livers

Life as a carnivore is often tough. You have to catch your meals on the run, and depending on the predator, more than 80 percent of attempts to grab a bite can end in failure. Because of this, scientists have often assumed that predators take what they can get from their prey and can’t afford to be picky. But gruesome scenes in South Africa have turned that idea on its head: killer whales are taking down a dozen or more sharks in one day—and rather than feasting on every meaty morsel, the orcas are meticulously cutting…

Armadillos stash a secret under their shells—their liver grows dramatically when they are infected with the bacterium that causes leprosy in people. This oddity, revealed in a new study, may provide clues about how the body controls liver regeneration and how to jump-start the process in people. The finding is “very cool,” says hepatologist Alejandro Soto-Gutiérrez of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, who wasn’t connected to the research. Almost…

A study by US researchers has said that the liver can stay…

The liver is known for its ability to regenerate. It can completely regrow itself even after two-thirds of its mass has been surgically removed. But damage from medications, alcohol abuse, or obesity can eventually cause the liver to fail.Currently, the only effective treatment for end-stage liver disease is transplantation.However, there is a dearth of organs available for transplantation. Patients may have to wait from 30 days to over 5 years to receive a liver for transplant in the US. Of the over 11,600 patients on…

Scientists will soon begin a clinical trial for a new liver disease treatment. The experimental treatment will hopefully help treat end-stage liver disease and reduce liver transplants. To do this, it will harness the natural regenerative power of the liver by growing an entirely new liver within the patient. It won’t just rely on one new liver, either. Instead, patients will grow multiple tiny livers in their bodies. Clinical trials for a new end-stage liver disease treatment will start soon Image source:…