Great Barrier Reef coral seeing 'major decline,' scientists report

(Photo: Great Barrier Reef / AFP - Getty Images file)

Calling it the most extensive review of how coral on Australia's Great Barrier Reef is faring, scientists on Monday reported some alarming news: The amount of coral covering reefs there has been cut in half since 1985 and will likely continue to decline unless steps are taken to at least attack the easiest of several factors.

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Humanlike skin cancer found in wild fish

(Photo: Michael Sweet, Newcastle University)

The first case of skin cancer in a wild marine fish population looks eerily similar to the melanoma that plagues humans, researchers reported Wednesday.

Coral trout living on Australia's Great Barrier Reef are directly beneath the Antarctic ozone hole, the world's largest, which is the result of the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere that normally protects humans from harmful UV rays.

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