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LetDuncanDie t1_iyde83e wrote

But how do the ants get into the kidneys in the first place?

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wzl46 t1_iydhb9l wrote

Move to central North Carolina and accidentally step in a fresh fire ant hill that formed last night. The ants will happily get as much formic acid into your body as possible.

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Lexx4 t1_iydly3y wrote

> fire ant

I am 100% aware you are joking but I love to flex my knowledge about ants so:

Fire ants inject a toxic alkaloid venom called solenopsin, a compound from the class of piperidines.

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atridir t1_iydy0aa wrote

It is some species of wood ants that spray formic acid as a defense mechanism against predators.

I just found out that it is also found in the trichomes of the stinging nettle plant too. Explains a lot.

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Lexx4 t1_iyem2n7 wrote

Formica sp. kind of on the nose with that one.

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WillOfTheSon t1_iyd77e5 wrote

Makes sense considering there has been research for a bit that methanol metabolites can be associated with Alzheimer's pathology, one of its final toxic metabolites is Formic Acid. Thats why we find that folic acid can help Alzheimer's pathology.

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booglnoodl t1_iye0ulk wrote

Better go live your best life because alzheimers is coming for you.

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supified t1_iyf3y16 wrote

Arn't some kidney stones made of formic? Does that mean people who get those types of stones have some association with AD?

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mostly_kittens t1_iyf51g2 wrote

What is this? A bio marker for ants?

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