Thus, hibernation could become essential for future space missions, enabling astronauts to “sleep” through the long stretches of travel time.
As humanity dreams of becoming a star-faring civilization, the challenges of long-duration space travel loom large.
One potential solution to this challenge is hibernation, which scientists believe could help astronauts endure long journeys between stars.
NASA has been investigating this idea for years, even studying the hibernation patterns of Arctic ground squirrels.
However, recent research from a team in Germany, led by Gerald Kerth at the University of Greifswald, has focused on bats for insights into effective hibernation.
Interstellar dreams
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explores the role of erythrocytes, a specific type of red blood cell, in the hibernation process.
Hibernation is a crucial biological strategy for many mammals, allowing them to conserve energy and survive in the face of scarce resources.
If humanity is to travel to neighboring stars—such as Proxima Centauri, which is 4.24 light-years away—it must contend with the reality that even at near-light speed, such journeys could take decades.
Thus, hibernation could become essential for future space missions, enabling astronauts to “sleep” through the long stretches of travel time.
Kerth and his research team conducted extensive analyses of the erythrocytes from both hibernating bats (specifically, Nyctalus noctula) and non-hibernating bats (Rousettus aegypticus), as well as human blood samples.
Understanding how these blood cells adapt during hibernation is vital, as hibernating animals still require a functioning blood supply to deliver oxygen to their tissues even as their body temperatures drop significantly.
Bat blood
The research team noted that blood cells alter their shape in response to changes in pressure and blood vessel sizes.
This prompted them to investigate whether the extreme conditions during hibernation might also trigger changes in blood cells.
What they discovered was compelling: as the internal temperature of the hibernating species fell from 99ºF to around 73ºF, the structure of erythrocytes across all species examined significantly transformed.
The cells became less elastic and more viscous, indicating a physiological adaptation to conserve energy in cold conditions.
Interestingly, the study revealed a significant distinction: while bat erythrocytes continued to transform as temperatures plunged to 50ºF, the human blood cells stalled in their response at lower temperatures.
This suggests that bats possess unique adaptations that enable them to withstand extreme cold, a trait that could be harnessed for potential human applications.
Human hibernation
While applying hibernation techniques to space travel is a long-term goal, the immediate implications of this research could be revolutionary in medicine.
Scientists believe that understanding how to manipulate the mechanical properties of human blood cells could optimize circulation for pharmaceutical purposes.
Current surgical techniques, such as deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), already utilize controlled hypothermia to stop brain function during complex surgeries temporarily.
Kerth highlighted the importance of this research, indicating that while the prospect of hibernation for humans is not just around the corner, the findings represent a significant step forward.
“There are benefits of putting humans at low temperatures during interstellar flight,” he stated, emphasizing the research’s long-term potential.
Ultimately, this study illustrates the profound insights the animal kingdom can offer about survival strategies and physiological adaptations.
By learning from bats’ hibernating abilities, scientists may pave the way for humans to traverse the cosmos. In the future, hibernation may become a crucial aspect of interstellar exploration.