A simple infographic explaining how coral bleaching works

Watch how coral bleaching resembles an organism's immune system attacking itself

Microorganisms called zooxanthellae are in a symbiotic relationship with coral polyps and provide them with food created through photosynthesis. When ocean temperatures or sunlight exceed an optimal range, zooxanthellae release harmful chemicals that irritate coral cells. To protect themselves, corals sacrifice their food source and expel the colorful microorganisms, becoming white.

Coral Bleaching

Coral reefs around the world, including the Great Barrier Reef, are undergoing a crisis known as coral bleaching—which threatens both their existence and the ecosystems they support. This comprehensive report from the Australian Museum explores...

How climate change threatens coral reefs, including via warming and acidification

Increasing ocean temperatures disrupt the symbiotic relationship of corals and algae, causing the former to bleach and weaken, and strengthen storms that can destroy reef structures. Higher greenhouse gas emissions increase dissolved carbon dioxide levels in ocean water, triggering a series of reactions that consume carbonate, a key ingredient in coral reef construction.

Coral reefs get their colors from zooxanthellae—microorganisms that line corals' digestive tracts and provide them with sugars in exchange for a home within this protective tissue.

Explore a world map of coral reefs and the extent of coral bleaching

The Allen Coral Atlas provides imagery of shallow water reefs, along with maps of potential bleaching events, bleaching alert areas, and bleaching hotspots derived from satellite imagery of whitening. Coral reefs are most prevalent in the Indo-Pacific, the Caribbean, the Red Sea, and the tropical coasts of South America and Africa.

The origin of the symbiotic relationship between corals and the algae that feed them

An analysis of fossilized reefs from northern Africa and Germany suggests that shallow water corals and photosynthetic algae formed a mutualistic partnership between 419 and 359 million years ago. The discovery was made by analyzing nitrogen-isotope ratios in the fossils, which differ depending on whether algae are present, due to various chemical processes.

Scientists explore innovative solutions to protect coral reefs

As coral reefs are under increasing stress due to climate change, pollution, and other factors, scientists are employing creative solutions to save these crucial marine ecosystems. This National Geographic article explores the various scientific...

Overview: All about coral reefs

Coral reefs aren’t just vibrant underwater landscapes; they are also some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) offers a comprehensive guide that explores coral reefs in...

Watch a time-lapse of hard coral growth, which forms coral reefs

Over several weeks in an aquarium, these staghorn coral polyps grew and produced new polyps as they deposited calcium carbonate, which forms the basis of coral reefs. At the 0:28 mark, you can see coral growth healing a damaged branch.

How stress affects every organ in the body

If you are a visual learner, this resource is for you. Not only does this article from the World Economic Forum outline the causes of modern stress along with helpful strategies, but they have created an approachable infographic to show exactly how stress manifests throughout our different bodily systems. Pair this visual guide with our other resources to gain a deep knowledge of stress and the human body.

Coral polyps reproduce via broadcast spawning, where entire reefs simultaneously release reproductive cells for about one hour, once a year.

Can coral live in cold water?

Dive deep beyond the sunlit coral reefs, and you'll discover a world of deep-sea corals. This article from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explores the ecosystems of deep-sea corals found way below the water's surface....

Data-packed infographic on Earth's oceans

Did you know more than 200 million people live on land that could be flooded by rising sea levels? Learn fascinating facts about the ocean from this data-filled infographic from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

See how cholera spreads in a community

This animated video offers a comprehensive look at how cholera spreads. It makes clear why it's so difficult to stamp out this disease in communities around the world. It also details what steps can help control cholera.

Watch underwater photosynthesis make water look like champagne

In shallow waters where sunlight can reach, photosynthetic reactions absorb water and dissolved carbon dioxide, producing bubbles of oxygen at the surface of plants. As these bubbles rise to the water's surface, a fizzy appearance is created.

Artificial coral reefs have been 3D printed from nontoxic, biodegradable terracotta clay, which coral polyps have used as a foundation for rebuilding marine ecosystems.

Explore a series of interdisciplinary explainers on climate science

From animations on the quantum mechanics of greenhouse gases to a photo essay on how scientists acquire climate data, this collection provides detailed explorations of how different branches of science have contributed to our understanding of climatology.

Water is naturally tinted with a slight blue, but sediments and organics can alter its color

The innate coloration comes from water absorbing red light in the visible spectrum more than green or blue, giving shallow waters in some parts of the Caribbean their turquoise hue. If sand is light, it can be churned up by turbulent water, clouding its appearance. Plankton and other organisms can color water by affecting how the rest of the spectrum is absorbed or reflected.

Massive blooms of microscopic plankton called dinoflagellates produce the neon blue light seen in glowing tides.

Aerial photos of red tide off the Gulf Coast

The toxic algae grows naturally in warmer oceans in small amounts and is typically harmless. With extended warm periods and unusually-high additions of nutrients from run-off, the algae blooms extensively, posing health risks to wildlife and humans...

