If we can replicate this research in humans, traveling to the outer reaches of the universe may become less of a concern.
We use animals for different experiments because, despite what it may seem, we are not so different from some people on Earth. As part of various studies, we have been able to send animals into space, and there are many species that sleep. Now A A new study combines both concepts and can be a Good sign for space exploration.
Hibernation is one of the keys to achieving a new cosmic home
Lately, thank you The research was published in the scientific journal Nature MetabolismWe discover how researchers at the University of Washington have used non-invasive ultrasound to stimulate an area of ​​the brain essential for regulating body temperature and metabolism.
Zapping a section of the brain with focused ultrasound can put mice in a sleep-like state called torpor for at least 24 hours, even if the mice don’t naturally go into this state. Doing this in humans may have medical benefits https://t.co/XwsPtfmhSw
— Newscientist (@newscientist) May 25, 2023
This section is called Anterior hypothalamus and induced in Rats Of the study, the discovery was his The temperature dropped by 3ºC In an hour, that is Energy consumption Converted to exclusive use Fat It is, moreover, his Heart rate decreased by 47%. This type of ultrasound is known scientifically ‘Ultrasound induced hypothermia and hypometabolism’ And this is achieved with a loop circuit that allows control of the amount of ultrasound sent to the hypothalamus.
During the trial, It was able to lower the temperature of micePlacing it 32.95ºC, below 34ºC, which is the temperature at which mice begin to enter the torpor phase. With controlled ultrasound, it was possible to maintain a constant low temperature for 24 hoursCheck back later on how Trigger removal returned Normal temperature For small animals.
only Need to know how this position is implemented In mice and for this its neuronal activity was controlled. Activity increased with each ultrasound pulse, which coincided with a drop in temperature. Scientists realized it through genetic sequencing Activated TRPM2 gene In the neural region of the preoptic hypothalamus, this may be the case split For the future Development of therapies to induce sleep in humansFor medical purposes or for long-term space travel.
