MIT Technology Review Narrated The quest to find out how our bodies react to extreme temperatures
4 snips
Dec 3, 2025 Scientists are diving deep into how our bodies respond to extreme temperatures, revealing complexities previously underestimated. They explore the effects of climate on vulnerable groups and question long-held beliefs about body shapes and adaptations. Through innovative experiments, including recreating deadly heat waves, they discover the unpredictable nature of individual responses. Insights into brown fat and the limitations of acclimation paint a clearer picture of our physiological boundaries. Ultimately, the research aims to inform early warning systems and interventions to protect lives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Climate Chamber Shivering Test
- Max Levy describes shivering in a Fort Worth climate chamber set to 40°F while wired to sensors and a respirator.
- He contrasts his long shivering session with another volunteer who lasted almost an hour without shivering, showing individual variation.
Thermoregulation Science Has Major Gaps
- Researchers say thermoregulation models have blind spots for vulnerable groups like people with heart disease and the elderly.
- Filling those gaps requires cross-disciplinary research beyond epidemiology alone.
Brown Fat Is A Flexible Heat Source
- Brown adipose tissue (brown fat) generates heat without shivering and links to living in cold climates and metabolic regulation.
- It can activate with cold exposure and affect blood sugar and fat-burning, showing physiological adaptability.