Life discovered in Antarctic "ALIEN" Lake

Summary

            A small Antarctic lake named Lake Whillans has remained isolated from the outside world underneath ice. In water samples, John Priscu and his team discovered the existence of bacteria in about 1/10^th of the concentration in the ocean. Because there is no sunlight reaching them, they cannot perform photosynthesis, meaning they have other sources of energy. This life may provide clues to how life may evolve elsewhere in the universe, as the conditions are similar the jupiter’s moon Europa.

Relevance

            This video talks about microbes, specifically extremophiles evolving to live in cold areas without sunlight. In addition, it has a organisms isolated from other life on earth, letting it evolve separately, similar to the genetic drift causing the evolution on the Galapagos islands.

Life discovered in Antarctic "ALIEN" Lake
Author: Sourcefed. Feb 13, 2013.

Antarctic Lake Under 800 Meters of Ice Contains Life

Summary

     On January 28, a team of glaciologists from Montana State University successfully drilled into a body of water 800 meters under the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf in Western Antarctica. The body of water, Lake Whillans, was reached with a hot water drill that does not pollute the environment, then samples of water and sediment were taken. When examined under a microscope, the samples were found to contain about 1000 bacteria per milliliter of water. Though this only one-tenth of the average amount of bacteria found in the ocean, it is amazing due to the extreme conditions they survive in. Other tests such as DNA sequencing will have to be preformed to learn more about these extremophiles. This discovery raises questions as to how the bacteria were able to get energy without light to preform photosynthesis. Also, it leads to the question, if there is life in a body of water 800 meters under ice on Earth, is it also possible on a different body in space, for example Europa, the moon of Jupiter.

Relevance 

      This article centers on the discovery of extremophiles in a lake deep under Antarctic ice; in a recent unit we studied various groups of microbes, including extremophiles, which live in conditions inhospitable to all other life. Environmentally friendly drilling practices used were also discussed; early in the year we learned about ecosystems, and how they can be harmed by human activity, something clearly avoided here. Lastly, the article mentions the lack of light and thus photosynthesis as an interesting problem solved by the bacteria, this relates to class because of our study of photosynthesis and how crucial it is to almost any community of organisms.

link: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=life-discovered-under-ice-in-antarctic-lake

author: Quirin Shiermerier, in Nature, February 12, 2013

Fungus attacks Smokies bats

Summary:
In this article, there is a fungus that is causing many species of bats to behave differently. It is causing them to wake up from hibernation very early, before their food source is available. It is also causing them to be very underweight or starving when they wake up. Bats have also been reported flying in the middle of the day, a very unusual behavior, and even dropping dead out of the sky. Scientists have begun calling this "white nose syndrome" because of the white fungus appearing on the bats' nose. This parasitic fungus is thought to be related to rabies, so people are encouraged to stay away from these bats. Scientists are concerned that if this fungus continues to harm the bats that there will be no way to control insect populations, an important role of bats. This fungus is spreading throughout many species of bats.

Connection:
This article connects to fungi, and its various roles like parasitism. This fungi is a parasite harming many different species of bats all over the place. It also connects to the importance of different organisms in a n ecosystem. It explains how if the bats go extinct or there populations are diminished, then the number of insects would greatly increase due to not being eaten by the bats.

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20130225/OUTDOORS/302250012/Fungus-attacks-Smokies-bats

Source: The Citizen Times
Author: Karen Chavez
Date: February 24 2013

Deep underground, worms and "zombie microbes" rule.

Summary

Scientists have discovered a surprising amount of tiny worms and microbes far under the earth's surface, possibly up to 20 kilometers down. Microbes have been found in rocks while drilling or mining. The single-celled bacteria that inhabit these areas require water and nutrients but not oxygen to thrive. Archaea can also be found, living on ammonia or sulphur. This habitat is called the Stygian realm, named after the River Styx in Greek mythology. The life cycles of some microbes are so slow that they can live without dividing for millions of years. These are sometimes referred to as "zombie microbes". Scientists believe there is a possibility that life may have originated in this habitat under the earth's surface. There is plenty of energy, water, and carbon-rich molecules, but it is more sheltered than the face of the planet. Scientists also consider the possibility that the first microbes may have been brought to this subterranean world on asteroids from Mars, where liquid water existed before it did on Earth. Viruses were also found deep under ground, but instead of seeking to produce many offspring, they plant their genes and then wait for better conditions to make more viruses.

