Articles tagged with Seaweeds
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New research highlights the importance of coastal seaweed for migratory shorebirds, providing shelter and microclimates that regulate their body temperatures. Removing beach-cast sea wrack can have devastating impacts on bird populations.
A team of researchers has installed the first seaweed farm in Puerto Rico to explore how environmental conditions influence the biological properties of cultivated macroalgae. The farm will support year-round harvesting and test the scalability of tropical seaweed farming for biofuels production.
Researchers propose using cultivated seaweed to draw down available nutrients, limiting algae blooms and oxygen-poor dead zones. Seaweed aquaculture could also generate revenue through the production of biofuel, fertilizer, and food products.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that feeding seaweed to beef cattle can reduce methane emissions by 82 percent. The study, which tested seaweed supplements over five months, demonstrates the potential for sustainable livestock production and could help address climate change.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that supplementing beef cattle diets with red seaweed can significantly reduce methane emissions without compromising meat quality. The research showed reductions of up to 80% in methane production, and the authors suggest that this could help farmers improve efficiency and reduce costs.
A $900,000 grant will fund a project to explore kelp aquaculture's impact on ocean acidity and carbon sequestration. The study aims to create a tool to restore ocean health and productivity. Kelp can absorb high levels of CO2, creating temporary 'halo' areas with improved water conditions for other sea life.
Researchers found that introducing native herbivorous crabs to coral reefs in the Florida Keys led to rapid declines in seaweed cover and returned small corals and fishes. The crabs improve habitat conditions for corals and fishes, providing a new tool for reef restoration.
The University of Nottingham is launching two new projects using satellite Earth Observation technology to tackle global development problems. The first project aims to develop an anti-trafficking system to support efforts in Uganda, while the second project focuses on monitoring sargassum seaweed affecting Mexico's Caribbean Coast.
Researchers from OIST have decoded the genomes of four Okinawa mozuku strains, revealing unique genetic differences and potential heat tolerance. The findings could help improve cultivation methods and develop new strains tolerant to climate change effects.
Researchers have developed a cheap and simple way to create biofuel and fertiliser from seaweed, removing plastic from the oceans and cleaning up tourist beaches in the Caribbean and Central America. The process uses acidic and basic catalysts to release sugars that can be used to feed a yeast that produces a palm oil substitute.
Virginia Tech paleontologists have discovered 1 billion-year-old micro-fossils of green seaweeds that could be the ancestor of early land plants and trees. The fossils, found in rock near Dalian in northern China, are barely visible to the naked eye and display complex multicellularity.
Scientists develop new bio-based material combining chitin nanoparticles and alginate for antimicrobial properties and flexibility. The material has potential uses in surgical threads, tissue engineering, wound healing, and burn treatments.
Genetic analyses reveal a new species, Ryukyu-funori (Gloiopeltis compressa), and multiple unnamed species of Gloiopeltis in Japan, challenging previous classification. The study highlights the high diversity within the genus, with many populations previously misclassified as separate species.
Researchers found climate change and turf seaweed contributing to the transformation of seafloor landscapes, with shrub-like seaweed dominating lower areas. This shift could impact species habitats and the food web, specifically affecting mid-trophic level species like cunner.
Scientists have discovered how red algae adapted to extreme environments by losing genes, allowing them to thrive in diverse habitats. The study's findings may lead to the creation of genetically altered seaweeds and help control invasive seaweed pests.
University of Exeter scientists are working on a scheme to collect Sargassum seaweed, which can be converted into high-quality, low-cost fertiliser and biofuel through hydrothermal liquefaction. This process could help clear beaches in Mexico and the Caribbean, while also addressing marine plastic pollution.
Researchers are testing Maine seaweeds for potential dietary supplements to reduce methane emission by cattle. The project aims to find an algae-based feed that benefits both cow health and the environment.
A new study found that coral defenses are compromised by warming, but reef conservation and certain fish species, like the Acropora millepora, can enhance them. The research used potions from protected and heavily fished reefs to test their effectiveness against a pathogen.
