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Scientists discover what prevents elephants from cancer

An elephants at the Amboseli National Park sprinkles itself with water in a swamp. PHOTO: PIUS CHERUIYOT/STANDARD

MIAMI: Despite their big size, elephants rarely get cancer, and scientists said Thursday they have discovered the secret to the creatures' special protection. It's in the genes.

Elephants have 38 additional modified copies of a gene that encodes p53, a compound that suppresses tumor formation.

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