“The ability of a heart cell to beat,” explained Barbara Block, a professor of marine sciences at Stanford University, “depends on its capacity to move essential ions like potassium and calcium into and out of the cells quickly. This dynamic process, which is common to all vertebrates, is called ‘excitation-contraction coupling.’ We have discovered that crude oil interferes with this vital signalling process essential for our heart cells to function properly.”
For the study, scientists used heart tissue from Tuna fish. The chemical particularly polyaromatic hydrocarbons can block transfer of ionic pathways seriously impairing heart function.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was perhaps the latest in the serious of oil spill accidents that resulted in 4 million barrels of crude oil being released into the Gulf of Mexico.
Reference;
Read more at Stanford University’s –The Stanford News Service
Image credit (Tuna fish): NOAA’s Fishwatch, hosted at Wikipedia
Natural coral reefs and underwater habitats have been damaged by pollution, overfishing, and climate change. To help restore marine life, people create artificial reefs using…
As the world continues to transition toward cleaner energy sources, the need for systems that can track, certify, and validate the renewable origin of electricity…
The carbon that marine ecosystems absorb and store is known as "blue carbon." The well-known idea of "green carbon," which describes the carbon retained by…
Introduction Soil testing is a crucial practice in modern agriculture. It assesses soil health, nutrient levels, and pH balance, enabling farmers to make informed decisions…
Ever wished your mobile phone could do more than just send memes and crush candies? Well, buckle up, because we're about to take your mobile…
As of 2023, 106 million people worldwide had bitcoins but the currency's influence on the environment is disproportionate. The primary method of cryptomining, known as…