A study found that seaweed aquaculture has huge potential for carbon sequestration, with suitable area sufficient to render the entire global aquaculture industry carbon neutral. However, farming seaweed alone won't balance emissions from global food production due to cost and growth constraints.
A recent study found that seaweed can travel up to 5000 kilometers beyond coastal areas and sequester significant amounts of carbon. This discovery has significant implications for the global carbon budget and highlights the importance of macroalgae in blue carbon assessments.
Researchers found that chameleon prawns take weeks to change color, instead relying on behavioral choices to match their surroundings. This ability enables them to maintain camouflage throughout the year, helping them survive in challenging rock pool environments.
A new study found that supplementing cattle feed with seaweed reduces methane emissions by 80%, but its large-scale production and potential impact on animal health are unclear. The researchers suggest cultivating seaweed in aquaculture operations to meet the demand, but more research is needed to determine its long-term effectiveness.
Seaweed is found to trap significant amounts of carbon dioxide, with approximately 8.75 grams per square meter of sediment each year. This process contributes to the ocean's 'blue carbon' storage, which helps mitigate climate change.
Research reveals that reindeer on Svalbard island are adapting to climate change by eating seaweed during harsh winters. Stable isotope studies show that the reindeer eat seaweed as a supplementary source of nutrition, but not exclusively, as they need normal food to sustain themselves.
Scientists decoded the genome of umi-budo, a popular Okinawan seaweed, to understand its unique shape and assist farmers in proper cultivation. The study revealed key genes controlling growth and development, potentially helping ease crop issues and address environmental concerns.
Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University have decoded the genome of the popular Japanese brown seaweed ito-mozuku. The study reveals genes that drive up fucoidan production, a substance with potential health benefits, and provides data that could aid in farming.
Research in Moorea, French Polynesia, reveals that intense herbivory is required to prevent seaweed establishment and that seaweed-dominated patch reefs are resilient to moderate disturbances. The findings suggest that preventing shifts to seaweed should be a focus of reef management.
The decoded genome of Ulva mutabilis reveals that the seaweed has stolen genes from bacteria to adapt to stresses like excessive light and dehydration. This discovery provides insights into how evolution acts on genomes to modify biology and may help predict future trends under climate change.
A French research project aims to repurpose Sargassum seaweed for composting in the French West Indies, addressing environmental concerns. Scientists will analyze pollutants and degradation processes to ensure safe applications.
A recent study explores how Sargassum's growth and movement along ocean currents affect its distribution patterns. The research reveals two key regions influencing the spread of Sargassum across the Atlantic, providing potential insights for predicting coastal inundations.
Researchers at UNH found that fish prefer kelp habitats over invasive seaweed species, but the shift may leave them with less refuge and protection. The study suggests that continued reduction in available kelp cover could have cascading effects on cunner populations and other ecosystem members.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered a novel type of opal formed by brown algae, exhibiting iridescence due to self-assembled oil droplet nanostructures. The seaweed's chloroplasts-containing cells can switch on and off this dynamic self-assembly, creating changing opals that react to sunlight.
Scientists at King's College London have discovered a seaweed compound that can protect human skin from UV radiation without harming marine ecosystems. The mycosporine-like amino acid, palythine, has been shown to absorb harmful rays and offer antioxidant protection against cellular damage.
Researchers found that sharks alter the feeding behavior of algae-eating fish, affecting where seaweeds grow on Fijian coral reefs. This change creates a trophic cascade, with seaweed flourishing on top of the reef during high tide when predators are present.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are developing tools and technology for mass production of seaweed for biofuels and chemicals. A breeding program and monitoring system will be created to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Invasive fiber-like red seaweeds have covered up to 90 percent of some areas, changing the ocean floor landscape. The new habitat supports two to three times more small creatures at the base of the food chain.
Researchers have developed a seaweed-derived material to improve the performance of superconductors, lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells. The material has shown high capacitance as a superconductor material and can be used in zinc-air batteries and supercapacitors.
According to Professor Ole G. Mouritsen, seaweeds were a crucial source of essential nutrients for early Homo sapiens brain development. These nutrients include taurine, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B12, iodine, and poly-unsaturated fatty-acids (PUFAs), which are also healthy for modern humans.
