It may be possible to put astronauts in suspended animation during long space missions a new study on mice suggests.
It may one day be possible to put astronauts in a type of suspended animation similar to that seen in science fiction movies. The idea was brought to life following successful tests where scientists blasted the brains of mice and rats with ultrasound, inducing a hibernation-like state. The technique, researchers argue, could also be used on injured humans or astronauts in the future.
This method is the first of its kind, and the researchers say it works by firing ultrasound at the region of the brain that controls the body’s metabolism and body temperature. The scientists say the technique showed promise in being able to lower the rodent’s average body temperature by around 6.25 degrees Fahrenheit. It also slowed down their heart rates and reduced the amount of oxygen they required.
The hope is that the success of this animal study could provide scientists with much-needed clues to help figure out hibernation-like states, or torpor, for humans that are both safe and non-invasive. AObviously, there are a lot of potential usages for this kind of technique.
“If successfully demonstrated in humans, this technology holds significant potential for medical applications,” lead study author Hong Chen
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