Unproven stem cell therapies marketed on Internet

Stanford stem cell scientist leads effort to prevent fraudulent treatment – Leading stem cell researchers from institutions around the world are issuing warnings about unproven stem cell therapies being marketed on the Internet and have launched a website to educate and protect patients seeking such treatments.

Early clamping may interrupt humankind’s first natural stem cell transplant

Do we clamp the umbilical cord too soon? — USF researchers: Early clamping may interrupt humankind’s first ‘natural stem cell transplant’ – The timing of umbilical cord clamping at birth should be delayed just a few minutes longer, suggest researchers at the University of South Florida’s Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair.

Ear’s sensory hair cells made from stem cells

Aiming to cure deafness, Stanford scientists first to create functional inner-ear cells – Researchers have found a way to coax embryonic stem cells as well as reprogrammed adult cells to develop into sensory cells that normally reside in the mammalian inner ear. Those mechanosensitive sensory hair cells are the linchpin of hearing and balance.

Sulforaphane in broccoli may limit breast cancer cells

Broccoli component limits breast cancer stem cells, U-M study finds — Research in mice, cells suggests possible prevention, treatment strategy – A compound derived from broccoli could help prevent or treat breast cancer by targeting cancer stem cells — the small number of cells that fuel a tumor’s growth — according to a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Bone marrow can harbor HIV infected cells

University of Michigan scientists discover bone marrow can harbor HIV-infected cells — Targeting these reservoirs of latent cells may open door to new treatments – University of Michigan scientists have identified a new reservoir for hidden HIV-infected cells that can serve as a factory for new infections. This indicate a new target for curing the disease so those infected with the virus may someday no longer rely on AIDS drugs for a lifetime.

New tool illuminates connections between stem cells and cancer

New tool illuminates connections between stem cells and cancer — 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science – Researchers have a new tool to understand how cancers grow — and with it a new opportunity to identify novel cancer drugs. They’ve been able to break apart human prostate tissue, extract the stem cells in that tissue, and alter those cells genetically so that they spur cancer.

Umbilical cord blood to treat leukemia

First successful use of expanded umbilical-cord blood units to treat leukemia – Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have cleared a major technical hurdle to making umbilical-cord-blood transplants a more widely-used method for treating leukemia and other blood cancers.

Vitamin C boosts reprogramming of adult cells into stem cells

Citrus surprise: Vitamin C boosts the reprogramming of adult cells into stem cells – Famous for its antioxidant properties and role in tissue repair, vitamin C is touted as beneficial for illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer and perhaps even for slowing the aging process.

Embryonic stem cell lines lack genetic diversity

University of Michigan (U-M) study reveals lack of diversity in embryonic stem cell lines – The most widely used human embryonic stem cell lines lack genetic diversity, a finding that raises social justice questions that must be addressed to ensure that all sectors of society benefit from stem cell advances, according to a University of Michigan research team.

Stem cell transplant may reverse sickle cell disease

‘Mini’ stem cell transplantation may reverse severe sickle cell disease – Results of a preliminary study by scientists at the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins show that “mini” stem cell transplantation may safely reverse severe sickle cell disease in adults.

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