Placenta News and Research

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Scientists discover evidence linking brain function variations to birth size, weight of placenta

Scientists have discovered the first evidence linking brain function variations between the left and right sides of the brain to size at birth and the weight of the placenta. The finding could shed new light on the causes of mental health problems in later life.

18 Feb 2011

Metallic copper surfaces kill bacteria on contact

Metallic copper surfaces kill microbes on contact, decimating their populations, according to a paper in the February 2011 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. They do so literally in minutes, by causing massive membrane damage after about a minute's exposure, says the study's corresponding author, Gregor Grass of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. This is the first study to demonstrate this mechanism of bacteriocide.

17 Feb 2011

New research finds differences in cell fate commitment during embryonic development in mammals

New research shows that all not mammals are created equal. In fact, this work shows that the animals most commonly used by scientists to study mammalian genetics -- mice -- develop unusually quickly and may not always be representative of embryonic development in other mammals.

15 Feb 2011

Researchers find placentas of preeclampsic women have abundance of genes linked with immune system regulation

Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered that the placentas of women who suffer preeclampsia during pregnancy have an overabundance of a gene associated with the regulation of the body's immune system. Their discovery may lead to improved screening and prenatal care for these patients and their babies.

14 Feb 2011

Babies born to HIV-infected mothers have lower antibody levels against bacterial infections

Babies whose mothers have HIV, but who are not HIV-infected themselves, are born with lower levels of specific proteins in their blood called antibodies, which fight infection, compared with babies not exposed to HIV, a new study has found.

9 Feb 2011

Cord Blood America signs second Supply Agreement with premier cell and tissue bank

Cord Blood America, Inc., the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells to families nationwide and internationally, announced today that it has signed a Supply Agreement with a premier national and international cell and tissue bank to provide placenta, umbilical cord blood and whole umbilical cord collection services for research purposes.

4 Feb 2011

Study suggests human amniotic cells 'cross talk' with melatonin receptor MT1

Human amniotic epithelial cells, stem cells derived from human placenta left over from live births and generally discarded, proliferated and differentiated when they interacted with one kind of melatonin receptor, MT1. This potentially therapeutic response occurred when the stem cells were transplanted into laboratory test tube and animal models of stroke. The same cells did not perform similarly when interacting with melatonin receptor MT2.

2 Feb 2011

Placental colonization by bacteria could lead to preterm birth and other developmental problems

The type of bacteria that colonize the placenta during pregnancy could be associated with preterm birth and other developmental problems in newborns according to research published in the current issue of the online journal mBio-.

28 Jan 2011

Gestational diabetes raises risk of diabetes and weight problems in babies: Study

The latest Australian research suggests that women who have diabetes during pregnancy – also known as gestational diabetes, are more likely to have children who will battle diabetes and weight problems through their lives. The research is published in the journal Diabetologia, now online.

27 Jan 2011

Researchers find food-borne bacteria can cause difficult-to-treat heart infections

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have found that particular strains of a food-borne bacteria are able to invade the heart, leading to serious and difficult-to-treat heart infections.

27 Jan 2011

Pluristem completes parallel scientific advisory process with EMA and FDA for PLX-PAD clinical development

Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the successful completion of a parallel scientific advisory process with the European Medical Agencies (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the Company's planned clinical development program for PLX-PAD.

19 Jan 2011

Eating less during early pregnancy impairs fetal brain development: Study

Eating less during early pregnancy impaired fetal brain development in a nonhuman primate model, researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio reported today.

18 Jan 2011

Banned chemicals found in pregnant women

The bodies of virtually all U.S. pregnant women carry multiple chemicals, including some banned since the 1970s and others used in common products such as non-stick cookware, processed foods and personal care products, according to a new study from UCSF. The study marks the first time that the number of chemicals to which pregnant women are exposed has been counted.

14 Jan 2011

New Down syndrome non-invasive test for ‘mums-to-be’ on the horizon

According to experts a simple DNA test for Down syndrome could save nearly all pregnant women from invasive tests like amniocentesis. Usually 3% to 5% of pregnant women in the UK or some 30,000 women have to undergo invasive tests like amniocentesis that increases the risk of miscarriage to 1%. The new DNA blood test could bring this down to 0.1%, according to a study in the British Medical Journal.

12 Jan 2011

HRG protein inhibits tumor growth and metastasis: Study

Most cancer tissues are invaded by inflammatory cells that either stimulate or inhibit the growth of the tumor, depending on what immune cells are involved. Now a Swedish-Belgian research team has shown that a protein that naturally occurs in the body, HRG, inhibits tumor growth and metastasis into secondary organs by activating specific immune cells.

7 Jan 2011

MiMedx to acquire Surgical Biologics

MiMedx Group, Inc., an integrated developer, manufacturer and marketer of patent protected biomaterial-based products, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Surgical Biologics, a leader in the development of tissue processing techniques for creating implants for a variety of surgical indications from amnion membranes.

22 Dec 2010

Mercury Policy Project welcomes WHO's support for 'phasing down' amalgam

While an FDA panel re-examines risks of amalgam over the next two days, the World Health Department is expected to release a key report soon recommending that amalgam use be "phased down" globally, consistent with its earlier recommendations.

14 Dec 2010

Bioheart group to advance BRIDGE TO RECOVERY clinical trial

Bioheart, Inc. announced today that at the American Heart Association Annual Meeting, it finalized the formation of a working group. The group's focus is to advance a BRIDGE TO RECOVERY clinical trial, combining a left ventricle assist device (LVAD) and Bioheart's MyoCell adult muscle stem cell composition and Bioheart's MyoCath needle tipped catheter delivery system.

9 Dec 2010

New research indicates that older women can deliver healthy babies

Career women who put babies on hold until after 40, or even 45, will be reassured by new research from Tel Aviv University. Even though there are associated risks for babies when postponing child-bearing, the neonates can overcome them, says Prof. Yariv Yogev of Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine and the Hospital for Women at Rabin Medical Center.

8 Dec 2010

Protein DEDD required for uterine decidualization during early pregnancy: Study

The mammalian embryo relies on physical connections to its mother to survive. After implantation into the wall of the uterus and before the placenta is established, a structure known as the decidua forms and is key to supporting embryonic development.

7 Dec 2010