Mystic algae balls grow faster than legend: researcher

KUSHIRO, Japan - A researcher checks one of the largest Akan marimos in Lake Akan in Hokkaido in an undated photo released by the Akan Education Booard. According to a study conducted by a group of marimo researchers at the board, the greenish algae ball in Lake Akan where the local legend says would take 900 years to grow to basketball size, apparently grows a lot faster than traditionally thought. The one in the photo is 31 centimeters in diameter. (Kyodo)