Latest news with #cyanobacteria
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Brian Whitton obituary
My former PhD supervisor and colleague Brian Whitton, who has died aged 89, was an academic expert on the blue-green algae known as cyanobacteria. He spent his entire career at the University of Durham, latterly leading a laboratory that performed much innovative research. Current methods for assessing plants and algae in UK rivers had their origins in his laboratory, and he was widely consulted by biologists in the water industry when algae-related problems arose. Brian was born in London to Arthur, a banker, and Florence (nee Ferrier), a telephonist. He went to King's College school in Wimbledon, did his national service in Cyprus with the Royal Corps of Signals, and then studied at Wadham College, Oxford, where in 1959 he gained a first-class degree in botany. A PhD followed at University College London, where he narrowed his interests down to algae – and cyanobacteria in particular. He joined Durham in 1962 as a temporary lecturer while he finished writing his PhD thesis, then became a full lecturer in the department of botany in 1963, rising to be a senior lecturer (1972-80), a reader (1980-99) and then a professor of botany in the last two years before his retirement in 2000, when he became professor emeritus. We first met in 1983, when I began studying for a PhD with him, and we later became work colleagues. In the early 1960s at the university, David Bellamy, a fellow botany lecturer, introduced him to the limestone habitats of northern England, and the cyanobacteria Brian found in those places subsequently became his primary focus. His research took him to various parts of the world, including the Aldabra atoll in Seychelles and the deepwater rice fields of Bangladesh, as well as to highly polluted habitats where these ancient but tenacious organisms thrive even though all other life has withered. He studied them in the field and in the laboratory, and in later years worked with molecular biologists to understand the genetic basis of their adaptations. For many years Brian also ran an annual course at Durham University in algal identification that became the standard introduction to freshwater algae for biologists from government agencies, as well as for many overseas students. His work on that course led him to become a co-editor of the Freshwater Algal Flora of the British Isles (2002), a guide to identifying the algae of Britain and Ireland. He was also an editor of several journals, and the founding editor of Journal of Applied Phycology. Drawing on his many contacts across Europe, from 1990 onwards Brian organised workshops on the use of algae to monitor the health of rivers, bringing scientists together from across Europe to share their knowledge and laying the foundations for methods that are now widely used to evaluate riverine ecological status. Outside his work, Brian was a collector of the paintings of the British surrealist John Tunnard. He also grew many examples of the alpine plant genus Corydalis in his garden, hosting annual open days for the public and heading off on collecting trips to China until curtailed by the Covid pandemic and an awareness of his growing frailty. Without an immediate family, Brian nonetheless nurtured friendships with a wide group of former research students and associates.
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Brian Whitton obituary
My former PhD supervisor and colleague Brian Whitton, who has died aged 89, was an academic expert on the blue-green algae known as cyanobacteria. He spent his entire career at the University of Durham, latterly leading a laboratory that performed much innovative research. Current methods for assessing plants and algae in UK rivers had their origins in his laboratory, and he was widely consulted by biologists in the water industry when algae-related problems arose. Brian was born in London to Arthur, a banker, and Florence (nee Ferrier), a telephonist. He went to King's College school in Wimbledon, did his national service in Cyprus with the Royal Corps of Signals, and then studied at Wadham College, Oxford, where in 1959 he gained a first-class degree in botany. A PhD followed at University College London, where he narrowed his interests down to algae – and cyanobacteria in particular. He joined Durham in 1962 as a temporary lecturer while he finished writing his PhD thesis, then became a full lecturer in the department of botany in 1963, rising to be a senior lecturer (1972-80), a reader (1980-99) and then a professor of botany in the last two years before his retirement in 2000, when he became professor emeritus. We first met in 1983, when I began studying for a PhD with him, and we later became work colleagues. In the early 1960s at the university, David Bellamy, a fellow botany lecturer, introduced him to the limestone habitats of northern England, and the cyanobacteria Brian found in those places subsequently became his primary focus. His research took him to various parts of the world, including the Aldabra atoll in Seychelles and the deepwater rice fields of Bangladesh, as well as to highly polluted habitats where these ancient but tenacious organisms thrive even though all other life has withered. He studied them in the field and in the laboratory, and in later years worked with molecular biologists to understand the genetic basis of their adaptations. For many years Brian also ran an annual course at Durham University in algal identification that became the standard introduction to freshwater algae for biologists from government agencies, as well as for many overseas students. His work on that course led him to become a co-editor of the Freshwater Algal Flora of the British Isles (2002), a guide to identifying the algae of Britain and Ireland. He was also an editor of several journals, and the founding editor of Journal of Applied Phycology. Drawing on his many contacts across Europe, from 1990 onwards Brian organised workshops on the use of algae to monitor the health of rivers, bringing scientists together from across Europe to share their knowledge and laying the foundations for methods that are now widely used to evaluate riverine ecological status. Outside his work, Brian was a collector of the paintings of the British surrealist John Tunnard. He also grew many examples of the alpine plant genus Corydalis in his garden, hosting annual open days for the public and heading off on collecting trips to China until curtailed by the Covid pandemic and an awareness of his growing frailty. Without an immediate family, Brian nonetheless nurtured friendships with a wide group of former research students and associates.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bacteria advisory issued for 2 Cape Cod ponds: What's safe and what to avoid
