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Grizzly
Bear Research
An estimated 10 million viewers tuned in
on April 22, 2005 to watch WSU’s
Dr.
Lynne Nelson describe her groundbreaking cardiac research
with grizzly bears. The stories aired on both Good Morning
America and World News Tonight.
The real challenge came in trying to get the two newest additions
to the study, Peeka and Kio, a pair of 11-week-old grizzly
bear cubs, to cooperate with the television crew. Fortunately, the
other two young bears, Mica and Luna, have become seasoned
pros at holding still for such critical steps as using an ultrasound
to measure their heart function.
“We came here to video these cute bears, but it turns out
the science behind this study is solid,” said ABC reporter Neal
Karlinsky. Dr. Nelson’s work focuses on cardiac changes in bears
during hibernation. “The anatomy of a grizzly bear is close to
that of a human,” said Nelson. “If we can learn how the heart
recovers from hibernation, then we may unlock secrets that will
help human patients suffering from heart disease.”
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Revised
February 05, 2007