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Polar bears are 'rewriting their DNA' to survive warming Arctic, study suggests
Southeastern Greenland polar bears adapt genetically to warming by shifting to more plant-based diets amid climate-driven habitat changes, with 26,000 bears endangered globally.
- A new study from the University of East Anglia found rapid genetic changes in southeastern Greenland polar bears linked to warming, with divergence from northeastern bears roughly 200 years ago.
- Alice Godden's team attributes genome shifts in southeastern Greenland bears to warming temperatures and environmental stress, linking these changes to a dietary shift toward more plants.
- The team reanalyzed University of Washington blood samples from 17 polar bears and found mobile DNA elements rewriting parts of the genome.
- Despite the findings, Godden says the study offers a small window of hope but cautions this 'positive adaptation' can only go so far amid endangered polar bears with approximately 26,000 remaining and projections warning two-thirds loss by 2050.
- Researchers emphasize genome changes may signify a `desperate survival mechanism` and urge carbon emissions reductions, highlighting a limited window to support potential survival.
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Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left, 50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 50%
C 50%
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