Eukaryotic phytoplankton decline due to ocean acidification could significantly impact global carbon cycle
Princeton University and Xiamen University researchers report that in tropical and subtropical oligotrophic waters, ocean acidification reduces primary production, the process of photosynthesis in phytoplankton, where they take in carbon dioxide (CO2), sunlight, and nutrients to produce organic matter (food and energy).
Nitrogen for nothing and your protein for free
More than half of the protein within our body can be directly traced to a process invented more than 100 years ago by two German chemists, Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch. The Haber-Bosch process artificially fixes nitrogen by breaking the inert triple bond of nitrogen gas into ammonia fertilizer.
Earth's hidden carbon recyclers: Sulfur bacteria team up to break down organic substances in the seabed
Sulfate-reducing bacteria break down a large proportion of the organic carbon in the oxygen-free zones of Earth, and in the seabed in particular. Among these important microbes, the Desulfobacteraceae family of bacteria stands out because its members are able to break down a wide variety of compounds—including some that are poorly degradable—to their end product, carbon dioxide (CO2).
Simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic respiration in a Yellowstone thermophile challenges scientific norms
Montana State University has long been a hub for research on the many unique features of nearby Yellowstone National Park, and now a doctoral student in one of the university's microbiology laboratories has published a paper on how some hot-spring-dwelling organisms thrive in their extreme environments.
Innovative 'Four Ponds and Two Dams' wetland system enhances aquaculture wastewater treatment
Aquaculture wastewater, rich in organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus, poses a significant environmental threat when discharged untreated, leading to eutrophication and water quality degradation.
Discovery of stromatolite-like biofilms in thermal waters sheds light on ancient ecosystems
Hungarian researchers have discovered unique bacterial communities in thermal waters that may help unravel the development of stromatolites, one of Earth's oldest rock formations. These findings not only contribute to understanding Earth's geological past but also provide valuable insights into biological and geological processes occurring in extreme environments today.
Boosted soil bacterium shows promise for sustainable bioplastic production
The soil bacterium Cupriavidus necator has attracted the attention of researchers and industry for decades. This is partly because, through biochemical reactions, the bacterium converts the renewable raw materials formic acid and carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable products such as bioplastics.
Hot springs bubble up insights into microbe communities
Boiling hot water bubbles up into pools of vibrant teal and blue. The steam rises, burning anyone who gets too close. The water is acidic—sometimes as acidic as stomach acid. Microbes in a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park have evolved to live in such extreme circumstances.
Mycorrhizal fungi: The hidden key to enhancing soil carbon storage in grasslands
A research team led by Prof. Bai Yongfei from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with partners, has highlighted the critical role of mycorrhizal symbiosis in enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in grassland ecosystems across China.
Insights into evolutionary dynamics: Study reveals the evolution of evolvability
A new study by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology (MPI-EB) sheds fresh light on one of the most debated concepts in biology: evolvability. The work provides the first experimental evidence showing how natural selection can shape genetic systems to enhance future capacity for evolution, challenging traditional perspectives on evolutionary processes.
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