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    Be honest about choices ahead as Starmer claims Swinney ‘insulting intelligence’ of Scots

    Be honest about choices ahead as Starmer claims Swinney ‘insulting intelligence’ of Scots

    Scots union boss warns Rachel Reeves ‘must pick a side’ ahead of Budget as households struggle

    Scots union boss warns Rachel Reeves ‘must pick a side’ ahead of Budget as households struggle

    Thousands of Scots pupils forced to learn in crumbling school buildings rated ‘bad’ or ‘poor’

    Thousands of Scots pupils forced to learn in crumbling school buildings rated ‘bad’ or ‘poor’

    Palestine’s ambassador to the UK to address SNP conference as peace deal hopes grow

    Palestine’s ambassador to the UK to address SNP conference as peace deal hopes grow

    Total freeze urged on Michelle Mone-linked assets including Scots properties after £122m PPE ruling

    Total freeze urged on Michelle Mone-linked assets including Scots properties after £122m PPE ruling

    Rachel Reeves decision to axe two-child benefit cap would impact millions of Scottish families

    Rachel Reeves decision to axe two-child benefit cap would impact millions of Scottish families

    Anas Sarwar’s woes are about to get worse but Labour still has path to victory

    Anas Sarwar’s woes are about to get worse but Labour still has path to victory

    Seagull summit goes ahead days after SNP minister was forced to quit in row over feathered menaces

    Seagull summit goes ahead days after SNP minister was forced to quit in row over feathered menaces

    Scotland becoming more intolerant amid immigration debate, warns Humza Yousaf

    Scotland becoming more intolerant amid immigration debate, warns Humza Yousaf

    Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

    Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

    Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

    Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

    Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

    Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

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      Salesforce boss Marc Benioff joins Weev.

      What is a virtual office and why you need one in Central London – Your Company Formations Ltd

      What is a virtual office and why you need one in Central London – Your Company Formations Ltd

      Inflation rises again to new 40-year high

      Inflation rises again to new 40-year high

      Bank of England hikes interest rates to 1.25%

      Bank of England hikes interest rates to 1.25%

      Hiring activity in Scotland slows amid steep decline in staff availability

      Hiring activity in Scotland slows amid steep decline in staff availability

      Scottish retail footfall growth ‘worst in UK compared to pre-pandemic’

      Scottish retail footfall growth ‘worst in UK compared to pre-pandemic’

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      Celtic women’s boss in eerie Brendan Rodgers echo as she sends board emphatic message

      Celtic women’s boss in eerie Brendan Rodgers echo as she sends board emphatic message

      Celtic activists escalate campaign to hit under-fire board in the pocket as they warn ‘not another penny’

      Celtic activists escalate campaign to hit under-fire board in the pocket as they warn ‘not another penny’

      Who the F is Danny Rohl? Anonymous claim about Rangers next manager favourite is anything but a wild rumour

      Who the F is Danny Rohl? Anonymous claim about Rangers next manager favourite is anything but a wild rumour

      Celtic fans take board aim in fresh banner protest at Parkhead as they tell supporters ‘give them hell’

      Celtic fans take board aim in fresh banner protest at Parkhead as they tell supporters ‘give them hell’

      Kasper Schmeichel call made as Celtic make three changes in predicted XI vs Motherwell

      Kasper Schmeichel call made as Celtic make three changes in predicted XI vs Motherwell

      Brendan Rodgers knows my one Celtic regret but he’s the best I’ve worked under and a true perfectionist

      Brendan Rodgers knows my one Celtic regret but he’s the best I’ve worked under and a true perfectionist

      Hearts chief demands ‘calm’ amid Rangers pile on as Celtic title tilt sparks knowing warning

      Hearts chief demands ‘calm’ amid Rangers pile on as Celtic title tilt sparks knowing warning

      Ex Man Utd star faces prison for failure to pay child maintenance

      Ex Man Utd star faces prison for failure to pay child maintenance

      Dermot Desmond to ‘take a lead’ in Celtic fan row and ditch golden rule for first time in three years

