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2024-11-11

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NHS scientists find new blood group solving 50-year mystery (www.bbc.com)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/science

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The research team, led by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) scientists in South Gloucestershire and supported by the University of Bristol, found a blood group called MAL.

They identified the genetic background of the previously known AnWj blood group antigen, which was discovered in 1972 but unknown until now after this world-first test was developed.

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[–] [email protected] 119 points 2 months ago (12 children)

This is a horribly written article about an exciting discovery.

Essentially, they’ve discovered that some humans don’t actually have the AnWj antigen, where it was assumed that all humans had some antigen configuration. And they’ve found a way to test for the missing antigens.

[–] DrWorm 35 points 2 months ago (6 children)

So... I'm a dumbass. What's the benefit of the antigens or lack thereof? Are there types of diseases that are more prevalent with or without these things?

The article didn't really go into any details as to how or why this will result in saving lives. Just that they can test for it.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm not sure about this antigen in particular but from the ab0 group 0 (lack of a and b) protects to a certain degree from malaria.

[–] Xain52 6 points 2 months ago

When i was doing my rotation at a lab i found out about the bombay blood type. Its not a traditioanal blood type. If you gave someone with bombay blood o blood even they would have a reaction.

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