Articles tagged with Seaweeds
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.
A new study reveals that Caribbean seaweeds bloom four times faster than their counterparts in the Pacific Ocean, giving them an upper hand over corals. This could lead to reduced coral recovery after damage, posing a significant threat to Caribbean coral reefs.
A major new study found that small marine snails have a profound impact on the marine ecosystem, removing almost 70% of plant material from the sea floor. The research, led by Associate Professor Alistair Poore, reveals that snails are a key driver of herbivory in marine habitats.
A Scripps-led study reveals that the nuisance seaweed Leptolyngbya crossbyana produces honaucins with potent anti-inflammation and bacteria-controlling properties. These compounds could one day treat chronic inflammatory conditions, bacterial infections, acne, and other skin conditions.
A team of researchers found that seaweeds employ two distinct strategies to reduce drag: 'shape changers' fold and collapse, while 'area reducers' compress their fronds through branch reorientation. This study sheds light on the complex relationship between flexibility, size, and shape changes in seaweeds.
Herbivorous fish play a vital role in maintaining the health of coral reefs by limiting algae growth. A diverse supply of these fish provides strong 'insurance' against environmental fluctuations, reducing the risk of regime shifts towards seaweed-dominated reefs.
Bio Architecture Lab's technology has engineered an enzyme to degrade alginate and a pathway to metabolize it, making seaweed a cost-effective source of biomass for renewable fuel production. The company's breakthrough could help meet increasing global demand for renewable energy sources.
A recent study on Australian herbarium records found that up to 25% of temperate seaweed species may be headed to extinction due to ocean warming. The research reveals significant changes in seaweed communities over the past 50 years, with many species retreating south towards the Australian south coast.
Researchers have identified four toxic molecules used by certain species of seaweed to harm corals, which could inform management techniques to protect fish that consume these harmful seaweeds. The molecules are from a class of organic compounds known as terpenes and were found to be active at very low concentrations.
Researchers studying seaweed-eating fish and coral reef health may develop new methods to manage seaweed growth. The study aims to determine which mix of fish can control the most damaging seaweeds and protect corals.
University of Illinois scientists develop a new strain of yeast that converts seaweed into biofuel more efficiently, cutting production time in half. This breakthrough improves the economic feasibility of marine biofuels and offers a healthier product.
A new study found that marine microbes form communities based on shared genes, rather than species identity, leading to high diversity within each community despite similarities in core functions.
Researchers found that seaweed proteins can reduce blood pressure like ACE inhibitor drugs, and the macroalgae have potential to be used in functional foods. The variety of species and ease of cultivation make them a relatively untapped source of new bioactive compounds.
Researchers found that sea urchins have limited effect on controlling invasive seaweeds like Caulerpa racemosa and Lophocladia lallemandii in the Mediterranean. High sea urchin densities can limit their establishment, but they exert no control in highly invaded areas.
A study found that consuming brown seaweed soup daily during the postpartum period can lead to excess iodine intake, potentially causing hypothyroidism and other health issues. The researchers recommend educating healthcare providers about Korean-American dietary habits to provide guidance on healthy eating.
Researchers found that July is the best month for kelp harvesting due to its high carbohydrate levels and low metal content. The use of kelp as a biofuel source has potential to provide a storable energy source, mitigating the limitations of other renewables like wind power.
Scientists discovered nearly pristine fossils of complex organisms preserved in oxygen-free waters, challenging the timeline of eukaryote evolution. The Lantian biota suggests brief oxygenation events allowed for diversification of macroscopic life forms.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology discovered a unique chemical signaling system in tropical seaweed that may provide new pharmaceutical compounds for treating malaria. The team found concentrated antifungal molecules at specific locations on the seaweed surfaces, which could be used to develop effective treatments.
Scientists discovered fossils of large seaweeds and worm-like animals, revealing brief oxygenation episodes in the Ediacaran Period. The findings suggest that complex eukaryotes evolved tens of millions years after the snowball earth event, which ended 635 million years ago.
A large-scale experiment by UC Davis ecologists shows that environmental changes can alter how intact ecological communities function, affecting plant and animal species interactions. The study, led by Jonah Piovia-Scott, used seaweed to imitate climate change effects on Caribbean islands.
A University of Illinois research team has developed a strain of yeast that can efficiently ferment galactose, a key component of seaweed, making it a viable option for biofuel production. The discovery improves the economic viability of marine biofuels by increasing fermentation rates and reducing production costs.
Researchers found that common seaweed species in Pacific and Caribbean Oceans can kill corals using chemical means. The study suggests that the proliferation of seaweeds may prevent natural recovery from happening at all, especially for reefs damaged by human use or overfishing.
Newcastle University researchers found that dietary fibre in seaweed reduces fat absorption by 75%. Adding this fibre to foods like bread may help people lose weight while eating normally. The study's next step is to test the effects on volunteers and determine if such foods are acceptable in a normal diet.
Researchers have found that a seaweed extract has an inhibitory effect on the growth of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cell lines. The extract also showed a significant pattern of activity in genes linked to apoptosis, or cell death, in lymphoma cells.