Authorities have issued advisories for two Cape Cod ponds, warning that pets should not be allowed to drink from or swim in the water. Humans can continue swimming in the ponds, but should stay aware of algae blooms, keep their distance and take care not to ingest pond water. The two advisories cover Hamblin Pond in Marstons Mills and Bearses Pond in Centerville, two villages in the town of Barnstable. Cyanobacteria, more commonly known as blue-green algae, may be in both bodies of water, according to Barnstable Water Resources. The bacteria are commonly found in the ponds of Cape Cod and other freshwater systems. In the right conditions, they can multiply rapidly and become harmful to humans. Warming water temperatures due to climate change have increased the prevalence of dangerous bacterial growths, according to the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. Pets and other animals should not be allowed to enter the two ponds nor eat pond scum that washes up on shore, the advisories issued this week read. If swimming in the water, people should stay away from algae and scum. Parents should keep children away from algae in the water or on shore. People should also avoid drinking water from the ponds or using it for cooking. 'Avoid contact, particularly incidental ingestion of pond water that can occur during swimming,' the Association to Preserve Cape Cod warned Saturday. 'Dogs and children are especially susceptible to cyanotoxins through ingestion.' For fish caught from the ponds, authorities recommended throwing away the guts and cleaning the fillets with tap or bottled water before cooking. Do not eat shellfish from the affected ponds. People who spot a potential algae bloom in a Cape Cod pond should notify their local board of health and alert the association by emailing cyano@ Over 15,000 customers without power on Cape Cod amid spring nor'easter GoFundMe set up for family of Cape Cod teen killed in post-prom crash Funeral announced for Cape Cod high school senior, 18, killed in crash after prom Does fresh water lie beneath the Atlantic Ocean? These scientists hope to find out Cape Cod woman charged in connection with man stabbed after parking lot fight Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Microbes that capture CO2 quickly could offer promising solution to climate change
Researchers have discovered a microbe that can capture carbon dioxide quickly, and it sinks, essentially sequestering concentrated carbon Chonkus, the microbe is a type of cyanobacteria, which feeds on carbon dioxide through photosynthesis like plants. Researchers revealed that only these can consume much more CO2 than their multi-celled from Colorado State University found that these microbes, or microscopic organisms, have adapted to harsh conditions and have developed specialized traits – some of which could be beneficial to people by gobbling up carbon dioxide or cleaning harmful pollutants from the environment. "We believe that we have found new organisms, and we know that they have unique characteristics purely from the fact that they're growing and thriving in some of these unusual environments," said James Henriksen, a Colorado State University scientist."Half the air you're breathing comes from microbes. There's not just unknown species. It's like there's a rainforest everywhere you look, and we know almost nothing about the organisms there and what they can do."The microbiologist highlighted that such microbes play key roles in carbon and nitrogen cycles and are essential for life on the planet. Henriksen said that homes are colonized by bacteria that are harmless and just part of the household microbes aren't visible to the naked eye, but once enough of these microscopic, single-celled organisms build up into a noticeable film, they are demonstrating capabilities that could potentially be harnessed to solve human problems. Researchers revealed that the extremophiles can be found in places that are hot or cold or that alternate between wet and dry. Henriksen and his team, which includes undergraduate student researchers from across the University, will decipher the DNA of all the organisms collected for testing through metagenomic sequencing. Samples will be frozen and stored for future study, and organisms with valuable characteristics will be cultivated and tested, according to a press release. They believe that these organisms, which might be lurking in the dark recesses of our homes, could be climate change solutions. Natural springs have unusual chemistry, and Colorado, California, and other western states have a lot of springs rich in carbon dioxide that could contain useful microbes. The Extremophile Campaign: In Your Home – a partnership among CitSci (short for citizen science), the Two Frontiers Project and SeedLabs – launched in October to leverage participatory science in the quest to identify helpful organisms. Henriksen said they've already made some new discoveries. "Life is surviving and thriving in this hot water, in water that is as carbonated as soda pop and as acidic as lemon juice," said Henriksen. "Microbes are pulling high concentrations of CO2 out of the water, out of the air, and they're building that slime or the green algae that you see."
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
N.S. reminds residents to be cautious of blue-green algae in freshwater lakes
The Nova Scotia government is reminding residents to be cautious of blue-green algae. Also known as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae is found in freshwater lakes. The government says the plant-like substance is more likely to grow in warm weather. 'Algae blooms can look like fine grass clippings in the water, spilled paint, pea soup or sometimes like a thick scum on the surface,' reads a news release from the province. 'Algae mats can be found in shallow areas of lakes and rivers and along the shoreline; they often look like clumps of vegetation and may appear black, brown or dark green in the water.' The province says testing is unreliable in large bodies of water because blue-green algae can move around, reform and recur. The government warns mats may detach from the bottom and wash up on the shoreline, where they look grey and have a foul odour that may attract dogs. Ingesting blue-green algae can be fatal for pets. When people come in contact with contaminated water it can cause itchy eyes and skin. The province says symptoms worsen if the water is swallowed or breathed in, which can lead to headaches, fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. 'Climate change is causing more blue-green algae in our lakes and other freshwater bodies. As summer approaches, we are reminding Nova Scotians about the tools available to help them recognize and prevent exposure so they can enjoy our lakes and other freshwater safely,' said Timothy Halman, minister of Environment and Climate Change, in the release. To reduce your risk, the province recommends: scanning the water and shoreline for blue-green algae before going into fresh water or letting children and pets play in it avoiding contact with blooms not drinking fresh water when swimming or enjoying lakes calling a veterinarian if a pet comes into contact with a bloom with a bloom reporting sightings by calling 1-877-936-8476 For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
