“New Israeli research shows coral reefs shape the ebb and flow of local microbial life”
January 1, 2026 – from The Times of Israel
Scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Haifa, and the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat found that coral reefs strongly influence the daily rhythms of microbial life in nearby waters. The study shows that reefs shape when different microbes grow and interact, helping regulate local marine ecosystems. Changes in the daily patterns of reefs could indicate early warning signs of stress caused by pollution, warming oceans, or coral bleaching.