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Flash-Freezing Squirrels
tessaiga writes "ABCNews has an article describing how a student at the University of Alaska (PDF) is conducting research involving supercooling arctic ground squirrels. During hibernation, these squirrels have the ability to reduce their food requirements to almost nothing by supercooling their bloodstream and dropping their internal temperatures to 26F (6 degrees below freezing!). Scientists are investigating how the process occurs without particles in the bloodstream triggering crystalization. The article goes on to mention applications in treating accident victims (to extend the 'golden hour' before brain damage occurs) and human suspended animation."
The arctic lizards...
Squirrels are Mammals, not Lizards
Yes and No. The golden hour really doesn't relate to blood pressure or any specific vital sign.
:}
It's a rule of thumb for the time from severe trauma injuries occuring to the time you have the patient in an OR. Basically if you can get them there (still breathing and alive) in an hour or less you have a much greater chance for survival.
If the brain is deprived of oxygen yes damage will occur in 4 minutes or less. And actually if there is no pulse on arrival to a trauma scene (car accident usually) the victim will generally just be declared dead without any resuscitation attempt.
Once a person requires CPR even from a non-traumatic medical condition the rate of survival is less than 5%. So next time you see one of those miraculous cpr recoveries in a movie you can look around and pick out the ems personnel by the way they're rolling their eyes and laughing.
Janzert