Scientists have been concerned about the impact that rising water temperatures are having on the world’s coral reefs. 

In Hawaii it’s been associated with bleaching — corals expel their colorful algae and often the coral dies, along with the ecosystem it supports.

But recent findings in Australia show a patch of coral that has actually prospered in warmer water temperatures, The New York Times reports.  

The situation in western Australia contrasts sharply with that of the Great Barrier Reef in eastern Australia, where coral growth has slowed. Scientists so far do not understand the differences, although Dr. Cooper pointed out that western Australia is far less populous, with less chemical runoff and fewer human impacts on corals.

He also suspects that corals may benefit from warming only up to a point.