Clusters of genes found in humans match those that hibernating animals like mice use to power down during lean times, a new study has found.

Because those genes are correlated with the parts of the genome that control metabolism — what researchers call the “fat and obesity locus” — the discovery may open the door to new treatments for obesity and diabetes, according to two studies in Science.

That’s because hibernating animals can do many things humans can’t: reverse nerve damage or muscle atrophy after periods of inaction or low nutrition; rapidly gain or lose weight........

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