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.

  • paraphrand
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    124 hours ago

    Will this upend Japanese culture?

  • Em Adespoton
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    778 hours ago

    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.

      • @[email protected]
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        60 minutes ago

        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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        11 hour ago

        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

    • DrWorm
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      207 hours ago

      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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        377 hours ago

        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.

      • @[email protected]
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        87 hours ago

        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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          55 hours 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.

      • @lath
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        36 hours ago

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

        • @[email protected]
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          4 hours ago

          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.

    • @[email protected]
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      -297 hours ago

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