Science News Summary: Scientists Call for New Investigation into COVID-19 Origins; Climate change is reducing the abundance of marine life near the equator

Below is a summary of the latest scientific news.

Scientists are calling for a new investigation into COVID-19 origins: with or without China

A joint China-World Health Organization (WHO) study on COVID-19 has failed to provide credible responses to the onset of the pandemic, and more stringent research is needed – with or without Beijing’s involvement, a group of international scientists and researchers said on Wednesday. The joint study published last week found that the most likely route of transmission for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was in bats and other wildlife in China and Southeast Asia. It all but ruled out the possibility that it had leaked from a lab.

Climate change is decreasing the abundance of marine life near the equator: study

During some summers, when the water temperatures rise in the Caribbean, the glowing coral colonies of gold, green and blue that surround the island nation of Cuba give way to skeletal white spots. The technicolor stripes of tropical fish flash less often. The cawing noises of lobsters grow lower.

(With contributions from agencies.)