It had been thought previously that stem cells are directly influenced by cells in the local environment or 'niche', but the situation may be more complex. An article published in Nature this week reports on a new understanding of the growth of human stem cells. Human embryonic stem cells are perpetual machines that generate fuel for life.

Several hospitals engaged in unauthorised use of stem cells for treating fatal diseases. Several hospitals engaged in unauthorised use of stem cells for treating fatal diseases - Hospitals & Clinics. Monday, July 16, 2007 08:00 IST Nandita Vijay, Bangalore Several small hospitals, nursing homes and one-man clinics in the country are found to be engaged in drawing stem cells from peripheral blood of patients and using them for treating certain fatal diseases.

It had been thought previously that stem cells are directly influenced by cells in the local environment or niche, but the situation may be more complex. In this week's Nature, researchers of the McMaster Cancer and Stem Cell Research Institute show that human embryonic stem (ES) cells can actually produce distinctive niche cells, which then release stem-cell nourishing proteins to help keep their parents ticking over. An article published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature this...

While the world debates the issues of embryonic stem cell research, adult stem cell science and research are already providing dozens of cures. Doctors and researchers are at the point in their research where they know--and can prove--that stem cell transplants cure diseases and save lives. The science is so exacting that doctors could tell Ruth and David they were able to harvest 2.5 million healthy stem cells which will be transfused into David's system. Louis have harvested life-giving...

Stem-cell controversies follow the lines of the abortion debate: When does life start, and is it acceptable to "harvest" stem cells -- the most pliable and potent human cells -- from fetuses? Such research could lead to cures for disabilities like diabetes and Parkinson's disease; it could also give scientists a way to grow fresh, cloned organs for patients who need, say, a new kidney or heart. AP This photo shows a single cell being removed from a human embryo in a method billed in 2006...

The intent is to create a central repository of genetic data from embryonic stem cells to be accessible to researchers around the world. In the same way, they further depersonalize life in its beginning form by claiming it is merely a compilation of embryonic stem cells; its only value being for research purposes. Recent adult stem cell research has yielded results as promising as those of embryonic stem cell research. The announcement has not raised a firestorm of controversy, but we...

With some exceptions, the bulk of the biotech work being done in the Baltics is in the so-called red biotechnology, area, related to medicine and pharmaceuticals. And this would be the focus, not to just be biotechnology as such, but biotechnology integrated with other areas. The short story behind this development goes back to the 1960s and 70s, when the Soviet government decided to invest in new technologies, including genetic science. They are looking into a state biotechnology program,...

New research published in the journal Nature (19 July) has proved the single origin of humans theory by combining studies of global genetic variations in humans with skull measurements across the world. Competing theories on the origins of anatomically modern humans claim that either humans originated from a single point in Africa and migrated across the world, or different populations independently evolved from homo erectus to home sapiens in different areas. Competing theories on the...

Groansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Researchers said Germany has some of the West's strictest embryonic stem cell laws In a move welcomed by German researchers, the National Ethics Council on Monday recommended easing legal restrictions intended to limit German scientists' ability to conduct stem cell research. Groansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Researchers said Germany has some of the West's strictest embryonic stem cell laws In a move welcomed by German...