115. Increasing Muscle Mass…Thank Bears, Jet Fuel Creating Solar Tower, Beating Neuralink To The Punch

News: <p><a href='https://newatlas.com/science/serum-hibernating-black-bears-muscle-mass-human-cells/'>Serum from hibernating black bears boosts muscle mass in human cells</a> | New Atlas (01:16)</p> <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">The incredible ability of bears to hibernate for months at a time has inspired some interesting lines of research around how their secrets might benefit human health, and among them is a focus on muscle wasting.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">First let’s talk about <a href='https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/do-bears-really-hibernate'>bear hibernation</a>: <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">The main difference between hibernation and torpor is during torpor, the animal is able to wake up quickly to avoid danger, or if the opportunity exists, exit the den to feed. </li> </ul> <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Hibernation is a voluntary state an animal enters to conserve energy, when food is scarce, and minimize exposure to the winter elements.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">During hibernation an animal lowers its body temperature, slows its breathing rate, heart rate, and metabolic rate-the rate its body uses energy.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Bears technically do not hibernate, they enter a state similar to it called topor.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Fun fact: Bears can sleep more than 100 days without eating, drinking, or passing waste! Bears can actually turn their pee into protein.</li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Scientists in Japan have made a fascinating discovery in this space:<ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Demonstrating how human muscle cells can be infused with serum from hibernating black bears to prevent atrophy and increase muscle mass.</li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">This new study focused on skeletal muscle, which is susceptible to wasting caused by immobility.<ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Led by scientists at Hiroshima University and Hokkaido University</li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">The research team too