Guest: In this episode we discuss topics ranging from a chemical in vegetables that can destroy cancer stem cells, chewing gum to prevent signing a song over and over, the first report of germ line gene editing in human embryo, neuronal hyperactivity and neutral stem cells, and the discovery of a new pluripotent stem cell. The second half of the show comes live from The Next-Gen Stem Cell Conference in Saratoga NY, where we interview four scientists about their work and conference experience. Resources and Links Could High Blood Sugar Be a Cause of Alzheimer's Disease? – Scientists suspect one of the drivers that causes the complex brain changes that lead to Alzheimer’s disease is the accumulation of plaques of a faulty protein called beta-amyloid and that too much sugar in the blood can speed up the production of this protein. Activin A Directs Striatal Projection Neuron Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells – Activin A induces lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) characteristics in nascent neural progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells in a sonic hedgehog-independent manner. Take a Deep Breath: Patients Find Relief through 3D Printing – A patient suffering from the rare condition, tracheobronchomalacia was treated with the use of 3D printing to construct a splint that would support the weakened trachea. Relaxed DNA May Contribute to Aging – Analysis from scientists suggests that loosely wrapped DNA underlies the accelerated physical decline of Werner syndrome and promotes aging in the rest of the population. U of M Institute Discovers How Aspirin Fights Cancer – Researchers discovered that aspirin might exert its chemopreventive activity against colorectal cancer, at least partially, by normalizing the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in gastrointestinal precancerous lesions. Bat-Winged Dinosaur Discovery Poses Flight Puzzle – This article describes the fossilized remains of a small, feathered dinosaur, unearthed in eastern China, that probably sported bat-like wing membranes and might have been able to glide or fly short distances. Toward Efficient Enzymes for the Generation of Universal Blood through Structure-Guided Directed Evolution – Researchers describe a way to transform A and B blood into a type that, like O, could be universally donated by using enzymes to remove certain sugars in the blood. The Search for Satiety Neurons and How to Short Circuit Hunger – A team of researchers has found that a melanoncortin 4 receptor-regulated (MC4R) circuit serves as the neural link that inhibits and controls eating by promoting fullness and removing the almost painful sensation of grating hunger. Finding the Body Clock's Molecular Reset Button – Researchers at McGill and Concordia universities in Montreal, report that the body's clock is reset during the process known as phosphorylation, when a phosphate combines with a key protein in the brain. Chew Gum to Get Rid of That Song in Your Head: Study – This article reveals that chewing gum could be the best way to get rid of the annoying songs that play in our heads which some call as earworms, according to a team of researchers at the University of Reading in the U.K. Chinese Researchers Have Genetically Modified a Human Embryo—and Many Scientists Think They’ve Gone Too Far – This article discusses the research conducted by a team of scientists in China on altering the DNA of human embryos which many scientists contend that newly developed genetic-engineering methods need to be studied further in animals before running the risk of unpredictable human mutations and scarier developments in human evolution. Scientists Stumble Across Unknown Stem-Cell Type – According to this article, a newly discovered type of stem cell could help provide a model for early human development — and, eventually, allow human organs to be grown in large animals such as pigs or cows for research or therapeutic purposes.

Guest: Dr. Megan Munsie and Dr. Mario D'Cruz discuss the launch of ISSCR's new website "A Closer Look At Stem Cells" that aims to educate and empower people about stem cell biology and stem cell treatments. Resources and Links The Number One Cause of Depression — Everywhere – A group of researchers from around the world discovered that people who have suffered from abuse during their childhood are more likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression — and even more so if they are genetically predisposed to the condition. Major Advance in Artificial Photosynthesis Poses Win/Win for the Environment – Artificial photosynthesis has been achieved with the development of a system that can capture carbon dioxide emissions before they are vented into the atmosphere and then, powered by solar energy, convert that carbon dioxide into valuable chemical products, including biodegradable plastics, pharmaceutical drugs and even liquid fuels. Resistance to Antibiotics Found in Isolated Amazonian Tribe – Scientists discovered that Yanomami hunter-gatherers’ gut bacteria have already evolved a diverse array of antibiotic-resistance genes, even though these mountain people had never ingested antibiotics or animals raised with drugs. Sarcasm Center Found in Brain's White Matter, Explaining Stroke Victims' Language Gap – Stroke victims often struggle to maintain language function, and regions governing sarcasm may get hit particularly hard. Danish Researchers Develop New Blood Test Able to Predict Future Breast Cancer – Scientists at the University of Copenhagen developed a blood test method that can predict future breast cancer, which led to better prevention and early treatment of the disease. Chimps Use Spears to Hunt – This article describes the capability of a troop of chimpanzees in southeastern Senegal to forge weapons to hunt, making them the only known group to use tools to injure or kill prey, and it turns out that females actually engage in this behavior more than males. Wild Chimps in Uganda Have Learned to Look Both Ways When Crossing the Roads – Wild chimpanzees are beginning to realize the importance of crossing roads safely, as scientists have observed them implementing similar safety precautions to us, such as looking both ways for oncoming traffic. Cow Milk Without the Cow Is Coming to Change Food Forever – A group of bio-hackers are trying to trick yeast cells into producing a substance that’s molecularly identical to milk using mail-order DNA. Drug-Based Modulation of Endogenous Stem Cells Promotes Functional Remyelination In Vivo – Scientists look into seven drugs function at nanomolar doses selectively to enhance the generation of mature oligodendrocytes from progenitor cells in vitro. Sale of Madison Company Could Be a Big Step for Stem Cell Research – The pending sale of Madison's Cellular Dynamics International Inc. should end the company's nagging financial struggles and could prove to be the moment that stem cell technology came of age, emerging from a blurry vision to a period of concrete medical advances — including the laboratory production of working human organs. UM Stem Cell Research Could Grow Bone, Potentially Treat Obesity – A new stem cell study conducted at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has isolated a trigger in stem cells which could be the key to growing bone and combating conditions like osteoporosis and obesity. Newly Found Stem Cell State Closer to Transitional Precipice – A study conducted by scientists at the University of Missouri shows that embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells may enter a state of heightened potency, one that can lead to all the main developmental cell lineages, including the placental trophoblast. Athersys Announces Results From Phase II Study of MultiStem(R) Cell Therapy for Treatment of Ischemic Stroke – This article describes the interim results from Athersys’ exploratory Phase 2 clinical study of the intravenous administration of MultiSt...

Guest: Neuroscientist and stem cell pioneer Dr. Fred "Rusty" Gage, a professor at the Salk Institute where he discusses past, present, and future work of stem cells and neurogenesis. Resources and Links Too Much of a Bad Thing Can Be Good in Brain Tumors – DNA mutations can cause cancer but in some cases, more mutations may mean a better prognosis for patients like the one subtype of the most malignant brain tumor, called glioblastoma, or GBM. Turbo-charging Hormone May Help Regrow the Heart, Animal Study Shows – Researchers at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute discovered how to stimulate muscle regrowth in the heart of a mouse, which could be particularly important in looking at new treatments for those who suffer future heart attacks. Aluminum Battery from Stanford Offers Safe Alternative to Conventional Batteries – Stanford University scientists have invented the first high-performance aluminum battery that's fast-charging, long-lasting and inexpensive that could replace many of the lithium-ion and alkaline batteries in wide use today. Blackpoll Warblers Migrate Thousands of Miles across Atlantic Ocean, Scientists Find – A team of ornithologists led by William DeLuca of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, reports the first direct evidence that the blackpoll warbler (Setophaga striata), relatively small songbirds, completes an autumn trans-Atlantic migration ranging from 2,270 to 2,770 km (1,410 to 1,721 miles) and requiring two to three days of non-stop flight. Africa: Biodiversity Damage Mapped By Global Land-Use Study – Study concluded that, if human impacts continue to grow as they have been, future losses in biodiversity will be concentrated in biodiverse but economically poor countries. Blown-Up Brains Reveal Nanoscale Details – A study showed that material used in diaper absorbant can make brain tissue bigger and enable ordinary microscopes to resolve features down to 60 nanometers; this technique is called expansion microscopy. Repurposed Experimental Cancer Drug Restores Brain Function in Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease – Scientists have found that saracatinib, a compound originally developed as a cancer therapy potentially could be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Stemming Genetic Changes in Cultured Cells – Researchers have found that the fewest genetic changes arise in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that are grown on a substrate layer of "feeder cells"—non-dividing cells that provide nutrients and help ESCs attach to their culture dishes—and passaged mechanically, that is, broken into clumps before being moved into new vessels. Study: Saccharin Shows Promise as Cancer Inhibitor – The artificial sweetener saccharin shows considerable promise for its ability to inhibit an enzyme upregulated in many cancers, helping tumor cells survive and metastasize. Researchers May Have Solved Origin-of-Life Conundrum – Chemists report that a pair of simple compounds called acetylene and formaldehyde, which would have been abundant on early Earth, can give rise to a network of simple reactions that produce the three major classes of biomolecules—nucleic acids, amino acids, and lipids—needed for the earliest form of life to get its start. Malaria Parasite Attracts Mosquitoes with Perfume – This article reveals that Plasmodium—the malaria parasite manufactures alluring odor molecules, called terpenes using a chloroplast-like organelle that attract mosquitoes. Why Is the Scientific World Abuzz about an Unpublished Paper? Because It Could Permanently Change Human DNA – Scientists around the world are anticipating the results of a Chinese study that would mark the first time DNA in a human embryo has been modified in a way that would carry into future generations. Meat Grown in a Laboratory Soon to Become Commercially Viable, Says Scientist – Meat grown in a laboratory will become commercially viable in the next decade according to the scientist who grew the world’s first stem cell burger.

Guest: Dr. Eirini Papapetrou, an associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai where she discusses her work and latest paper on using stem cells to model blood diseases containing a chromosomal deletion. Resources and Links Sushi Parasite Inspires Worm Test for Cancer – Japanese researchers have discovered that Caenorhabditis elegans worms can detect cancer in people's urine. New Genetic Variant that Causes Autism Identified by Johns Hopkins-Led Team – A Johns Hopkins-led team of researchers has identified a new genetic cause of the disorder using a novel approach that focuses on rare families severely affected by autism. Bad Gene Cripples Flu Defenses – This article describes how a girl nearly died from flu because of mutated genes. High-Fat Diet Alters Behavior and Produces Signs of Brain Inflammation – There is a great possibility that a high-fat diet produces changes in health and behavior, in part, by changing the mix of bacteria in the gut, also known as the gut microbiome. NASA's Opportunity Rover Just Completed an 11-Year Marathon on Mars – NASA confirmed this week that the six-wheeled robot has now traveled more than 26.219 miles in eleven years and two months. Apple's New ResearchKit: 'Ethics Quagmire' or Medical Research Aid? – Apple's ResearchKit is designed to let medical researchers create iPhone apps for their studies that will help them recruit participants — without said participants ever setting foot in the lab. Woolly Mammoth DNA Inserted into Elephant Cells – This article describes the attempt of scientists to bring extinct species back from the grave through a process known as de-extinction. Surprise Finding Heightens Concern over Tiny Bits of Plastic Polluting Our Oceans – A team of scientists’ accidental finding of plastic in the skin of both farmed and wild fish adds to already growing environmental and public health concerns about the plastic particles or microplastics pervading our oceans and waterways. Altering Brain Chemistry Makes Us More Sensitive to Inequality – Researchers find that giving a drug that changes the neurochemical balance in the prefrontal cortex of the brain causes a greater willingness to engage in prosocial behaviors, such as ensuring that resources are divided more equally. Engineering