Bleached Coral Can Cheat Death (ScienceMag)

http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2006/426/5?rss=1
Bleached Coral Can Cheat Death

By Susanne McDowell
ScienceNOW Daily News
26 April 2006
Unusually warm ocean water is draining the life--and color--out of the world's coral reefs. Researchers estimate that "bleaching" could kill up to 60% of coral within a few decades. But a new study published in tomorrow's issue of Nature reports that some species may be equipped with a previously unknown coping mechanism that helps them survive bleaching events. The discovery could help scientists better predict how reefs will respond to global warming.