Can Hibernation Slow Aging? Dwarf Lemurs Hold the Answer

casualSTEM delivers brief and informative summaries of the latest science news every Saturday. Full of jokes, silly polls, and a cartoon!

Nap of Youth

There is no fountain of youth, but there are dwarf lemurs. Researchers found how the sleepy primates slow down cellular aging while hibernating.

• Hibernates up to 7 months per year

• Lowering heart rate by 96% and breathing ~6x per hour

• Reduces oxidative stress and elongates telomeres

Telomeres, the protective caps at chromosome tips, gradually shorten with age as cells divide. Further research could improve our understanding of human aging and organ preservation. Or at least let us catch some Zs.

Sweet dreamzzz

Catch-up on science in sweatpants