      Dermot Desmond to ‘take a lead’ in Celtic fan row and ditch golden rule for first time in three years

      Raging Ally McCoist slaughters Rangers chiefs for ‘unacceptable’ sin

      Raging Ally McCoist slaughters Rangers chiefs for ‘unacceptable’ sin

      Mikel Arteta claim about Ange Postecoglou rings louder than ever as Arsenal boss tosses rivalry aside

      Mikel Arteta claim about Ange Postecoglou rings louder than ever as Arsenal boss tosses rivalry aside

      Chris Sutton reacts to ‘misguided’ Celtic transfer declaration as UEFA spending cap claim torpedoed

      Chris Sutton reacts to ‘misguided’ Celtic transfer declaration as UEFA spending cap claim torpedoed

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        Apple unleashes M5 as ‘next big leap in AI’ but many ask ‘what’s the difference?’

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        Pig’s liver transplanted to human in world first as medics declare ‘new era has started’

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        Xbox Game Pass ‘gets biggest update yet’ but could lead to ‘mass unsubscribing’ for one reason

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        ‘Compact’ power bank that is ‘perfect for on the go’ drops to £29 in limited time deal

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        Sky Mobile throws in £210 freebies with Samsung’s new £9 Apple iPad rival

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        Simple steroid creams ‘could help the body fight cancer’ in unexpected discovery

        Over a third of Brits lie about their drinking on medical forms, research shows

        Over a third of Brits lie about their drinking on medical forms, research shows

        NHS atorvastatin warning over common ‘nosebleed’ symptom

        NHS atorvastatin warning over common ‘nosebleed’ symptom

        NHS doctor shares common mistake people make at GP appointments

        NHS doctor shares common mistake people make at GP appointments

        ‘Our son, 18, died when curly hair hid deadly disease – now we’re taking action’

        ‘Our son, 18, died when curly hair hid deadly disease – now we’re taking action’

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        Dunelm’s £15 milk frother is ‘game changer for morning coffees’ in cold weather

        Dunelm’s £15 milk frother is ‘game changer for morning coffees’ in cold weather

        Full list of New and Basic State Pension weekly payments due from April

        Full list of New and Basic State Pension weekly payments due from April

        New update on calls for weekly State Pension payments of £586 for people over 60

        New update on calls for weekly State Pension payments of £586 for people over 60

        DWP timeline for PIP eligibility changes for new and existing claimants

        DWP timeline for PIP eligibility changes for new and existing claimants

        Debenhams cuts price of ‘beautiful’ £845 watch perfect for Christmas gifting to £99

        Debenhams cuts price of ‘beautiful’ £845 watch perfect for Christmas gifting to £99

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        Welsh Government accused of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ on major reforms

        Welsh Government accused of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ on major reforms

        Tearful support worker denies grabbing student and colleague during fire drill

        Tearful support worker denies grabbing student and colleague during fire drill

        Police investigate alleged attack on boy at top Welsh secondary school

        Police investigate alleged attack on boy at top Welsh secondary school

        Welsh council explains how and when schools will search pupils for weapons

        Welsh council explains how and when schools will search pupils for weapons

        Best universities in Wales and the UK named in prestigious rankings

        Best universities in Wales and the UK named in prestigious rankings

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        Be honest about choices ahead as Starmer claims Swinney ‘insulting intelligence’ of Scots

        Be honest about choices ahead as Starmer claims Swinney ‘insulting intelligence’ of Scots

        Scots union boss warns Rachel Reeves ‘must pick a side’ ahead of Budget as households struggle

        Scots union boss warns Rachel Reeves ‘must pick a side’ ahead of Budget as households struggle

        Thousands of Scots pupils forced to learn in crumbling school buildings rated ‘bad’ or ‘poor’

        Thousands of Scots pupils forced to learn in crumbling school buildings rated ‘bad’ or ‘poor’

        Palestine’s ambassador to the UK to address SNP conference as peace deal hopes grow

        Palestine’s ambassador to the UK to address SNP conference as peace deal hopes grow

