The ingenious purpose of bear hibernation is to prevent starvation during times of unavailable food. During 6-7 months bears do not drink, eat, urinate, or defecate. Their heartbeat may be 8 beats per minute, body temperature falls 10 degrees. And metabolism drops 75%.NASA is thinking about inducing a torpid state or hibernation in voyaging astronauts to reduce boredom, and reduce energy requirements (food).
It is likely that the genetic basis for this ability is ancient and widespread and that it could be exploited for various purposes. Its research could discover how to reduce metabolic rates and oxygen demands in human tissues, and could possibly save lives. The implications are many: osteoporosis, renal disease, heart, circulatory disease, etc.
Scientists search for the substance that will induce hibernation or the "hibernation induction trigger: or "HIT" but haven't located it yet. They have induced hibernation only in thirteen-lined ground squirrels but it doesn't seem to work with other creatures such as hamsters. Bears are fascinating creatures...
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