How heat damages the DNA of endangered purple-crowned fairy wrens
by Graham Readfearn from on (#60AY6)
Shortening of telomeres accelerates ageing process, research shows - a pernicious silent threat'
- Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
- Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing
Endangered purple-crowned fairy wrens - tiny but striking Australian songbirds - could be at even greater risk from global heating after a study found that exposure to hot and dry conditions damages nestlings' DNA.
Unlike the more tangible effects of global heating on species - such as a rising risk of bushfires, loss of habitat or lethal heatwaves - the scientists said the effect they had discovered was silent, pernicious and lifelong.
Continue reading...