Less sensitive temperature regulation a key to hibernation-like torpor
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 - 12:16
in Earth & Climate
Some animals can enter a hibernation-like state called daily torpor that reduces the amount of energy needed to survive when food is unavailable. Using a combination of experimental data and mathematical modeling, researchers at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology have determined that the largest factor that contributes to daily torpor is reduced sensitivity of the thermoregulatory system. Published in Scientific Reports, the study shows that during daily torpor, the body's compensatory response to lowered temperature is much less than during normal active periods.