Hibernating bears could hold the key to long-distance space travel

Bone weakness is a significant problem for astronauts, but a unique biological process that occurs in hibernating bears could be the basis for a new therapy

Astronauts could protect themselves against bone wastage by harnessing a unique biological process that allows black bears to maintain their skeletons during hibernation.

A study has revealed that bears protect their bones from degrading, despite hardly moving for up to six months, by suppressing the usual constant release of calcium from the bones into the blood. Such a lengthy period of inactivity in humans would lead to a severely weakened bone structure.