Changes to polar bear DNA could help them adapt to global heating, study finds

The GuardianFriday, December 12, 2025 at 1:00:29 AM
Changes to polar bear DNA could help them adapt to global heating, study finds
  • Researchers have identified genetic changes in polar bears from southern Greenland that may enable them to adapt to rising temperatures, marking a significant link between climate change and genetic evolution in a wild mammal species. This study is considered a pioneering effort in understanding how polar bears might cope with the ongoing climate crisis.
  • The findings are crucial 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. Understanding their genetic adaptability could inform conservation strategies aimed at preserving this iconic species.
  • The ongoing research highlights a broader trend of wildlife adapting to climate change, as seen in other polar bear populations, such as those in Svalbard, where scientists are investigating the impacts of diminishing sea ice. This genetic rewiring reflects an urgent response to environmental pressures, underscoring the complex interplay between climate change and species survival.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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