Latest news with #microalgae
Sustainability Times
05-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'We Brought It Back to Life': Scientists Successfully Revive a 7,000-Year-Old Organism Frozen in Time and Mystery
IN A NUTSHELL 🌊 Researchers have revived microalgae from the Baltic Sea that lay dormant for nearly 7,000 years , revealing insights into ancient marine life. , revealing insights into ancient marine life. 🔬 The study published in The ISME Journal demonstrates how these organisms preserved in sediments offer a living snapshot of past ecosystems. demonstrates how these organisms preserved in sediments offer a living snapshot of past ecosystems. 🧬 Genetic analysis shows gradual adaptation over millennia, with ancient algae regaining normal photosynthetic activity upon revival. over millennia, with ancient algae regaining normal photosynthetic activity upon revival. 🌿 The research explores the concept of dormancy as a survival mechanism, highlighting potential applications in understanding climate resilience. In a groundbreaking scientific feat, researchers have awakened microalgae that have lain dormant for thousands of years in the sediments of the Baltic Sea. This unprecedented experiment offers an intriguing glimpse into the past and presents new opportunities to understand how marine ecosystems have evolved and adapted to climate change over millennia. The discovery, detailed in The ISME Journal, showcases the resilience of life and provides invaluable insights into both ancient and modern ecological dynamics. A Dive into the Ancient Marine World The concept of dormant organisms surviving extreme conditions is fascinating, especially when these life forms serve as natural archives of past ecosystems. In this study, scientists isolated strains of Skeletonema marinoi, a common diatom, from various geological layers of the Baltic Sea sediments. These organisms had been in a state of dormancy, deprived of light and oxygen, for nearly 7,000 years. By reviving them, researchers were able to directly study ancient life forms rather than rely solely on fossils. Genetic analyses of these algae revealed differences between ancient and modern populations, indicating a gradual adaptation over time. Remarkably, the resurrected algae resumed normal photosynthetic activity, demonstrating performance comparable to their contemporary descendants. This method, termed resurrection ecology, allows scientists to explore historical environmental conditions preserved within marine sediments, effectively acting as a time capsule. 'Ancient Gene Switch Flipped': Scientists Restore Limb Regeneration in Mice Using Dormant DNA Once Thought Lost Forever A Tool for Understanding the Future The rejuvenated algae, some dating back 6,871 years, demonstrated stable growth and intact oxygen production, underscoring their remarkable biological resilience despite millennia of inactivity. Researchers are now planning experiments to observe how these ancient strains react to various climate scenarios. By comparing these ancient and modern strains, scientists aim to gain insights into how past climate changes impacted phytoplankton and to better predict future marine ecosystem dynamics. The study emphasizes the importance of sediments in tracing the genetic history of species. Future research will delve deeper into the specific adaptations that have occurred over thousands of years. Understanding these evolutionary processes is crucial for predicting how current and future climate change might affect marine life. 'Trees Are Poisoning the Air': Shocking New Study Reveals Natural Plant Defenses May Be Making Pollution Worse Exploring Dormancy in Microalgae Dormancy is a widespread survival mechanism in the natural world, allowing organisms to endure unfavorable periods. In microalgae like Skeletonema marinoi, dormancy involves the formation of specialized cells with thick walls and energy reserves. These dormant stages can withstand the absence of light, oxygen, and extreme temperatures. When environmental conditions become favorable again, these cells initiate a metabolic awakening, reactivating cellular functions like photosynthesis and division. Unlike a simple pause, dormancy requires complex physiological adaptations, including the production of protective proteins. This strategy differs from sporulation or hibernation and is often linked to seasonal cycles. During winter, cells sink into sediments to avoid freezing, only to resurface in spring. Some strains, as evidenced by the Baltic Sea study, can remain inactive for millennia, raising questions about the limits of life. 