the Perfect Baby – A group of scientists try to edit the DNA of human germ line to correct disease genes and to pass those genetic fixes on to future generations. Don’t Edit the Human Germ Line – Heritable human genetic modifications pose serious risks, and the therapeutic benefits are tenuous, warn Edward Lanphier, Fyodor Urnov and colleagues. Industry Body Calls for Gene Editing Moratorium – Gene-editing companies say research on altering the DNA of human reproductive cells is dangerous and unethical. A Prudent Path Forward for Genomic Engineering and Germline Gene Modification – Scientists suggests that a framework for open discourse on the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to manipulate the human genome is urgently needed. Scientists Call for a Summit on Gene-Edited Babies – A group of senior American scientists and ethics experts are calling for a debate on the gene-engineering of humans, warning that technology able to change the DNA of future generations is now "imminent." The ISSCR Statement on Human Germline Genome Modification – The International Society for Stem Cell Research calls for a moratorium on attempts at clinical application of nuclear genome editing of the human germ line. Double-Blind Peer Review – Nature Biotechnology, together with Nature and its sister journals, is now offering anonymity to authors during the peer-review process. Celebs' Stem Cell Facial Treatments Include Sheep Placenta, Others Get Human Cells - Celebrities pay hundreds of dollars to have a sheep placenta facial or known as collagen treatment wherein the placenta mush or stem cell fluid is smeared all over the face, and the skin is pricked so the cells can penetrate below the epidermis. ...

Dr. Frederick Alt, a leading geneticist from Harvard Medical School, reveals fascinating insights into gene editing. He discusses a novel method for detecting off-target effects, crucial for CRISPR's precision. The conversation also touches on groundbreaking studies linking autism genes to cognitive performance, and how memory manipulation in mice offers tantalizing possibilities. Alt emphasizes the importance of specificity in gene editing technologies and their implications for future biomedical research. A must-listen for anyone interested in genetic advancements!

Guest: Dr. Rhonda Newman to talk about her work in trying to figure out a better way to "de-stress" stem cells. Resources and Links Previously Unknown Effect of Vitamin A Identified – A previously unknown effect of vitamin A in human embryonic development has been identified by researchers, indicating that vitamin A affects the formation of blood cells. Feeding Babies Foods with Peanuts Appears to Prevent Allergies – Researchers found that babies who consumed the equivalent of about 4 heaping teaspoons of peanut butter each week, starting when they were between 4 and 11 months old, were about 80 percent less likely to develop a peanut allergy by age 5. Mothers Can Pass Traits to Offspring through Bacteria’s DNA – Mothers can pass a trait to their offspring through the DNA of bacteria suggesting that microbes may play a significant role in how genes influence illness and health in higher organisms. Kids, Allergies and a Possible Downside to Squeaky Clean Dishes – This article reports that in families who said they mostly wash dishes by hand, significantly fewer children had eczema, and somewhat fewer had either asthma or hay fever, compared to kids from families who let machines wash their dishes. Scientists Unveil Map of 'Epigenome,' a Second Genetic Code – Scientists for the first time have mapped out the molecular "switches" that can turn on or silence individual genes in the DNA in more than 100 types of human cells, an accomplishment that reveals the complexity of genetic information and the challenges of interpreting it. Ingredient in Olive Oil Looks Promising in the Fight Against Cancer – A Rutgers nutritional scientist and two cancer biologists at New York City’s Hunter College have found that an ingredient in extra-virgin olive oil called oleocanthal kills a variety of human cancer cells without harming healthy cells. Popular Soda Ingredient Poses Cancer Risk to Consumers – Research analysis suggests that soda drinkers consume one or more cans per day—possibly exposing them to 4-methylimidazole, a potential carcinogen formed during the manufacture of some kinds of caramel color. Amyloid Formation May Link Alzheimer Disease and Type 2 Diabetes – This article tries to investigate the processes underlying amyloidosis that link type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer disease. Stopping HIV with an Artificial Protein – A research team has shown that a lab-made molecule eCD4-Ig that mimics an antibody from our immune system may have more protective power than anything the body produces, keeping four monkeys free of HIV infection despite injection of large doses of the virus. Mulling the Marijuana Munchies: How the Brain Flips the Hunger Switch – This article shows that the "munchies," or that uncontrollable urge to eat after using marijuana, appear to be driven by neurons in the brain that are normally involved in suppressing appetite, according to a new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers. Oocytes and Obesity – Eggs from excessively overweight mothers suffer mitochondrial damage that can be averted with pharmacological intervention. Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium Could Cut Biofuel Costs – This article reports that ethanol-producing Zymomonas mobilis can live on nitrogen gas, potentially cutting costs and environmental waste in biofuel production. Long-Lived Immunotherapy Stem Cells – The genetically modified T memory stem cells persist in patients for more than ten years, and can differentiate into a variety of T cell types. Clarkson University, SUNY Plattsburgh Researchers Use Saliva Test to Diagnose Autism – A spit test may one day be able to diagnose autism as reported by the researchers at Clarkson University and the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Alligator Blood May Provide Basis of Wartime Anti-Infectives – A study conducted by a group of researchers in the School of Systems Biology and the National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases on alligators,

Guest: Dr. Lorenz Studer is the founding director of the Sloan-Kettering Center for Stem Cell Biology a Member in the Developmental Biology Program and the Department of Neurosurgery and Professor in Neuroscience at Weill-Cornell Graduate School. Resources and Links Novel "Smart" Insulin Automatically Adjusts Blood Sugar in Diabetic Mouse Model – Scientists have created Ins-PBA-F, a long-lasting "smart" insulin that self-activates when blood sugar soars, eliminating the need for additional boosts of insulin, and reducing the dangers that come with inaccurate dosing. Scientists Find Mysterious Magnetism in Earth’s Inner Core – A team of U.S. and Chinese geophysicists suggests that the innermost core is rotated on its side compared to its outer layer and the team also provides new clues about how the inner core formed and began to solidify. Test for HIV in Just 15 Minutes with This $34 Smartphone Dongle – A dongle created by Columbia University researchers can turn any smartphone (whether iPhones or Android devices) into an HIV and syphilis tester. Research Team Identifies Link Between Inflammation and Type 2 Diabetes – This article describes how a Yale-led research team has identified the molecular mechanism by which insulin normally inhibits production of glucose by the liver and why this process stops working in patients with type 2 diabetes, leading to hyperglycemia. Mutations Linked to Repair of Chromosome Ends May Make Emphysema More Likely in Smokers – This press release reveals that mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene that helps repair damaged chromosome ends may make smokers, especially female smokers more susceptible to emphysema. Researchers Produce First Map of New York City Subway System Microbes – This article identifies the microbes present in the New York City subway system through a pathogen map or PathoMap and could be used for long-term, accurate disease surveillance, bioterrorism threat mitigation, and large scale health management for New York. Researchers Discover Insulin-Decreasing Hormone In Flies, Humans – A hormone called limostatin that decreases insulin production during starvation has been identified in fruit flies and humans. A Neural Biomarker of Psychological Vulnerability to Future Life Stress – This article highlights a readily assayed biomarker, threat-related amygdala reactivity, which predicts psychological vulnerability to commonly experienced stressors and represents a discrete target for intervention and prevention. New Tattoos Found on Öetzi the Iceman – New scans have revealed a total of 61 tattoos on the 5,300-year-old mummified body of Ötzi the Iceman, reigniting the debate on whether the inkings were a form of acupuncture that predates the first recorded use of the practice in China by 2,000 years. Real-Time Deformability Cytometry: On-The-Fly Cell Mechanical Phenotyping – Researchers introduce real-time deformability cytometry for continuous cell mechanical characterization of large populations with analysis rates greater than 100 cells/s. Scientists Discover 'Reset' Button For Brain's Biological Clock – Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered a "reset" button for the circadian or biological clock, which could pave the way for more effective treatments for seasonal affective disorder, jet lag and some of the negative health effects of shift work. Green Tea Ingredient May Target Protein To Kill Oral Cancer Cells – Penn State food scientists have found that the compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate found in green tea may trigger a cycle that kills oral cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. U.K. Parliament Approves Controversial Three-Parent Mitochondrial Gene Therapy – This article announces that the United Kingdom’s House of Commons voted overwhelmingly today to allow British researchers to pursue a new fertility treatment using a technique called mitochondrial DNA replacement therapy that could prevent certain kinds of genetic diseases.

