TechMYTH OR FACT?

Bleached corals thrive within days touching healthy neighbours

Researchers report that bleached corals bounced back within days after contact with healthy neighbouring coral; the reef, unlike your office, apparently takes good influence.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Hank Ledger on BBN This Morning
Published 6:35 AM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

Photo: Coral bleaching — Photo: Acropora at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

At a glance

First reported by Nature: “‘Incredible’: bleached corals thrive within days when touching healthy neighbour”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 6:35 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Dr. Nina Byte and Hank Ledger.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Nature‘Incredible’: bleached corals thrive within days when touching healthy neighbour

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMy belief: stand next to a healthy person long enough and it rubs off. I sit near the office gym daily.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentFor people, MYTH. But corals just made it interesting. Nature reports bleached corals recovered within days after touching healthy neighbours.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWithin days. From touching.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentYes, but it's one reef study. Whether it works beyond these corals is unclear. Nothing there applies to your coworker's kale.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the gym next door counts as touching.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNo. Talk to your doctor.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentBefore the top of the hour, Hank wonders who's patrolling the aisles at your grocery store, and whether it has a badge.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAcross the street still counts as MYTH, Nina?