Articles tagged with Algae
A recent study reveals that sea slugs can absorb genes from the algae they eat, enabling them to photosynthesize and survive for months on sunlight. This natural process has implications for gene therapy and rapid evolution in multicellular species.
The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature was updated after the five-day Vienna meeting, with relatively few changes accepted and several clarifications adopted. The new code includes a Glossary for the first time, linking nomenclatural terms to their definitions.
Scientists have identified a fast-growing cyanobacterial strain, Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973, which grows at over 50% per hour. The strain's genome is remarkably similar to another widely studied cyanobacterium, and its genetic determinants of rapid growth may hold the key to unlocking new biotech applications.
Scientists have discovered a way to produce both biodiesel and jet fuel from a single type of algae, utilizing its unique fatty acid compounds. The breakthrough could hold potential for commercialization, but further research is needed to scale up production.
A new study reviews fossils from the Weng'an biota, revealing evidence of cellular, tissue, and reproductive differentiation in ancient red algae and animal embryos. The findings support the evolutionary transition into complex multicellularity and shed light on the early evolution of eukaryotic multicellularity.
Researchers found that cooler temperatures and presence of symbiotic algae influence coral larvae's choice of settlement location. The study suggests a link between crustose coralline algae and symbionts, which may change how corals select their life-long position on the reef.
Researchers discovered that charophytes, a lineage of green algae closest to land plants, can detect ethylene gas and adapt to environmental conditions. The study found nearly identical molecular machinery in both algae and land plants, with implications for understanding plant stress response and evolution.
Researchers discovered that aquatic bladderworts like Utricularia consume a wide range of prey, including algae and pollen, in addition to small animals. This diverse diet provides essential nutrients for the plant's survival and growth.
Scientists have developed a unique combination of light and climate simulation to optimize algae cultivation, leading to higher yields and more efficient energy production. The system uses spectrum-tuned LEDs to simulate natural sunlight, allowing for precise control over the growth conditions of different algae species.
Researchers found that fine particles eroded from riverbanks were the main source of phosphorus in Lake Pepin sediment before 1850. After 1850, riverbanks absorbed P from polluted river water, contributing to increasing phosphorus concentrations. Upgrading sewage treatment plants is crucial to controlling phosphorus pollution upstream.
A team of Michigan State University scientists has discovered a protein called CHT7, which acts as a cellular snooze button controlling algae's growth and oil production. This discovery also provides insight into the early stages of cancer, offering a new model for tumor suppression and growth.
Researchers found that mangrove habitats in the U.S. Virgin Islands are providing a refuge for over 30 species of reef corals, which thrive under the shade of red mangroves but bleach in unshaded areas. This adaptation may help corals survive rising ocean temperatures and acidification.
Researchers from Penn and UCSB discovered that giant clams use their iridescent structures to maximize the usefulness of light reaching symbiotic algae within their bodies. This unique system allows the clams to thrive in intense sunlight, leading to potential breakthroughs in alternative energy research.
A new study published in PeerJ found that pollution in urban and farm runoff in Hawaii causes tumors in endangered sea turtles. The researchers discovered that high levels of nitrogen in the runoff promote the formation of tumors on the animals' eyes, flippers, and internal organs.
Guillardia theta's unique phycobiliproteins have distinct biosynthesis and assembly processes compared to cyanobacteria and red algae. Researchers gained insight into the complex transport mechanism of these pigments using docking enzyme GtCPES.
Two tropical rabbitfish species are destroying algal forests in eastern Mediterranean, reducing large seaweeds and algae by 65% and 60%. Climate change is enabling their expansion, posing a threat to entire Mediterranean basin.
The XVIII International Botanical Congress meeting in Melbourne made significant decisions to update the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. The changes include electronic-only publication and use of English as an alternative to Latin in formal descriptions.
Scientists found that corals with large energy reserves and flexibility in their algae partnerships can recover from yearly bleaching events. These adaptable species will be key targets for conservation efforts to preserve coral reefs worldwide.
Researchers present integrated approach incorporating pest identification, tracking, and management to mitigate contamination in open pond algae systems suitable for producing biofuel. The solution illustrates its use in cultivating a strain of algae with potential for biofuel production.
A long-term study of the West Antarctic Peninsula finds that changes in climate and sea-ice cover impact the entire polar food web, from single-celled algae to penguins. The study shows how a stable water column favors phytoplankton growth, which is essential for krill recruitment.