        Total freeze urged on Michelle Mone-linked assets including Scots properties after £122m PPE ruling

        Total freeze urged on Michelle Mone-linked assets including Scots properties after £122m PPE ruling

        Rachel Reeves decision to axe two-child benefit cap would impact millions of Scottish families

        Rachel Reeves decision to axe two-child benefit cap would impact millions of Scottish families

        Anas Sarwar’s woes are about to get worse but Labour still has path to victory

        Anas Sarwar’s woes are about to get worse but Labour still has path to victory

        Seagull summit goes ahead days after SNP minister was forced to quit in row over feathered menaces

        Seagull summit goes ahead days after SNP minister was forced to quit in row over feathered menaces

        Scotland becoming more intolerant amid immigration debate, warns Humza Yousaf

        Scotland becoming more intolerant amid immigration debate, warns Humza Yousaf

        Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

        Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

        Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

        Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

        Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

        Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

        Trending Tags

        • Business

          Salesforce boss Marc Benioff joins Weev.

          What is a virtual office and why you need one in Central London – Your Company Formations Ltd

          What is a virtual office and why you need one in Central London – Your Company Formations Ltd

          Inflation rises again to new 40-year high

          Inflation rises again to new 40-year high

          Bank of England hikes interest rates to 1.25%

          Bank of England hikes interest rates to 1.25%

          Hiring activity in Scotland slows amid steep decline in staff availability

          Hiring activity in Scotland slows amid steep decline in staff availability

          Scottish retail footfall growth ‘worst in UK compared to pre-pandemic’

          Scottish retail footfall growth ‘worst in UK compared to pre-pandemic’

        • Sports
          Celtic women’s boss in eerie Brendan Rodgers echo as she sends board emphatic message

          Celtic women’s boss in eerie Brendan Rodgers echo as she sends board emphatic message

          Celtic activists escalate campaign to hit under-fire board in the pocket as they warn ‘not another penny’

          Celtic activists escalate campaign to hit under-fire board in the pocket as they warn ‘not another penny’

          Who the F is Danny Rohl? Anonymous claim about Rangers next manager favourite is anything but a wild rumour

          Who the F is Danny Rohl? Anonymous claim about Rangers next manager favourite is anything but a wild rumour

          Celtic fans take board aim in fresh banner protest at Parkhead as they tell supporters ‘give them hell’

          Celtic fans take board aim in fresh banner protest at Parkhead as they tell supporters ‘give them hell’

          Kasper Schmeichel call made as Celtic make three changes in predicted XI vs Motherwell

          Kasper Schmeichel call made as Celtic make three changes in predicted XI vs Motherwell

          Brendan Rodgers knows my one Celtic regret but he’s the best I’ve worked under and a true perfectionist

          Brendan Rodgers knows my one Celtic regret but he’s the best I’ve worked under and a true perfectionist

          Hearts chief demands ‘calm’ amid Rangers pile on as Celtic title tilt sparks knowing warning

          Hearts chief demands ‘calm’ amid Rangers pile on as Celtic title tilt sparks knowing warning

          Ex Man Utd star faces prison for failure to pay child maintenance

          Ex Man Utd star faces prison for failure to pay child maintenance

          Dermot Desmond to ‘take a lead’ in Celtic fan row and ditch golden rule for first time in three years

          Dermot Desmond to ‘take a lead’ in Celtic fan row and ditch golden rule for first time in three years

          Raging Ally McCoist slaughters Rangers chiefs for ‘unacceptable’ sin

          Raging Ally McCoist slaughters Rangers chiefs for ‘unacceptable’ sin

          Mikel Arteta claim about Ange Postecoglou rings louder than ever as Arsenal boss tosses rivalry aside

          Mikel Arteta claim about Ange Postecoglou rings louder than ever as Arsenal boss tosses rivalry aside

          Chris Sutton reacts to ‘misguided’ Celtic transfer declaration as UEFA spending cap claim torpedoed

          Chris Sutton reacts to ‘misguided’ Celtic transfer declaration as UEFA spending cap claim torpedoed

          Trending Tags

          • Technology
            Apple unleashes M5 as ‘next big leap in AI’ but many ask ‘what’s the difference?’