Scientists at the University of Leeds are developing safer hair dyes and cosmetics using compounds extracted from Shetland seaweed, which can replace synthetic ingredients found in current products. The project aims to create a new range of colours including blonde, brown, red, and black.
Researchers analyzed thousands of surveys to find coral reefs dominated by macroalgae globally are less common than assumed, with only 4% of reefs showing significant coverage. The study suggests no recent trend toward coral-algal phase shifts worldwide.
Researchers at University of Gothenburg discover Fucus radicans, a new seaweed species formed less than 2,500 years ago. The study highlights the rapid formation of new species in the young and species-poor Baltic Sea ecosystem.
Researchers used DESI-MS to analyze seaweed surfaces for defensive chemicals, finding 28 compounds that inhibit fungal growth. These compounds have potential applications against cancer, HIV, malaria, and other diseases.
A new study using a seaweed-based capsule and firefly-inspired bioluminescent agents successfully delivered therapeutic stem cells to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in rabbits. The breakthrough could pave the way for targeted stem cell treatments for patients with PAD, which affects millions of Americans.
A Caribbean experiment shows that maintaining proper balance of plant-eating fishes may be key to restoring coral reefs, which are declining dramatically worldwide. Research found significant recovery in sections of coral reefs on which fish of two complementary species were caged.
Genetic mutations and lower growth rates found among crustaceans in Parramatta River due to heavy metal exposure, suggesting permanent negative impacts on species fertility and survival. Researchers used a sensitive test organism, Melita plumulosa, to assess toxicity of marine sediments.
The Monte Verde site in southern Chile provides conclusive evidence of the earliest known human settlement in the Americas, dating back to 14,220 years ago. The discovery supports the theory that early migrants followed the Pacific Coast and confirms the peopling of the Americas was a slower process than previously thought.
Large brown seaweeds release inorganic iodine when stressed, contributing to cloud formation and altering coastal climate. This process may lead to 'thicker' clouds with reduced rainfall and a moodier coastal skyline.
A new study has found a marine bacterium, AW4, that can accelerate the composting process of polluted seaweed, making it a promising method for disposing of toxic wakame waste in oceans. The discovery could provide an effective means of recycling organic substances and reducing pollution.
A new study by the University of New South Wales reveals that contaminated seaweeds in Sydney Harbour are killing up to 75% of small crustacean offspring. The harbour's seaweeds have been found to contain high levels of copper, lead and zinc, posing a threat to marine life.
Researchers warn that Caribbean coral reefs will decline permanently unless measures are taken to address overgrowth with seaweed and protect key grazers like parrotfish. The study suggests a need for policy changes to control fish traps and promote reef regeneration.
Researchers have discovered fucoxanthin in brown seaweed, which reduces abdominal fat and stimulates the liver to produce DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid. The compound could be developed into a pill for weight loss, but human studies are planned and may take several years.
Research suggests that increasing nutrient pollution levels are reducing the areas where reef-building coral can survive in South Florida. The team found a clear increase in phosphorus concentrations and expansion of fleshy seaweed, corresponding to a decrease in coral species and extent.
A two-week expedition to Saba Bank Atoll in the Caribbean has discovered over a dozen new species of seaweeds, including commercially valuable ones, and recorded 200 fish species, compared to fewer than 50 before. The atoll's unique marine life makes it a prime candidate for designation as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA).
Researchers have discovered 10 new molecular structures with pharmaceutical potential in a species of red seaweed from the Fijian coral reef. Some compounds showed anti-bacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and killed human tumor cells by inducing programmed cell death.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that alginate, a seaweed extract, can strengthen mucus, slow digestion, and increase fibre content in foods. This compound may help reduce the incidence of diseases like bowel cancer by promoting high-fibre diets.
Researchers discovered that certain marine red seaweeds can efficiently neutralize organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The process, known as phycoremediation, shows promise for developing new bioremediation technologies to remove contaminants from the marine environment.
Researchers found that dietary kelp increased the length of rat estrous cycles by 37%, which is associated with lower risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers. Kelp may act as an estrogen antagonist, reducing estradiol levels and potentially lowering breast cancer risk.
Scientists have long debated the causes of coral reef decline, but new research suggests pollution from land-based sources is a major culprit. A study in the Bahamas found that nutrient levels, particularly nitrogen, play a critical role in seaweed spread and destruction of coral reefs.
Researchers in Hawaii have developed a way to grow the complete life cycle of long ogo, an edible red seaweed, without needing to harvest starter plants from the ocean. The sustainable system for growing fresh long ogo is unique in the United States and provides additional income for 40 farmers.
Researchers have isolated a potent antifungal compound from the common seaweed species Lobophora variegata, revealing an unusual chemical structure. This discovery presents new insights into ecological interactions between marine organisms and offers possibilities for biomedical applications.
Invasive seaweed Caulerpa brachypus is smothering coral reefs in Florida, forcing lobsters and fish away. A new study aims to understand the spread of this species and how to control its growth, driven by nutrient pollution from land-based sources.
A team of researchers led by Susan Brawley discovered that aquatic organisms are highly sensitive to environmental cues such as water motion and salinity. They found that plants release gametes only when the carbon supply begins to run out, allowing for high fertilization success rates