Humans May Have Genes Needed to Hibernate, Offering Potential Cure for Obesity and Diabetes: Study

The Secret to Hibernation Is Hidden in Human DNA and We Might One Day Activate It

Hibernating animals reverse aging, avoid diabetes, and preserve muscle. Could we one day do the same?

Gene Regulators, Not Genes, Underlie Hibernators’ Superpowers

First-in-the-field bioinformatics analyses revealed gene regulatory elements that act differently in animals that hibernate from those that don’t.

Hibernator 'superpowers' may lie hidden in human DNA

Animals that hibernate are incredibly resilient. They can spend months without food or water, muscles refusing to atrophy, body temperature dropping to near freezing as their metabolism and brain activity slow to a crawl. When they emerge from hibernation, they recover from dangerous health changes similar to those seen in type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke.

Humans may have gene needed to hibernate — offering potential cure for obesity, diabetes

New study opens doors for innovative treatments, looking at potential of human hibernation genes to combat obesity and diabetes.

Hibernation’s Hidden Healing ‘Superpowers’ Could Be Locked in Our DNA

Scientists found genetic elements linked to hibernation in the human genome. Tapping into them could produce a new wave of medical treatments.

Hidden human 'superpowers' could help fight diabetes

Hibernating animals' amazing abilities could lie within our own DNA—and perhaps their resilience could one day be ours too.