Polar bears are projected to face extinction this century, with two-thirds of the population expected to be gone by 2050, according to a study from the University of East Anglia. The research reveals that polar bears are rapidly altering their genetics to adapt to climate change, marking the first case of such genetic change in a mammal due to rising temperatures. This adaptation includes changes in DNA linked to heat stress and metabolism, driven by shrinking sea ice affecting their hunting capabilities. Researchers emphasize the importance of reducing carbon emissions to allow more time for polar bears to adapt and survive.
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