In times of great famine, microalgae digest themselves
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 30 June 2016
AWI scientists discovered how microalgae like Emiliania huxleyi manage nutrient shortages by slowing cell division, conserving energy, and self-digesting for survival. These ancient mechanisms resemble those in human cells and relate to cancer research.
Keywords: microalgae, nutrient deficiency, cell division, Emiliania huxleyi, metabolism, cancer, phytoplankton
Tropical coral reefs lose two thirds of their zooplankton through ocean acidification
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 16 September 2016
A German-Australian study at CO₂ seeps in Papua New Guinea found ocean acidification reduces coral reef zooplankton by two-thirds. As reef structure shifts to massive corals with less shelter, food chains are disrupted, threatening coral and fish survival.
Keywords: ocean acidification, zooplankton, coral reefs, CO₂ seeps, Papua New Guinea, food web, climate change, reef structure
New Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 13 October 2016
A new Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity will open in Oldenburg, Germany, uniting AWI and University of Oldenburg researchers to study climate and human impacts on marine ecosystems and develop conservation strategies
Keywords: marine biodiversity, Helmholtz Institute, human impact, conservation, Oldenburg, Alfred Wegener Institute, University of Oldenburg
