Historically high sea temperatures are damaging coral reefs around the world. Very high heat stress leads to coral bleaching, and prolonged bleaching can lead to coral colony death. But now scientists have found a simple method that can help protect the most vulnerable Caribbean corals: the installation of temporary shades, which protect against UV and irradiance damage, over particularly delicate corals. In an experiment in the Florida Keys, carried out in 2024 — the second-hottest summer on record in those waters — they found these shades minimized bleaching and even helped corals recover some of their color, indicating improved health.  

Researchers in Japan have transplanted pituitary tissue grown from human stem cells into a primate whose pituitary gland had been surgically removed, successfully restoring critical hormone signals. Led by researchers from Nagoya University in Japan, the team showed that the same method worked in mice over a longer period. This is the first time lab-grown human pituitary cells have been shown to work and survive after transplantation into a primate. The study, published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy, may offer a new pathway for treating lifelong hormone disorders.  

A new research paper published in Zootaxa describes five new species of freshwater mussels in the southern U.S., providing the scientific foundation for protecting the most imperiled group of animals in North America. Researchers from Shedd Aquarium, Arkansas State University and the U.S. Geological Survey discovered the new species after testing the DNA of mussels found in rivers in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. These newly identified mussels, in the genus Obovaria, are rare and only live in specific geographic areas, underscoring the need for region-specific conservation strategies. The findings of this study fill in critical knowledge gaps about what freshwater mussel species exist and where they are found. Recognizing distinct species enables scientists and resource managers to better assess extinction risk, prioritize conservation actions and habitats, and guide recovery efforts for imperiled species.

Acanthamoeba is a protozoan pathogen that causes infections in the eye or brain that can lead to blindness or death. Currently, diagnosis is difficult and treatments are harsh and untargeted. A pair of new studies, part of the MitoCarta Tree of Life consortium, accurately annotates the organism’s genome and identifies mitochondrial proteins that could be targets for safer, more effective treatments.

Researchers used GPS data from 172 jaguars to identify priority habitats and potential movement corridors across the species' range, revealing a vast connected South American stronghold but also substantial connectivity gaps in several regions outside the Amazon.

New research has shown that a “floating scarecrow” developed by UK-based scientists and a repurposed bird-scaring kite can help save threatened seabirds from getting caught in fishing nets.