News Life

Early stress is contagious in adulthood

A zebra finch’s tough childhood shortens both its life and its mate’s

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Among the regrettable things one might catch from a long-term mating partner, add the life-shortening effects of stress in childhood.

GHOST STRESS Even if zebra finches look healthy and live in a safe place, a stressful chickhood for one mate in the pair raises both birds’ risk of a shortened life span.