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The High Life
24 August 2014

The High Life

When people live at high altitude, where oxygen is limited, their bodies usually produce a higher number of red blood cells. The more red blood cells present, the more oxygen can be lugged around the body… up to a point. This response can cause the blood to become thick and sticky with oxygen-carrying red blood cells, which can increase the risk of heart failure. A study has found that highland inhabitants of the Tibetan plateau (pictured) possess a unique genetic variant that enables them to survive in the oxygen-thin air. The researchers believe that this EGLN1 gene, which entered the Tibetan population 8,000 years ago, serves to protect highland Tibetans against an over-eager response to low oxygen levels. Because oxygen plays a central role in disease, a deep understanding of how high altitude adaptations work may lead to novel treatments for various diseases, including cancer.

Written by Nick Kennedy

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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