Relevance

This article concerns microbes which we studied in the last unit. Part of this study included theories of how life formed on Earth. A different one of these theories is discussed in the article. We learned about bacteria and archaea, both relevant to this article, including extremophiles who live in extreme conditions such as this underground habitat.

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/04/us-life-idUSBRE9230WM20130304

Author: Alister Doyle

Date published: Mar 4 2013

Sarah Mamlet

How Fungi Create the Amazon’s Clouds

Summary

New research has linked fungi to the Amazonian clouds that cover the sky out of nowhere. Clouds consist of water clinging to carbon compounds. However, this new study found that potassium is also key in cloud formation because it is good at getting the carbon compounds to stick together. The Amazon being a moist place gets its carbon aspect from the byproducts of plants metabolisms, but where do they get the high levels of potassium from? It turns out that plants and fungi can release potassium into the air under certain conditions. Fungi in particular spray out potassium- rich fluid when they shoot out their spores. Add to the fact that microscopic fungi cover nearly a third of Earth’s land surface, and cloud formation seems quite easy to understand. As all life in the Amazon depends on rain from the sky, the sky depends on the forest for nourishment, adding another ring to the circle of life.

Relevance

This article relates to our studies of Fungi. We learned about spores and how fungi can release them in incredibly large numbers. Though there is little mention of it, the article also sites plants as potassium releasers and we are currently learning about plants.


http://science.time.com/2012/09/05/how-fungi-create-the-amazons-clouds/

written by Veronique Greenwood
Published Sept. 5 2012

Deadly Bacteria which Resist Strong Drugs are Spreading

Summary
Within the hospitals of the US, doctors have found that a strain of bacteria are resisting even the strongest of antibiotics.  Health officials have warned them that there will only be a limited amount of time before we will be unable to halt the spread of such bacteria. The bacteria is normally found in the gut, but can take on a lethal trait, to resist any antibiotics. It is not known how these bacteria acquire the trait, but the bacteria can leave the gut and enter the bloodstream. When this happens, the patients have shown a death rate of 50%. Disease centers show the of all infections by gut bacteria, this bacteria has risen from 1% in 2001, to 4%. Hospitals are attempting to contain a potential outbreak, by having any victims isolated from other

Relevance
This article is relevant because in class we studied how bacteria cells and how they would become more resistant to antibiotics, as they are used more and more.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/health/deadly-drug-resistant-infections-rise-in-hospitals-report-warns.html?ref=bacteria&_r=0

Aerial Bacteria Are Part of the Climate

               

 

Aerial Bacteria as a Factor of Climate

 

              Approximately six miles upwards, located within the troposphere, scientists have sampled bacteria levels before and after hurricanes. Both various sorts of cloud formations and clear air were utilized in the experiment. These researchers aboard NASA shuttles identified 144 bacterial cells per cubic foot, identifying them as bacteria by recognizing a hallmark code in their ribosomal DNA. Certain varieties of these aerial microbes are supposed to collect water, releasing this collection of atmospheric compounds to create a spread of their microbes. The most significant impact of this finding is its correlation to the spread of germs, as they are able to be dispersed inter-continentally.

 

              This article relates to the presence of extremophile bacteria. It aslo displays a correlation to how bacteria find necessary nutrients, like carbon. They are able to take it out of the atmosphere directly. It also explains partially why bacteria are spread, as a mode of transport. The article also attests the the great variety of baceteria in existence, (which it shows by reffering to the various types of bacteria within the troposphere.)


       Khan, Amina. "Sky-high Bacteria Could Affect Climate, Scientists Say." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2013. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jan/28/science/la-sci-bacteria-in-the-atmosphere-20130129.

