Articles tagged with Coral
Researchers analyzed fossil corals to reveal changed ocean current circulation patterns. The data supports a scenario where the upper Pacific Ocean was more mixed during the last ice age, contributing to carbon storage and cooler climates.
Researchers combined nuclear fallout records with coral skeletons to define the Anthropocene period, which marks a milestone for humanity's impact on Earth's environment. The study provides clear evidence of plutonium fallout from 1954, linking sediments and coral records.
Researchers have created a new classification system for coexisting mangrove-coral habitats, identifying four distinct types: lagoons, creeks, fringe areas, and under the mangrove canopy. These habitats are diverse, with about 130 species of corals living in them, and are crucial for coral survival.
A new study by the University of Exeter predicts that the pink sea fan coral species will expand its range northwards along the British coast as global temperatures rise. The research found suitable habitat for the species beyond its current northern limits, indicating potential spread by 2100.
Researchers at University of Utah Health have found a natural chemical in soft corals that shows promise in treating cancer. The discovery allows for the first steps of re-creating the chemical in the laboratory, opening up possibilities for producing it on a large scale.
Researchers found that Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins rub against corals to agitate tiny polyps, releasing mucus with antibacterial and antioxidative properties. This discovery suggests the mucus regulates the dolphin's skin microbiome and treats infections.
A new study identifies food and oxygen supply as crucial environmental factors influencing the vitality of cold-water corals in the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The analysis of ancient sediments reveals that changes in food supply, rather than ocean temperature, are likely to determine the future health of these ecosystems.
Research at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology finds that 98% of ocean plastic is buried in the seafloor, with coastal habitats like mangroves also significant sink sites. The discovery resolves a mystery and has significant implications for human health and UN Sustainable Goal 14.
Researchers have discovered a hidden species of coral in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, which was previously misclassified as a single species. The study provides crucial insights into coral ecology and conservation, highlighting the importance of taxonomy projects in protecting endangered species.
Researchers found that baby corals are infected with stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) at similar severity and mortality rates as adult colonies. Growing coral recruits larger and promoting grouping before outplanting may reduce the risk of SCTLD.
Correa's lab aims to understand the role of fish feces in maintaining coral health, with potential implications for mitigating climate change impacts. They will test ideas such as introducing more coral-eating fish to reefs to spread beneficial symbionts.
A recent study led by University of Hawaii student researchers found that exposing rice coral larvae to warmer temperatures did not improve survival once the coral developed into juveniles. Instead, rearing at ambient temperatures maximized early life stage survival.
A study in Hawaiian coral species found that some display resilience to ocean warming and acidification. Coral samples survived better under certain conditions, with Porites compressa being more resilient than Montipora capitata.
A 22-month study found that Hawaiian coral species experienced significant mortality, but some thrived under conditions simulating future ocean temperatures and acidity. The research provides hope for the future of corals, with certain species, like Porites, showing remarkable resilience.
Researchers have identified key molecular mechanisms driving coral metamorphosis, a radical transformation from free-swimming larvae to sedentary adult reef-builders. Alterations in gene expression and receptor signaling regulate the irreversibility of this process, enabling corals to adapt to their environment.
Scientists discover that corals produce CaCO3 in compartments shielded from seawater, explaining differences in resilience to ocean acidification. Variations in crystallization rates among species contribute to varying levels of sensitivity.
Scientists have characterized thousands of small molecules in coral reef ecosystems, providing insights into food web dynamics and chemical ecology. The study found that corals and seaweeds release diverse compounds that influence nutrient concentrations and availability in the ecosystem.
A research team identified a general macroecological mechanism that challenges global conservation strategies, finding that remote fish communities are vulnerable to coral loss and other ecological dependencies
A new study reveals a shared molecular pathway governing sperm motility among corals, sea urchins, and humans. Researchers found that corals have a pH-sensing enzyme similar to one in human sperm, which signals when to swim.
A new study published in Coral Reefs confirms that soft corals Plexaura kükenthali and Plexaura homomalla are two separate species. The research found significant differences in morphology, genetics, reproduction, and symbiotic relationships between the two species.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered seahorses can move their head up to catch prey at incredible speeds, facilitated by a powerful flow of water and spring-like mechanism. This study sheds light on the ecology of seahorses, revealing that longer noses enable stronger suction currents for catching smaller prey.