A UNSW Australia-led team found a class of cryptophytes where quantum coherence is switched off due to genetic mutations, allowing them to thrive in low-light conditions. This discovery could lead to technological advances in organic solar cells and quantum-based electronic devices.
Research reveals that debris from forests supplements the diets of microscopic zooplankton and fish that feed on them, leading to larger and stronger fish. The study found that areas with more forest cover have fatter fish, while those with less forest cover have smaller and weaker fish.
A recent study reveals that Caribbean corals and their algae form a stable relationship, which could be used to restore healthy coral in heat-damaged reefs. The research found that individual coral colonies often harbor only one strain of algae, suggesting that this partnership may not adapt to climate change.
Coral reefs support 25% to 35% of ocean fish, providing protein for millions. Ecologist study reveals how corals respond to high water temperatures by expelling heat-sensitive algae, which can have long-term consequences.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that aquatic algae can perceive light across the visible spectrum, allowing them to adapt to changing conditions. This broad spectral coverage helps algae make use of whatever light they can in the ocean.
A team of researchers used a computer model to simulate the effects of adding genes from cyanobacteria on photosynthetic efficiency in crops. They found that certain genes enhanced, while others hindered photosynthesis. The study suggests potential for a 60% increase in efficiency and a 40% boost in yields.
Michigan State University scientists develop a standardized algae growing platform that simulates dynamic natural environments to cultivate strains capable of producing oil in real-world settings. The ePBR system has inspired the launch of a spinoff company and shows promise for scalable algae biofuel production.
A comprehensive study recommends cutting nutrient pollution nearly in half to reduce the size of toxic algae blooms and oxygen-starved regions, or dead zones, in Lake Erie. The report calls for a 46% reduction in phosphorus pollution to shrink Lake Erie's Central Basin hypoxic zone.
Recent research by Eawag and EPFL suggests that silver nanoparticles are not toxic to certain types of algae, which can survive even low concentrations of silver ions. However, this finding raises concerns about the potential impact on higher organisms, such as fish and other aquatic life.
A new study revealed that marine algae can detect a range of colors beyond red light, allowing them to adapt to changing environments. This innovation has significant implications for understanding photosynthetic life and potentially improving food production by teaching crops to grow in various light conditions.
Researchers have discovered a new, red-light-sensitive opsin called Chrimson that enables the independent control of two brain populations. The new opsin was found in a screen of algae and can mediate neural activity in response to red light with high precision.
Multicellularity has evolved in at least 25 plant and animal lineages, with different developmental pathways and mechanisms. The critical point is that natural selection acts on functional traits, allowing for multiple evolutions of multicellular organisms via various cellular biology aspects.
A study reveals a shift in competitive dynamics among crustose coralline algae due to ocean acidification, altering biodiversity. The researchers found that the dominant species, Pseudolithophyllum muricatum, no longer enjoys its competitive advantage, likely due to lower pH levels recorded over the last 12 years.
Researchers are investigating the production of oil-producing algae and the feasibility of commercial-scale biofuel production based on microbes discovered in Yellowstone National Park. The study aims to integrate MSU's groundbreaking work on algal biofuels with larger questions about its potential as a sustainable energy source.
Engineers at PNNL have developed a continuous chemical process that transforms harvested algae into crude oil, water, and usable byproducts in under an hour. The process simplifies the transformation of algae to oil, eliminating the need for drying and reducing costs.
The researchers created artificial nanoassemblies inspired by plant photosystems, which may collect and convert energy. They successfully joined individual units into larger arrays, enabling complex functional nanosystems with applications in Raman spectroscopy and catalytic processes.
Researchers found diverse aging patterns in 46 species, including those that weaken and strengthen with age, and remain unaffected by the process. Some species experience high mortality early on in life, while others become more fertile with age. The study reveals no correlation between aging patterns and typical lifespan.
Researchers have found a dramatic decrease in sea ice cover over the last 150 years, with annual growth increments doubling since the Little Ice Age. This discovery provides new insights into climate reconstruction and extends knowledge back to the mid-1800s.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that multicellular algae reproduces by dispersing single cells, contradicting long-held assumptions. This finding has significant implications for understanding the evolution of multicellular complexity.
A new study published in Bioresource Technology found that algae biofuel reduces life cycle CO2 emissions by 50-70% compared to petroleum fuels. The study also reveals that algae-based fuels have a similar Energy Return on Investment (EROI) as conventional petroleum, making them a promising long-term source of sustainable energy.