Solutions of bioluminescent bacteria can create FOMO-inducing living art

A 2002 exhibition at Montana State University-Bozeman placed the bacteria onto petri dishes that served as macroscopic pixels to create images. Once the bacteria finished eating all the food in the sealed dishes, the light slowly faded away, ending the exhibit.

A guide to white wine

Aside from color, how does white wine differ from red? This comprehensive guide to white wine covers everything from grape varieties to production methods to aging techniques. It provides explanations for several common white wine blends as well. You'll also discover an overview of tasting notes for several popular white wines, and suggestions for foolproof food pairings like brie and Chardonnay.

We're breathing microplastics

White blood cells can't fight off microplastics and that sparks inflammation and bigger health risks. They're in our food, water, even the rain. What does that mean for us?

Explore the history, structure, and species of Australia's Great Barrier Reef with this interactive journey narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

A simple visual explanation of how blockchains work

Blockchains are decentralized, distributed, and digital methods to record transactions and prevent alterations and tampering of the record. That's a simplified definition. This easy-to-understand six-minute video further and better explains what blockchains are and how they work using colorful illustrations and clear, concise clarifications on their processes and what makes them so special.

A fun, illustrated history of the Jurassic Coast

The 95-mile stretch of coastline along England's southern shores known as the Jurassic Coast is unique in the world due to its clear demonstration of 185 million years of geological history. Now, you can see the story of that formation told in a whimsical, absorbing video created by artist Tim Britton and his pen.

Visualize the difference between a healthy brain and one with Alzheimer's

The brain has three main parts—the cerebrum, brain stem, and cerebellum—each combining to control the entirety of the body's operations. Alzheimer's progressively deteriorates the circuitry in these structures, resulting in what we see as the symptoms of the disease.

Cold water swimming can induce positive stress

The tradition of cold water swimming (or taking a cold plunge, or even a cold shower) has been shown to release the same hormones triggered during a stress response. This can have the effect of increasing blood flow, improved mental acuity, and more.

See how fireworks are made and which metals are responsible for different colors

This roughly five-minute video breaks down details about how pyrotechnicians make fireworks, including that magnesium is responsible for white fireworks, copper salts for blue, and charcoal for orange.

One theory claims the retinae of SAD patients may fail to adjust to less light in winter

Most people’s eyes become more sensitive to light in the winter months, but some do not. This failure to adjust causes ripple effects on those individuals’ biological clocks. This Ted-ED video provides a clear, brief, narrative explanation of the condition in six minutes.

Learn how your body is, scientifically, like a firework with its own slow, controlled burn.

An investigation suggests a Scottish island became awash in forever chemicals via seafoam and seaspray—raising questions about what that means for the safety of other coastal areas.

Visualize how CRISPR-Cas9—a type of immune system used by single-celled organisms to attack invasive viruses—targets and makes precise changes to a gene's DNA.

Alzheimer's can lead to brain shrinkage, with an average of around 2% of volume reduction per year

The Great Salt Lake's distinct dual coloration results from high-salinity organisms that only live in the northern portion and produce a purple protein.

Scientists can determine Earth's past climate conditions by analyzing air trapped in microscopic bubbles within ice cores—columns of compressed snow layers that build up over hundreds of thousands of years.

Volcanoes 'die' when their supply of magma runs out, if they are shifted away from their underlying magma reservoir, or if they get clogged by collapsing or their magma cooling back into rock.

How the most famous Ebola book, The Hot Zone, which sold 3.5 million copies and was translated into 30 languages, got aspects of the disease so wrong.

See the 25 of the best photos of auroras from around the world.

In recent years a child anxiety expert has created and tested a novel phobia and anxiety treatment approach for children, focused on changing how parents respond to the fears.

This poison ivy knowledge quiz—accompanied by photos of the plant's varied forms—may help you identify this common rash-inducing growth.

Watch this video that uses Lego bricks to explain how venture capital works.

While El Niño moves warm Pacific Ocean waters east along the equator, La Niña moves them west, shifting where rainfall will become more common for months.

The original copy of the Declaration of Independence is not a pristine document, and even features a smudged anonymous handprint in the bottom left corner.

SpongeBob exemplifies Aristotle's philosophy for living well because he understands that happiness doesn't come from external factors like money, recognition, or power.

Gerrymandering works through two techniques: cracking opposing voters across districts to dilute their power, and packing them into a few to waste their votes in lopsided majorities.

According to the physics of black holes, our 4D reality may be a hologram—a projection of information coded on a 2D surface on the edge of the universe.

Georgia O'Keeffe's flower paintings are often assumed to be sexual, though the artist claimed she was simply interested in highlighting the beauty of flowers that most people neglect

To reduce wrinkles in clothing, research recommends gentle wash cycles with more water and tumble drying with smaller loads and longer times.

Fast-casual restaurant Chili's is experiencing a resurgence, with its parent company recently reporting a nearly 32% increase in sales, thanks to passionate Gen Z fans on TikTok.