Researchers have discovered six new species of glass sponges and two previously unknown species in the waters off New Zealand, revealing a more diverse ecosystem than previously thought. The findings provide important data for protecting these unique habitats from deep-sea mining and fishing.
Researchers successfully used cryopreserved sperm to fertilize coral eggs from hundreds of miles away, demonstrating the reproductive compatibility of distant coral colonies. The technique, known as assisted gene flow, has potential as a conservation tool for endangered corals and could accelerate their adaptation to climate change.
Researchers have identified a massive coral structure in the Great Barrier Reef, measuring 5.3m tall and 10.4m wide, which is not only the widest but also the sixth tallest recorded in the reef.
Researchers identified specialized immune cells in cauliflower coral and starlet sea anemone that can fight infection. These unique cell types were previously unknown and have implications for understanding coral resilience to climate change.
Researchers found that a probiotic cocktail of beneficial bacteria increases coral survival after a bleaching event. The approach could be administered in advance to help corals recover from high sea temperatures. Probiotic treatment improved coral response and recovery, boosting survival from 60% to 100%.
Researchers at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute characterize an acute marine hypoxic event in the Caribbean, impacting brittlestars and corals. The study reveals a resilient microbial community that adapts to deoxygenation, providing insights into the historical context of such events.
Researchers identified likely new marine species on nine seamounts explored for the first time in the Phoenix Islands Archipelago. The expedition also collected high-resolution seafloor mapping data and footage of rare organisms, including a glass octopus and whale shark.
Researchers at NTU Singapore discovered a 32-year 'slow-motion' earthquake that led to the catastrophic 1861 Sumatra earthquake. The study highlights potential missing factors or mismodelling in global earthquake risk assessments.
Corals use an ancient immune mechanism to select suitable microalgae as symbionts, tolerating them over time. The 'vomocytosis' process involves immune suppression that allows algae to establish a niche within the coral's cells, facilitating nutrient exchange.
Researchers discovered that organisms like plants, fungi, and corals use gene conversion to inherit less mutated oDNA, unlike humans and animals which rely on a bottleneck process. This finding could have implications for crop plants where gene conversion can cause sterility.
Researchers at the University of Miami have successfully cultured cells from coral and sea anemones for up to 12 days, opening new avenues for studying evolutionary biology and human health. The breakthrough uses antibiotic treatment to prime tissues before culture, allowing for longer and more robust cell cultures.
French researchers explored mesophotic corals' distribution and adaptation in French Polynesian waters, from surface to 120m depth. They found that certain filamentous algae play a crucial role in coral survival at depth by capturing shorter light wavelengths.
Research finds positive relatedness among emerald coral gobies, suggesting kin selection as a key factor in their social structure. The study reveals that group members are more closely related to each other than to individuals from different reefs.
A new tool called CORAL guides clinicians through diagnostic evaluations of patients with COVID-19 symptoms, allowing for safe discontinuation of isolation. The tool was developed to minimize the chance of false-negative test results and reduce hospitalization time.
Researchers have discovered that corals can acquire their symbiotic algae from the fecal pellets of giant clams. This finding suggests a novel route for the transportation of Symbiodiniaceae to corals, which could have significant implications for our understanding of coral-algae interactions.
Researchers developed an airborne approach to map live coral distribution in the Hawaiian Islands, revealing a negative correlation between nearshore development and live coral cover. The study suggests that this cost-effective method could provide high-resolution monitoring of coral health at a low cost.
The sequencing of the cauliflower coral genome provides a resource for studying genetic adaptation to different environmental conditions. The analysis revealed approximately 27,500 genes, with a higher percentage of repetitive elements than closely related corals.
A new study found that ocean carbon sequestration decreased as phytoplankton failed to devour macronutrients and trap carbon dioxide in the deep ocean. This process, called the biological pump, transfers carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and surface ocean into the dark, deep ocean.
New research suggests that ancient deep-sea corals provide a time machine to study changes in ocean circulation and carbon cycle during the last ice age. The study found that rapid changes in ocean circulation around Antarctica released CO2 to the atmosphere, ending the last ice age.
A new study suggests that limited iron levels in corals could impair their ability to respond to climate change. High water temperatures and low iron availability compromise the algae living within coral cells, leading to reduced growth and function.