'We Finally Found It': Scientists Reveal the Missing Half of the Universe's Matter Was Hiding in Plain Sight All Along Implications and Future Directions This discovery challenges our understanding of life's endurance. How do these organisms maintain cellular integrity over such extended periods? Are their repair mechanisms still active? These questions drive the field of resurrection ecology, which utilizes these microalgae as models to study extreme longevity. The implications of this research extend beyond marine biology, offering potential insights into climate resilience and the adaptability of life. As we continue to unlock the secrets of these ancient organisms, we are left to ponder the broader implications for our planet's future. How might these findings influence our strategies for preserving biodiversity amid changing climates? The answers may lie in the depths of our oceans, waiting to be discovered. Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (28)
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pond Technologies Holdings Inc. Announces Filing of 2025 First Quarter Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements and MD&A
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS./ MARKHAM, ON, June 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Pond Technologies Holdings Inc. (the "Company" or "Pond") (TSXV: POND) announces the filing of the first quarter unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the related management's discussion and analysis which have been filed and are available for review on SEDAR+ at and on the Company's website at About Pond Technologies Holdings Inc. Located in Markham, Ontario, Pond is a technology leader in controlled environment cultivation of microalgae. In over ten years of R&D, Pond has developed a robust disruptive technology platform based on artificial intelligence, proprietary LED lights, and patented CO2-Management. The use of concentrated CO2 from industrial waste streams enables Pond to boost the productivity of microalgae well beyond the capacity of outdoor algae growers and allows industrial emitters to abate and ultimately recycle CO2. Pond is currently selling microalgae-derived antioxidant astaxanthin under its Regenurex brand. As micro-algae are becoming increasingly important in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, nutraceuticals, human nutrition, aqua farming, bioplastics and biofuels, Pond has begun to license its technology to third parties for ongoing license fees and royalties. Pond recently added a Biotech division focused on the growth of unique strains of micro-algae to be used as a reproductive medium for the expression of human anti-bodies and proteins. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Pond Technologies Holdings Inc. View original content:
Associated Press
23-06-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Southwire Partners With Algae Tree To Host Carbon Removal Pilot
Southwire, the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Engineering and Algae Tree LLC have teamed up to pilot one of the first carbon removing art installations in the US. The unit grows microalgae in a tree-shaped photobioreactor at Southwire's Thorn Customer Solutions Center where visitors can witness the carbon dioxide removal project firsthand. The pilot unit contains a species of microalgae called Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) – a naturally occurring strain of algae – and is projected to capture carbon dioxide at the same rate as 38 fully grown trees. 'Southwire has a long-held commitment to sustainability, and this project aligns with our efforts to support education and reduce impacts to the environment,' said Bo Quick, vice president, corporate sustainability. 'We were pleased to engage with the Algae Tree and the UGA capstone students as they evaluated this innovative carbon removal technology.' While the pilot unit is in service, UGA engineering students will analyze data from the project with the hopes of helping influence the design of future full-scale ventures. Students displayed the prototype to members of the public and UGA community at the 2024 Capstone Design Showcase where it started hundreds of conversations about how carbon dioxide impacts the environment. 'The Algae Tree is a great way for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability,' said Jeffery Whitmire, Algae Tree founder. 'Our tree-shaped sculptures actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while engaging with the public and making a statement of beauty.' Visit to learn more about sustainability at Southwire. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Southwire
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Sun's Out. So Is the Secret to UV and Sun Support from Within.
