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."

Comments

Thanks

[KevinIsOwn]

dropping their internal temperatures to 26F (6 degrees below freezing!)

Thanks, for a minute there I wasn't sure if the temperature water freezes at was still 32 degrees F...