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Did you know that a cloud can weigh over a million pounds? Despite appearing light and fluffy, clouds are incredibly heavy. A typical cumulus cloud can weigh over a million pounds due to the water droplets it contains.

Environment

Mystery Reef

Just off the coast of Tela, Honduras, a coral reef has caught the attention of the marine science community. This reef defies what we know about coral survival. Despite threats like warm waters, boat traffic, agricultural runoff, and murky water, the Tela Bay reef isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving. Live coral cover here is around 65%, compared to the Caribbean average of just 18%.

Scientists are trying to understand what makes the Tela Reef so resilient and whether its secrets can help save other threatened reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. Research by National Geographic and the University of Miami highlights the presence of elkhorn coral—a critically endangered species—flourishing in Tela under conditions that have devastated it elsewhere, like in the Florida Keys.

Andrew Baker, a marine scientist from the University of Miami, explained that Florida’s elkhorn populations are struggling with rising temperatures. He suggests that introducing genetic diversity from resilient populations like Tela's might help.

Various theories have been proposed to explain Tela's resilience. One suggests that periodic influxes of saline water from the Gulf kill harmful bacteria and algae. Another theory is that the reef’s richness makes it less attractive to fishermen, leaving the coral undisturbed. A more promising idea is that the coral in Tela hosts heat-resistant symbionts—microorganisms that live inside coral cells and provide energy through photosynthesis. These symbionts may help the coral cope with warmer, more acidic water.

In addition to the unique coral, Tela Bay also has a population of long-spined sea urchins, which were nearly wiped out in the 1980s. These urchins graze on algae that could otherwise overwhelm the coral.

Scientists are not waiting for a definitive answer. They’ve established a coral breeding center in Tela, aiming to spread the genetic traits of Tela coral to reefs worldwide. The University of Miami’s Coral Reef Futures Lab and the Florida Aquarium in Tampa are already cross-breeding Florida elkhorn coral with samples from Tela.

Culture

Breathtaking Artistry

Some artists are simply amazing!

World News

Viking-Age Silver Bracelets Unearthed by Danish Student

A 22-year-old Danish student, Gustav Bruunsgaard, recently uncovered Viking-era treasure near Aarhus while using a metal detector. In a site known for Viking artifacts, he found a silver bracelet and later discovered six more, weighing over a pound in total. He reported the find to the Moesgaard Museum in Højbjerg, where experts dated the bracelets to the early 9th century.

These bracelets reflect Viking connections across Europe, from Russia and Ukraine to the British Isles. The find emphasizes Aarhus as a key Viking hub. The bracelets likely served as hacksilver—a form of currency during the Viking Age, with pieces broken off for trade. These objects were often jewelry, ingots, or religious items repurposed for transactions.

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