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5 Live Science Podcast
Spinal cord injury treatments, red fire ants and asteroid samples.
Sep 24, 2023
Dr Chris Smith discusses breakthrough in treating spinal cord injuries using chemical signals. The episode also covers the alarming discovery of red fire ants in Sicily and the challenges of eradicating them. Lastly, it explores NASA's mission to bring back samples from the asteroid Bennu to learn more about its composition and potential threat to Earth.
27:41
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Quick takeaways
- A breakthrough in treating spinal cord injuries using chemical signals to guide regrowing nerves towards their correct targets, bypassing scar tissue.
- Concerns about the ethics of gene editing in medicine, weighing the potential benefits against the risks of creating 'designer babies' and disrupting social integration.
Deep dives
Breakthrough in treating spinal cord injuries
Scientists in Switzerland have used chemical signals to guide regrowing nerves in paralyzed mice, allowing them to walk again. These signals act as a 'homing beacon' that draws the regenerating nerve connections towards their correct targets, bypassing the dense scar tissue that forms at the injury site.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode