This undated handout photo from Danny Collins/Stanford University shows the recovery of a bleached coral by contact with a healthy coral. The world's coral reefs face an existential threat from rising seawater temperatures that trigger widespread bleaching, a problem driven by climate change and compounded by this year's intense El Nino. But a new lab study by scientists at Stanford University released on October 14, 2026, finds that simply placing healthy, colorful coral in contact with their bleached counterparts is enough to bring the dying ones back from the brink -- a finding that could eventually pave the way for a real-world intervention if it can be scaled. "It's stunning," lead author Daniel Collins told AFP about the outcome of the experiments, recalling the "eureka moment" when he first saw positive results and rushed to his PhD supervisor's office to share the news. (Photo by DANNY COLLINS / Danny Collins / Stanford University / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Danny Collins / Stanford University" - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS