SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Bladderwrack in Space to Solve Mystery

Blue algae from the Baltic Sea has been sent up into space. It may be a first step in solving a 30-year-old puzzle.

» Published: 01 December 2024

Bladderwrack in Space to Solve Mystery
Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

The bladderwrack reproduces when it is full moon or new moon, but why is unclear, which Vetenskapsradion Sveriges Radio previously reported. One theory is that the bladderwrack senses the moon's gravitational pull, says researcher Lena Kautsky to SVT News Science.

This is the very first attempt to see how the bladderwrack reacts to changes in gravity, she says to the channel.

The mystery has been attempted to be solved by Lena Kautsky for 30 years. She is a professor emeritus in marine plant ecology at Stockholm University and was present at the launch earlier in the week. Then, test tubes with shoots of bladderwrack from the Baltic Sea were sent up with a rocket from the Esrange space base outside Kiruna.

It feels thrilling, fantastic, in some way liberating, she says to Vetenskapsradion.

Now Kautsky will investigate how the seaweed, which has been in space for ten minutes, is affected and compare it with plants that have remained on Earth.

The space visit is a first step in the project. The hope is to apply to send up bladderwrack to the International Space Station ISS for two weeks when a full moon occurs – and then get more answers to solve the mystery, reports Vetenskapsradion.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Body in burnt-out car identified
1 MIN READ

Body in burnt-out car identified

Record Amount of Hazardous Waste Stopped by Customs
3 MIN READ

Record Amount of Hazardous Waste Stopped by Customs

Unusual stone find reveals "stunning history"
1 MIN READ

Unusual stone find reveals "stunning history"

Shot Classmate in School Toilet – Claims Accident
3 MIN READ

Shot Classmate in School Toilet – Claims Accident

The year started with many explosions
1 MIN READ

The year started with many explosions

Explosion in apartment building in Gothenburg
1 MIN READ

Explosion in apartment building in Gothenburg

Explosion at gate to apartment building in Alby
1 MIN READ

Explosion at gate to apartment building in Alby

Woman hit a small child in a stroller
1 MIN READ

Woman hit a small child in a stroller

Education that quickly leads to a job
3 MIN READ

Education that quickly leads to a job

Expert: ADHD is not a disease, but a social issue
3 MIN READ

Expert: ADHD is not a disease, but a social issue

Young man suspected of rape at school
1 MIN READ

Young man suspected of rape at school

After the leak in the Baltic Sea: Record-large methane emission
3 MIN READ

After the leak in the Baltic Sea: Record-large methane emission

Elderly man dies – drove into tree
1 MIN READ

Elderly man dies – drove into tree

Warning about dangerous chew toys for dogs
1 MIN READ

Warning about dangerous chew toys for dogs

Stoltenberg: "Trump is not against NATO itself"
2 MIN READ

Stoltenberg: "Trump is not against NATO itself"

Better work environment since Kinberg Batra left
1 MIN READ

Better work environment since Kinberg Batra left

Ivo to investigate the Millennium disaster
1 MIN READ

Ivo to investigate the Millennium disaster

Teacher seriously injured in stabbing at school
3 MIN READ

Teacher seriously injured in stabbing at school

The Sweden Democrats Take a Stand for Loyalty Declaration
1 MIN READ

The Sweden Democrats Take a Stand for Loyalty Declaration

Slower Trains and Delays Ahead
1 MIN READ

Slower Trains and Delays Ahead