Most science stories detail journal articles or announcements by scientists, but every once in a while, a journalist finds a story about a new problem, question or crisis that draws on science for answers and help.
A cover story running this month in Science, Mesoamerica’s Mystery Killer, tells just such a tale. (It’s behind a paywall). The author, Jon Cohen, explains how local doctors began to see a worrisome pattern – young, vigorous agricultural workers were developing chronic kidney disease. Many were dying, unable to afford transplants or dialysis. The disease seemed to concentrate in certain coastal regions, and was particularly common among men who cut sugar cane.
At first, a young doctor in El Salvador started to work on the puzzle. Now he’s been joined by others around Central America and the United States. A group in Massachusetts got involved after the wife of a Boston University epidemiologist learned of the problem while working for a sister city project in Nicaragua.
The story details the way different scientists are floating and testing hypotheses – pesticide exposure, heavy metals, pathogens, or a combination of dehydration and heat stress exacerbated by drinking fructose-containing sodas to quench extreme thirst.
So far, there’s no definitive answer but there’s been an increased effort to find one. The story is not just gripping, it’s important. Perhaps it will draw more attention to a serious problem and nudge others to contribute expertise or ideas.
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