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NHS scientists find new blood group solving 50-year mystery

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmgg493ek8o

Identifying the new blood group system could save thousands of lives around the world.

NHS scientists find new blood group solving 50-year mystery

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.

13 comments

paraphrand

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Will this upend Japanese culture?

finickydesert

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No, still the same type they use but the stuff they didn't use just changed.

adespoton

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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

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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.

QuarterSwede

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Give someone blood with antigens when they don’t have antigens and things go badly. Now they can test for non-antigen blood and ensure they give the correct blood and save their life.

Flipper

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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

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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.

lath

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Hey there. From one dumbass to another, i believe antigens help protect against mutation of the genetic code.

blandfordforever

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These antigens are mainly significant in regards to blood transfusions.

People generally don't create antibodies against antigens that they have on their own cells.

If someone receives blood containing an antigen that isn't present on their own cells, and their body has already created antibodies against this "foregin" antigen, this can cause a hemolytic transfusion reaction (the transfused blood cells will rupture in the recipient), which can be fatal.

HubertManne

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so is it some sort of type of super type O negative?

blandfordforever

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Most people are familiar with A, B, O, and Rh red cell antigens, as they are the most significant. Completely separate from this "blood group system" there are many other potentially antigenic molecules present on the red cell membrane.

Xain52

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No but in a sense yes. Im to lazy and on mobile to link but most of the time those with bombay blood have to donate their own blood

Sunshine

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Not surprising since the BBC won’t tell the truth on veganism and transgender people.