SYDNEY - A SHARP slowdown in coral growth on Australia's Great Barrier Reef since 1990 is a warning sign that precipitous changes in the world's oceans may be imminent, scientists said on Friday.

Strong evidence points to the cause being a combination of warmer seas and higher acidity from increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, Australian Institute of Marine Science researchers reported.

WASHINGTON - US GOVERNMENT researchers have spotted 44 right whales in the Gulf of Maine this week, perhaps evidence of a new breeding ground for the endangered species.

NEW YORK - A MALFUNCTION of some Microsoft Zune music players was caused by an error in the way the device accounts for leap years, Microsoft said.