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Science News for December 10, 2000


Scientists discover new stage in malarial infection

Researchers identified a two-step process by which malaria parasites break out of red blood cells, paving the way for developing clinically useful inhibitors. The discovery may lead to promising targets for drug development and improved understanding of the disease.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 10, 2000

MRI-guided catheter ablation

Researchers developed a new MRI-guided catheter ablation technique to treat arrhythmia, reducing radiation exposure and improving procedure accuracy. The novel method uses MRI to guide radio frequency energy, creating precise lesions that block abnormal electrical pathways in heart muscle.

Gene believed linked to serious kidney disease

A Yale researcher has found a gene believed to be linked to autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), a condition affecting one in 10,000 children. The study suggests that primary cilia, hair-like projections lining the kidneys' ducts and tubules, play a crucial role in the development of ARPKD.