New research from Carnegie Institution for Science reveals that coral bleaching occurs even when algae are heat-stressed in the dark, suggesting novel mechanisms beyond toxic oxygen molecules. The study provides key details on the breakdown of photosynthetic apparatus and potential strategies to mitigate bleaching.
Excessive sunlight inhibits algae growth, leading to yellowish coloration and stress. The study found a direct relationship between solar radiation, antioxidant activity, and C:N ratio in the alga.
Researchers discovered that bacteria and algae played a crucial role in the disappearance of coral-stromatoporoid reefs before 370 Ma, leading to insights into modern coral bleaching. This study sheds light on the devastating impact of blooming bacteria and algae on ancient reef ecosystems.
A CSIC study reveals that Japan, China, and South Korea account for 84% of macroalgae patents, highlighting the importance of scientific investment in biotechnology development. The study also suggests that under-invested Asian nations are missing out on market opportunities due to low research efforts.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that ocean acidification can have a profound impact on marine ecosystems, causing a loss of functional diversity and resulting in a homogenized community dominated by turf algae. This can lead to cascading effects throughout the ecosystem, making calc...
Scientists describe three new species of foetid fungi from New Zealand, known for their strong and unpleasant odor. The new species belong to the genus Gymnopus and can be recognized by their rotting cabbage-like smell and distinctive waxy layer.
Biologists discovered that green algae require haemoglobin and nitric oxide to signal the absence of oxygen, allowing them to activate genes and produce hydrogen. In an oxygen-rich environment, this gene is idle, and its inactivation has fatal consequences for the algae.
A new strain of algae discovered in Colorado's Rocky Mountains has been found to grow at temperatures approaching freezing and accumulate large intracellular stores of lipids. The algae produces the highest quantity of lipids when grown under high light and low temperatures, making it an ideal source for biofuel production.
Researchers have captured conclusive images of green alga consuming bacteria, providing evidence for a critical step in the evolution of photosynthetic algae and land plants. The discovery sheds light on an early evolutionary event that fundamentally changed the trajectory of plant and animal evolution.
The US can support the growth of up to 25 billion gallons of algae-based fuel annually, filling the country's current oil needs for a month. The Gulf Coast and Southeastern seaboard are the most favorable regions for algae growth due to warm temperatures, low evaporation, and abundant water.
Coral-building microbes have been found to capture, store, and release nitrogen to feed reef-forming corals. The microbes' ability to store excess nitrogen in crystal form allows them to regulate the amount of nutrients available to the coral host, enabling it to thrive in low-nitrogen environments.
Researchers at EPFL discover that corals depend strongly on algae to extract nutrients from the water. The algae temporarily store nitrogen in the form of uric acid crystals, building up reserves for times when supplies run low. This symbiotic relationship is crucial for coral survival in nutrient-poor environments.
Researchers discovered that corals' skeletons scatter light differently, affecting algae retention and survival. This phenomenon helps predict coral reef response to climate change stressors, shedding light on preservation strategies.
Researchers engineered algae to produce a fusion protein that blocks malaria transmission, suggesting its potential use in treating other mucosal lining infections. The study's findings encourage the development of algae-based vaccines as a cheaper alternative for distributing life-saving medicines to developing countries.
Researchers at Uppsala University found that green algae can produce hydrogen gas directly from sunlight, with up to 80% of the energy absorbed by Photosystem II going into production. This discovery changes the view on hydrogen production in green algae and offers hope for efficient renewable energy source.
A recent study suggests that the record-breaking 2011 Lake Erie algae bloom was caused by a combination of intense spring rainstorms and agricultural practices. The researchers used climate models to predict an increase in extreme precipitation events, which will likely fuel future massive blooms.
Research from the University of Sheffield found that starving algae of key nutrients like nitrogen can actually decrease overall oil yield. Increasing cell density also boosts productivity, contrary to previous expectations.
Researchers at Michigan State University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the survival mechanisms of primitive red algae. The algae's ability to thrive in hot and acidic environments lies in part in their membrane proteins, which are also found in human cells and hold promise for treating diseases.
Researchers engineered Chlamydomonas reinhardtii into a rainbow of colors by producing six different fluorescent proteins in the algae cells. This innovation provides a powerful tool for algae researchers to sort cells, view cellular structures, and create fusion proteins.
Researchers at Michigan State University have successfully engineered a plant with oily leaves, which could boost biofuel production and improve animal feeds. The breakthrough uses an algae gene involved in oil production to store lipids or vegetable oil in the plant's leaves.