Hibernating Bears Prevent Blood Clots Naturally
Swedish researchers found that bears eliminate a specific protein called HSP47 during hibernation, preventing blood clots despite months of inactivity. The protein drops to nearly zero during winter sleep and returns in summer, explaining how bears avoid deep vein thrombosis during hibernation. This discovery could lead to new treatments for preventing blood clots in bedridden patients and possibly help protect astronauts during long space missions.