Could Squirrels Be the Key to Long Distance Spaceflight?

This episode is sponsored by Wren, a website where you calculate your carbon footprint. Sign up to make a monthly contribution to offset your carbon footprint or support rainforest protection projects: www.wren.co/start/scishowspace
Space is hard on the human body, but a certain ground squirrel might have the guts to show us how to last longer in space.
Hosted By: Reid Reimers
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Sources:
www.nasa.gov/pdf/64249main_ff...
www.eurekalert.org/news-relea...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/s...
portlandpress.com/clinsci/art...
phys.org/news/2022-01-hiberna...
www.nature.com/articles/s4159...
www.pnas.org/content/117/38/2...
cmsw.mit.edu/angles/2019/head...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/...
www.cambridge.org/core/servic...
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[@scishowspace]

This episode is sponsored by Wren, a website where you calculate your carbon footprint. Sign up to make a monthly contribution to offset your carbon footprint or support rainforest protection projects: www.wren.co/start/scishowspace

[@AnSq00]

obvious scam

[@KingXOreo]

Wait, why is it a scam?

[@AnSq00]

@@KingXOreo The entire concept of "carbon footprints" is propaganda invented by oil companies to shift the narrative around climate change, reframing it as an individual problem that can be solved by individuals' actions. It isn't, and it can't. Climate change is a structural problem that can only be solved by structural changes. Changes that would ultimately put those oil companies out of business. "Carbon offsets" are little more than modern-day indulgences, intended to make you feel better about having to live in a system that's destroying the planet as we know it. Not to mention that that offset money often doesn't even go to the places or do the things that the scammers say it does. This is all stuff that the people at SciShow/Complexly know, and they're greatly hurting their credibility by continuing to partner with them.

[@ZennExile]

SciShow I love you but, you can't buy a solution to climate change you have to be the solution. Wren is spinning the economic wheels without making any significant impact. And my carbon footprint is not the "average" footprint. Neither is anyone else's. There are monstrous Kaiju carbon producers stomping around and everyone else is like tiny ants. Wren makes no such distinction and attempts to share the blame of massive carbon producers evenly across the entire population. That is predatory. You probably shouldn't support it. Unless you have a transparent analysis of their entire business model that paint a different picture...

[@orsonzedd]

The first of all a thousand trees isn't a lot. Step up your game. Second thing is I can't produce enough carbon to make a difference even if I offset all of it. This is just a waste of time and the money could go to better solutions for climate change

[@jamiee1519]

I so wanted this to be a video about a squirrel running inside a wire wheel to power an interstellar spaceship.

[@JohnDoe-xp4iy]

That’s a top secret NASA mission contracted by the Department of Defense. It’s cheaper than fuel and is intended to replaced in all future military satellites.

[@friend610]

same

[@tiki_trash]

I was thinking of Sandy the Squirrel from SpongeBob.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

I just thought of the destruction they can cause if they can't find their nuts :D

[@mikkosaarinen3225]

The best thing about this episode is that it reminded me that the updated official finnish name for ground squirrels is tikutaku which basically translates to chipdale 😄

[@dannymac6368]

Rescue Rangers!!

[@caroljo420]

That's adorable!!!

[@daftpunkking909]

If only they changed chipmunks names eh? Still kinda cute if true.

[@PrizeJ]

@@daftpunkking909 An Al-simon-odore

[@T4N7]

It looks like it would be the Japanese phonetic spelling of Tik Tok. Neat fact tho, I guess someone there was a big fan of the show as a kid.

[@loganl3746]

Exciting! This could help more people than just astronauts, too! Disabled people, people in comas or on bedrest, and such come to mind

[@Qermaq]

Yep. About 5 minutes in.

[@KOKO-uu7yd]

Wonder if it would help with extended recovery stuff, like "long covid", too?

[@loganl3746]

@@Qermaq lol whoops. My emphasis on disabled people still stands, though

[@gibbbon]

why even go to those extremes? a ton of people lack physical activities on their day to day life, those supplements could allow them to stay fit with minimum time spent exercising

[@gibbbon]

@Mars so, just because people choose a different lifestyle as you, you want them to suffer medically for it and refuse them a solution that can alleviate the bad effects of a sedentary life? sure, how noble of you

[@rickseiden1]

I'd like to send the squirrels in my attic into space! Those little buggers didn't hibernate this winter, are very active, don't really care about the ultrasonic squirrel repeller or strobe light I have up there, and somehow manage to get the peanut butter out of the trap, without getting caught in it while also letting it close.

[@estudiordl]

Well, the second reason squirrels are better to research than bears... You don't want to wake a bear in the middle of the winter to asks him... 😜

[@massimookissed1023]

I would imagine one thing we've learned from studying bears, is that bears don't like being studied.

