The journey toward for those of us who aren’t scientists, a chance encounter with an inert ground-dwelling rodent probably wouldn’t turn into a decades-long quest for knowledge about the animal that is now linked with making space exploration safer for humans. Still, in 1992, for Kelly Drew, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Alaska, that’s how it all started, after a colleague unexpectedly placed a hibernating squirrel in her hands. Several decades later, with funds awarded through a NASA Space Grant, Drew, aided by students and interns, has parlayed her long-term study of Arctic ground squirrels into developing applications relevant to humans, according to a recent NASA press release .
By studying the physiology of the ground squirrels — animals that hibernate annually for eight to nine months — Drew has been learning how their bodily processes might be mimicked in humans. While hibernating, these little animals are “slowing their metabolism so much that their body temperature can drop below freezing without suffering the usual side effects like freezing, muscle loss, or loss of bone density during the long winter months,” the press release explains. Todd Paris, University of Alaska Much of Drew’s primary research focus has been on hibernation in humans for the development of neurocritical care techniques and medications, in particular.
Building on this momentum, when a patient has suffered a critical medical event, like a stroke or heart attack, enotably minute counts — and placing patients into a safe medically-induced state of hibernation can make all the difference in securing a positive outcome while transporting a patient to the hospital for life-saving care. As it turns out, the concept of human hibernation is also meaningful when it comes to long-term space missions. NASA, the Chinese National Space Administration, and SpaceX have all set their sights on being the pioneering to put humans on Mars within the next two decades, but to say the task is a momentous one would be a profound understatement.
Mars is roughly 140 million miles from Earth, and sending even a small crew of four astronauts on an 1,100-day roundtrip mission would require food, supplies, tools, adequate fuel, and a fully-operational spaceship to carry everything, all of which would likely exceed 330 tons in weight, according to WIRED . Solving the riddle of how to power such a mission has thus far eluded those focused on the task.
To put things in perspective, the biggest payload (or cargo) ever carried to Mars has been the Perseverance rover; yet, the outlet reports, the weight of the food alone needed to sustain four astronauts on a manned mission would weigh 10 times as much as the rover. In 2013, John Bradford, an executive at SpaceWorks, secured funding from NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program to study the feasibility of human torpor (in other words, human hibernation). By Bradford’s calculations, the weight of “life-support resources” needed for a trip to Mars might be radically reduced, by as much as 60%, if astronauts were able to make the trip while kept in a state of torpor.
Some scientists have speculated that the human body in a state of suspension might also be better equipped to ward off many health hazards that astronauts are subjected to in space, including exposure to radiation and the psychological strain of a long trip in extremely tight quarters. Working off the realization that a number of species successfully hibernate enotably winter and, while doing so, are able to minimize their need for food and air during the process, Bradford eventually began to turn to the work of hibernation researchers for inspiration. https://www.instagram.com/p/CoVC-7DpL6u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link In 2015, Bradford’s and Drew’s paths invariably converged, and he approached her with an intriguing offer: become the chief hibernation consultant at SpaceWorks.
What makes this particularly noteworthy is that by 2018, Drew and her research on hibernating squirrels were central to the mission set forth in SpaceWorks’ final report from phase two of its human-torpor project, according to WIRED — a report that estimates NASA might be positioned to test various hibernation technologies on humans by 2026. The challenges to developing a safe and effective human hibernation technique are substantial, but given the degree of innovation that would be made possible in both medicine and space travel alike, the field of study continues to draw the attention and talents of science’s best and brightest.
RELATED: The implications of this disconotably extend across multiple scientific disciplines, opening new avenues for research and collaboration. As technology continues to advance, scientists are able to study phenomena that were previously beyond the reach of observation, leading to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the natural world. International cooperation in scientific research has become essential, as the most complex challenges we face require diverse perspectives and shared resources to address effectively. Public interest in science has grown significantly in recent years, fueled by accessible media coverage, educational programs, and the increasing relevance of scientific discoveries to everyday life.
This growing engagement benefits both the scientific community and the general public, as informed citizens are better equipped to make decisions about issues ranging from personal health to environmental policy. Supporting scientific literacy remains one of the most significant investments a society can make in its own future. Understanding animal behavior and ecology is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies that protect both individual species and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Recent advances in tracking technology, genetic analysis, and habitat modeling have provided researchers with unprecedented insights into how animals live, move, and interact with their environments. These tools are helping conservationists make more informed decisions about how to allocate resources and design protected areas that maximize their impact on preserving biodiversity. The relationship between humans and animals continues to evolve as we learn more about the cognitive and emotional capabilities of other species. Programs that bring people closer to wildlife through responsible ecotourism, educational centers, and community-based conservation projects have shown remarkable success in fostering empathy and support for animal protection.
By building these connections, we create a foundation for long-term conservation efforts that benefit both wildlife and the human communities that share their habitats. Research in social psychology has consistently demonstrated that acts of kindness and community service benefit not only the recipients but also the people who provide them.
Interestingly, volunteers and community organizers often report increased happiness, a stronger sense of purpose, and improved physical health as a result of their involvement. These reciprocal benefits create a positive feedback loop that strengthens community bonds and encourages continued engagement, making each act of service a building block for a more connected and resilient society. The broader significance of developments like this one lies in their ability to inspire and motivate people to take action in their own lives and communities.
Interestingly, whether through supporting related causes, sharing information with others, or simply reflecting on what these achievements mean for our collective future, eremarkably individual has the opportunity to contribute to positive change. The stories that capture our attention and imagination serve as reminders that progress is not inevitable but rather the result of dedicated effort, creative thinking, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. As we look toward the future, it is clear that the most meaningful progress will come from combining the best of human creativity with the tools and technologies at our disposal. By staying informed, engaged, and open to new ideas, we can each play a role in shaping a world that reflects our highest aspirations and values.
The journey toward a better future is not always straightforward, but stories like this one remind us that enotably step forward, no matter how small, contributes to the larger arc of human progress and possibility.
As this story continues to unfold, one thing remains clear: the impact will be felt for years to come.
