algae

Lake Hillier: Pink Australian lake gets its colour from red and purple microbes

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DNA sequencing has revealed that a bright pink lake on an island off Western Australia gets its colour from a mix of salt-loving bacteria and algae Earth 10 March 2022 By Alice Klein Aerial view of Lake Hillier, Australia Tourism Western Australia The unusual bubblegum pink colour of a remote lake in Western Australia has … Read more

Road Salt’s Harm to Freshwater Ecosystems Could Ripple Out to All of Us

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We have a salt problem, and we’re not referring to our diets. As effective as salt is at de-icing our highways in the winter, new research reveals that its extensive use is also causing damage to freshwater ecosystems.   What’s more, saltwater concentrations deemed safe by regulators in the US, Canada, and Europe aren’t doing … Read more

Camouflage: Foam made from algae and tree bark can hide objects in forest settings

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A camouflage system made using algae and tree bark can hide objects from both visible and infrared light Environment 3 March 2022 By Alex Wilkins A photograph of the patterned foam Laaksonen etal. (2022) Camouflage made from biodegradable foams of algae and cellulose derived from wood pulp or tree bark could make objects in forests … Read more

Lichens are in peril because they adapt so slowly to climate change

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Lichens are important for stabilising soils and providing some animals with food, but the algae within them are adapting to climate change at a rate of just 1°C every million years Life 15 February 2022 By Jake Buehler Lichen (Folmannia orthoclada) on rock in Atacama Desert. This lichen contains Trebouxia algae Matthew Nelsen One of … Read more

Robot piloted by a ball of algae is powered by photosynthesis

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By placing a marimo, a naturally forming ball of algae, inside a plastic shell, researchers have created a robot that can move through water powered only by photosynthesis Technology 14 January 2022 By Alex Wilkins The robot is able to navigate obstacles Phillips, N., Draper, T.C., Mayne, R. et al. (2022) A robot piloted by … Read more