All articles tagged with #algae
New high-resolution imaging of 540-million-year-old filaments initially thought to be animal traces finds cellular structures consistent with bacteria or algae, not animals, suggesting an earlier microbial world and adding nuance to interpretations of the Cambrian timeline and fossil preservation.
High‑resolution imaging and spectroscopy of Brazilian microfossils show they are microbial bodies (bacteria and algae) rather than traces of tiny animals, challenging the idea that meiofauna existed in the Ediacaran and suggesting ancient oceans may have had too little oxygen for certain animal life before the Cambrian explosion.
US researchers encapsulated the bioluminescent alga Pyrocystis lunula in a hydrogel and used 3D printing to create glowing shapes. Exposing the algae to a mildly acidic solution triggers light production for up to about 25 minutes, producing a cyan glow suitable for applications like glow devices or biosensors, though real-world use and the algae’s survivability under acidity remain challenges.
ASU researchers warn that heat-accelerated VOCs from asphalt may harm respiratory health, with aging pavement emitting more toxic vapors; algae-infused binders can curb the most toxic emissions by ~100-fold, offering potential health and maintenance benefits. Phoenix-area tests and collaborations aim to scale safer, lower-emission asphalt for future road networks.
New findings show iron released from melting West Antarctic ice is chemically altered and not usable by marine algae, potentially reducing the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. If ice loss continues, less algae could form, diminishing carbon uptake and possibly accelerating warming and sea-level rise.
New research in Nature Geoscience shows that past West Antarctica ice retreat delivered iron to the Southern Ocean, but much of that iron was weathered and poorly soluble, so algae growth did not surge as expected; the study suggests continued WAIS thinning could reduce the ocean's CO2 uptake in the Pacific sector, revealing that the iron's chemical form, not just its amount, governs carbon drawdown.
Scientists discovered a giant, dormant virus called punuivirus in algae that can integrate into host DNA and potentially be used for advanced gene editing tools, revealing new insights into virus behavior and microbial evolution.
Researchers used advanced imaging and machine learning to uncover the intricate, foam-like structure of the extracellular matrix in Volvox algae, revealing how simple cells coordinate to form complex, spherical multicellular organisms despite noisy individual behaviors, providing new insights into developmental biology.
The Sea of Galilee turned blood red, sparking fears of biblical omens, but scientists explained it was caused by harmless algae and natural wind phenomena that could have also explained the biblical story of the Red Sea crossing.
The Sea of Galilee in Israel has turned blood red due to natural algae, sparking religious fears and symbolic interpretations related to biblical prophecies, though scientists confirm the change is harmless.
Most people believe oil comes from dinosaurs, but it actually originates from tiny algae and plankton that were buried and transformed over millions of years, not from dinosaurs themselves.
Scientists have successfully grown algae inside biodegradable bioplastic chambers under simulated Martian conditions, demonstrating a potential method for creating self-sustaining habitats on Mars that could produce more bioplastic and support long-term space colonization.
Harvard scientists have successfully grown algae in Mars-like conditions using bioplastic habitats, paving the way for sustainable, self-sufficient space habitats that could support future colonization efforts on Mars and beyond.
Biophysicist Dakota McCoy and her team have discovered that the heart cockle clam, Corculum cardissa, has shell structures that function like fiber optic cables, allowing beneficial sunlight to penetrate and sustain algae living inside. This natural phenomenon, reminiscent of stained glass windows, was detailed in a recent Nature Communications paper, highlighting the clam's unique adaptation long before human engineering achieved similar results.
The Sivash region in Crimea, known as the 'putrid sea,' features a series of colorful, hypersaline lagoons that emit a rotten egg-like smell due to algae blooms. These lagoons, rich in minerals and home to diverse wildlife, are protected under the International Convention of Wetlands. The area has historical significance, having been a strategic site during the Russian Civil War. Currently, the region is under Russian control following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.