Stem Cells News and Research

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Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.

Cognizant Communication launches 'Cell Medicine' open access journal

A new and unique journal on cell transplantation aimed at helping translate laboratory findings into clinical applications is being launched by Cognizant Communication Corporation as a companion journal to Cell Transplantation. Cell Medicine, an online-only, open access journal, publishes research papers that promise to have direct clinical relevance. The journal is freely accessible at: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/cm.

30 Aug 2010

ThermoGenesis sells two BioArchive Systems to HealthBanks Biotech

ThermoGenesis Corp., a leading supplier of innovative products and services that process and store adult stem cells, said today it has sold two BioArchive® Systems to HealthBanks Biotech Company, Ltd..

30 Aug 2010

Perfadex improves survival in lung tranplant patients: Study

A recently published study in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation shows that the patients who are most seriously ill before lung tranplantation have better one-year survival when Perfadex is used as the preservation solution for donor lungs compared with UW solution. Furthermore, the patients who received lungs preserved in Perfadex ran a significantly lower risk of being affected by rejection reactions requiring treatment.

30 Aug 2010

Study finds bone marrow stem cell therapy improves efficacy in chronic heart failure

Bone marrow stem cell therapy improves ventricular performance, quality of life and survival in patients with chronic heart failure, according to results from the STAR-heart study.

30 Aug 2010

Cell-to-cell signaling pathway that designates future location of ear's sensory organs tracked

Researchers have tracked a cell-to-cell signaling pathway that designates the future location of the ear's sensory organs in embryonic mice. The scientists succeeded in activating this signal more widely across the embryonic tissue that becomes the inner ear. Patches of sensory structures began growing in spots where they don't normally appear.

30 Aug 2010

Researchers recommend action to reverse federal court decision on embryonic stem cell research ban

Against a backdrop of some of the world's most sophisticated biological research labs, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) this morning issued a challenge to his colleagues in Congress immediately upon their return from summer recess, he urged, they should pass legislation that would reverse a recent Federal court decision that has brought embryonic stem cell research in the U.S. to a screeching halt.

30 Aug 2010

Cord Blood America announces Quality Service Guarantee for stem cell engraft

Cord Blood America, Inc., the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells, a biological insurance policy, to families nationwide and internationally, today announced a $50,000 Quality Service Guarantee.

27 Aug 2010

Increase in regeneration of nerve cells can alleviate or prevent memory loss

Production of new nerve cells in the human brain is linked to learning and memory, according to a new study from the University of Florida. The research is the first to show such a link in humans. The findings, published online and in an upcoming print issue of the journal Brain, provide clues about processes involved in age- and health-related memory loss and reveal potential cellular targets for drug therapy.

27 Aug 2010

ISCO's therapeutic program not affected by stem cell research federal fund ban

International Stem Cell Corporation announced today that the recent action of a federal district judge blocking federal funding of embryonic stem cell research is not expected to have negative effects on ISCO's therapeutic programs using its human parthenogenetic stem cells.

27 Aug 2010

ThermoGenesis files Certificate of Amendment for reverse stock split

ThermoGenesis Corp.,a leading supplier of innovative products and services that process and store adult stem cells, said it has filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Amended and Restated Certification of Incorporation to effect its previously announced one-for-four reverse stock split of its common stock.

27 Aug 2010

Bioheart reports promising result for congestive heart failure treatment with stem cell therapy

Bioheart, Inc., announces that the treatments and 3 month follow up with stem cell therapy on the first two congestive heart failure patients has been performed successfully at Hospital Angeles Tijuana through its Center of Excellence, Regenerative Medicine Institute of Tijuana, Mexico.

27 Aug 2010

NICE suggests bortezomib, thalidomide for multiple myeloma patients

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has released draft guidance which recommends the drugs bortezomib and thalidomide as first-line therapies for some patients with multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that affects cells in the bone marrow.

27 Aug 2010

Researchers show biosynthetic cornea can stimulate regeneration in damaged eye tissue

A new study from researchers in Canada and Sweden has shown that biosynthetic corneas can help regenerate and repair damaged eye tissue and improve vision in humans.

26 Aug 2010

NIH suspends funding new embryonic stem cell research following court order

"The National Institutes of Health announced Tuesday that it has suspended funding new human embryonic stem cell research and that all federally funded experiments already underway will be cut off when they come up for renewal if a new court order is not overturned. The announcement -- which confirmed fears among proponents that the ruling would result in a comprehensive freeze in federal support for stem cell research -- came in response to a court order Monday barring the government from funding the research because it involves the destruction of embryos.

26 Aug 2010

Neuralstem files IND with FDA for spinal cord stem cell Phase I clinical trial for chronic spinal cord injury

Neuralstem, Inc. announced that it has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase I safety clinical trial for chronic spinal cord injury with its spinal cord stem cells. This multicenter Phase I safety trial will enroll a total of 16 long-term, or chronic, spinal cord injury patients, with an American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Grade A level of impairment, one-to-two years post-injury.

26 Aug 2010

Developing specific liver cell lines from stem cells holds promise for new liver disease treatment: Researchers

By creating diseased liver cells from a small sample of human skin, scientists have for the first time shown that stem cells can be used to model a diverse range of inherited disorders. The University of Cambridge researchers' findings, which will hopefully lead to new treatments for those suffering from liver diseases, were published today in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

26 Aug 2010

3D MRI enhances visualization, displays fetal anatomy and diagnosing problems

Three-dimensional MRI is an emerging and useful technique for displaying fetal anatomy and diagnosing problems in the womb in a wide spectrum of clinical applications, according to Jeffrey C. Hellinger, M.D., a pediatric imaging specialist at Stony Brook University Medical Center.

26 Aug 2010

Researchers prove iPS cells can help to treat liver diseases

Great excitement greeted the discovery a few years ago that certain cells from mice and humans could be reprogrammed to become inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), as they hold promise for cell replacement therapy and modeling human disease.

26 Aug 2010

ACT comments on federal fund blocking for embryonic stem cell research

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. commented today on yesterday's federal court ruling, temporarily blocking federal funding for embryonic stem cell research involving the destruction of embryos.

26 Aug 2010

Today's Opinions: Applying comparative effectiveness research to a range of health indicators; Australia's model health care system; What about blocked stem cell research?

Significant comparative effectiveness research (CER) efforts should be dedicated to understanding the effectiveness of investments across broad determinants of health instead of focusing primarily within the health care domain alone (David Kindig and John Mullahy, 8/25).

26 Aug 2010