Are you prone to kidney stone? Gene mutation may be culprit

A gene mutation may be to blame

April 18, 2012 at 8:30PM

Why are some people more prone to painful kidney stones than others?

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that a common genetic variation in the gene claudin-14 may be part of the problem.

The report -- published by EMBO Journal, published by the European Molecular Biology Organization -- could help scientists better understand the root causes behind kidney stones, which affect about 1 million Americans each year.

about the writer

about the writer

Courtnay Peifer

Nation/World Editor

Courtnay Peifer is a national editor with a focus on managing the copy desk, national/world wire stories, Science + Health Sunday section, copy editing enterprise and projects for print and digital platforms. 

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