Researchers from Università di Bologna found evidence of genetic isolation between two morphotypes of Parazoanthus axinellae, suggesting they may belong to different species. The study's findings have significant implications for biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean Sea.
A newly developed genotyping chip can help establish and maintain genetic diversity in reef restoration efforts. The chip allows researchers to genetically identify corals and their symbiotic algae, enabling conservation biologists to track coral diversity and compare samples.
Researchers developed a 1cm by 1cm soft robot that can remove contaminants from water using a magnetic field and light. The artificial aquatic polyp can guide suspended targets towards it, and then activate its tentacles to grasp and release particles.
Researchers developed a tiny plastic robot that moves under the influence of light and magnetism, allowing it to attract and capture contaminant particles from the surrounding liquid or pick up and transport cells. The robot operates independently of the water composition, making it suitable for use in contaminated water.
Researchers from UCL and ZSL have discovered a soft coral garden habitat in Greenlandic waters, characterized by cauliflower corals and diverse fauna. The discovery has direct implications for the management of deep-sea trawl fisheries and may lead to protection under UN guidelines.
A team of Carnegie scientists solved a marine science mystery by identifying the cell type and genes responsible for coral recognition and uptake of photosynthetic algae. This breakthrough can aid coral conservation and increase understanding of other coral species threatened by warming oceans.
A study in Science reveals ancient coral records that show no correlation between volcanic eruptions and El Niño events. The analysis of oxygen isotopes in corals provides a high-fidelity record of ocean temperatures, spanning over 500 years of the last millennium.
The False Coral Snake has been observed displaying 10 different defensive behaviors in a laboratory setting, including dorsoventral flattening, body vibrations, and erratic movements. These behaviors may be linked to mimicry with venomous snakes or physical constraints related to body size.
A recent expedition led by the University of Western Australia has revealed rich and diverse ecosystems in the cold waters deep within the Bremer Canyon submarine canyons. The team collected deep-sea corals, fauna, seawater, and geological samples, providing a new understanding of these previously unknown ecosystems.
Researchers at KAUST found evidence of intergenerational transfer of DNA methylation patterns in corals, which could help develop new strategies for coral conservation. The study suggests that chronically stressed corals can pass on epigenetic changes to their offspring, potentially increasing resilience to climate change.
In Mediterranean Protected Areas, red coral colonies (Corallium rubrum) have recovered partially, with health levels comparable to those of the 1980s. The study highlights the effectiveness of marine protections and underscores the need for urgent protection measures in Mediterranean biodiversity hotspots.
A new study has estimated the growth rates of deep-sea coral communities in Hawaii, revealing a pattern of ecological succession over centuries to millennia. The research found that Coralliidae, pink coral, were the first to colonize, followed by Isididae, bamboo coral, and Antipatharia, black coral.
A new study published in the journal Geology reveals that cold-water corals on the Namibian shelf have been extinct for over 4,500 years due to low oxygen contents. The researchers attribute this extinction to a shift in the Benguela upwelling system and its associated intensification of the oxygen minimum zone.
Researchers have discovered a new species of deep-water coral, Psammogorgia pax, in the Pacific Ocean off Panama. This find is significant for its contribution to understanding the ecology and biodiversity of mesophotic coral communities, which are difficult to access and require increased protection.
Researchers uncover a previously unknown survival mechanism in corals that allows them to recover from mass mortality episodes caused by heatwaves. This 'rejuvenation' process enables some polyps to survive extreme conditions and eventually form new colonies, providing new perspectives for the survival of Mediterranean reef corals.
Scientists have found evidence that depleted seamounts near Hawaii are recovering after years of federally mandated protection. The team's research suggests that some species are starting to return to these areas, providing a glimmer of hope for the long-term recovery of vulnerable ecosystems.
Expert agencies play a critical role in assessing the impacts of proposed federal actions on threatened and endangered species. New research from Defenders of Wildlife shows that limiting or removing these services could have disastrous consequences, while suggesting areas where the consultation process can be made more efficient witho...
Researchers have discovered that coral skeletons record subtle changes in pH levels, allowing scientists to study past ocean acidification and its effects on corals. The study provides insight into the impact of climate change on coral reefs and their ecosystem.
A Kiel University team proposes that over-fed bacteria disrupt the human microbiome, leading to disease development. The researchers suggest that an unnatural nutrient supply decouples bacteria from their host organisms, promoting disease growth.