What space-travel technology often seen in science fiction will be tested later this month?

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., will test "emergency preservation and resuscitation" on 10 patients with injuries who would otherwise die if operated on. The patients’ blood will be replaced with a cold saline solution intended to slow bodily functions and blood loss. Current techniques allow only four hours of suspended animation, making applications for space travel untenable. The study is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense.