For the first time in the world scientists have succeeded in developing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) from a single cell, or blastomere, of a 4-cell stage embryo. This means it might be possible in the future to produce hESC lines at an earlier stage without destroying the embryo. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

University of Georgia researchers have developed a successful way to grow molecular wire brushes that conduct electrical charges, a first step in developing biological fuel cells that could power pacemakers, cochlear implants and prosthetic limbs. The journal Chemical Science calls the technique 'a significant breakthrough for nanotechnology.' picked by kakana 5 months ago

It’s the first documented demonstration that ordinary cells from an adult human can be used to make cloned embryos mature enough to produce stem cells. picked by MandolinOrange 2 years ago

British archaeologists have unearthed the secrets of what is thought to be the world’s first prisoner of war camp.

Experts, working with Channel 4’s Time Team programme, say the camp near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, housed 7,000 captured French soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. picked by AutumnLotus 4 months ago

Earlier we learned that The New York Times opened up their archives for free. A thread was started where we could post interesting finds. The people at Mental_Floss magazine are showcasing the first time various famous places/names/things/ etc were mentioned in the Times. From simpsons, through Starbucks, Silicon Valley and more! picked by 2manyusernames 2 years ago

Scientists have for the first time regrown retina cells in live mammals. The mouse study offers hope for similar success in human eye cells. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

It is the latest must-have gadget for the environmentally aware - and will come in rather handy for the more forgetful among us as well. Dubbed the "greenPod", this is the world's first wind-up music and video player. The brainchild of Trevor Baylis, the inventor of the clockwork radio, it can play music for an astonishing 20 hours before needing to be charged. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Primitive Streak is a work that elucidated the first 1,000 hours of human life in textiles and dress. 27 pieces take the viewer on a journey from fertilisation to the recognisable human form.

I saw this collection several years ago when it was exhibited at the World Trade Center. Fascinating! Inspired by gnikgnok's hairy dress post (go check that out!) picked by suebe 3 years ago

Retracing stem cell development leads to the ability to grow pancreatic-type cells in the culture dish, allowing for the possible production of human insulin picked by 2manyusernames 3 years ago

Amusing article, although the page is wayyy too busy. I'm pretty sure witty Plimates could add more to the list. picked by gnikgnok 3 years ago

A team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health has successfully grown multiple types of retina cells from two types of stem cells — suggesting a future in which damaged retinas could be repaired by cells grown from the patient's own skin. picked by AutumnLotus 3 months ago

If the same could be done with human skin cells -- a big if -- the procedure could lead to breakthrough medical treatments... picked by kxmk 2 years ago

Desperate couple tries to conceive by undergoing IVF. Clinic staff implant embryo into wrong woman. Mistake is realized. Woman is given RU-486. Embryo is aborted, opportunity is lost, everyone loses.

Surely this could have been handled better. Couldn't the other mother have carried the other mother's embryo for a chance at getting her own? picked by meggysue 5 months ago

The success in repairing a damaged layer of retinal cells in mice implies that blood stem cells taken from bone marrow can be programmed to restore a variety of cells and tissues, including ones involved in cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. picked by kakana 4 months ago

Stem cell researchers at UCLA were able to grow functioning cardiac cells using mouse skin cells that had been reprogrammed into cells with the same unlimited properties as embryonic stem cells. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

For the first time, astronomers have observed the initial phase in the formation of an earth-like planet. What astronomers observed was that a protoplanetary disk, or ring, around the binary star known as KH 15D, is composed of solid particles larger than what is usually observed in space. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

It's an exciting time for educators and students. Before the end of the next decade, NASA astronauts will return to the moon. This time, we're planning to stay, building outposts and paving the way for eventual journeys to Mars and beyond. Today's students will be tomorrow's explorers. How will space exploration benefit their lives in the future? That's the question this competition asks of... read full post picked by paddyjoe 3 years ago

Dr. Halabe Bucay suggests that a wide range of chemicals that our brain generates when we are in different moods could affect 'germ cells' (eggs and sperm), the cells that ultimately produce the next generation. Such natural chemicals could affect the way that specific genes are expressed in the germ cells, and hence how a child develops. picked by AutumnLotus 7 months ago

Globs of human fat removed during liposuction conceal versatile cells that are more quickly and easily coaxed to become induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, than are the skin cells most often used by researchers, according to a new study from Stanford's School of Medicine. picked by Bingo 3 months ago

British scientists are on course to become the first to create synthetic human blood from embryonic stem cells, it emerged today.

The ground-breaking project could provide an unlimited supply of blood for emergency transfusions free of the risk of infection.

Because stem cells multiply indefinitely, it would be possible to make enormous quantities, researchers said. picked by AutumnLotus 8 months ago