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The Conversation

You might know if you have A, B, AB or O blood type. Or there’s a small chance your blood might be in one of the dozens of other rarer groups recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion. It can be lifesaving for medical staff to know your blood group and be able to find a matching donor. But this has proved impossible for one woman in Guadeloupe.

Scientists have had to use cutting-edge genetic analysis to solve the mystery of her incompatible blood, which has resulted in the identification of the world’s 48th (and rarest) human blood group. And thankfully genetic advances also point to a potential solution: artificially creating compatible red blood cells in a lab.

Followers of the Dalai Lama, who turned 90 this week, fear that China may try to interfere with the selection of his successor. While China has been keen to establish greater control over Tibet for decades, it seems climate change is increasing its interest in the region – and hence in the reincarnation of its spiritual leader.

And a new review suggests antidepressants do not cause significant withdrawal effects. We hear from two scientstists whose work has found the opposite on why they’re sceptical of the new findings.

Clint Witchalls

Senior Health Editor

Peter Porrini/Shutterstock.com

Gwada-negative: the rarest blood group on Earth

Martin L. Olsson, Lund University; Jill Storry, Lund University

Scientists find 48th blood group in woman with no compatible donors.

Who is going to replace the Dalai Lama? China’s bid to control the succession is controversial. AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia/Alamy

China’s interest in the next Dalai Lama is also about control of Tibet’s water supply

Tom Harper, University of East London

Access to water is one reason why China sees control over Tibet as increasingly important.

marevgenna/Shutterstock.com

Antidepressant withdrawal: new review downplays symptoms but misses the mark for long-term use

Mark Horowitz, UCL; Joanna Moncrieff, UCL

Short-term data fails to reveal long-term risks of antidepressant withdrawal.

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