Changes to polar bear DNA could help them adapt to global heating, study finds
NeutralScience
- Researchers have identified genetic changes in polar bears from southern Greenland that may enable them to adapt to rising temperatures, marking a significant finding in the study of wildlife adaptation to climate change. This study is considered the first to establish a statistically significant connection between temperature increases and genetic alterations in a wild mammal species.
- The implications of this research are critical as polar bears face severe threats from climate change, with projections indicating that two-thirds of the population could vanish by 2050 due to habitat loss and warming conditions. Understanding genetic adaptability could inform conservation strategies.
- This development highlights the broader challenges posed by climate change, as it not only affects polar bears but also raises concerns about marine ecosystems and ocean currents, particularly in regions like Greenland. The warming of the Arctic Ocean and the potential collapse of critical ocean currents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive climate action.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System
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