 

The Beauty of Bacteria

This article demonstrates how at one time we would use anything to get rid of the bacteria that clouded our house.  However, scientists are becoming aware that these bacteria might have a beneficial impact to us.  The article mentions how bacteria can do the same things that we create machinary to do for us.  Some example include "storing and converting energy, producing oxygen, neutralizing poisons and disposing wastes in life-sustaining ways"  (The beauty of Bacteria).  In one test that took place, a scientist by the name of Mr. Laarman used bacteria to light a lamp. This is possible since bacteria generates an anzymes reaction to take place.  Bacteria aslo functions as a decoradive item as well.  Many scientists protect bacteria to keep them around instead of desroying them.
This article relates to what we are studying as it has to do with bacteria cells.  The article talks about the impact that bacteria cells have in our world.  It discusses how we underestimated the beneficial factors of bacteria and mistook these cells as harmful cells.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/17/garden/bio-design-in-the-home-the-beauty-of-bacteria.html?ref=flowersandplants&_r=0

Some Brain Cells Are Better Virus Fighters

Summary:

          Viruses usually spread throughout the brain infecting only some of the brain cells. This is because our natural immune system, which defends against these diseases, are turned on in some cells but turned off in others. Scientists at the University School of Medicine in St. Louis conducted an experiment to see why this occurred  Many genes in the cortical neurons were not expressed as well as others in other parts of the brain, giving them lesser antibiotic properties than the rest of the brain. Regulatory factors known as microRNA, and differences in the way DNA is modified in the cell nucleus affect these gene's expression levels. In the end, the scientists could not conclude whether the differences in susceptibility were because of the need to prevent infection or if they were because of changes that help neurons perform essential functions, but they did advance our knowledge about our bodies' immune systems.

Connection:

          This article is relevant because, in our previous unit, we learned about microbes. Viruses have evolved to be able to live and reproduce in humans, but humans have also evolved to have ways to fight viruses and other microbes. This article also relates to the unit before that, the evolution of life. We learned about how organisms evolve to be better suited for their environments, but if they have unused structures, then they will use up energy that doesn't needed to be used for survival. The organism that doesn't have that structure will be better suited for their environment. In this article, the brain's uneven virus resistance can be explained by this because, although we need as much protection as possible from viruses, too much could use up energy that we might need for other things.

Article Title: Some Brain Cells Are Better Virus Fighters

Published: Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130307091559.htm

"Nightmare" Bacteria

Summary:
     Superbugs called Enterobacteriaceae have started to become a larger health problem in the U.S. in the past decade. The number of cases reported from hospitals have increased by 3%. These superbugs are resistant to all antibiotics and its resistance is able to be spread to other bacteria. Because of its strong resistance, patients who have been infected with this bacteria have a small chance of surviving. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is trying to find a way to inhibit the growth of this bacteria before it gets out of hand. Doctors have also been warned to use antibiotics more carefully so that no more superbugs will develop.

Relevance:
     This article about superbugs is relevant to our studies, because we learned about bacteria. We performed a lab about bacterial inhibition, and this article talks about how professional scientists are trying to find an antibiotic that these superbugs are not resistant to so that they can inhibit the growth of Enterobacteriaceae.

Source:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/05/173526084/infections-with-nightmare-bacteria-are-on-the-rise-in-u-s-hospitals
5 March 2013. Rob Stein. NPR.

Floating Plants Could Be New Biofuel

Floating Plants Could Be New Biofuel
 Keelin McCarthy

Summary
Recent studies have shown that a new biomass, duckweed, could provide energy in the future. Duckweed is an aquatic plant that grows on the surface of ponds and slow-moving streams. It has many characteristics that make it an excellent candidate for a new biofuel. First, it can be more easily collected than algae, and it lives in the water so no cropland has to be used to grow it. Also, duckweed is not part of the human palet so its not taking away a food source. It is, however, currently sheltering small fish and a food supply for young geese, ducks, and other game. Scientists are confident that duckweed could be the next inexpensive fuel supply.

Connection
Duckweed is an aquatic plant that thrives because of its habitat. It lives like a symbiant, getting enough water easily without spending much energy, while sheltering the other aquatic animals and acts as a food source to others. This article relates to our unit because, duckweed is suggested as a new biofuel because it is so abundantly found. Its ability to grow and dominate the aquatic niches, emphasizes the difficulty of life on land. Although there are many positives, there are negatives too and the duckweed proves to be an adapted angiosperm that remains close to the water, showing how controlling water and a food source can be.

Floating Plants Could Be New Biofuel
Voice of America- author not listed
7 March 2013
http://www.voanews.com/content/floating-plants-could-be-new-biofuel/1617116.html

Nectar That Gives Bees a Buzz Lures Them Back for More

Summary:  Many plants go to very extreme length in order to attract pollinators such as bees. Some use scents nectar or fruits.  For plants that have bees as pollinators, they use nectar. The nectar that is in plants is very addictive for bees because of its caffeine content. The concentrations are very high in the leaves, and could be considered toxic, which helps ward off predators. In the nectar however, the content of caffeine is low enough that it keeps the bees coming back for more and more nectar.

