Maryland
What makes urine yellow? Maryland scientists make breakthrough discovery with health implications
BALTIMORE — Have you ever wondered why urine is yellow? Turns out mankind hasn’t known exactly why until recently, thanks to researchers in Maryland.
A team of scientists at the University of Maryland and the National Institute of Health solved the mystery, according to a study published last week in the journal Nature Microbiology.
The discovery is huge in the scientific community, researchers say, because their findings will also help them uncover other medical mysteries linked to illnesses.
Although UMD has it figured out, we hit the streets of Baltimore to hear your scientific theories.
“I feel like it depends on the amount of water, because the more water we drink it could turn out lighter,” one passerby told WJZ’s Nicky Zizaza.
“I believe the pee is yellow because it means you are dehydrated,” another said. “Mine is not yellow, its white, because I drink a lot of water.”
Brantley Hall, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor at UMD, says they have identified the enzyme bilirubin for giving urine its yellow hue. It’s linked to red blood cells setting off a biological process that has, until now, eluded the scientific community.
“If you have ever wondered why your urine is yellow, think of your microbes in your gut,” Hall said. “We’re definitely standing on the shoulders of giants. If some of these older scientists had the technology we had today, they probably would’ve found it.”
Hall says the discovery will make way for medical breakthroughs like inflammatory bowel disease and jaundice
“One of the major findings of our studies is that this gene was often absent in newborn babies,” he said.
Hall says the next step is human studies, specifically for premature infants with high jaundice rates.
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COLUMBIA, Md. (WBFF) — An adult man was killed in a police-involved shooting in Columbia early Sunday, prompting an investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division.
Howard County police said officers were called on March 1, at about 12:09 a.m., to an apartment building in the 6400 block of Freetown Road for a report that involved an adult male threatening to harm himself.
According to police, at about 12:22 a.m., officers encountered the man outside the building. The man approached officers while holding a knife and ignored commands to drop the weapon, police said. Officers then shot the man.
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Officers attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officersrecovered a knife near the man.
No officers were injured, and the officers were equipped with body-worn cameras.
The Independent Investigations Division is investigating.
Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576–7070 or by email atIID@oag.maryland.gov.
The IID willgenerally releasethe name of the decedent and any involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary,pursuant toIID protocol.
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TheIID willgenerally releasebody-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.
Aircraft located in wooded area
HOLLYWOOD, Md. – First responders, including Maryland State Police from the Leonardtown Barrack, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and EMS, responded to the area.
Maryland State Police Aviation Command assisted in the search and ultimately located the aircraft in a wooded area.
Preliminary investigation indicates a small ultralight aircraft crashed for reasons that remain under investigation.
Pilot pronounced dead
Authorities said the operator was the sole occupant of the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The identity of the pilot has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Officials said no photos of the crash scene will be released.
Investigation ongoing
The Maryland Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified.
The investigation remains active.
The Source: This article was written using information provided by local emergency officials.
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