[@Pyxis10]

Day 2: Tried drawing blood, got arm ripped off. Conclusion: AGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

[@maniacalo2901]

Live Long and Prosper 🖖.

[@SnarkNSass]

🖖🏻

[@crowguy506]

Not enough data. So we really need to fly a bear to the ISS now.

[@Jimera0]

I haven't watched the video yet but I can only assume this means they've developing a space engine that involves squirrels rapidly throwing acorns out of the back of the spacecraft.

[@NoahSpurrier]

How do you get a squirrel to throw away their acorns? No NASA contract for you.

[@bankerdave888]

I volunteer the squirrels in my backyard for the mission!

[@kennethbaxter2877]

It could also help those with muscular dystrophy and other muscle wasting diseases

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

And Parkinson's ,MS

[@briankober9594]

out of curiosity, could that mouse gene experiment that stimulated muscle growth be used to combat ms? had that thought, like wouldnt that be a useful medical advance? Just an idea...

[@NoahSpurrier]

Multiple Sclerosis is a degenerative nerve disease. Muscles atrophy due to lack of signals to drive them. Preserving muscle mass would not correct the lack of ability to control them.

[@NoTimeLeft_]

What if planet earth is the intergalactic equivalent of the training level for a video game? There are so many things on this planet we can learn from to further our ability to explore the cosmos. Sometime it really feels like the more we learn from stuff around us the better off we are.

[@thelaw3536]

Glad you covered this.

[@stubbysidwell]

Awesome video! Very cool stuff.

[@mg4361]

The bear photos are adorable

[@Sekusamu]

I already knew about this six weeks ago, because I listen to Quirks and Quarks. Canadian radio rocks!

[@Seadalgo]

A few years ago I visited Wisconsin. The first time I saw a 13 line ground squirrel, I thought it was a chipmunk. It wasn't until later (and by later I mean now) that I realized it was a ground squirrel

[@Markle2k]

Psst. Chipmunks are ground squirrels.

[@herranton]

@@Markle2k No, they're different, but look very similar. All chipmunks will climb trees. Ground squirrels won't. They're different, though very closely related. Wikipedia has the family tree breakdown.

[@Markle2k]

@@herranton No. They are both literally in the same "tribe" as marmots, groundhogs and prairie dogs, marmotini. They don't know that we call them "ground" squirrels so they don't know that they aren't supposed to climb trees. But then the same can be said for the actual California Ground Squirrels that steal my tomatoes and peaches every summer. They generally *live* on the ground, it doesn't mean they don't climb or spend time in trees.

[@herranton]

@@Markle2k I'm not arguing over something that is easily googled. I'm not doing it for you. You can keep on believing it the wrong way, or look it up. Either way, I'm done here. I suggest googling each of their scientific names. You will see that the 13 lined ground squirrel is _not_ one of the 25 or so extant chipmunks. But you do you.

[@Markle2k]

@@herranton But you are arguing over something easily Googled. In fact you quoted a good source that would show that you are wrong, Wikipedia. Here's the first half of the first paragraph of the Ground Squirrel article: "The ground squirrels are members of the squirrel family of rodents (Sciuridae), which generally live on or in the ground, rather than trees. The term is most often used for the medium-sized ground squirrels, as the larger ones are more commonly known as marmots (genus Marmota) or prairie dogs, while the smaller and less bushy-tailed ground squirrels tend to be known as chipmunks (genus Tamias). Together, they make up the "marmot tribe" of squirrels, Marmotini, a division within the large and mainly ground squirrel subfamily Xerinae, and containing six living genera."

[@TarkMcCoy]

I was holding out for a hamster wheel powered warp drive...

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

This is a really positive idea! Edit: Second link in their list is the squirrel study.

[@BakedPhoria]

"Floating around in space sounds amazing" *Gravity intensifies*

[@Secret_Takodachi]

I love the idea of an R&D meeting where engineers are trying to brainstorm solutions to long term space flight challenges and the whole room is silently contemplating potential options and then one of 'em slaps the table and confidently states: "I've got it!.... Squirrels." Team: "Squirrels?" 1 person: "Yup, Squirrels." Team: "Squirrels. Really? 1 person: "Yes really, do the math it all adds up!"

[@militantpacifist4087]

I just recently passed by a dead squirrel while walking to my home. RIP squirrel.

[@sponggg_7096]

Explains why Sandy Cheeks was such a good astronaut.

[@markzambelli]

How patriotic that the US space program is looking to go to the Stars with a squirrel that already has the 13 stripes... nice.

[@stax6092]

Awesome.

[@jonnyblade3234]

Those mice must have been so confused by the low gravity.

[@mathieuleader8601]

Imagine if this is the plot for the Sandy Cheeks spin-off movie for Paramount +

[@maniacalo2901]

You mean Sandy Cheeks from SpongeBob??

[@SquirrelASMR]

Yes

[@fredmacvenn8525]

Aw man I thought we were going to train squirrels to fly spacecraft.

[@rainsticklandguitartalk9483]

Seems like this could be very helpful to anyone on dialysis, too. If urea can be converted to nitrogen, rather than overloading kidneys, it would vastly increase the times in between sessions. If we ever get into a situation where there's a major power loss, which is definitely a big issue in the US with your decaying power grid, patients will have a lot less to worry about when it comes to clearing out their kidneys. Far too many people rely on the power grid just to stay alive, so it's really too bad the US government is comprised of bought politicians.

[@Radi4Music]

Having been on 4 years of dialysis pre-transplant, I *_FULLY_* concur.

[@stonedhomer621]

Microbiomes are forking amazing!

[@hairytick7882]

A Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel doesn't sound like a name for something, it sounds like a fact.

[@vamp6767]

Probiotic anabolics! This is gonna sell like crazy.

[@RossSavill]

Those mice must have wondered where all the gravity went!

[@KingXOreo]

I've NEVER seen a squirrel that coat pattern before

[@bleep8048]

Less exercise through science so we can do more science, I like it.

[@StYxXx]

This could be used for doping in sports :D

[@alexandereronat1992]

Waiting to watch this in the morning, but hoping it’s something to do with fuel made out squirrel nuts or something.

[@TheTerranInformed]

Interesting video! (though I was a bit perturbed by the “weightless astronauts” statement)

[@DaveSomething]

I wouldn't mind hibernating, I have no desire to be awake during the winter... or summer.

[@God-ld6ll]

"Yes, but only for them"

[@Weirdoid]

Looks at title. We need a flying squirrel and a really tiny space suit.

[@mch_mr_j]

We tend to call them gophers in Wisconsin. This probably could help out people with gout.

[@luciohernandez668]

Wtf that's actually wild

[@DaveSomething]

flying squirrels? Rocky and Bullwinkle!

[@andrefiliks]

I imagine the confusion in the poor rats heads. One minute you're chillin in you cage, and the other they start flying around without control

[@TheScratcherStudios]

a couple of months ago at the end of a video, Hank mentioned scishow space to only upload backlog and then discontinue. I am confused. Is that not happening now?

[@you9totally9suck]

Wasn't that about psych? or both?

[@AnSq00]

You're probably thinking of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXm1mHaCqbtqo6s He said that SciShow Space News is ending, meaning there won't be a dedicated news episode every week, but the rest of the channel will continue as normal.

[@massimookissed1023]

@@AnSq00 TBH in all my years of watching, I never noticed SciShow Space and SciShow Space News weren't the same thing.

[@semaj_5022]

@@massimookissed1023 SciShow Space News was basically just a (weekly?) segment of SciShow Space, so it wasn't really different in format, just delivery. I don't really get 2hy they ended it, though. It's sad.

[@belstar1128]

3:00 again microbes show how epic and superior they are to humans.

[@Sackless_Jack]

Wren looks great, but can we get big oil to sign up?

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

Why did that song pop in my head you know my neck my back insert eye roll lmbo

[@LeoN-wc9od]

Squirrels is the key for everything😸

[@JogBird]

What is a wren?

[@Jay-ho9io]

A bird

[@massimookissed1023]

A _small_ bird.

[@Jay-ho9io]

@@massimookissed1023 smöl, even.

[@JohnGardnerAlhadis]

1. A collective scamming people by exploiting their concern for a very real issue they otherwise have zero personal control over. 2. Also a bird.

[@bwedesign]

I totally thought key was that the astronauts would eat the squirrels - because their easy to breed or high in protein or something. Oh well.

[@joegillian314]

Could this research not also lead to new treatments or even a cure for gout?

[@jessieb.1883]

We need to put a bear in space…for science!

[@SlovakLegend]

Was this video inspired by the TikTok at Hank Green?! :D

[@nobody1755]

SciShow: click bait that never actually is clickbait

[@guitarfreakizoid]

Without the video yet, I would like to respond to the question in the title; Gosh I hope so

[@_SimpleJack_]

Human/Squirrel hybrids, make it so!!

[@massimookissed1023]

Yes. Yes. Huirrels. Do it ! Better research Squmans too.

[@diceman199]

I spent most of a month in bed after an accident. After 2 weeks where I didn't leave the bed at all I had no muscle left. It's surprisingly rapid

[@Hobbes4ever]

squirrel stew as space food?

[@johnnysmith64]

Rick and Morty already called this

[@crobar1]

Could any human species that ever existed do hibernation?

