Three cheers for science! Woo, scientists and stem cells! Two-year-old Hannah Warren was born in South Korea without a windpipe. Facing immense health issues, she wasn't expected to live much longer because of her condition. But thanks to the miracle of science and group of badass surgeons and pediatricians, Hannah…
Scientists in Japan have produced a litter of healthy baby mice from eggs created entirely in a laboratory. The same team reportedly fabricated mouse sperm a year ago, but they say that that was no big. It's the fragile, fickle lady eggs that are the real challenge. And now they've done it! From scratch! Woooooooo!
Europe's highest court ruled today that it's not legal for companies to patent any sort of research method that requires the destruction of human embryos. Christian groups are super psyched about this because God says cellbabies are exactly the same as grown up humans with faces and feelings. Scientists are upset…
In a step forward in stem cell research, scientists have created the cells by combining a human egg with skin-cell DNA. However, this doesn't eliminate the need for more controversial embryonic stem cell research.
Japanese scientists say they've taken a "hugely exciting" step forward in the treatment of male infertility. After implanting sperm cells made from embryonic stem cells into infertile mice, the animals were able to father healthy offspring. The researchers hope to someday create sperm from the skin cells of infertile…
Would you trade hip, butt or belly fat for somewhat larger breasts—if safe and "natural" feeling? The discovery of stem cells in fat tissue could make this more than hypothetical, and implications go beyond the beauty myth.
In February, at a panel about "embarrassing" products and women, someone mentioned that menstrual blood is rich with stem cells. Comedian Sarah Haskins quipped, "one day we'll all be living on period farms." Good news: That day is almost here.
Doctors are hopeful that new stem cell technology will allow women to regrow breasts within the next three years. The technique - which involves injecting fat tissue into a biodegradable chamber - has already proved successful in pigs. [Telegraph]
Scientists say they've created the first human sperm from stem cells, but, as several news outlets hasten to reassure us, that doesn't mean we'll soon be "producing human life in a dish."
In a repeal of Bush-era limitations, federal funding can now be used on any existing embryonic stem cell line, as long as the initial embryo was created for IVF and freely given by a well-informed donor. [Washington Post]
• Richard Nixon apparently thought interracial pregnancy was grounds for abortion. On a newly released tape, he reportedly says, "There are times when an abortion is necessary. I know that. When you have a black and a white." •
What do you do with 2,000 abandoned embryos? Dr. Robert Anderson's answer to this question highlights how the simple combination of sperm and egg has become complicated in the age of reproductive technology.
University of São Paulo scientists used stem cells harvested from fallopian tubes discarded after hysterectomies or sterilizations to create a variety of other tissue lines. They hope someday to be able to create fallopian tubes to potentially treat infertility. [BBC]
Scientists have found evidence that adult women have stem cells in their ovaries that let them generate more eggs, challenging the long-standing belief that women are born with a fixed number of ova.
• Yesterday, thousands gathered to celebrate the Steel Phallus festival in Kawasaki, Japan. The fertility festival traditionally falls on the first Sunday in April, and centers around a penis-venerating shrine. Sounds fun! •
• This poor otter was near death when Camilla Ravenshear found him wandering alone on the road. He is now feeling much better, and is now taking comfort in his new teddy bear friend. •
• Scientists have found stem cells in menstrual blood. • And a new company, C'elle, is already offering women period blood storage starting at just $99/year! • Joan Benoit Samuelson, "the matriarch of marathons," is running Olympic trials in Boston for fun. • Amy Poehler eats Honey Nut Cheerios because of The Wire• An…
