Updated: 2012-02-21 05:45:25
Many researchers believe that multiple sclerosis (MS) is caused by immune system attack on the nervous system. In particular, the immune system is thought to damage the myelin sheath that serves as insulation covering nerve cells. This myelin sheath speeds the transmission of nerve signals. Some Caltech researchers have found that remyelination (rebuilding of the lost insulation) can be done by with a gene therapy that delivers a gene for a protein that promotes growth of neural stem cells. But myelin, and the specialized cells called oligodendrocytes that make it, become damaged in demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), leaving neurons without their myelin sheaths. As a consequence, the affected neurons can no longer communicate correctly and are prone to...
Updated: 2012-02-16 05:50:17
: FuturePundit Future technological trends and their likely effects on human society , politics and . evolution Troubles With Electric Car And EV Battery Companies Go Read More Posts On FuturePundit February 15, 2012 Gene Therapy Could Stop Epileptic Seizures At least in rats gene therapy to raise brain levels of the neuropeptide somatostatin prevented . seizures GAINESVILLE , Fla . Sparking production of a hormone in the brain that people with epilepsy often lack could prevent debilitating seizures , University of Florida researchers have . discovered The researchers used gene therapy in rats to stimulate production of somatostatin , a seizure-stopping chemical that naturally occurs in the brain . The study was published in the February issue of the journal Neuroscience . Letters The
Updated: 2012-02-16 04:01:15
(Beyond Pesticides, February 16, 2012) Newly released data indicates that more than 40% of American farmers who planted certain varieties of genetically engineered (GE) corn in 2011 failed inspections to verify compliance with mandatory management practices to prevent insect resistance. The farmers involved planted corn varieties that are genetically engineered to express toxins that kill [...]