            Apple unleashes M5 as ‘next big leap in AI’ but many ask ‘what’s the difference?’

            Pig’s liver transplanted to human in world first as medics declare ‘new era has started’

            Pig’s liver transplanted to human in world first as medics declare ‘new era has started’

            Xbox Game Pass ‘gets biggest update yet’ but could lead to ‘mass unsubscribing’ for one reason

            Xbox Game Pass ‘gets biggest update yet’ but could lead to ‘mass unsubscribing’ for one reason

            ‘Compact’ power bank that is ‘perfect for on the go’ drops to £29 in limited time deal

            ‘Compact’ power bank that is ‘perfect for on the go’ drops to £29 in limited time deal

            Sky Mobile throws in £210 freebies with Samsung’s new £9 Apple iPad rival

            Sky Mobile throws in £210 freebies with Samsung’s new £9 Apple iPad rival

          • Health
            Simple steroid creams ‘could help the body fight cancer’ in unexpected discovery

            Simple steroid creams ‘could help the body fight cancer’ in unexpected discovery

            Over a third of Brits lie about their drinking on medical forms, research shows

            Over a third of Brits lie about their drinking on medical forms, research shows

            NHS atorvastatin warning over common ‘nosebleed’ symptom

            NHS atorvastatin warning over common ‘nosebleed’ symptom

            NHS doctor shares common mistake people make at GP appointments

            NHS doctor shares common mistake people make at GP appointments

            ‘Our son, 18, died when curly hair hid deadly disease – now we’re taking action’

            ‘Our son, 18, died when curly hair hid deadly disease – now we’re taking action’

          • Entertainment
            Dunelm’s £15 milk frother is ‘game changer for morning coffees’ in cold weather

            Dunelm’s £15 milk frother is ‘game changer for morning coffees’ in cold weather

            Full list of New and Basic State Pension weekly payments due from April

            Full list of New and Basic State Pension weekly payments due from April

            New update on calls for weekly State Pension payments of £586 for people over 60

            New update on calls for weekly State Pension payments of £586 for people over 60

            DWP timeline for PIP eligibility changes for new and existing claimants

            DWP timeline for PIP eligibility changes for new and existing claimants

            Debenhams cuts price of ‘beautiful’ £845 watch perfect for Christmas gifting to £99

            Debenhams cuts price of ‘beautiful’ £845 watch perfect for Christmas gifting to £99

          • Life Style
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          • Education
            Welsh Government accused of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ on major reforms

            Welsh Government accused of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ on major reforms

            Tearful support worker denies grabbing student and colleague during fire drill

            Tearful support worker denies grabbing student and colleague during fire drill

            Police investigate alleged attack on boy at top Welsh secondary school

            Police investigate alleged attack on boy at top Welsh secondary school

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            Welsh council explains how and when schools will search pupils for weapons

            Best universities in Wales and the UK named in prestigious rankings

            Best universities in Wales and the UK named in prestigious rankings

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          We’ve bred corals to better tolerate lethal heatwaves, but rapid climate action is still needed to save reefs

          by BP Author
          October 14, 2024
          in World
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          Our research group has bred corals able to better survive marine heatwaves. Our work, now published in Nature Communications, shows that it is possible to improve coral heat tolerance even within a single generation.

          We did this using selective breeding: a technique used by humans for thousands of years to produce animals and plants with desirable characteristics. Selective breeding is how humans turned wolf-like dogs into St Bernards, chihuahuas and everything in between.

          Now, selective breeding is being considered as a tool for nature conservation, particularly for coral reefs. The Coralassist Lab (of which we are part) and the Palau International Coral Reef Center have been working on coral heatwave survival specifically. Our latest results are the culmination of seven years’ work.

          Marine heatwaves trigger mass coral bleaching and mortality, with 2023-2024 declared as the fourth global mass bleaching event. Assisted evolution methods — like selective breeding — aim to boost natural adaptation to buy time for corals under climate change.

