Study Suggests, Marmot Hibernation May Reveal, the Secret to Anti-Aging.<br />A new study suggests that hibernating <br />yellow-bellied marmots may hold <br />the key to slowing the aging process. .<br />'Smithsonian' magazine reports that when marmots emerge after hibernating, they are biologically the same age as they were eight months earlier. .<br />According to 'Discover,' the anti-aging abilities <br />of marmots could be linked to metabolic <br />changes that occur while they are hibernating. .<br />According to 'Discover,' the anti-aging abilities <br />of marmots could be linked to metabolic <br />changes that occur while they are hibernating. .<br />On average, yellow-bellied marmots <br />live for about 15 years, longer than <br />most rodents of a similar size. .<br />73 blood samples were gathered from<br />female marmots across 14 summers. .<br />The team then measured epigenetic <br />markers - natural alterations in DNA <br />that develop during the process of aging. .<br />The team then measured epigenetic <br />markers - natural alterations in DNA <br />that develop during the process of aging. .<br />According to 'Smithsonian,' marmots undergo metabolic suppression while hibernating. .<br />This means that their temperature drops <br />to just above freezing, and they lose <br />approximately one gram of body fat per day. .<br />Earth.com reports that the study could lead to <br />a number of interesting new technologies. .<br />In the medical field, the discovery could help doctors preserve organs for transplantation. .<br />The results of the study could also help NASA discover ways to mimic hibernations for use in long-term spaceflight missions. .<br />The results of the study could also help NASA discover ways to mimic hibernations for use in long-term spaceflight missions.