How One Hawaiian Microalgae Farm Is Advancing Sun Care with BioAstin® Hawaiian Astaxanthin® KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii, June 19, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new conversation in sun care is emerging — one that goes beyond the surface and into the science of supporting skin from within with microalgae. Nutrex Hawaii, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cyanotech Corporation and producer of BioAstin Hawaiian Astaxanthin, is leading that evolution with more than 40 years of natural microalgae cultivation, research, and innovation on Hawaii's Kona Coast. "For years, public health guidance has focused on external protection — sunscreen, shade, hats, protective clothing, and sunglasses. That's smart and we agree. Everyone on our Hawaiian farm follows these practices," said Collette Kakuk, Chief Strategic Officer at Nutrex Hawaii. "But science has evolved — and so has our understanding of skin support from within." The Science Behind the Shield. BioAstin Hawaiian Astaxanthin is one of nature's most powerful antioxidants and works in two ways to help protect skin under the sun: Neutralizes UV-induced free radicals, supporting healthy inflammation response, collagen integrity, and skin elasticity Accumulates in the skin's layers, embedding in cell membranes to deliver continuous, inside-out defense before damage begins With only 6–12mg daily (one small softgel), BioAstin® Hawaiian Astaxanthin® builds resilience and provides antioxidant support from within ☨ after about 3 to 4 weeks. Not a Sunscreen Replacement — A Sun Care Reinforcement Skin cancer is on the rise globally, with the United States consistently ranking among the highest reported cases. According to National Cancer Institute estimates, there were 100,640 new cases of skin melanomas and 8,290 related deaths in the United States in 2024. The American Academy of Dermatology Association estimates that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Finally, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, about 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The following have long been advocated for with regard to sun safety: Using broad-spectrum, reef-safe sunscreen Wearing a wide brimmed hat & protective clothing Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses Seeking shade during peak hours BioAstin® doesn't aim to replace these measures — but to reinforce them. "Internal support fills a critical gap in modern sun care," said Kakuk. "It's not a replacement for sunscreen, but a crucial internal layer of adjunctive UV and sun support for responsible sun care — especially given how sunscreen is used in the real world: it sweats off, washes off, gets missed in spots, or isn't reapplied as often as it should be." More Than Skin Deep: Full-Body Support for Life Under the Sun As an antioxidant 6,000x stronger than Vitamin C — BioAstin® helps provide internal support against UV and sun exposure ☨ — it's also one of the rare natural antioxidants capable of crossing both the blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers, entering deep into the mitochondria, our cellular engines where energy is produced and oxidative damage is most critical. This extraordinary bioactivity supports a wide range of clinically documented benefits for full-body wellness, including eye, skin, joint, heart, and brain health ☨, as well as post-exercise recovery ☨ and cellular support ☨. "Here in Hawaii, we've long known BioAstin® provides powerful internal antioxidant support. From beach goers, lifeguards, surfers, and tourists to outdoor workers and healthy agers, we're proud to expand the sun care conversation with superior microalgae that supports the body in much the same way it functions in nature," said Kakuk. Nature's Blueprint for Sun Defense: Biomimicry in Action In the natural world, the freshwater microalga Haematococcus pluvialis faces harsh environmental stress, including intense UV radiation from the sun. To survive, it produces high levels of astaxanthin, a powerful red carotenoid antioxidant, to form a protective barrier against UV damage and oxidation. This same mechanism is what makes astaxanthin so extraordinary for humans. The way astaxanthin protects microalgae from UV-induced stress in nature is the same way it works within the human body — helping to support skin from within. It's a striking example of biomimicry, where nature's survival strategies are mirrored in how it functions in the body. "In nature, this unique microalgae survives intense UV stress by producing astaxanthin — a powerful antioxidant and striking example of biomimicry," said Dr. Gerry Cysewski, PhD, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Nutrex Hawaii. "I've spent my career studying and cultivating these remarkable organisms because of their unique biochemical properties and continually unfolding potential. Supporting our bodies under the sun with the same molecule nature uses to protect its own life forms isn't just smart science — it's common sense." BioAstin harnesses this biological brilliance with natural astaxanthin farm grown outdoors — never synthetic or bio-identical versions produced in labs under LED lights. BioAstin is cultivated in sustainable, open-air ponds on Hawaii's Kona Coast, where intense natural sunlight triggers the microalga's defense response to produce astaxanthin. A Legacy Rooted in Science, Sustainability, and Hawaii Nutrex Hawaii is one of Hawaii's longest-standing farm-based supplement brands, having sustainably cultivated microalgae on the Kona Coast for over 40 years. Every harvest is traceable, rigorously tested, and grown with care using sustainable aquaculture practices in one of the world's sunniest climates. See Where It's Grown – Video Link Fly over the Kona Hawaii Farm Navigate to About Nutrex Hawaii: For over 40 years, Nutrex Hawaii has sustainably cultivated microalgae to support health and wellness. Grown on a purpose-built 96-acre farm on the pristine Kona Coast of Hawaii, its flagship products—BioAstin® Hawaiian Astaxanthin® and Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica®—are trusted worldwide. Nutrex Hawaii products are distributed across the United States and internationally through natural and specialty retailers, healthcare professionals, and e-commerce platforms including and ☨These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. View source version on Contacts Press Contact: Collette Kakuk ckakuk@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Guardian
14-06-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Algae bricks and oyster shell walls: what's on the horizon for eco-friendly building in Australia?
