Is there a stem cell connection between the brain and aging? Could a type of brain stem cell or the exosomes it secretes control whole body aging? A recent big Nature article from the lab of Dongcheng Cai argues an emphatic “Yes” to these questions, at least in mice. In the Zhang, et al paper, entitled …
Review of Nature paper: stem cell exosomes on the brain and aging Read More »
Any takers on the idea that we can get radical life extension through new technologies like stem cells, organ replacement, cybernetics, or genetic modification? Or just through healthier living in general? A new Nature paper says there’s a natural limit on human lifespan around age 115 and getting past that is just not going to …
When potentially game changing new technologies are reported such as NgAgo gene editing, both scientists and the public get excited, but especially if such new reports stem from a single paper it is wise to take a cautious approach for a while. The key question is whether the new findings will turn out to be …
Nature Biotechnology looking at NgAgo paper amidst reproducibility concerns Read More »
The journal Nature published an excellent editorial earlier this week on stem cell oversight and stem cell clinics. The piece, entitled ” FDA should stand firm on stem-cell treatments. US regulators must regain the upper hand in the approval system” struck just the right balance. It correctly supported the FDA’s data-centered approach to stem cell oversight and …
Perspectives: Nature editorial on stem cell oversight & clinics gets it right Read More »
Was an intensely hyped Nature paper connected to the subsequent knighthood for one of the authors just two days after publication? It’s hard to imagine there isn’t a connection and such a link is bad news for biomedical science. Professor Doug Turnbull and fellow UK authors published a Nature paper a few days ago that reinforced a …
Hyped Nature paper & author knighthood 2 days later raise red flags Read More »
Today a new Nature paper from Dr. Mary Herbert’s group in the UK has found a key problem with mitochondrial replacement therapy that fits with data from others. The goal of preventing mitochondrial disease using various kinds of genome transfer technologies is a noble one, but mitochondrial replacement therapy has faced a number of technological …
New Herbert lab Nature paper reinforces mitochondrial replacement Achilles heel Read More »
In addition to being a scientist, I’m an amateur photographer and gardener who loves taking nature photos. I really like to get out into the world and capture it on film and some of this happens right in my own back yard. This isn’t so surprising since one of my favorite parts of science is …
Isn’t it cool how close one can get with just an iPhone and a macro lens to take pictures of things including nature? 2020 update: you might also enjoy these pages of nature photos I took. Can you figure out or guess what these things are below that I captured “on film”? Some are self-evident and …
With iPhone zoom lens, fun photos of super tiny stuff including nature Read More »
Nature recently published a thorough, insightful piece on the major risks that would come with the use of so-called 3-person IVF (aka mitochondrial transfer or 3-parent baby method). In the UK 3-person IVF has, as of earlier this year, the government’s blessing to proceed despite the many serious unresolved risks that Nature‘s own piece so nicely …
Nature mixed signals on 3-person IVF: deep risks, but forge ahead Read More »
Today marks nearing the completion of a full circle for one of science’s biggest controversies: the STAP cell fiasco. Today STAP cells are completely refuted with the publication of two new papers in Nature and we know much more–with some notable gaps still–about what went wrong. STAP cells debunked In January of last year, an …