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Humans could save the Great Barrier Reef<\/a> from global warming by transplanting corals that survive heat stress, say scientists.<\/p>\n A new joint study by the Australian institute of marine science<\/a> (AIMS) in Townsville and the University of Texas<\/a> has found a genetic basis for tolerance of higher temperatures in coral.<\/p>\n The discovery could pave the way for manmade colonies of coral bred to adapt to hotter oceans, according to the researchers.<\/p>\n University of Texas biologist Mikhail Matz said: \u201cAverting coral extinction begin with something as simple as exchange of coral immigrants across latitudes, which \u2026 can be jump-started by humans moving adult corals\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is occasion for hope and optimism about coral reefs and the marine life that thrive there,\u201d Matz said.<\/p>\n AIMS evolutionary ecologist Line Bay said the discovery was a boon to \u201cunderstanding of the potential for coral on the Great Barrier Reef to cope with hotter oceans\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n