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.

Embryonic stem cells provide new tool for studying disease and identifying ALS drugs

Results of two studies funded by Project A.L.S. and appearing in the advance online publication of Nature Neuroscience demonstrate that embryonic stem cells may provide a new tool for studying disease mechanisms and for identifying drugs to slow ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

17 Apr 2007

Astrocytes may contribute to Lou Gehrig's disease

Two papers by Columbia and Harvard researchers report for the first time that astrocytes (the most abundant non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system), which carry a mutated gene known to cause some cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease), induce motor neuron death.

16 Apr 2007

Leukemic cells find safe haven in bone marrow

The cancer drug asparaginase fails to help cure some children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) because molecules released by certain cells in the bone marrow counteract the effect of that drug, according to St. Jude investigators.

16 Apr 2007

Stranger than science fiction?...Human sperm created from bone marrow

A team of scientists have created primitive human sperm in the laboratory by using bone-marrow tissue from male volunteers.

16 Apr 2007

Human bone marrow has been used to create early-stage sperm cells

For the experiment, Prof Nayernia and his team took bone marrow from male volunteers and isolated the mesenchymal stem cells. These cells have previously been found to grow into other body tissues such as muscle.

15 Apr 2007

Scientists discover key player in embryonic muscle development

Muscle fibers are large cells that contain many nuclei. They begin, like all animal cells, as naive embryonic cells. These cells differentiate, producing intermediate cells called myoblasts that are now destined to become muscle.

12 Apr 2007

Embryonic stem cell bill is dead

Today the United States Senate voted to pass S. 5, the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act." Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council, issued the following statement:

12 Apr 2007

Scientists gain insights into liver regeneration

The way the liver renews itself may be simpler than what scientists had been assuming.

12 Apr 2007

American Diabetes Association lauds Senate for passage of Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

The American Diabetes Association today issued the following statement in response to the passage by the Senate of the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act" (S.5), which will accelerate stem cell research by easing existing funding restrictions and supporting research that uses embryonic stem cells, while maintaining strict ethical guidelines.

12 Apr 2007

Stem cell transplantation beneficial treatment for type 1 diabetes

A therapy that includes stem cell transplantation induced extended insulin independence in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, according to a preliminary study in the April 11 issue of JAMA.

11 Apr 2007

Rep. Dave Weldon comments on stem therapy and type I diabetes

In yet another advance in adult stem cell therapy, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) today released a study in which 14 of 15 Juvenile Diabetes patients demonstrated significant improvement as a result of an adult stem cell treatment.

11 Apr 2007

CAMR calls on U.S. Senate to pass stem cell research act

At an event on Capitol Hill today with Senators Specter (R-PA), Harkin (D-IA), Hatch (R-UT), Kennedy (D-MA) and Feinstein (D-CA), the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) called on the U.S. Senate to pass the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

11 Apr 2007

Precise and low-cost submicron fabrication technique for manufacturing human spare parts

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tampere University of Technology and Nanofoot Finland Oy have developed a direct-write three-dimensional forming method of biomaterials.

11 Apr 2007

Stem cells re-set the immune systems of diabetes patients

Researchers in Brazil and the U.S. have conducted an experiment which shows that stem cells can "re-set" the immune systems of diabetes patients.

10 Apr 2007

Female stem cells work better

Female stem cells derived from muscle have a greater ability to regenerate skeletal muscle tissue than male cells, according to a study at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

10 Apr 2007

New insights into renal cell cancer

A new mouse model is providing valuable insight into the biochemical pathways that are associated with development of renal cysts and renal cell cancer.

10 Apr 2007

One donor cornea may be divided and transplanted into multiple patients with eye disease

Recent developments have allowed ophthalmologic surgeons to move from transplanting the entire cornea in every patient to more focused operations that involve removing and replacing only the diseased or damaged portion of the cornea.

10 Apr 2007

Stem cells offer new ways of treating hearing loss

Have you ever walked by someone listening to their i-Pod loud enough for you recognize the song? Studies have shown noise-induced hearing loss is going to become the next big epidemic affecting our younger generation though the effects won't show until it is too late to treat.

7 Apr 2007

Framing science - scientists should adopt new communication techniques

Seed Washington Correspondent Chris Mooney and American University professor and ScienceBlogs contributor Dr. Matthew Nisbet are co-authors of a provocative new article in Science entitled, Framing Science.

7 Apr 2007

Lower doses of dexamethasone for multiple myeloma recommended

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) - supporting research and providing education, advocacy and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers and physicians - today said physicians should consider lowering the dose of the steroid dexamethasone when treating patients with multiple myeloma.

5 Apr 2007