetics research.
Researchers found high-value oil-rich algae strains can grow in wastewater while removing over 90% of nitrates and 50% of phosphorus. This method addresses nutrient pollution and makes algae production sustainable.
Researchers found that periphyton, a community of algae and bacteria, helps transform mercury pollution from a Superfund site along the Androscoggin River into a more toxic form of mercury. Lower-than-expected levels of methylmercury were also detected in crayfish and small fish downstream from the site.
Cyanobacteria blooms have increased disproportionately over the past two centuries, with greatest growth since 1945, posing a serious threat to drinking water sources. Human activities such as land-use intensification, sewage discharge, and climate change contribute to this trend.