Hibernation allows animals to conserve energy during winter months. But can humans hibernate, and could it help us reach the far fringes of our solar system?
Us humans, on the other hand, find ourselves stuck all-too-consciously contemplating the frozen months ahead. In winter, everything feels twice as hard: getting dressed, shoveling snow, averting existential meltdown. Wouldn’t it be nice to ring in the new year, promptly tunnel down some dark burrow, and curl up to wait for better days?
Throughout the rest of the animal kingdom, from bears to bats to tortoises, extended periods of sluggishness are common. Not all are hibernators in the purest sense; in fact, some biologists, with a state of temporary inactivity called “torpor” at one end. What's more, only one species in our own lineage — a diminutive primate called theisn’t even a modern idea — Hippocrates, a Greek physician known as the father of medicine, recommended in the 5th century B.C.E.
This is only a temporary kind of torpor. It’s less clear how we could safely hibernate for weeks, months or years on end. But a viable solution would go a long way toward unlocking the final frontier — deep-space exploration. NASA's proposed endeavor comes with plenty of medical concerns, mostly revolving around our body’s stubborn attachment to a narrow temperature range — a few degrees off either direction and we find ourselves on the brink of disaster. Humans lack the adaptations that allow hibernators to lower their temperature without risk.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Calorie restriction in humans builds strong muscle and stimulates healthy aging genesReducing overall calorie intake may rejuvenate your muscles and activate biological pathways important for good health, according to researchers. Decreasing calories without depriving the body of essential vitamins and minerals, known as calorie restriction, has long been known to delay the progression of age-related diseases in animal models.
Weiterlesen »
LinkedIn Feed Evolution: More Granular and Powerful Machine Learning, Humans Still in the LoopLinkedIn is a case study in terms of how its newsfeed has evolved over the years. Recently, a major update was rolled out; here's how it works
Weiterlesen »
Dark Interstellar Theory Reframes The Entire Reason Humans Leave EarthInterstellar sees humanity evacuate Earth following a deadly blight, but one theory suggests that it might not have been an accident after all.
Weiterlesen »
Latter-day Saints among the least worried about climate change. Does that really match their religion?How Latter-day Saints view climate change the role humans play in stopping it.
Weiterlesen »
Watch Border Collies' Perfectly Timed Dance to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller''You two dance better than some humans,' one commenter said after watching the dancing dogs.
Weiterlesen »