There is a continuing off-shoot where we are all trying to make sense of
this conundrum.  It really looks like there is more unknown than known
about these stones and what looks forthright one day can be replaced by
something which looks like it disposes it the next day, only to find out
that either may be right in further study... It's a real mystery.
 
Anyway, the discussions are at:
 
http://www.smartgroups.com/message/readmessage.cfm?
gid=1423922&messageid=9504&startid=9507
 
and now also
 
http://www.smartgroups.com/message/readmessage.cfm?
gid=1423922&messageid=9520&startid=9527
 
If they only put up one post select to read the discussions by clicking
on that part.
 
so knock yourselves out.  We're all learning and it looks like the
primary causative factors for this type of stone are unknowns (unless
found within the last two years in which case I'd love to hear about
those journal articles, please, if anyone finds them) though a
predisposing factor (the genetic variations which affect either cystine
or the COLA combo of amino acids) is known.
 
Thanks for all the info!  It has been useful not only to know but
also helping with my further searching so all the replies -- every one
of them so far -- has helped a lot!  (Granted some caused bouts of
frustration -- as I'm sure you could tell -- when the picture got
further muddled, but now at least I know WHY it was muddled so that is
progress.  It's muddled because of how much just isn't known at this
point.)  Again, thank you so much for the info, help and leads!
[Posted in FML issue 4570]