StarTalk Radio Hibernating for Deep Spaceflight with Ryan Sprenger
Sep 20, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Ryan Sprenger, a Senior Research Scientist at Fauna Bio, dives into the science of hibernation and its potential for deep space travel. He explores how astronauts might hibernate like bears or squirrels on long missions. The conversation highlights the metabolic adaptations of hibernating animals and their implications for human health. The team also discusses innovative drug development inspired by these animals, the challenges of sleep regulation in space, and the possibility of humans unlocking the secrets of nature's survival mechanisms.
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Torpor vs. Hibernation
- Torpor is a state of reduced metabolism and body temperature.
- Hibernation is the season when animals utilize torpor.
Purpose of Hibernation
- Hibernation helps animals survive periods of resource scarcity by lowering their metabolic demands.
- This strategy is more efficient than trying to increase supply during lean times.
Wildfire Survival
- Australian animals use torpor to survive after wildfires, demonstrating resilience.
- This allows them to stretch their resources until new food sources become available.