Story perspectives

Mice Set Altitude Record, Reveal Heat-Shivering Genes

7/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Evolutionary biologist Jay Storz and his team recorded an Andean leaf-eared mouse at over 22,000 feet, the highest altitude ever documented for a mammal.
They examined 167 specimens and found the mice generate heat via specialized skeletal-muscle shivering.
Genomic scans found hypoxia-tolerance genes also in other high-altitude animals and variants for digesting desert plants.
Jay Storz said the work may guide disease treatments.
Co-lead author Schuyler Liphardt called for research.

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Story summary

Evolutionary biologist Jay Storz and his team recorded an Andean leaf-eared mouse at over 22,000 feet, the highest altitude ever documented for a mammal.
They examined 167 specimens and found the mice generate heat via specialized skeletal-muscle shivering.
Genomic scans found hypoxia-tolerance genes also in other high-altitude animals and variants for digesting desert plants.
Jay Storz said the work may guide disease treatments.
Co-lead author Schuyler Liphardt called for research.