It is often overlooked how important the health of the coral reefs is to the health of human beings. Scientists are 
predicting that as much as 90% of the reefs will be decimated by 2050 if preventive measures are not taken. Climate change, over fishing and disease are the major causes for the decreasing number. Coral reefs contain micro-organisms that are the important components for new medications used in the treatment of cancer, arthritis and bacterial infections. Coral reefs provide a water filtration system by trapping and consuming bacteria and decaying matter. In this way the reefs play a major role in providing healthy seafood consumed by billions around the world. How can we possibly change the health of these reefs? Scientists working in the Virgin Islands found that coral larvae were more likely to settle and begin the growth process on damaged reefs by playing sounds that resembled those made by a healthy reef. This was accomplished by placing underwater speakers that would broadcast replicating sounds of snaps, groans, grunts and scratches, the sounds made by a healthy reef. Most of the work is being done at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and results were published in The Royal Society Open Science Journal. Hope is that combining this technique with more resistant nursery raised corals will encourage both fish and coral larvae to inhabit these dying reefs.