Researchers say sea ice may have helped to protect the ice shelves from losses

Ice shelves are floating sections of ice that are attached to land-based ice sheets

They help guard against the uncontrolled release of inland ice into the ocean

Parts of Antarctica have actually gained ice during the last 20 years, new research reveals, despite the continent suffering significant loss due to global warming.

Researchers say that sea ice, pushed against ice shelves by a change in regional wind patterns, may have helped to protect these ice shelves from losses.