Marine scientists have made an early but exciting discovery about how some corals respond to stress.
Certain species of corals can activate a set of ancient, defensive genes when exposed to high water temperatures, ocean acidity or low oxygen levels, a team from Stanford University found in a new study.
This genetic response suggests these corals are particularly tolerant to changes in the ocean — a trait that could be key to their survival as the oceans heat up and turn more acidic because of human-driven climate change.
Image: ZACK GOLD/STANFORD UNIVERSITY
