Death disruptor: how an Australian funnel-web spider may help human hearts
by Donna Lu from Science | The Guardian on (#5M88S)
University of Queensland researchers are investigating if protein in venom of Fraser Island spider can stop cardiac cells dying
A protein in the venom of a deadly Australian funnel-web spider may be able to reduce cardiac damage from heart attacks and extend the life of donor hearts used in transplants, according to new research.
Venom from the Fraser Island funnel-web, named for the south-east Queensland island where it is found, contains a protein known as Hi1a.
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