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Omen in the Blood
Article

Omen in the Blood

A protein marker predicts health crises – but can it cause them?

Science, 2018

автоматическое преобразование текста в аудио
автоматическое преобразование текста в аудио

Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Scientific

Recommendation

Some sleuths carry a magnifying glass, others sport a stethoscope. In the article “Omen in the Blood,” science journalist Stephen S. Hall tells the story of a disease detective on the trail of an enigmatic and pernicious kidney disease. Plot twists include genetically identical twins, one with the disease, while the other is perfectly healthy; and a suspicious blood protein called suPAR found lurking nearby. But is suPAR the guilty party or an innocent bystander? getAbstract recommends this article to people who might enjoy a medical story that is part science and part mystery. 

Take-Aways

  • Healthy kidneys are filters, keeping proteins and cells in the blood, while allowing only small molecules to pass into the urine.
  • The kidney disease FSGS poses a special treatment challenge and a mystery.
  • Jochen Reiser says he has exposed the culprit behind FSGS: the blood protein suPAR.

About the Author

Stephen S. Hall is a science journalist who lives in New York City.


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