Animals Can Survive Illnesses Caused by Climate Change Better than Humans?

There are several genetic mechanisms that enable animals to adapt to hotter, desert-like environments and exist without water, according to researchers. This is critical not only for their survival but also for developing gene therapies to treat dehydration-related illnesses in humans, such as kidney disease.

"Since mice and humans are physiologically alike, this form of evolutionary study provides crucial first steps toward discovering and understanding genes that regulate complex traits like dehydration, which can weaken human kidneys and cause lifelong, irreversible harm," said Matt MacManes, associate professor of the genome, activated biology.

Millions of people die each year from dehydration-related illnesses all over the world. Even mild dehydration, according to experts, will damage the kidneys and cause long-term problems.

The National Institute of Health's National Institute of General Medical Sciences supported M.D.M.'s research (1R35GM128843).

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