The average person might simply see green goop, but when Ben Hankamer looks at microalgae, he sees the building blocks of the future. Prof Hankamer, from the Institute of Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland, is one of a growing number of people around the world exploring ways living organisms and their products can be integrated into our built environment – from algae-based bricks to straw or fungi wall panels, and render made from oyster shells. 'Biomaterials', broadly speaking, are materials made using biological matter, and a small group of engineers and designers are turning to them for their 'visual richness', alongside their eco-credentials. With traditional construction materials such as cement and steel coming under scrutiny for their environmental impact, architects and designers working to develop biomaterials say one benefit is the biological 'ingredients' capture CO2 as they're grown. Once the ingredient (microalgae or seaweed, for example) is harvested and made into a building material, it's often 'dead' and now acts as carbon storage. But materials are also being designed so the organism continues to live – or has other organisms then living on it – meaning it continues sucking up CO2 and emitting oxygen over its lifespan. So what are the new biomaterials sprouting up, and how long until you might see them on the market? In the US, Prometheus Materials is already using microalgae to create a cement replacement for construction blocks, while macroalgae – or seaweed – is being used for housing in Mexico. Danish company Søuld is producing acoustic panels from eelgrass, inspired by a roof thatching technique used on Læsø island dating back to the 1600s. In Australia, Hankamer's team runs a facility testing green algae production systems. Some of their microalgae has gone to Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira, an associate professor at Queensland University of Technology whose team has used it to create breeze blocks called RoboBlox. The blocks are 3D printed, allowing for bespoke designs. Prototypes displayed at an international construction exhibition in 2024 looked like a more delicate, organic-shaped, terracotta-coloured version of the decorative mid-century Besser blocks that line many a suburban street. Using 3D printing means the blocks are slower to make than traditional mass-produced breeze blocks that all use the same mould. Teixeira says this has so far deterred potential investors they've spoken with, and the blocks are on pause until they can secure a partnership. They also need to do an economic analysis to compare the cost of production with existing products. At the University of Technology Sydney, Dr Kate Scardifield and colleagues have taken seaweed from an industrial cultivation plant and combined it with oyster shells from the NSW coast food industry to create a mottled seaweed-green concrete-like brick. They're testing a range of seaweed waste products, from sheeting and cladding to interior tiles and acoustic panelling, at various scales to ensure they meet industry standards. There are multiple stages new technologies must pass to move from the lab to commercialisation; Scardifield says they're working with industry partners to progress these products but can't speculate how long they will take. One algae product already in use is a decorative film developed by Other Matter. The organic, marbled material has recently been used in skincare brand Aēsop's new store in Hainan, China, where sheets of the decorative algae-film (sent rolled in a poster tube) were applied over backlit glass on the walls and pillars. 'We've been able to create wonderfully deep fluid patterning reminiscent of marble but without the heavy environmental cost or logistical limitations of quarried stone,' director of Other Matter Jessie French says. The sheets can also be melted down for reuse. Using oyster shells donated by restaurants and seafood wholesalers, Australian company Mineral Fox has developed a range of renders for interior walls in various textures, ranging from natural pinks and browns to off-whites and pale khaki, with flecks of opalescent oyster shells performing something of a terrazzo effect in some finishes. Founder Karmin Kenny says the render has been used in the Brisbane office of global architectural firm Arup, and is due for use in some large commercial and residential projects in Sydney, including one in line to be the largest-scale use of recycled oyster shell render in the world. Prices begin at about $180/sqm, including the cost of materials and labour for installation, going up to $400/sqm for complex architectural finishes. This puts it very much in the realm of premium products: HiPages suggests the average range of traditional rendering (made of cement, sand, water and lime) is between $30 and $150/sqm in Australia. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email In the UK, University College London's Brenda Parker and collaborator Marcos Cruzan architect and professor of innovative environments say the next frontier is 'engineered living materials', where the biological matter continues to live beyond installation and respond to its environment – or the material may simply be designed to attract living things. For example, their Poikilohydric Living Walls, now installed in a house in Scotland and a primary school in south London as study sites, are designed to be colonised by algae, moss and lichen. The plants can remain dormant for long periods of time and then revitalise when there's rainfall – meaning they don't need irrigation systems. 'Rather than creating completely new materials, we've worked with the most available material on Earth – concrete – and looked at different ways of doing carbon offsets,' says Cruz. Prantar Tamuli, a pastdoctoral student of Parker and Cruz, also developed wall panels made of a semi-translucent material embedded with living cyanobacteria. As the bacteria is still alive, it continues to photosynthesise, drawing in carbon dioxide and producing calcium carbonate, which strengthens the panels. Prototypes have been installed at St Andrews Botanic Garden in Scotland. Parker, an associate professor of sustainable bioprocess design, says the evolving and individual looks of living biomaterials is part of their beauty – and the benefits go beyond capturing carbon. 'There's a reason we enjoy spending time in nature, we know it has benefits for us.' Biomaterials, she says, puts the built environment on a 'continuum with nature'. Fungi, meanwhile, has gained popularity as a leather alternative, but it's also drawing increasing interest for use in building materials. Co-founder of the Bio-Based Materials Design Lab at the University of Western Australia, associate professor Rosangela Tenorio has created building panels using bamboo and mycelium, the root-like fibres that grow from fungi. The mycelium isn't alive in the panels, which allays concerns about potential negative health effects, and they can be used externally when waterproofed with existing natural coatings. But they've so far struggled to attract Australian funding, outside the university's support, to build at a large-enough scale for testing, which is why Tenorio will soon travel to Timor-Leste to build a prototype building with the panels. Back in Australia, straw – a traditional building material on other continents – is slowly finding a market. Director of Viva Homes Sam Vivers says they've built 70 straw-bale houses and a further 41 using straw panels. There are different finish options for the prefabricated panels, including lime render or plywood cladding. The rendered panels have also been tested for fire resistance by CSIRO and are allowed for builds in areas classified as extreme bushfire risk. 'As a relatively new and unconventional product in Australia they don't fall within the National Construction Code, so we provide a 'performance solution' for each build which satisfies the building regulations,' Vivers says. Another Australian company, Durra Panel, makes non-structural wall and ceiling panels from reclaimed wheat straw, including a range incorporating biochar. Despite being used in thousands of projects – from homes to sports stadiums, recording studios, and even the media centre at the 2000 Sydney Olympics – general manager Ainslee Haslemore says their product is 'still relatively unknown' to many in the construction industry and among consumers. Irma Del Valle Nachon of sustainable architecture firm Breathe says 'many biomaterials inherently carry a distinctive organic aesthetic'. 'We see this as an opportunity for both clients and designers to embrace the unique, honest visual and tactile qualities these materials offer.' The firm recently used the hemp-based panel HexCore for a benchtop in a circular studio fitout, but there are challenges to using biomaterials, she says. 'We've encountered significant barriers to specifying them in projects, ranging from limited availability, long lead times, higher costs – compared to more readily available 'business as usual' construction materials – and the lack of certification needed to meet Australian standards and the building code.' QUT professor Tim Schork, a member of the international Building with Blue Biomass network, says building regulations were written for conventional materials, but many biomaterials require different use and maintenance – making testing and certification difficult. In contrast Paul Nicholas, who leads the network and is an associate professor at the Royal Danish Academy School of Architecture, says the Danish government has been reviewing regulations to create faster pathways for biomaterials. Danish architectural firms are more open to using experimental products, he says, and Denmark even has a 'mini-Bunnings' purely for bio-based building materials. Schork is hopeful Australia can have similar support from the larger building industry to support real change here too. Lydia Hales was one of two journalists in the Science Journalists Association of Australia's science journalist in residence program, funded by the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund. The 2025 program was based at the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience.
