First embryonic stem cells created in the lab

With a new cloning technique, it is now possible to create embryonic stem cells (ES) in the lab from unfertilized eggs, instead of obtaining them from embryos. When the scientists artificially fertilized the eggs with the genetic material of an adult skin cell, a fibroblast, the resulting embryo was able to reach a stage that is called a blastocyst. In this stage, the embryo has an outer layer, and an inner layer of cells, that are true stem cells. In this early stage, none of the cells have differentiated into a specific cellular lineage, which means they can be used to make all kinds of tissues. This is the hallmark of stem cell research: being able to grow cells without limits to differentiation, to create tissues that we can use to repair damaged bodies.

Alzheimer's may be acquired through infection

An animal study shows that the cause of Alzheimer's may be related to an infectious process. Mice, that normally never develop the neurodegenerative disease, that were 'infected' with brain tissue from an Alzheimer's patient started developing the disease themselves, which spread throughout the brain. Because Alzheimer's is characterized by malicious folding of certain proteins that consequently accumulate in the brain, it could very well have the same underlying pathology as infectious prion diseases such as the mad cow disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob. The discovery could hint towards the origin of Alzheimer's, which as of now is still largely unknown.

Research on dark energy wins physics Nobel Prize

Three scientists that have been working on a mysterious force in the universe called dark energy have won the Nobel Prize in physics. Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt and Adam Riess have studied supernovae, which are basically exploding stars, to measure the expansion of the universe over time. While they anticipated to find that it would slow over time, they found that the expansion of the universe is actually accelerating. This stunning observation required the presence of a still largely unknown force, fittingly dubbed dark energy. It is thought that this mysterious energy causes an effect that opposes gravity. We know there has to be such a force, as the universe would otherwise crumble because of the gravity that is exerted by matter.

Cellular transformation may aid in creating tissues

Currently, stem cells are used to artificially create cells of interest, by guiding them towards a certain cellular fate. A molecule, which functions as a modulator of gene transcription, shows that it is possible to convert a cell directly from one type to another, without the need for stem cells. By showing that cells can be directly transformed into other cell types, a feat that was long thought to be only possible in stem cells, scientists have new options to create tissue that can be used for treatment.

Stem cell treatment found to restore spinal functions

Experiments with human stem cells that have been directed to differentiate into spinal cord tissue were found to be effective in restoring motor functions in mice. The cells transformed themselves into all the necessary cell types of the spinal cord, and mice receiving the treatment showed improved recovery after functional damage was induced. The next step would be testing the cells in humans, making it a promising treatment for patients that are permanently disabled because their spinal cord is damaged. Transforming stem cells is not new, but because the scientists have shown functional improved in damaged mice, their treatment is very promising.

Body's own molecules may repair autoimmunity

By discovering how our body handles protection of ingested food molecules from attacks of the immune system, scientists may very well have found a new way to treat various autoimmune diseases. The production of a molecule called αvß6 made immune cells tolerant towards food particles, while normally all foreign material is being attacked by the immune system. This endogenous system may be used as a foundation for new drugs that combat diseases in which the body is not tolerant towards its own cells and molecules: autoimmunity.

Drug will help you to prevent getting drunk

By shutting off a certain type of brain cell, scientists have shown that mice that were fed copious amounts of alcohol were not getting drunk at all. Glial cells, which have nothing to do with the neurons that wire your brain, play a role in the immune system, but are also affected by alcohol. By inhibiting the function of glial cells, the mice were apparently unable to get drunk. The rodents were shown to have much more control over their motoric functions and had better reflexes: two elements that also play a role in drunk humans. According to the researchers, they want to focus on developing a drug that prevents you from embarrassing yourself on a night out. An alternative would be, of course, to control yourself while drinking, something which does not require the intake of possibly hazardous drugs.