RegenerVate

A University of California San Diego study has used lab-grown neural stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries in rats for the first time ever. Created from embryonic human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in vitro, the researchers say their revolutionary method provided long-lasting and extensive spinal cord injury recovery in the rats. "Our observations show that these spinal cord NSCs differentiate into a diverse population of spinal cord neurons occupying multiple positions along the dorso-ventral axis, and can be maintained for prolonged time periods," the researchers wrote in Nature Methods. "Grafts into injured spinal cords were rich with excitatory neurons, extended large numbers of axons over long distances, innervated their target structures, and enabled robust corticospinal regeneration." HOW SPINAL CORD INJURIES WORK To understand why this study is important, you need to understand how spinal [...]

Stem cell research is one of the fastest growing fields of medical science, however, it's still held back by a number of ungrounded myths about stem cells. Most stem cell research controversy stems from these false stem cell myths. Don't be taken in by reactionary media personalities, here are the real facts behind stem cell myths. STEM CELL MYTH 1: STEM CELLS ONLY COME FROM EMBRYOS One of the most nefarious myths about stem cell research, the stem cell research controversy over embryonic stem cells in the mid-2000s caused untold harm to the movement for stem cells across the world. The truth is embryonic stem cells are just one type of stem cells. There are many different types of stem cells and ways to harvest them ranging from blood withdrawals, to bone marrow, to [...]

Since 2006, the cornerstone of many stem cell studies have been induced pluripotent stem cells, or IPSCs. Pluripotent stem cells are essentially immature cells that can differentiate into many different types of cells. Pluripotent stem cells are key to regenerating organs and tissues, however their use was decked in controversy for many years because the main source of them was embryonic stem cells, creating ethical issues lampooned in popular culture like South Park. However, in 2006, Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka changed the game with a method that reprogrammed mature cells into a pluripotent form using four growth factors. Yamanaka earned the Nobel Prize for this advancement in 2012, however there have been lingering questions about the transition process and why only 1 out of 1000 cells that are treated successfully convert into an IPSC. But [...]

In 2011, Indiana Colts quarterback Peyton Manning had to sit out the whole season due to a serious neck injury that required two major surgeries to treat. While the Colts released Manning during his recovery, he made his return to the field in 2012 with the Denver Broncos with a stunning comeback season that saw him make 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, earning him the title of NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He would go on to play three more seasons with the Broncos, crowning his final season in 2015 with his second Super Bowl title at the ripe age of 39, making him the oldest starting quarterback in league history to do so. Later on, it was revealed that there was a secret to his post-injury success. In between his surgeries, Manning [...]

The diet industry makes billions of dollars a year feeding off people's insecurities with scientifically dubious medications and nutritional regimes. Even methods that are successful in causing weight loss are ultimately proven futile because the subject reverts back to old habits and regains the weight. However, a number of stem cell research studies in animals over the years have found that mesenchymal stem cells (or MSCs) have the capacity to fight obesity with regenerative medicine, because in a way, they're part of the problem. MSCs develop into adipocyte, which are the fat cells that make up the adipose tissue that stores energy in the form of fat. By looking into mesenchymal stem cells' role in adipocyte generation, many scientists believe non-invasive stem cell treatments and stem cell therapy to treat obesity could be developed. [...]