Mammalian hibernation: cellular and molecular responses to depressed metabolism and low temperature
Hibernation involves cellular and molecular responses to depressed metabolism, not just behavioral changes
This comprehensive review established the foundational understanding that hibernation is controlled metabolic suppression at the cellular and molecular level - not simply sleep or unconsciousness. The paper demonstrates that hibernators have evolved specific cellular mechanisms to survive conditions that would kill non-hibernating mammals.
For business leaders, this research reveals that survival during scarcity requires systematic physiological changes, not just behavioral adjustments. The parallel to business is direct: strategic hibernation requires fundamental operational restructuring, not just 'working from home' or 'belt-tightening.' The paper's key insight - that most hibernation deaths occur at transitions, not during dormancy - has profound implications for business restart planning.
Key Findings from Carey et al. (2003)
- Hibernation involves cellular and molecular responses to depressed metabolism, not just behavioral changes
- Most hibernation deaths occur during entry or emergence phases, not during dormancy
- Hibernators have evolved specific mechanisms to prevent organ damage during metabolic suppression
- Body temperature regulation differs fundamentally between sleep and hibernation