A national helium shortage has become a rising concern for some Coulee Region retailers. But the shortage is doing more than deflating parties. Manufacturers use the gas as a cooling source. Liquid helium chills superconducting magnets like those used in MRI scanners at hospitals…Gundersen Lutheran Health System hasn’t been affected by the shortage yet because of pre-existing service contracts for its MRI machines, Gundersen spokesman Chris Stauffer said. Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse didn’t respond to requests for comment.

LaCrosse Tribune by Patrick Anderson

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