david hirsh, nhk world, new york. >>> the people at nasa aiming to make another giant leap for mankind. scientists say australia's great barrier reef has lost more than half the coral cover in the past 27 years and worn of further damage in the next decade. the australian institute of marine science released a report tuesday saying a number of reeves has gone from 100 to 47 since 1985. experts blame the rapid increase in crown of thornz star fish which eat the coral. they found that ocean warming is a major cause of coral bleaching and prevents the coral from recovering from cyclone damage and they worry that it could halve again by the next decade if current trends continue. >> we believe if we can take action, the crown of thorn star fish, it may leave the reef in a position that can better withstand the climactic impact. >> the great barrier reef extends more than 2,000 kilometers off the coast of northeastern australia and is a world heritage site. >>> a gallery of japanese art has opened at an art museum in melbourne, australia. a ceremony was held on tuesday for the opening of th

nhk world's david hirsh reports from new york. >> reporter: last year, scientists at this california-based biotechnology company introduced a revolutionary blood test. it's said to be 99% accurate in determining whether a child would be born with downs syndrome. the test is for women over 10 weeks pregnant. it detects chromosomal anomalies in the fetal dna contained in their blood. researchers at the company have been busy. they are analyzing blood from the netherlands, the czech republic, israel and other countries. until now, this kind of screening mainly required amneoen amy i amniocentisis. such tests run a 0.3 risk of miscarriage. the new test carries no such risk. more than 20,000 women in the united states have already taken the test. andrea has miscarried in the past. when she was pregnant again, she chose the new test. her results were negative. and she had a healthy boy this may. >> i think by getting a yes or a no, it will -- it will help the parents prepare. you know, for what their life is about to encompass. >> reporter: good or bad, the test raises questions. u.s. health ins