Coral reefs in Florida have lost an estimated launches-mission-iconic-reefs-to-save-florida-keys-coral-reefs.html">90% of their corals in the last 40 years. And this summer, a record hot marine heat wave hit Florida's coral reefs, exacerbating that problem. Scientists are still assessing the damage as water temperatures cool. And one researcher is taking coral survival a step further: Buffing up corals in a "gym" in his lab. Reporter Kate Furby went to South Florida to see the coral reefs up close and talk to the innovative scientists working to save them. Questions about the science happening around you? Email shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to hear about it!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy