The report also warned that this could upset delicate ecological balances by favoring sealife tolerant of low oxygen, like microbes and jellyfish. Even “basic processes” on Earth like the cycling of nitrogen and phosphorous could suffer, the IUCN said.

Nutrient pollution from farming and other sources is also a problem on coastlines, according to the IUCN.

The future could prove rough even if humans take corrective action. The researchers estimated that the ocean would lose 3 to 4 percent of its oxygen worldwide by the year 2100 if nothing changes, with more severe losses in “mid-to-high” latitudes. The IUCN still expects losses if political leaders take the “immediate and substantial” actions the group recommends — it’s just that they won’t be as severe.

The findings contribute to an existing bleak picture of the future if humans don’t limit their effect on climate change. At the same time, they illustrate a very practical reason to reduce emissions even if you’re unconcerned about rising sea levels or other land-based problems. An imbalance underwater could hurt food supplies and create a knock-on effect where species lose their food sources or, without enough predators, flourish at unsustainable rates.

While typical robots carry bulky single-purpose parts to provide power, such as a battery or gears, the newly-developed lionfish has a unique circulatory system that provides both power and propulsion. The “blood” pumped around the system comprises an electrolyte solution that acts as both hydraulic fluid and energy storage. The result? A more lifelike looking creature that was able to swim for long durations of up to 36 hours — eight times longer than a robot of similar design but without the synthetic blood.

The researchers — a team composed of scientists from Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania — say that nothing like this has been done before: it’s the first experiment to combine hydraulic force transmission, actuation and energy storage in a single multipurpose system. While the development will undoubtedly be used to add increasing functionality to soft robots, the researchers say it could have applications in all machines requiring fluid. For example, this “smart blood” could boost the power of electric vehicles and airplanes. In any case, it certainly takes us one step closer to truly lifelike robots, and all the challenges and opportunities those will bring.

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb stressed that the genetic changes had been deemed safe for the animal, safe to eat and wouldn’t have a “significant” impact on the environment. AquaBounty’s modifications use DNA from other fish to grow salmon at a faster rate, raising concerns about contamination. However, they’re also bred to be female and sterile, theoretically eliminating he possibility that they’ll breed with wild salmon.

The salmon will take a while to reach the market if everything goes according to plan. Aquabounty chief Sylvia Wulf told the AP she expected certification for an Indiana growing facility in “weeks” and could receive eggs soon afterward, but it would take about 18 months for the salmon to reach their target weight.

Whether or not that happens still isn’t completely certain. An alliance of public interest, environmental and pro-fishing groups is in the midst of suing the FDA to overturn the approval on safety grounds. Groups like the Center for Food Safety have argued that regulators haven’t properly assessed the ecological and health risks of the salmon, and have pointed to problems with AquaBounty’s environmental record. If those objections hold in court, the FDA and AquaBounty could go back to square one.