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For the world’s coral reefs, the picture keeps getting gloomier. Although it’s widely assumed that both local and global factors are contributing to their decline, new research shows that isolated reefs far from human activities are in fact not healthier than those in more densely populated areas.

“Ocean predator” conjures up images of sharks and barracudas, but the voracious red lionfish is out-eating them all in the Caribbean — and Mother Nature appears unable to control its impact on local reef fish.