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| Naked Mole Rat (Photo by Jedimentat44) |
This
is often evident in people suffering
from intense chronic ailments,
as well as in animals that
are viciously attacked. The African
highveld mole rat is an example
of the latter. While sharing
burrows with Natal droptail
ants, it get repeatedly stung
with their “highly pungent venom.”
Evolution
has been kind to the highveld
mole rat. It has fostered the
development of “a highly active gene
for a single ion channel,” which in
turn has made this rat impervious to
such venomous pain.
Scientists
are now hoping that human analgesics
can follow this lead by encouraging
“a high expression” of a
similar NALCN “leak channel.”
Resources
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190530141533.htm
Copyright June 1, 2019 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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