The quest to mend damaged cartilage has led scientists to explore the power of 3D printing and stem cells. This isn't just about printing ink on paper. It's about using a special kind of ink made from natural materials and living cells. The goal is to repair cartilage, the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints. When this tissue gets damaged, it...
Cancer is a sneaky foe. It uses our own body's defenses against us. It messes with our immune system, tricks our stem cells, and messes up our DNA repair process. This makes it hard to fight and even harder to cure. But scientists are on the case. They are using fancy tools to study how cancer pulls off these tricks. They are looking at many types of cancer at on...
The gut is a powerhouse. It reacts swiftly to what we eat, the stress we face, and how our metabolism works. It is also a major player in many diseases and aging. At the heart of this action is a group of cells called intestinal stem cells or ISCs. These cells are crucial for keeping the gut in top shape. When they go awry, trouble starts. They can spark inflammation...
In the world of stem cell transplants, peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation stands out as the go-to method. This process is crucial for treating blood cancers, with over 90, 000 transplants happening worldwide each year. The goal is to make sure that the process of collecting these stem cells, called haemopoietic stem cells (HSCs), is as effective and safe as p...
Cancer patients often face a tough journey. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a common treatment for blood cancers. It can be very effective. However, it comes with serious side effects. These can include both physical and mental struggles. This can make the recovery process even harder. Mindfulness and music therapy have shown promise in helping...
The fertility world is buzzing with a new trial that could change the game for men facing infertility. The focus is on a procedure that aims to reverse infertility by transplanting sperm stem cells. This trial is still in its early phases, but it's already showing promise. The procedure was tested on a 26-year-old man named Jaiwen Hsu. He was diagnosed with bone can...
Stem cells are the body's raw materials. They have the remarkable ability to develop into many different cell types. This ability is what makes them so exciting for medical research. One type of stem cell is called adipose-derived stem cells, or ADSCs. These come from fat tissue. They are a type of mesenchymal stem cell, which means they can turn into different ...
Sleep is not just about resting. It is a vital process that keeps the body running smoothly. This process is controlled by something called circadian rhythms. These rhythms affect many things in the body, including how well organs work and how healthy a person is overall. When sleep is disrupted, it can lead to various problems. These problems can affect both the min...
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. It puts a huge strain on both individual health and healthcare systems. At the heart of this disease are breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). These cells have special abilities. They can renew themselves, turn into different types of cells, and resist standard treatments. This makes them crucial in the s...
In the realm of tissue engineering, scientists are exploring new ways to create living replacements for damaged tissues. These engineered tissues aim to help the body heal itself. However, there are challenges. Custom-made tissues can be expensive and take time to create. Plus, they might not work as well for every patient. One promising approach is to use materials...