Scientists may have found a new human organ

[pwny]

https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/03/scientist-think-they-found-a-new-human-organ-a-fluid-filled-shock-absorber/

[lets get the OP’s girlfriend jokes out of the way now]

Researchers found the web-like tissue on the underside of skin, around the digestive tract, bladder, lungs, arteries, and within muscles. They speculate that the tissues—dubbed the “interstitium”—may act as “shock absorbers,” allowing our organs to swell and compress as we go about our business of breathing, eating, and living in general. The fluid it contains may also play heretofore unappreciated roles in basic biology and disease. For instance, the liquid could act as a conduit for cellular signals or harmful molecules, play a role in the development of edema (excessive fluid retention in tissues), and even help cancer cells spread.

The finding may “necessitate reconsideration of many of the normal functional activities of different organs and of disordered fluid dynamics in the setting of disease,” the authors conclude. And preliminary data “raises the possibility that direct sampling of the interstitial fluid could be a diagnostic tool,” they add.

Basically, they think they found a group of interconnected sacks that can allow for shock absorption. It’s been hard to find previously as these decompress when a body dies, and the way slides are prepared for study doesn’t allow for finding something like this.

[MacReady]

I don't like the title of this.  Shouldn't it be, "Scientists have realized there's another organ," instead of they found a new one?  It's not like this organ was missing, it's just that they've realized it is one.  Isn't that accurate? 

[Adrenaline_Flux]

This actually blows my mind.

[MookieMonstah]

55 minutes ago, Adrenaline_Flux said:

This actually blows my mind.

Pretty incredible that with modern science we had an organ we didn't even know about. I wonder if this is something involving evolution or if we've had it for a long time.

[pwny]

4 minutes ago, MookieMonster said:

Pretty incredible that with modern science we had an organ we didn't even know about. I wonder if this is something involving evolution or if we've had it for a long time.

They knew these existed. They just didn’t know they were interconnected, which was the point h2z was trying to make. The connections between them are microscopic.

Basically, nearly all study of the human body is done on cadavers, for obvious reasons. These sacks decompress when the body dies, and the connections between them basically become invisible, as the microscopic connections decompress. The connections was found using an endoscope with a microscope attached on a living body. 

[MookieMonstah]

1 minute ago, iPwn said:

They knew these existed. They just didn’t know they were interconnected, which was the point h2z was trying to make. The connections between them are microscopic.

Basically, nearly all study of the human body is done on cadavers, for obvious reasons. These sacks decompress when the body dies, and the connections between them basically become invisible, as the microscopic connections decompress. The connections was found using an endoscope with a microscope attached on a living body. 

Crazy.

[tom cody]

Interesting news for sure. Always fascinating to hear about these new discoveries. 

[cddolphin]

Neat. Reminds you how little we know about ourselves, let alone our minds, planet, and universe. 

[FinneasGage]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9qE-8dUesw&t=0m14s

 

[Calvert28]

Not impressed until we find and unlock the x-gene. I wanna move metal stuff with my mind. 

[TheChancellor]

On 3/30/2018 at 4:58 PM, cddolphin said:

Neat. Reminds you how little we know about ourselves, let alone our minds, planet, and universe. 

Exciting and terrifying at the same time. We have trouble understanding and conquering our minds, let alone everything else.