Mutant Cyanobacterium Chonkus Could Help Combat Climate Change with Carbon Storage
A mutant strain of cyanobacterium, nicknamed “Chonkus,” has been identified by researchers as a promising candidate for combating climate change. Found in shallow waters near Vulcano Island off Italy, this microbe demonstrates unique traits that make it highly efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Chonkus grows larger than other cyanobacteria, stores significant amounts of carbon, and sinks rapidly, potentially transferring captured carbon to the ocean floor. These properties may enhance carbon storage and reduce atmospheric levels.
Key Findings About Chonkus
According to a study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Chonkus was discovered in waters enriched with volcanic gases, a result of carbon dioxide seepage. It was identified as a mutant strain of Synechococcus elongatus, a fast-growing photosynthetic cyanobacterium. The research team, led by Max Schubert, a microbiologist formerly with the Wyss Institute at Harvard University, found that the microbe grows into larger colonies and has dense white granules that store carbon.
During experiments, it was observed that Chonkus cells are heavier than other cyanobacteria. When placed in test tubes, the cells settled to the bottom much faster, forming a dense green sludge. This trait makes it a strong candidate for use in carbon sequestration efforts, as it could transfer atmospheric carbon to the ocean floor more effectively than other microorganisms.
Potential Role in Carbon Sequestration
As per a report by Science News Explore, the discovery suggests that ocean-floor environments with high carbon dioxide seepage might host additional organisms with similar capabilities. By sinking rapidly after absorbing atmospheric carbon, Chonkus cells could provide a mechanism to lock away carbon in ocean sediments. Researchers believe that further exploration of such environments could uncover more microorganisms that might contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.
The findings indicate that even tiny organisms like Chonkus could play a significant role in global efforts to address the challenges of rising carbon dioxide levels.
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Axiom 4 mission’s crewmates began conducting biomedical research aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday. Expedition 73 and Ax-4 crews found electrical muscle stimulation and cellular immunity. The Cargo transfers and exercise gear maintenance take a day for orbital residents.
Takuya Onishi, Situation Commander from JAXA( Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), has begun the shift in continuation of his space biology studies. His blood and saliva samples are being collected for storage and processing. Further, he spun the specimens in a centrifuge and placed the blood samples in the freezer. After that, he stowed the samples in the incubator.
JAXA’s Takuya Onishi Leads Cellular Immunity Study with Blood and Saliva Analysis
According to a report from NASA, the samples will be analysed to determine the effect of microgravity on cellular immunity, observe stress-related immune reactions, and learn about how to treat symptoms of immunity. The flight engineers Johnny Kim, Anne McClain, and Nichole Ayers spent their day on orbital lab maintenance and further support activities of the crew. Kim focused mainly on orbital plumbing as he replaced and drained the Tranquillity module.
Ayers checked cables and power components in the Destiny laboratory module and deactivated and placed the microscope. McClain took the cognition test on the laptop and kept on supporting the Ax-4 crew at a time of a busy schedule.
Ax-4 Crew Explores Muscle Stimulation and Space Suit Fabric Efficiency in Microgravity
Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson and her Ax-4 crewmates Shubhanshu Shukla, Tibor Kapu and Uznański-Wiśniewski conducted numerous space investigations throughout the lab. The private scientists in their second full week on the station found out that the electrical muscle simulation escalates the space-related and muscle atrophy in space. Ax-4’s other experiments looked at suit fabrics promote thermal comfort with exercising the weightlessness, crew health and agriculture in space.
Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy worked together on the Zvezda service module, repairing and organising components on a treadmill, one of the two inside the space station, which included the COLBERT treadmill. Kirill Peskov started his day by going through the biological samples from the crewmates. At the end of his shift, he transfers water from Progress 92 cargo craft and unloads the stuffs of hardware and crew supplies.
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Astronomers have discovered the third interstellar comet to pass through our solar system. Named 3I/ATLAS (initially A11pl3Z), it was first spotted July 1 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile and confirmed the same day. Pre-discovery images show it in the sky as far back as mid-June. The object is racing toward the inner system at roughly 150,000 miles per hour on a near-straight trajectory, too fast for the Sun to capture. Estimates suggest its nucleus may be 10–20 km across. Now inside Jupiter’s orbit, 3I/ATLAS will swing closest to the Sun in October and should remain observable into late 2025.
Discovery and Classification
According to NASA, in early July the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile spotted a faint moving object first called A11pl3Z, and the IAU’s Minor Planet Center confirmed the next day that it was an interstellar visitor. The object was officially named 3I/ATLAS and noted as likely the largest interstellar body yet detected. At first it appeared to be an ordinary near-Earth asteroid, but precise orbit measurements showed it speeding at ~150,000 mph – far too fast for the Sun to capture. Astronomers estimate 3I/ATLAS spans roughly 10–20 km across. Signs of cometary activity – a faint coma and short tail – have emerged, earning it the additional comet designation C/2025 N1 (ATLAS).
Studying a Pristine Comet
3I/ATLAS was spotted well before its closest approach, giving astronomers time to prepare detailed observations. It will pass within about 1.4 AU of the Sun in late October. Importantly, researchers can study it while it is still a pristine frozen relic before solar heating alters it. As Pamela Gay notes, discovering the object on its inbound leg leaves “ample time” to analyze its trajectory. Astronomers are now racing to obtain spectra and images – as Chris Lintott warns, the comet will be “baked” by sunlight as it nears perihelion.
Determining its composition and activity is considered “a rare chance” to learn how planets form in other star systems. With new facilities like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory coming online, researchers expect more such visitors in the years ahead. 3I/ATLAS offers a rare chance to study material from another star system.
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