Connection: During our plants unit, we have discussed animal pollination versus wind pollination. This is an example of animal pollination. The flowers use their sugary nectar to attract bees to help them pollinate. The nectar keeps the bees coming back.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/08/science/plants-use-caffeine-to-lure-bees-scientists-find.html

Works Cited: Gorman, James. "Nectar That Gives Bees a Buzz Lures Them Back for More." New York Times. 7 March 2013. New York Times. Web. 7 March 13.

Scientists Notch A Win In War Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Summary:
Scientists have recently made a huge discovery about bacteria and their anti-bacterial properties. This new method does not have to do with the breaking down of peptidoglycan using penicillin or breaking down bacteria walls at all. It is referred to as the "kick them when they're down" style of fighting bacteria. As a biproduct, bacteria produce something called ROS, which stands for "reactive oxygen species." Although not much is known about this key metabolism process, scientists have figured out how to use ROS to destroy bacteria. Normally bacteria can withstand a moderate amount of ROS, too much can cause the bacteria to die. The scientists were able to delete genes in the bacteria that in turn led to greater amounts of ROS production, which is lethal to the bacteria. This ROS method is more effective at killing bacteria than antibiotics.  Although this is no "magic bullet" in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it certainly provides another weapon to the "antibiotic arsenal."

Connection:
In class we learned how some strains of bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, and how this presents a huge problem to the medical field. If antibiotics do not work on a potentially lethal bacteria, then the person affected may die. ROS is an alternate way of killing bacteria without antibiotics that they may be resistant to, and it could reduce our dependencies on antibiotics in the long run.

Link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130204095932.htm

Published: February 4, 2013

Modern Growing Methods May Be Culprit of 'Coffee Rust' Fungal Outbreak

According to a study done by an ecologist from the University of Michigan, there is a current outbreak of "coffee rust" fungus damaging coffee production in Mexico and Central America. Coffee rust, which is a fungal disease, infects the leaves, young fruit, and buds of coffee plants, and its spores are spread by the wind and rain to infect other plants. The current outbreak of this fungus is blamed on the new growing method, which removes the thick canopy of trees over the coffee plants to increase production, but makes the plants more susceptible to pests. Coffee rust, since it infects leaves, prevents the coffee plants from being able to photosynthesize. As a result, 10% of the plants have died and over 30% have no leaves. Because of this fungal disease, the cost of a coffee may increase significantly in the next few years. 

This article is relevant to the biology curriculum since it is about coffee rust, which is a fungal infection, and we have been learning about parasitic fungi. Also, it shows how the fungus reproduces through spores, and we have learned about fungi reproduction strategies of using spore producing structures. Lastly, this article relates to biology because we have learned about the structure of a plant and how photosynthesis is usually performed in leaves, which relates to the article since the coffee plant is not able to photosynthesize after its leaves are infected with the fungus.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130212111731.htm

‘Stressed’ Bacteria Become Resistant to Antibiotics

 Feb. 20, 2013

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221194045.htm

Summary: 

When bacteria are stressed, they become resistant to antibiotics.  Biologists tested and realized that E. Coli grown in high temperatures become resistant to rifampicin.  In the absence of antibiotics, non-resistant bacteria will out-compete the resistant ones.  Researchers from UC Irvine and Faculté de Médicine Denis Diderot have discovered that by putting bacteria under stress and by growing them at a high temperature, the bacteria could spontaneously develop resistance to the antibiotic rifampicin.  After their studies, scientists concluded that antibiotic resistance can occur even in the absence of antibiotics and that, depending on the type of bacteria, and growth conditions, rather than being costly to maintain can be highly beneficial.  This discovery would be beneficial to puplic health.  These bacteria provide strong evidence that the evolution of antibiotic resistance is governed by two properties of genes; pleiotropy and epistasis.  Pleiotropy describes how the antibiotic resistance mutations affect other functions, hence their fate in other environments. Epistasis describes how well different mutations combine in their effect on resistance, and therefore determines which mutational pathway will be preferred by evolution when several mutations are needed for full resistance. 

