New Atlas

Science Audio available

Method converting cancer cells into fat cells could block metastatic spread

Rich Haridy January 14, 2019

A fascinating study has revealed a method that forces malignant breast cancer cells to turn into fat cells. The research, currently demonstrated in mice, suggests the process could stop tumors from metastasizing and potentially make the cancer more susceptible to conventional chemotherapy.

The cancer cells on the left (in red) were converted into fat cells (marked in yellow ...

Medical

Queen bee's secret sauce uncovers a key ingredient that keeps stem cells young

Nick Lavars December 5, 2018

Royal jelly is a substance that separates queen bees from rest. For the first time, scientists have not only zeroed on the protein behind its incredible growth spurts, they’ve used its structure to identify a similar protein in mammals.

Research into the royal jelly secreted by bees as led scientists to a protein in humans ...

Biology

"Cell-by-cell map" suggests heart stem cells don't exist

Michael Irving December 5, 2018

Whether or not cardiac stem cells exist has been up for debate, but now European scientists claim to have created a cell-by-cell map of a mouse heart before and after a heart attack – and found no evidence of stem cells at all.

The heart wall of a mouse after a heart attack. Scar tissue is visible in red, ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Regrowing hair cells to reverse hearing loss sounds good to us

Michael Irving October 16, 2018

Once we lose the sensory hair cells in the cochlea, they’re gone for good. But now researchers have found a way to regrow them in mice, potentially paving the way for more effective hearing loss treatments in humans.

Researchers have found a way to regrow sensory hair cells in the ear to potentially reverse ...

Biology

Mice born of two genetic mothers, thanks to stem cells and gene editing

Michael Irving October 11, 2018

Chinese researchers have successfully managed to breed healthy mice with genetic material from two mothers, using stem cells and gene editing.

Through genetic editing and stem cells, this adult mouse has DNA from two mothers – and ...

Medical Audio available

How stem cells, CRISPR and skin grafts could help combat cocaine addiction

Michael Irving September 17, 2018

A novel form of treatment could help cut back on a person’s desire for cocaine and reduce its damaging effect in the body. The method involves removing a small patch of skin, introducing genes that produce cocaine-degrading enzymes, and then grafting it back onto the patient.

A new potential treatment for cocaine addiction involves skin grafts, stem cells and gene-editing

Medical

Stem cells from baby teeth patch up dental injuries in clinical trial

Michael Irving September 11, 2018

Teeth can’t naturally repair themselves – so when a kid injures a permanent tooth at a young age, they’re stuck with that for life. But a new clinical trial has shown promising results in using dental stem cells derived from a patient’s baby teeth to bring a “dead” tooth back to life.

A new clinical trial has shown that stem cells taken from baby teeth can be used ...

Medical

Stem cell-loaded hydrogel boosts healing process of aging muscles

Michael Irving August 20, 2018

Georgia Tech researchers have developed a hydrogel that holds muscle stem cells, and by injecting this near the site of a muscle injury they can get to work repairing it. The team says the technique could be effective at treating injuries in the elderly and people with muscular dystrophy.

A hydrogel structure successfully introduces new muscle stem cells, which helps patch up damage in older ...

Medical

3D-printed nerve stem cells could help patch up spinal cord injuries

Michael Irving August 10, 2018

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have designed a silicone device, covered in 3D-printed neuronal stem cells, that can be implanted into a spinal injury. There it grows new connections between remaining nerves to let patients regain some motor control.

A 3D-printed device, loaded with neuronal stem cells, that can be implanted into an injured spinal ...

Medical

Rebooting the immune system with stem cell transplants trialed for Crohn's disease

Rich Haridy August 6, 2018

A large trial has just been launched in the UK exploring the use of stem cells for treating patients with Crohn's disease. The radical treatment involves essentially "rebooting" a patient's immune system and has been used successfully in the past for multiple sclerosis and some cancers.

"Rebooting" a patient's immune system using stem cells is being explored as a treatment for Crohn's ...