VirusType2
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Hibernating bears teach scientists tricks for human hibernation
"The hibernation of smaller animals such as mice and hedgehogs is well understood, but larger, human-sized animals that hibernate have never been studied before."
until now...
"The hibernation of smaller animals such as mice and hedgehogs is well understood, but larger, human-sized animals that hibernate have never been studied before."
until now...
And now for a joke: wake me up when we get to Mars.The black bears of Alaska spend up to seven months in hibernation every year, without eating, drinking, urinating or defecating, and when they emerge from their slumber, it is as if nothing had happened. They are in practically the same physiological condition as when they entered hibernation.
Researchers studying this remarkable feat have found that the bears are able to drop their heart rate to just 14 beats per minute and reduce their metabolism by three quarters. Their findings could lead to the development of techniques for inducing hibernation-like states in humans, paving the way for improved treatment of the critically ill and helping astronauts survive long missions in deep space.