Connection:

This is relavent to our previous lesson about the elovlution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.  We learned that antibiotic resistance evolves by natural selection.  Those bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics survives while the others die.  This evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria was one of the main problems in public heath.  It was very important for doctors to prescribe the right antibiotics.  However, with this discovery it might not be too complicated. 

Fungal Cleaning Crew: Chemists Determine the Structure of an Enzyme That Breaks Down Dyes

Fungal Cleaning Crew: Chemists Determine the Structure of an Enzyme That Breaks Down Dyes

Summary:
     Fungi have been used in many factories and industries to help dispose of or break down waste products. There is a fungi used in some textile companies that uses its enzymes to break down the leftover synthetic dyes of the factory. This fungi is what is used in place of other possible chemical reagents. Scientists have been trying to analyze these enzymes and trying to learn something from them. These scientists have been able to identify different structures of this enzyme and while doing so have learned how the enzyme actually worked.

Relevance:
     We have talked about fungi and how they don't get energy like other organisms. Instead fungi use absorptive nutrition. This means they secrete enzymes to break down the dead organism. Then they absorb the broken down substances and use it for energy.

Article Title: Fungal Cleaning Crew: Chemists Determine the Structure of an Enzyme That Breaks Down Dyes
Published: 2/26/13
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226092008.htm

Bacteria Pitted Against Fungi to Protect Wheat and Barley

by Jan Suszkiw

Link:http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2013/130109.htm

Summary:
 The US Department of Agriculture scientist investigated bacteria's potential to biologically control root-rot caused by fungi. Root-rot typically causes 10-30% loss of crops. The bacteria of the genus pseudomonas stop the growth of fungi that cause diseases in wheat and barley crops. The two pathogens that are most problematic mostly affect seedlings between 4-6 weeks old. Fungicides aren't very effective, and there are no immune strains of wheat or barley available for farmers to grow. Rotating wheat with other crops wouldn't be effective either because of the pathogens' wide range of plant-hosts. The bacteria secretes powerful enzymes and biochemicals that stop the fungi from spreading, some strains of the bacteria trigger an immune-system response, and others produce hormone-like substances that affect root and shoot growth to help them overcome fungal damage. Experiments have yielded results with 30-92% of the root rot diminished. However, a commercial product isn't likely to be available for a few more years.

Connection:
In class we had talked about symbiotic relationships between fungi and protists, yielding lichen, and here there is a parasitic relationship between fungi and plants, and a commensalismic relationship between plants and bacteria, with the plants benefiting. This also ties in with class subjects because the bacteria affect the root and shoot growth, which means that they are affecting the apical meristems, and that is helping them overcome the fungal damage.

Zombie worm has no mouth - but it feasts on whale bones

Summary
Osedax, called "zombie worms", are worms that live in deep oceans around the world. However these worms lack a mouth, anus, and guts, but somehow they feed on the bones of whales and other deceased sea creatures. They were first discovered in 2002 when they were found in a whale carcass. These worms break down the whale bones by secreting acids; there are two different types of acid containing enzymes in these worms. Symbiotic bacteria within these zombie worms help them digest fat and other materials from the bones. The female Osedax are about an inch long, but the males only grow to the larval stage at one-twentieth of an inch long. Hundreds of these male organisms may live inside a tube covering part of the female. Their closest relatives live in deep sea hydrothermal vents and use bacteria to help them survive in such hot and acidic environments. These relatives lack guts and a mouth, too.

Relevance
We have learned about how many prokaryotes, mainly archaea, that live in very extreme environments on Earth, such as deep sea vents. These zombie worms live in deep oceans and survive off of whale bones. In class we also learned that extremophiles are very closely related to ancient prokaryotes, because before the oxygen revolution happened many prokaryotes lived deep underwater in many extreme settings. Osedax lives in pretty extreme environments and is related to organisms that live in deep hydrothermal vents in the sea, so it is possible that these worms can be related to ancient prokaryotes.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/48064322/ns/technology_and_science-science/
by Douglas Main, published July, 3, 2012.