[@SquirrelASMR]

Probably not since all the closely related species to humans don't, since we evolved in a warm place initially. It would be so cool though, and I wonder if humans mightve if we kept evolving as wild animals after we migrated to colder lands.

[@redactedbananas]

Astronaut Kombucha

[@theOrionsarms]

But shouldn't those bacteria need to be in the urinary tract to metabolize ureea?

[@dalton6173]

Could be simple as culturing the bacteria that you need and then putting those into a pill

[@jmanj3917]

I just asked my dog. He said "No!"

[@JudyDaCherry]

"Should've bought the squirrel.."

[@ChrispyNut]

So, to go to space, peeps gonna have to eat deez nuts? Quite the choice.

[@thespicemelange.1]

That's not a squirrel that's chipmunk

[@daxxonjabiru428]

"Pregnant people" Uggh!

[@ThoughtsAreReal]

Isn't that a chipmunk?

[@Theoryofcatsndogs]

So if humans take those bacterial things, do they need to go for long sleep to have benefit? Or they can still work in space? Cause it is kinda waste if you send humans to space to sleep during the trip.

[@florinadrian5174]

No, sleep is not a requirement. And even if it was, on the ISS, due to the microgravity, when they work their efforts are minimal as if they were inactive or sleeping.

[@HotelPapa100]

I suggest looking at cats. Sleep 95% of the day and still maintain fitness. THAT is impressive.

[@NewMessage]

Get that rodent a trophy! No.. I said 'a trophy', not atrophy.

[@DontRobMe13]

Where is muscle hank btw

[@untitled6391]

Hell of a title

[@Law0086]

Starving but in shape citizens sounds bad for government lol!!!

[@ZeFroz3n0ne907]

Captain Squeeks: Stardate 8543.7, We have run out of our nut stores. Our cheeks are empty. Morale is at an all time low. The humans have sent us into this God-forsaken wasteland they call space, destination: Unknown. Mission: Also, Unknown.

[@oneoneoneoneone1]

Could spaceflight be the key to long distance squirrels?

[@mistformsquirrel]

I knew it. I finally have my purpose! To the stars my rodent kin! >.>/

[@FelipeKana1]

Surely we won't stop at preventing muscle loss, right? I mean, the military surely could use pills that create muscle mass without the need of exercises. And oh boy we could use those too

[@Shaden0040]

This could be an alternative treatment for kidney failure!

[@lucri988]

Actual serious question: couldn't testosterone and steroids work against some muscle loss? There recently was a very big research if I remember correct, that showed that taking testosterone and not working out gave almost as much muscle growth as being off the juice and working out regularly. Of course I'm not saying they should take big dosages.

[@lucri988]

@Mudkip909 send up them Ronnie Coleman haha

[@cota0hack]

Going nuts

[@CyberJezzus]

So..... everyone should eat a squirrel?

[@dontspamkoth]

This is cute until you realize that there are probably countless horrible experiments being done on these squirrels.

[@wallacejames221]

Somebody send Disney an email, I think we have an Ice Age sequel to write--

[@traceymiller4462]

DreamWorks and their attorneys have entered the chat..

[@ginaslevinsky8906]

I liked this, then unliked when I heard about Wren. It's as though our lovely host was donning their clown makeup while giving the Wren spiel. Carbon offsets, especially for individuals, is NOT a solution. I appreciate that they're supporting informative media that I like, but I hate that us commoners are still being pushed to reduce (and now offsetting is all the rage) our carbon footprints. Increased regulation in global industry is needed; corporations that have the most to lose from such regulation lobby our decision makers and spread this kind of propaganda to keep the status quo. Thank you SciShow, even though your latest sponsor is greenwashed bunk.

[@ku8721]

Why study squirrels instead of bears? Well for one I've never read about someone being mauled to death after waking a squirrel up from hibernation!!!

[@bryanshoemaker6120]

Who cares about space travel, I wake up five times every night just to take a piss. I can barely get any sleep because I have to go to the bathroom so often. This Sounds like a good sleeping aid to me

[@tekoneiric]

I wonder if that would be helpful for people with kidney problems. Take the stress off the kidneys.

[@militantpacifist4087]

NASA should recruit Sandy Cheeks.

[@adelabdulaziz5588]

Do you think if humanity could make it on earth, they will be able to survive space, gravity stronger than fire, but in reality human species are dust of ashes comparison to our own earth to begin with

[@seniorqueefs8687]

you mean chipmunks. squirels dont hibernate

[@jwilham]

Clicks video. No. Thats stupid. Leaves video.

[@DontRobMe13]

So we need Proteins to gain muscles but need less Proteins to keep them???

[@nattyphysicist]

So wait, a low protein diet would be beneficial but no no no we can't do that because .... we want burgers? We are astronauts not vegan?!