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CliffStoll 8 hours ago [-]
"the aging ovary is a potential third hit for ovarian cancer, with the first hit being genetic and the second hit being environmental..." This is important work crossing generations. Further, it shows that medical research (once centered on younger patients) is reaching older cohorts.
flatline 6 hours ago [-]
I had a conversation about a month ago with a friend who had gone through menopause and I realized I had no idea what the ovaries did when they stopped producing eggs. She didn’t either! I can see why it isn’t the most obvious target for research when the primary focus is fertility, but I do find it fascinating that women’s bodies stop the reproductive cycle and keep on kicking for decades. So much complexity, it’s quite the evolutionary trait.
catoc 4 hours ago [-]
”most people assume those ovaries are just sitting there doing nothing, similar to the appendix,” said co-corresponding author
In reality the appendix vermiformis serves as a reservoir for gut bacteria (useful), and possibly supports the immune system
adrian_b 13 minutes ago [-]
True, but this has become much less important for humans than for their ancestors, because a large part of what humans eat is nutrient-dense and easy to digest, so that does not rely on the help from gut bacteria.
Thus many humans may live most of their lives without their appendix, without any serious consequences.
stubish 9 hours ago [-]
Add in hormone replacement therapy to reduce menopausal problems and these studies are going to get very confusing.
drivingmenuts 8 hours ago [-]
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In reality the appendix vermiformis serves as a reservoir for gut bacteria (useful), and possibly supports the immune system
Thus many humans may live most of their lives without their appendix, without any serious consequences.