          Yet the improvement in heat tolerance in our selectively bred corals was modest compared to the intensity of marine heatwaves expected in the future. While selective breeding is feasible, it is likely not a panacea. We’ll still need to tackle the cause of mass coral bleaching by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate warming and give assisted evolution programmes time to take effect.

          How to breed corals for heat tolerance

          The first step was to determine the heat tolerance of many potential parent corals on the reef. Then, we chose specific individuals to breed two separate families of offspring, selected for either high or low heat tolerance. We reared these offspring for three to four years until they reached reproductive maturity, and then tested their heat tolerance.

          Orange coral, dark background

          Some of the selectively-bred coral at the nursery in the Pacific island nation Palau.
          Jesse Alpert

          We conducted selective breeding trials for two different traits, either the tolerance to a short, intense heat exposure (temperatures 3.5°C above normal for ten days) or a less intense but long-term exposure more typical of natural marine heatwaves (2.5°C above average for a month). This enabled us to estimate the heritability of each trait, the response to selective breeding, and whether both traits have a shared genetic basis.

          Selecting parents for high- rather than low-heat tolerance enhanced the tolerance of their adult offspring for both traits tested.

          a) Overview of the experimental design and examples of (b) Acropora digitifera parents and (c) their offspring at the nursery in Palau.
          Coralassist lab

          Heritability was roughly 0.2 to 0.3 on a scale of 0 to 1, which means about a quarter of the variability in offspring heat tolerance was due to genes passed from their parents. In other words, these traits have a substantial genetic basis on which natural and artificial selection can act.

          We measure cumulative heat stress and tolerance in terms of degree-heating weeks (°C-weeks), which reflects both how hot it gets and for how long. Given the trait variability identified in these particular corals, heat tolerance could in theory be enhanced by about 1°C-week within one generation.

          However, even this level of enhancement may not be enough to keep pace with ever more intense heatwaves. Depending on climate action, the intensity of heatwaves is expected to rise in the coming decades by around 3°C-weeks per decade, faster than the enhancement achieved in our study.

          Interestingly, corals selectively bred for high- rather than low, short-stress tolerance were no better at surviving the long heat stress exposure. With no genetic correlation detected, it is plausible that these traits are driven by independent sets of genes, and corals that are good at surviving the short sharp heat stress aren’t necessarily the best at surviving longer term marine heatwaves.

          This would have important implications, as work like this would benefit from cheap and rapid tests that can effectively identify heat tolerant colonies for breeding. However, if these tests can’t predict which coral colonies will survive month-long heatwaves, it presents a serious challenge.

          Coral fragments in differing stages of health

          Coral fragments during a long-term simulated marine heatwave, with some remaining relatively healthy throughout (upper) and others bleaching (lower) or dying (not shown).
          Liam Lachs

          Scaling up selective breeding

          Since it is possible to selectively breed corals for increased heat tolerance, the next step is to conduct large-scale trials in the wild. This will likely require considerable numbers of selectively bred corals to be deployed, perhaps by directly seeding coral larvae on reefs, or planting corals reared in an aquaculture facility.

          For this to work, outplanted corals must become reproductive themselves and contribute to the wild population gene pool. Doing this at very large scales will be challenging, but it may not be necessary to replenish the coral coverage of large areas.

          Instead, it may be sufficient to create a network of fewer strategically located larval production hubs, containing selectively bred corals at high densities to maximise fertilisation success. These hubs would serve to seed other reefs and could provide further broodstock for targeted actions.

          A lot more research and development is still needed, with many critical questions remaining unanswered. How many corals need to be outplanted to have the desired effect? Can we ensure there are no trade-offs that could compromise populations (evidence so far suggests this is not a large risk)? How can we avoid dilution of selected traits once added to the wild? How can we maximise responses to selection?

          Given the pace of ocean warming, optimisation and implementation of assisted evolution will need to happen soon for them to have a chance at success, even if only on small scales. Above all, the survival of coral reefs still depends on urgent climate action.


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