Scientists discover a huge new human organ hiding in plain sight

Just when you thought we knew all there was to know about the human body, researchers revealed that they discovered an entirely new human organ.  Called the interstitium, it consists of a series of fluid-filled, shock-absorbing compartments that shield body tissues. The interstitium was previously thought to be dense layers of connective tissue, but it turns out that it is actually one of the largest organs in the human body  –  and understanding it better may offer clues to understanding how cancer spreads. Dr. David Carr-Locke and Dr. Petros Benias identified it as an organ while scanning a patient’s bile duct for signs of cancer. The doctors collaborated with New York University pathologist Dr. Neil Theise to further explore the structure and function of the newly identified organ. In a study published in the  journal  Scientific Reports , researchers note that previous research had failed to note the presence of the interstitium because traditional methods for the observation of body tissues involved the draining of fluid. “This fixation artifact of collapse has made a fluid-filled tissue type throughout the body appear solid in biopsy slides for decades, and our results correct for this to expand the anatomy of most tissues,” Dr. Theise told the Independent . Related: Changing the price of certain foods could save thousands of lives each year Researchers noted that the interstitium drains its fluids into the lymphatic system, which affects and regulates the body’s immune response. This means that cancer cells could potentially be released by the interstitium as it transports fluid throughout the body. If properly understood, this new organ could prove to be key in preventing the spread of cancer . “This finding has potential to drive dramatic advances in medicine , including the possibility that the direct sampling of interstitial fluid may become a powerful diagnostic tool,” said Dr. Theise. Via the Independent Images via  and  Jill Gregory/Mount Sinai Health System  and Deposit Photos

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Scientists discover a huge new human organ hiding in plain sight

Artist sells surreal DIY kits of anatomical balloon dogs and rubber duckies

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Artist sells surreal DIY kits of anatomical balloon dogs and rubber duckies

Why a Canadian prime minister is visiting the White House for the first time in 20 years

A Canadian head of state has not been invited to the White House in 20 years , but President Barack Obama is breaking the trend. This week, he will welcome newly-elected prime minister Justin Trudeau to Washington, D.C. to address a common goal: combating climate change . Read the rest of Why a Canadian prime minister is visiting the White House for the first time in 20 years

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Why a Canadian prime minister is visiting the White House for the first time in 20 years

The Anatomy of an Oil Spill Cleanup: What Works and What Doesn’t

Preston Kott of U.S. Environmental Services moves oil absorbent boom into a warehouse at a pollution control staging area in Venice, La., April 27, 2010

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The Anatomy of an Oil Spill Cleanup: What Works and What Doesn’t

Hospira Slices into Plastic Medical Waste with New IV Bags

I.V. equipment dots the landscape of countless movies and TV shows like E.R. , House , and Grey’s Anatomy , so it’s no suprise that the ubiquitous little baggies account for a sizeable chunk of plastic medical waste from U.S.

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Hospira Slices into Plastic Medical Waste with New IV Bags

Five Indicators of Success at Copenhagen

How will we know if we have succeeded at Copenhagen this year in turning our one and only human civilization from the brink of extinction – towards a long, clean energy future? The World Resources Institute lays it out simply. We are looking for agreement on these five principles.

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Five Indicators of Success at Copenhagen