New Large Coral Reef Discovered Off Naples Containing Rare Ancient Corals
Off the southwest cost of Italy, a remotely operated submarine made "a significant and rare discovery," reports the Independent — a vast white coral reef that was 80 metres tall (262 feet) and 2 metres wide (6.56 feet) "containing important species and fossil traces."
Often dubbed the "rainforests of the sea", coral reefs are of immense scientific interest due to their status as some of the planet's richest marine ecosystems, harbouring millions of species. They play a crucial role in sustaining marine life but are currently under considerable threat...
hese impressive formations are composed of deep-water hard corals, commonly referred to as "white corals" because of their lack of colour, specifically identified as Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata species. The reef also contains black corals, solitary corals, sponges, and other ecologically important species, as well as fossil traces of oysters and ancient corals, the Italian Research Council said. It called them "true geological testimonies of a distant past."
Mission leader Giorgio Castellan said the finding was "exceptional for Italian seas: bioconstructions of this kind, and of such magnitude, had never been observed in the Dohrn Canyon, and are rarely seen elsewhere in our Mediterranean". The discovery will help scientists understand the ecological role of deep coral habitats and their distribution, especially in the context of conservation and restoration efforts, he added.
The undersea research was funded by the EU.
Thanks to davidone (Slashdot reader #12,252) for sharing the article.
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Prince Harry is 'putting reconciliation with King Charles at risk' by fighting government to get taxpayer-funded security, insiders claim
On Friday, the Duke of Sussex, 41, asked the Home Secretary for increased security but his new plea 'complicates things for the King,' a royal source told The Times .
Starmer national security adviser accused of blocking spy case is senior member of shadowy lobby club China 'uses to groom UK elite'
Jonathan Powell was at the heart of the Chinese spying row was a member of a secretive network used by Beijing to cultivate Britain's elites.
Benedict Cumberbatch looks suave in a khaki suede blazer as he joins glamorous wife Sophie Hunter at the London premiere of The Thing with Feathers
Benedict Cumberbatch showcased his stylish sense of fashion as he joined his wife Sophie Hunter on the red carpet at the London premiere of his latest movie, The Thing with Feathers.
Investigation into One Direction star Liam Payne's death is STILL going almost a year after the singer's death
A probe into the death of Liam Payne remains ongoing nearly a year after the One Direction star's tragic death.
Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins is murdered after 'fellow inmate slits his throat with knife' in prison where paedophile was serving 29 years for child sex offences
Paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, 48, has been murdered in jail where he was serving 29 years for child sex offences.
Stella McCartney left looking irritated after Julia Roberts makes her wait for her beauty treatment at luxury celebrity clinic
Stella McCartney was left looking less than impressed after being made to wait for nearly half an hour for her beauty treatment at a luxury celebrity clinic - by none other than Julia Roberts.
Police found secret messaging app used by Beijing agents on spy suspect's burner phones
The trial of Christopher Berry and Chris Cash, on charges of passing secrets to China between 2021 and 2023, collapsed last month.
Malala Yousafzai reveals how she collapsed after smoking cannabis bong at Oxford - and only then did blacked-out memories of getting shot by the Taliban return
In her soon-to-be published second memoir, Finding My Way, getting high for the first time on cannabis unleashed a torrent of suppressed memories for Malala Yousafzai.
Major travel company refunds £600,000 to customers thanks to its Price Drop Protection guarantee
A major travel company has refunded a huge amount to customers as a result of its Price Drop Protection guarantee.
Hamas vows to 'cleanse Gaza of outlaws and collaborators with Israel' as its gunmen take back control of the enclave
Some 7,000 gunmen were called on by Hamas to reassert control over areas of the enclave that had been vacated by Israeli forces during the two-year-long war.
Royal Marine sniper stops drug smugglers with a single shot while flying backwards in helicopter
The bullet took out the engine of a boat, loaded with more than 1.5 tonnes of heroin, crystal methamphetamine and hashish while it was speeding across the Gulf of Oman.
'Tron: Ares' Mode Turns Teslas Into Glowing Light Cycles — Despite Bad Box Office
An anonymous reader shared this report from The Wrap
Tesla this weekend introduced a new "Tron: Ares" mode, giving drivers an opportunity to turn their on-screen vehicles into the glowing Light Cycles that have been a big part of the Disney franchise since 1982.
The optional update started rolling out on Friday, as Tron: Ares debuted in theaters. Tesla announced the update on X: "The grid has expanded to your Tesla — Tron: Ares update rolling out now." The feature is activated in Tesla's Toybox "infotainment" system, and turns the driver's vehicle avatar into a red Light Cycle. For drivers who have the "ambient lighting" feature, the mode will also expand the theme throughout the cabin.
There was also a sleek black Tesla Optimus robot at the premier of Tron: Ares.
Ironically, the Hollywood Reporter writes that by box office figures, "Tron is in big trouble," selling fewer tickets than expected (despite the movie's $180 million pre-marketing budget). While Tron's audience reviews gave it an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes, its score with critics is just 57%.
The Los Angeles Times says the movie "has glowing style, but its storytelling doesn't compute." (Or, as the New York Times puts it, "Who needs logic when you have neon?")
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As Israelis nervously await the release of loved ones, sick mob chants 'Death to the IDF'... while supporters of Britain's Jews are arrested
Pro-Palestine protesters shouted 'death, death to the IDF' yesterday as desperate Israeli families waited to be reunited with their kidnapped loved ones.
'It's time to come home': the Israeli Juliet awaiting her Romeo's release after he was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7
Freed hostage Noa Argamani shared a message of hope as she flew back to Israel to await her boyfriend Avinatan Or's release from captivity.
Hamas says it may never find the bodies of hostages in rubble as release deadline looms
The US President said that some of the 28 captives who have been killed - and whose repatriation is expected to get under way tonight - were being 'unearthed' and declared it a 'tragedy'.
If the King shows Prince Andrew mercy, we are a hair's breadth from a republic, writes A. N. WILSON
This is the end for Prince Andrew - and what remaining life he has left as an official Royal will be haunted by those five words he wrote to Jeffrey Epstein : 'We are in this together.'
Life-threatening hip fractures set to double without Government action - costing the taxpayer £4bn
Campaigners say the analysis shows that delays to the rollout of osteoporosis screening clinics, called fracture liaison services would cost the taxpayer £3.8 billion.
Terrifying moment helicopter spins out of control and crashes on idyllic California beach, leaving five injured
Video footage shows the terrifying moment a helicopter spiraled out of control and crashed into a beachfront hotel in California.
Healthy body, healthy mind! A 15-minute exercise break is as effective at improving wellbeing as a wellness retreat
Whether it is just a short walk, dance or a workout at home, experts say that people will experience an improved mood.