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 estimate that seaweed globally sequesters 173 trillion grams of carbon per year, with 90% of this being due to transport into deep-sea sediments. This highlights the significance of seaweed as a major carbon sink, surpassing Amazonian forests.
The global seaweed industry is driving growth with valuable uses in food, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products. However, rapid expansion poses ecological and societal risks, including disease outbreaks and environmental degradation.
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.
Researchers have discovered that a variety of normally harmless bacteria can cause bleaching disease in seaweeds when stressed. Three new pathogens from the Alteromonas, Aquimarina and Agarivorans genera were identified as the culprits.
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.
A new study reveals that marine life from the north can easily invade Antarctic waters due to the weakening of the Antarctic Polar Front. As a result, non-Antarctic species could soon colonize the region, leading to drastic ecosystem changes.
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 found that butterflyfishes overwhelmingly avoid corals with seaweed contact, suggesting chemical cues produced by seaweed alter coral palatability. This shift in behavior could have ripple effects on the entire ecosystem, impacting food supply and tourism opportunities.
A new study suggests that adding seaweed to processed foods such as frozen pizzas and hot dogs can reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Seaweed is rich in beneficial compounds like potassium salts, umami flavor, and dietary fiber, which may help regulate blood pressure and satiety.
Researchers found that rockweed substrate drenches significantly improved postharvest shelf life of petunia and tomato transplants. In contrast, foliar sprays showed no effect on drought tolerance. The study recommends using seaweed extracts as a substrate drench to enhance plant growth.
Seaweeds appear to protect coral from invasive sea stars by reducing predation and providing a physical barrier. This complex relationship highlights the intricate dynamics of ecosystems and has implications for coral reef conservation.
A beached iceberg in Antarctica has provided a unique natural experiment to study the effects of sea-ice changes on marine ecosystems. The study found that seaweed on the sea floor had decomposed or become discolored due to lack of light, while darker-adapted animals started to colonize the area.
A recent survey of Caribbean reefs found that overfishing removes the predators of sponges, resulting in a greater than threefold increase in coral overgrowth by sponges. This is particularly concerning for corals already threatened by warming seawater temperatures and diseases.
Researchers found that invasive seaweed provides shelter for native crustaceans, increasing their population by up to 100 times. Meanwhile, mature forests capture and stabilize excess nitrogen from human activities, providing an unappreciated service by storing it in soil.
Young corals and fish are repelled by the smell of damaged reefs, discouraging them from settling in degraded habitats. Marine protected areas may not be sufficient to promote reef recovery as chemical cues continue to drive away new fish and coral long after overfishing has stopped.
Researchers from UNSW successfully transplanted Phyllospora comosa onto two barren reef sites in Sydney, where it once thrived. The transplanted species not only survived but also reproduced, creating a potential self-sustaining population and restoring a vital habitat for marine organisms.
Researchers found that competition between corals and seaweeds leads to an increase in toxic compounds in seaweeds, making them more attractive to herbivorous fish. This response is a first demonstration of how seaweeds can adapt their chemical defenses in response to competition with corals.
A study by Professor Ole G. Mouritsen found that dulse contains only extremely small doses of kainic acid, rendering it safe for consumption in moderation. The research also revealed low levels of heavy metals and other substances that may be harmful in large doses.
Researchers discovered a new species of brown seaweed, Colpomenia peregrina, in the Gulf of Maine, which has rapidly expanded its range from Canada to Cape Cod. The sea potato, also known as oyster thief, is an epiphytic species that grows on other plants and is competing with native flora for space and nutrients.
A recent study using underwater video cameras has identified four species of herbivorous fish as the primary cleaners of coral reefs in the South Pacific. These fish are highly picky eaters and target specific types of seaweeds, highlighting the importance of biodiversity for reef health.
Indo-Pacific coral reefs are more resilient due to lower seaweed growth rates and a higher abundance of herbivorous fish, which treats seaweed as a delicacy. The study suggests that these reefs can withstand degradation before being overtaken by seaweeds.