Study Suggests, Marmot Hibernation May Reveal, the Secret to Anti-Aging.
A new study suggests that hibernating yellow-bellied marmots may hold the key to slowing the aging process.
.
'Smithsonian' magazine reports that when marmots emerge after hibernating, they are biologically the same age as they were eight months earlier.
.
According to 'Discover,' the anti-aging abilities of marmots could be linked to metabolic changes that occur while they are hibernating.
.
According to 'Discover,' the anti-aging abilities of marmots could be linked to metabolic changes that occur while they are hibernating.
.
On average, yellow-bellied marmots live for about 15 years, longer than most rodents of a similar size.
.
73 blood samples were gathered from female marmots across 14 summers.
.
The team then measured epigenetic markers - natural alterations in DNA that develop during the process of aging.
.
The team then measured epigenetic markers - natural alterations in DNA that develop during the process of aging.
.
According to 'Smithsonian,' marmots undergo metabolic suppression while hibernating.
.
This means that their temperature drops to just above freezing, and they lose approximately one gram of body fat per day.
.
Earth.com reports that the study could lead to a number of interesting new technologies.
.
In the medical field, the discovery could help doctors preserve organs for transplantation.
.
The results of the study could also help NASA discover ways to mimic hibernations for use in long-term spaceflight missions.
.
The results of the study could also help NASA discover ways to mimic hibernations for use in long-term spaceflight missions.