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Tuna Hearts Likely Damaged By Gulf Oil Spill Disaster: Scientists

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huffingtonpost.com - by Dominique Mosbergen - February 18, 2014

Last week, a study published in the Feb. 14 issue of Science revealed the Deepwater Horizon disaster may have caused serious damage to the hearts of tuna and other animals affected by the spill.

Indeed, scientists behind the new study say their findings may have implications on mammal hearts, including those of humans.

Since PAHs can also be found in coal tar, air pollution and stormwater runoff from land, the risk to humans and other animals is potentially tremendous, the scientists say.

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CLICK HERE - STUDY - Science - Crude Oil Impairs Cardiac Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Fish

CLICK HERE - MEDIA RELEASE - Crude Oil Interrupts Heartbeat

 

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bbc.co.uk - by Jonathan Amos - February 14, 2014

Because the mechanisms involved operate in the same way in the hearts of all vertebrates, it is highly likely, the team says, that other animals swimming in waters around the crippled rig would have been exposed to similar cardiac risks.

And the questions also reach across to human health - because vehicle engines put PAHs into the air in our cities.

“Impressively, the cardiac excitation-contraction coupling pathways are the most conserved pathways in all of animals,” said Prof Block.

“It means that the same ion channels present in tuna to make its heart beat are present in humans.

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