Primate Hibernation

Scientists Make Discovery In Primate Hibernation

As technology advances, so too do our chances of uncovering new secrets in the natural world. Recently, scientists have discovered the realm of primate hibernation. Through closer examination, they have uncovered details about the hibernation process that had previously gone unknown.

What is Hibernation?

Hibernation is the state of reduced metabolic activity that certain animals enter during reduced food availability or other environmental stressors. During hibernation, animals enter deep sleep, and their body temperature, heart rate, and breathing slow down. The animal's metabolism also slows down, allowing it to conserve energy and survive for a long time without food or water. Simply put, it's how some animals survive winter by slowing down their bodies. They have less energy as their body temperature goes down.

The research findings

However, most primates, such as monkeys and humans, don't naturally hibernate and they have less energy. However, China's Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology researchers has discovered how to make monkeys’ body temperature have less energy and go down by activating a group of brain cells. The researchers activated this with a special chemical and brain scan. They discovered that when they did it, the monkeys’ body temperature went down, and had less energy. This is actually the first time this process has been performed in monkeys, and it could be useful for humans who wish to travel in space.

These researchers examined how the monkeys’ body temperature is regulated by combining diverse methods, like utilizing a special chemical to manipulate their brain cells and using a brain scan to see the way the monkeys' brains responded. Also, the researchers discovered that activating a specific group of neurons in the monkeys’ brains with Clozapine N-oxide chemical, it can make their body temperature go down. In other words, when their body temperature goes down, the monkey would have less energy and move around less.

In addition, the researchers studied how the monkeys’ behaviors and bodies changed when they have low body temperatures. They discovered that monkeys attempt to keep their body temperature up by shivering, increasing their heart rate, and going around more. This shows a different scenario from mice, which slow down while having a lower heart rate when their body temperature goes down.

The findings could be useful for humans

The research team believes their findings are crucial because they portray it's possible to make monkeys’ body temperature reduce and have less energy. This can be helpful for humans who wish to travel in space because it can help them survive the long space journey. Significantly, the researchers equally believe that the findings can help understand how the primate body temperature is regulated and controlled.

According to Dr. Wang Hong at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, “This work provides the first successful demonstration of hypothermia in a primate based on targeted neuronal manipulation. With the growing passion for human spaceflight, this hypothermic monkey model is a milestone on the long path toward artificial hibernation.”

The discovery made by scientists in primate hibernation has been an upgraded breakthrough in the scientific community. This discovery has the potential to open the door for further exploration and understanding of the hibernation process and how it affects the environment and wildlife. At the same time, it can be helpful for humans who wish to travel in space since it can help them survive the long space journey.