Guest: Dr. Christine Mummery joins us to discuss how stem cells are being used for heart disease. Resources and Links CDC Reports Current Flu Vaccine Effectiveness at 23 Percent This Season – A report published estimates that getting a flu vaccine this season reduced a person’s risk of having to go to the doctor because of flu by 23 percent among people of all ages. India's Tiger Population Sees 30 Percent Increase – According to this article, India says it now has almost a third more tigers than it did four years ago and it was willing to donate tiger cubs to the international community to help conservation efforts. Scientists Give Genetically Modified Organisms a Safety Switch – Researchers at Harvard and Yale have used some extreme gene-manipulation tools to engineer safety features into designer organisms, specifically reprogrammed the common bacterium E. coli so it requires a synthetic amino acid to live. WSU Researchers See Effect of BPA, Estradiol on Sperm Development – This article describes how bisphenol A and estradiol contributes to disrupted sperm production resulting in decreased sperm counts. Too Much Salt Intake Changes Key Brain Circuits – This article shows that excessive salt intake "reprograms" the brain, interfering with a natural safety mechanism that normally prevents the body's arterial blood pressure from rising. Trust Your Gut: E. Coli May Hold One of the Keys to Treating Parkinson's – Researchers recently discovered a protein in E. coli that inhibits the accumulation of potentially toxic amyloids—a hallmark of diseases such as Parkinson's. Hidden Formaldehyde in E-Cigarette Aerosols – This article shows that the carcinogen formaldehyde, a known degradation product of propylene glycol that reacts with propylene glycol and glycerol during vaporization to produce hemiacetals, can be formed during the e-cigarette "vaping" process. Laser-Generated Surface Structures Create Extremely Water-Repellent Metals – This article describes how scientists at the University of Rochester have used lasers to transform metals into extremely water repellent, or super-hydrophobic, materials without the need for temporary coatings. Birth Control Pill Risks May Now Include Brain Cancer – Scientists have found that women taking hormonal contraceptives — those containing estrogen, progestin or a combination of both — showed higher rates of a rare brain tumor known as glioma. 2015 U.S. Measles Outbreak Already at 84 Cases, More than in a Typical Year – According to this article, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 84 people in 14 states were diagnosed with measles. Researchers Discover "Idiosyncratic" Brain Patterns in Autism – Scientists at the Weizmann Institute and Carnegie Mellon University found that the brains of individuals with autism display unique synchronization patterns, something that could impact earlier diagnosis of the disorder and future treatments. Beyond Prevention: Sulforaphane May Find Possible Use for Cancer Therapy – New research has identified one of the key cancer-fighting mechanisms for sulforaphane, and suggests that this much-studied phytochemical may be able to move beyond cancer prevention and toward therapeutic use for advanced prostate cancer. Monkeys Seem to Recognize Their Reflections – Trained macaques studied themselves in mirrors, fuelling debate over animals' capacity for self-recognition. Obokata May Face Criminal Charges as Former Colleague Alleges She Stole Stem Cells – This article reports that a criminal investigation now seems likely after a former Riken researcher filed a criminal complaint against disgraced scientist Haruko Obokata, alleging she stole samples of embryonic stem cells before reporting that she had created her version of stem cells with a novel technique. A One-Grant Limit: Nih Institute Puts Squeeze on Flush Investigators – The National Institutes of Health’s basic science institute is imposing a strict one-grant limit on scientists who already have...

