Mar 10, 2009

Stem Cells Kick Ass

Now that President Obama has rightfully re-introduced science and critical thinking to our government's decision-making process, and overturned the ridiculous ban on stem-cell research instituted by Preznit Dubya, the United States will have to fight to catch up with the rest of the world's research. The United States used to be the single most advanced research nation on the planet, but that standing has been eroded by politicians and idiots who wish to pursue policies in line with their personal religious thoughts instead of the common good.
Luckily England, among other countries, never listened to dumb-ass Preznit Dubya. Scientists funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and led by Dr Mike Modo of the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, have announce an incredible finding.

Effective stem cell treatment for strokes has taken a significant step forward as scientists reveal how they have replaced stroke-damaged brain tissue in rats. - ( Science Daily )

The work, which was carried out at the University of Nottingham, showed that,

. . . by inserting tiny scaffolding with stem cells attached, it is possible to fill a hole left by stroke damage with brand new brain tissue within 7 days.

Amazing shit! Previously, applying stem-cells to tissue surrounding the areas killed by strokes in rats would not succeed properly. The stem cells would attach to the healthy tissue and not "fill in" the vacant space left by the dead brain cells. With this new "scaffolding" technique, the stem cells actually fill in the empty area! Click the image below to enlarge.


That is amazing stuff indeed. So many people suffer from strokes, many of them go years without realizing that a mini-stroke has happened, much less that there has been permanent damage. Oftentimes it gets misdiagnosed as dementia or the early onset of Alzheimer's Disease. Of course, these news are preliminary, but it is a very promising development, and will likely be available as human treatment within the decade. The future of medicine is being written right now. It may very well be that in 10-20 years' time our modern pharmaceutical/chemical medicine will be as outdated as electroshock therapy and leeches. -FUPPETS- is hype!

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