Biology
Physiological Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia in Tibetan Populations
Quick fact
Unlike other high-altitude populations, Tibetans maintain relatively low hemoglobin levels at high altitude, yet they have higher oxygen saturation and better exercise performance than acclimatized lowlanders. Their adaptations are driven by genetic variants in genes like EPAS1, which help regulate the body's response to low oxygen.
Why this is interesting
Imagine living your entire life where the air is so thin that visitors struggle to breathe—yet you feel perfectly fine. How do Tibetans thrive at altitudes that would make most people sick?