Guest: We talk to Dr. David Piper about disease model tools. Resources and Links Acute Immunomodulatory Effects of Binge Alcohol Ingestion – According to this article, alcohol can wreak havoc on your immune system from the moment you start imbibing. BPA Alternative Disrupts Normal Brain-Cell Growth, Is Tied to Hyperactivity, Study Says – Researchers have shown why the chemical bisphenol-S once thought to be a safe alternative to bisphenol-A (BPA), which was abandoned by manufacturers of baby bottles and sippy cups after a public outcry, might itself be more harmful than BPA. Extraordinary Gene Transfer between Cells Observed – A team of scientists observed that DNA from a mouse's second genome, or mitochondrial DNA, could be transferred from healthy tissue to tumor cells in mice, promoting cancer growth and spread. Decline in Grants for Young Researchers Puts Future of Science at Risk, Johns Hopkins President Writes – In this article, the president of John Hopkins University Ronald J. Daniels urges policy reforms and increased National Institutes of Health funding for young scientists who most of them are already leaving the academic biomedical workforce posing a grave risks for the future of science. A New Antibiotic Kills Pathogens Without Detectable Resistance – A group of researchers led by Prof Kim Lewis of Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, has discovered a new antibiotic Teixobactin that eliminates Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus anthracis and other dangerous pathogens without encountering any detectable resistance. Drug Stimulates Brown Fat and Boosts Metabolism – This article describes how researchers figured out how FDA-approved drug mirabegron, typically used to treat overactive bladder, could boost brown fat’s metabolic burning efforts inside the body. A Protein-Tagging System for Signal Amplification in Gene Expression and Fluorescence Imaging – Scientists developed a protein scaffold, a repeating peptide array termed SunTag, which can recruit multiple copies of an antibody-fusion protein and may likely have many applications in imaging and controlling biological outputs. Cold Virus Replicates Better at Cooler Temperatures – Researchers have found that the common cold virus can reproduce itself more efficiently in the cooler temperature found inside the nose than at core body temperature. The Challenge of Creating an HIV Vaccine: Virus Infects Very Cells Induced by Drug – This article tries to explain the reason why there is no vaccine for HIV/AIDS; it is because vaccines designed to protect against HIV backfire, leading to an increase, not decrease, in new infections which may be due to the higher number of activated CD4+ T cells. "Imaginary Meal" Tricks the Body into Losing Weight – Salk researchers have developed an entirely new type of pill called fexaramine that tricks the body into thinking it has consumed calories, causing it to burn fat. Insights into the Evolution of Longevity from the Bowhead Whale Genome – Researchers have sequenced the genome of the Arctic giant, the circumpolar bowhead whale, and identified the key differences between these bi-centenarians and other mammals. What Investors Are Looking At in the Stem Cell Sector – This article presents the different stem cell companies that have catalysts in the first quarter of 2015 in regards to stem cell stocks that could bring attention to the sector. Cord Blood Registry and Cellular Dynamics International Announce Collaboration to Reprogram Newborn Stem Cells into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – Cord Blood Registry® (CBR®) and Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) announced that they have entered into a research collaboration to reprogram newborn stem cells from both umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord tissue collected, processed and cryopreserved under CBR's protocols into induced pluripotent stem cells using CDI's proprietary methods. Gov.

Dr. Maria Themeli, a postdoctoral fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, shares her groundbreaking research on CAR T-cell therapies, where stem cells are transformed into cancer-hunting assassins. The conversation dives into the complexities and challenges of enhancing T-cell precision in targeting tumors. They also explore intriguing connections between cancer, random mutations, and the immune system's role, along with the impact of methamphetamine use on health. Insights into funding hurdles for early-career researchers add a personal touch to the scientific discussion.