Microbes Linked to Colic in Babies

Summary: In the first month of life, healthy infants may start feeling an intense pain and stomach cramping, which may disappear a few months later. Researchers at Radboud University and Wageningen University, in the Netherlands, now say, different types of microbes inhabiting the babies' intestines are the explanation to these severe pains. In order to deduce the solution to this colic problem, scientists collected nine stool samples from each of twelve colicky babies and twelve age-matched babies without colic over their first 100 days of life. The mothers and their babies were all healthy. However as early as the first weeks of the experiment, the researchers found significant differences in the intestinal microbes of colicky and noncolicky infants. The scientists noticed, those babies with colic had more proteobacteria, which includes species that produce gas and inflammation. To decrease symptoms of colic, researchers suggest taking probiotic supplements, which contain beneficial bacteria and sometimes decrease symptoms and work by displacing harmful bacteria. Although it is established that probiotics eliminate most symptoms, doctors suggests it is unhealthy to routinely give probiotics to infants. Scientists need to preform controlled studies first, to determine if there are casual effects and if they are safe.

Relevance: This article is relevant to our curriculum since we have studied a full unit on microbes. Special microbes live in infants' intestines, causing colic symptoms, or very bad stomach aches and cramps. We studied how specifically, microbes can adapt to live on some of the most extreme environments on earth. A baby's intestines is an example of a very extreme environment. The article talks about microbes' effect on its host and its possible habitats.


Microbes Linked to Colic in Babies
By: Nicholas Bakalar
January 21, 2013
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/microbes-linked-to-colic-in-babies/

Not all bacteria bad for acne

Summary:
     Researchers now believe that some strains of bacteria that were previously thought to cause acne are actually beneficial to skin. Acne is mainly caused by Propionibacterium (P.acne), or so previously thought. According to Huiying Li and a few partners from the David Geffen School of Medicine, some strains of P. acne are actually beneficial to your skin. They made an experiment in which the bacteria from the noses of people with and without acne were tested. After looking at the bacterial DNA, the team found that both people with and without acne had around the same amount of P. acnes living on their skin. However, they also found that people with acne contained RT4 and RT5 strains of P. acne, while people with clear skin contained a different strain of P. acne, RT6. This may lead to better acne-fighting medications because these medications can specifically target RT4 and RT5 strains, while leaving the RT6 strain alone.
Relevance:
     This is relevant to what we have learned in class because we have learned about bacteria, and the structures and niches of various bacteria. The bacteria that was tested, P. acne, lives on human skin, and it is usually targeted by various acne medications. However, since scientists have found that a certain strain of P. acne is beneficial to human skin, a better acne medication would be one that lowers the levels of bad P. acne, but boosts the numbers of good P. acne. This is similar to the term 3 lab, but with a twist. Not only do scientists have to find an antibiotic to battle RT4 and RT5 strains of P. acne, but they also must try to find an antibiotic that boosts levels of the RT6 strain. Hopefully, when scientists figure out antibiotics to help boost/lower these strains, acne will become less of a nuisance for teens.

Article Title: Not all bacteria bad for acne
Author: Gisela Telis
Date Published: 3/3/2013
Link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/8378322/Not-all-bacteria-bad-for-acne

Most Coral Reefs are at Risk Unless Climate Change is Limited

Summary: Recently global warming and increased ocean acidity have resulted in the deaths of many coral reefs. The first world study of the effects of climate change on coral reefs was recently conducted by several universities. The study has concluded that if nothing is done, then 70% of coral reefs will be gone by 2030. At first increased temperatures ect. cause the symbiotic relationship between zooxanthellae and coral to dissolve in coral bleaching. Eventually, if the temperatures remain high for a long period of time, the coral will die. Sadly, there is a only a slim possibility that zooxanthellae will be able to adapt to the harsher conditions as they have long life cycles, and their asexual reproduction results in little diversity. Additionally, sea water is becoming more acidic from the increase in carbon dioxide which will probably lead to even more coral deaths.

Connection: This connected to our study of protists such as the zooxanthellae, a type of algae that lives on coral. The zooxanthellae has a symbiotic relationship with coral. The coral provides the zooxanthellae with a place to live, and the zooxanthellae gives the coral food. Stresses such as high water temperatures and high light exposure result in coral bleaching. When stressed, the coral gets rid of zooxanthellae. Without a food source the coral dies. This explains why increased temperatures from climate change is such a danger to coral reefs. Additionally, we discussed the asexual reproduction several protists undergo which results in the limited diversity.
Link: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/09/17/most_coral_reefs_are_at_risk_unless_climate_change_is_drastically_limited.html
Author: none given
Source: Biology News.net

Murderous Fungi Feed Their Insect Victims to Plants

June 21, 2012
Sara Reardon
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21965-murderous-fungi-feed-their-insect-victims-to-plants.html

