Coral is a magnificent, fragile creature that can be killed of by water warming just a few degrees. While many corals react to warming water differently, researchers have just discovered a type of algae from the Persian Gulf that protects corals from warming water. Scientists wondered why Persian Gulf coral is less susceptible do dying epidemics caused by warming water than corals in other parts of the world. Researchers discovered a species of algae in the gulf’s coral not found elsewhere. And though scientists are still yet to understand the full complexity of the algae-coral symbiotic relationship, the algae is capable of keeping corals alive in waters that reach temperatures of nearly 97 degrees Fahrenheit.