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| In what can be termed as the first example of global warmimg affecting human beings directly, a study has revealed that the phenomenon is likely to increase proportion of population affected by kidney stones by expanding the higher-risk region to neighboring states in the US. |
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| The researchers predict that by 2050, higher temperatures will cause an additional 1.6 million to 2.2 million kidney-stone cases, representing up to a 30 per cent growth in some areas. |
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| "This study is one of the first examples of global warming causing a direct medical consequence for humans," Margaret Pearle of the University of Texas, who is senior author of the paper said. |
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| "There is a known geographic variation in stone disease that has been attributed to regional differences in temperature," Pearle said adding "when people relocate from areas of moderate temperature to areas with warmer climates, a rapid increase in stone risk has been observed." |
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| Kidney-stones are more common in warmer parts of the US, with Southeast region of the country being known as the "kidney-stone belt" because of high incidence of kidney stones in the population living in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. |
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| "We very well could see this impact cities to the northeast around New York, Virginia and Washington," lead author of the study, Tom Brikowski said. |
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| "Maybe it will get the political leaders over there thinking about climate change a little more," he added. |
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