Taiwanese and US marine biologists have solved a major scientific puzzle on the bioluminescent color changes seen during the life cycles of coral, and the findings might be used to find ways to protect human skin from damage by ultraviolet rays.
In a research collaboration between the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA) and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in San Diego, California, scientists found that coral fluorescence changes from green in larvae to cyan in adult colonies.
According to Fan Tung-yun (樊同雲), co-author of the research report, ultraviolet radiation is harmful to coral and leads to coral bleaching and can even kill reef colonies.
Photo courtesy of the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium
Past studies determined that coral have fluorescent proteins in their cells, which absorb higher-energy light and emit fluorescent light in a lower energy field, but the changes in life development and its associated behavior had not yet been fully explained, Fan said.
For the collaboration, the museum harvested newborn stony coral larvae (Seriatopora hystrix) in waters off Kenting’s South Bay (南灣) and raised them in an aquarium.
The paper — titled Life History Changes in Coral Fluorescence and the Effects of Light Intensity on Larval Physiology and Settlement in Seriatopora hystrix — was co-authored by Fan and US counterparts, M.S. Roth and Dimitri Deheyn.
The scientists subjected newborn larvae, growing larvae and adult polyps to varying wavelengths of light radiation, including ultraviolet, blue and cyan-colored lights.
Results indicated that the change in fluorescence from green in larvae to cyan in adult colonies can be attributed to physiological traits, and the fluorescent protein is affected by environmental conditions, heat stress, as well as differences in light levels and wavelengths.
“The fluorescent proteins have a varying protective effect during the coral’s life cycle. It is likely correlated with the fact that planktonic larvae float near the ocean’s surface [and are more exposed to sunlight] while adult polyps are anchored on the seafloor at some depth [and are thus more protected],” Fan said.
“Our discovery might benefit research into the protection of human skin from ultraviolet radiation. Scientists may be able to develop new types of sun screens or protective suits to guard against solar radiation and offer people greater protection,” he added.
The first two F-16V Block 70 jets Taiwan purchased from the US were spotted unexpectedly turning back after departing from Hawaii yesterday, potentially further delaying delivery of the aircraft. Taiwan has purchased 66 of the F-16 C/D Block 70 jets to be deployed at Chihhang Air Base (志航基地) in Taitung County and operated by the air force's 7th Tactical Fighter Wing to defend Taiwan’s eastern region. Two single-seat jets, bearing serial No. 6727 and 6728, were spotted taking off from Hickam Field in Hawaii yesterday, observers said. Based on the precedent set during the delivery of Taiwan's older F-16 Block 20s, the new
Taiwan’s growing defense preparations might be sending a stronger signal to the US than to Beijing, highlighting the need for Taipei to tailor its deterrence efforts to different audiences, a US security academic said yesterday. Stanford University Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies fellow Oriana Skylar Mastro made the comment during a Taipei Security Dialogue panel examining lessons Taiwan could draw from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Mastro said she was impressed by Taiwan’s increased defense spending, emphasis on asymmetric capabilities and efforts to prepare society for conflict, but questioned whom those initiatives were influencing. She said when she asked
A sharp rise in compensation to be paid by air force officers who leave before completing their required service could indicate an increase in pilots leaving the military early, an analyst said on Friday, warning that the trend could worsen a shortage of experienced personnel. Chieh Chung (揭仲), a researcher at the Association for Strategic Foresight, issued the warning even though the number of volunteer military personnel is expected to increase next year. The planned headcount for volunteer military personnel, covering officers, noncommissioned officers (NCO) and enlisted soldiers, is 158,223 for next year, up 4,258 from 153,965 this year, Chieh said. The increase
Potential improvements to munitions used by China’s long-range rocket-artillery units could extend their range to cover the entire Miyako Strait, which might give the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) the ability to secure the strategic waterway, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said in a report. The PLA’s long-range rocket-artillery units deployed along the Taiwan Strait are concentrated along the coast of Fujian Province, including Changle, Pingtan and Shishi, the quarterly report on China said. The artillery brigades of the PLA’s 71st, 72nd and 73rd group armies have been deployed, with preparations for potential battlefield operations under way since August 2022, the report
RSS