In Biointerphases, researchers study the genetic characteristics of various bacteria species responsible for their survival on copper surfaces, a step toward inhibiting copper-resistant genes and managing biofouling on ship hulls. The researchers sequenced the genomes of bacterial colonies that grew on PVC panels placed in the Chesapeake Bay to identify the copper-resistant genes and tested each colony’s tolerance against copper-based water treatments. They hope to use their findings to target the molecular pathways that help bacteria express copper-resistant genes, weakening their ability to survive in copper-rich environments.

As oceans warm, some corals may hold the key to reef survival. New research reveals that heat tolerance varies not only between coral species, but also among populations living in different environments. One Hawaiian coral species from cooler, wave-exposed waters withstood significantly more heat stress than its counterparts, while another showed similar tolerance across locations. The findings reveal why understanding coral diversity and environmental history is critical to identifying resilient corals and guiding restoration efforts as marine heat waves intensify.

Reaching net zero sooner would limit long-lasting changes to El Niño and the tropical Pacific, new climate modelling suggests, although heat stored deep in the ocean means changes to the tropical Pacific could persist for centuries.