algae

Using algae to convert sunlight into biofuel

harminka — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:48:51 -0500

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley want to make micro-algae "less green." That is, they hope to modify the tiny organisms so as to minimize the number of chlorophyll molecules needed to harvest light without compromising the photosynthesis process in the cells.

New indicator uncovered that can predict coral health

harminka — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:00:28 -0500

A new indicator of coral health has been discovered in a community of microscopic single-celled algae called dinoflagellates. The study, released in the July 8th edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that a particular type of these algae renders corals more susceptible to disease.

Coralline red algae as high-resolution climate recorders

harminka — Wed, 28 May 2008 02:26:30 -0500

Assessing human impact on climate and ecosystems and predicting future climate evolution require knowledge of climates from past centuries.

Scripps Oceanography Research pegs ID of red tide killer

harminka — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:03:45 -0500

Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego have identified a potential “red tide killer.” Red tides and related phenomena in which microscopic algae accumulate rapidly in dense concentrations have been on the rise in recent years, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in worldwide losses to fisheries and beach tourism activities.

Researchers see potential for significant red tide season

harminka — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:26:04 -0500

The end of April usually brings the first signs of harmful algae in New England waters, and this year, researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and North Carolina State University (NC State) are preparing for a potentially big bloom.

Coral's addiction to 'junk food'

harminka — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:58:17 -0500

Over two hundred million humans depend for their subsistence on the fact that coral has an addiction to ‘junk food’ - and orders its partners, the symbiotic algae, to make it.

Scientists find genes that may level engineering hurdle

harminka — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:09:12 -0600

Denizens of oceans, lakes and even wet soil, diatoms are unicellular algae that encase themselves in intricately patterned, glass-like shells. Curiously, these tiny phytoplankton could be harboring the next big breakthrough in computer chips.

Researcher finds renewed interest in turning algae into fuel

harminka — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:09:50 -0600

The same brown algae that cover rocks and cause anglers to slip while fly fishing contain oil that can be turned into diesel fuel, says a Montana State University microbiologist.

WUSTL researchers spearhead key genome initiative

harminka — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:00:39 -0600

The complete collection of genes — the genome — of a moss has been sequenced, providing scientists an important evolutionary link between single-celled algae and flowering plants.

WUSTL researchers spearhead key genome initiative

harminka — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:00:35 -0600

The complete collection of genes — the genome — of a moss has been sequenced, providing scientists an important evolutionary link between single-celled algae and flowering plants.

Study provides new insights on green algae

harminka — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:45:06 -0500

Culminating a three-year research project, 115 scientists from around the world report in the Oct. 12 issue of the journal Science a "gold mine" of data on a tiny green alga called Chlamydomonas, with implications for human diseases.

Green alga genome project catalogs carbon capture machinery

harminka — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 09:34:30 -0500

The genome analysis of a tiny green alga has uncovered hundreds of genes that are uniquely associated with carbon dioxide capture and generation of biomass. Among the 15,000-plus genes revealed in the study are those that encode the structure and function of the specialized organelle that houses the photosynthetic apparatus, the chloroplast, which is responsible for converting light to chemical energy.