If we want to travel the large distances, we need to figure out something important, and that is how to keep the astronauts alive.
The dream of interstellar travel often evokes images of spacecraft speeding through the cosmos, their passengers peacefully asleep in futuristic pods. But what if human hibernation, once a trope of science fiction, could become a reality? New research from Greifswald University in Germany suggests that studying bats might hold the key to unlocking this groundbreaking possibility.
Insights From Bat Biology
As explained by The Debrief, scientists at Greifswald University have delved into the unique properties of bat blood to explore the feasibility of medically induced hibernation for humans. By analyzing the blood of hibernating noctule bats, non-hibernating Egyptian fruit bats, and humans, they uncovered critical differences that could pave the way for adapting human biology for space travel. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals how these insights could address one of the most significant barriers to long-distance space exploration.
Hibernation in nature is a remarkable survival strategy, allowing animals to endure extreme conditions such as freezing temperatures and food shortages. This state reduces energy expenditure, slows metabolism, and helps the body endure extended periods without sustenance. For humans, adapting such mechanisms could revolutionize space travel, making years-long journeys to Mars or even Titan not only feasible but more sustainable.
The Science Behind Hibernation and Human Adaptation
Hibernation is far more than prolonged sleep. It involves complex physiological changes, including managing metabolic waste, maintaining blood flow at reduced body temperatures, and preserving cellular integrity. While bats have evolved to handle these challenges, humans face unique hurdles.
The Greifswald team focused on the role of red blood cells (RBCs), which constitute nearly half the volume of blood and are vital for oxygen transport and circulation. Unlike human RBCs, bat cells exhibit remarkable flexibility and viscosity at low temperatures, enabling efficient blood flow even in extreme cold. Using advanced techniques such as dynamic real-time deformability cytometry, researchers observed how these properties changed when samples were chilled to 37°C, 23°C, and 10°C—temperatures reflecting active and hibernation states.
Interestingly, while human RBCs were less elastic than those of bats, they showed potential for adaptation under controlled conditions. This discovery opens the door to exploring ways to enhance human RBC flexibility, potentially bringing us closer to achieving hibernation.
Overcoming the Challenges of Human Hibernation
Despite the progress, significant challenges remain. Human RBCs recover from low temperatures more slowly than bat cells, and prolonged exposure to extreme cold could lead to complications. However, researchers point to large mammals like bears, which hibernate at higher temperatures around 20°C, as evidence that humans might achieve a similar state without requiring the extreme adaptations seen in bats.
The benefits of hibernation are clear: even a minor reduction in core body temperature could save substantial metabolic energy. For space travelers, this could mean reduced food and water requirements, lower psychological strain, and the possibility of bypassing the monotony of interstellar journeys.
A Step Closer to the Stars
The next frontier for researchers involves exploring how to push human RBCs toward the viscoelastic properties of bat cells. Antioxidants have emerged as a promising avenue, but much work remains to be done. If successful, this research could redefine human potential, enabling astronauts to safely enter hibernation and embark on journeys once thought impossible.
By transforming science fiction into reality, the study underscores how understanding nature’s adaptations can inspire humanity’s greatest ambitions. The cosmos beckons, and with each breakthrough, the stars feel just a little closer!
