(Jon Aars / Norwegian Polar Institute via SWNS)By Stephen BeechPolar bears are in better physical health than 25 years ago - despite sea ice losses, reveals new research. The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, differ from previous observations of polar bear population declines coinciding with sea ice loss across the Arctic. A polar bear pictured standing on sea ice during the golden hour. (Geir Wing Gabrielsen / Norwegian Polar Institute via SWNS)They also believe that sea ice loss may lead to polar bear prey - such as ringed seals - concentrating across smaller areas of sea ice, and that trend may increase the efficiency of polar bear hunting. He added: "More research is needed to understand how different polar bear populations will adapt to a warming Arctic in the future."