Muscle-bound bears

While bears will soon be hibernating in their dens, scientists are looking into the mechanisms by which these plantigrades are able to retain muscle despite being immobile for several months. Fabrice Bertile, biologist and chemist at the Hubert Curien Multidisciplinary Institute, is conducting research on muscle proteins using samples from Scandinavian brown bears. The bear's anti-atrophic abilities could be useful to the elderly and sick people bedridden for long periods.