Summary: Most plants rely on the fungi and bacteria that live in their roots to capture nitrogen decaying organic matter in the soil, since plants themselves cannot directly capture the necessary nitrogen in the air or soil. These fungi include Metarhizium, which live on every continent and colonize most types of plants. The fungi also infect and kill many insect species. By releasing enzymes that eat their way through an insect's outer shell, the fungi slowly takes over the host and kills it from the inside. Micheal Bidochka of Brock University of Saint Catherine's, Ontario, Canada and his team wondered whether there was a link between the insect killing and the plant feeding. After injecting a labeled form of nitrogen into a wax moth larvae called Galleria mellonella, they infected them with Metarhizium fungi. The researchers then buried the larvae in the soil with either beans named Phaseolus vulgaris or switchgrass plants called Panicum virgatum. They placed a screen with pores too small for plant roots to penetrate but large enough for the fungi to cross through between the infected insects and the plants' roots. After 14 days, the insects were dead, and the researchers found their labeled nitrogen in the plants' tissues. It made up 28 percent of the nitrogen in the beans and 32 percent in the switch grass. Insects that had not been infected by the fungi did not transfer any of their nitrogen to the plants after they died. Raymond Saint Leger, an entomologist at the University of Maryland in College Park, says that researchers should find out how widespread the phenomenon is in nature, and whether plants living in natural environments are as dependent on insects as a nitrogen source as the plants in the lab seemed to be.

Relevance: This relates to our previous unit about microbes and fungi. The article discusses the fungi Metarhizium and how it provides nitrogen to the plants, and in class we discussed the nitrogen cycle and how it relates to bacteria and fungi. The fungi capture can capture nitrogen from decaying matter in the soil. Another class topic was symbiosis and symbiotic relationships. In this case, the fungi transfer the nitrogen from the insects to the plant, and the plant provides a home in its roots for the fungi to live. This means it is a mutualistic relationship.

We Have Life! Scientists Confirm Microbes Beneath Antarctic Glaciers

Summary: Scientists can now confirm the finding of microbes living half a mile under glacier ice in dark wetlands. Two months ago scientists were drilling in ice and found what they thought were microbes. They tested it the first time by giving the sample DNA sensitive dye which made the sample glow green. However, this test is not always accurate, so to make sure they put the sample through six other verification methods. After all of this they are sure it is life. This discovery may be useful in understanding how organisms survived in cryoecosystems under a lot of pressure with no light or warmth.

Relevance: In class this term we learned all about microbes and about how the first organisms were. The article talks about the harsh conditions the microbes live in which also relates to the unit.

Author:Elbert Chu
Published: February 13, 2013
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-02/life-found-deep-beneath-antarctic-glaciers-cold-dark-and-under-pressure

Fungi Fungi Everywhere

Summary

New research shows fungi living beneath the seafloor are widespread. Jennifer Biddle, an assistant professor of marine bio-sciences, and her colleges examined several samples of mud found at the bottom of different seas, and found more than 70 different species of fungi. Research suggests that fungi may help break down food for the bacteria, which is commensalism and possibly mutualism if the fungus benefits as well. These fungi also play a part in the carbon cycle and other chemical cycling.

This isn't the first time scientists have discovered fungi in the deep-sea sediment. Previously, it was not clear as to whether the fungi found in the sediment were spores that flew into the ocean, or actually living. Now, through advanced technology, they can prove the fungi that live there are meant to, meaning that have the adaptations to thrive.

Before this discovery the only known organisms to live in the deep-sea vents were single-celled archaea and bacteria. The discovery of fungi also living down there shows that complex, multicellular organisms that also survive under the extreme conditions.

Relevance 

This article connects back to class because it deals with fungi, bacteria, and archaea, which was our previous topic. In class, we learned about the carbon cycle and how chemicals are cycled. Certain fungi on land help with the nitrogen cycle, and we know that these deep-sea vent fungi participate in the cycling of carbon, and possibly more once more. Also, another topic talked about in class was symbiosis and  symbiotic relationships. The fungi helps the bacteria by breaking down food for them. This is commensalism and possibly mutualism, but more research has to be done to confirm that.

Fungi Fungi Everywhere

Article by Teresa Messmore

5 p.m., Feb. 13, 2013

http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2013/feb/fungi-seafloor-021313.html