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Stress may make you itch

Researchers found that stress activates immune cells, which initiate and perpetuate skin diseases. Blocking specific proteins prevented the increase in white blood cells, suggesting a key role for ICAM-1/LFA-1 interactions.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateOct 27, 2008

New properties of skin stem cells

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet discovered skin stem cells can divide actively and transport themselves through skin tissue, contradicting previous assumptions. The study's findings also suggest a link between hedgehog signaling and the development of basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 13, 2008

Researchers discover scent of skin cancer

Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center have discovered a unique scent associated with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. By analyzing volatile organic compounds in the air above skin lesions, they found distinct profiles that could potentially be used to screen for and diagnose skin cancers at early stages.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateAug 20, 2008

Fat transplantation can have metabolic benefits

Researchers found that transplanted subcutaneous fat into mice visceral cavity showed improved blood sugar and insulin levels, while visceral fat had detrimental effects. The findings suggest fat cells in different depots have intrinsically different properties.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMay 6, 2008

Mice sense oxygen through their skin

Researchers found that mice can sense oxygen levels in the environment and stimulate kidney production of erythropoietin when oxygen concentrations drop. The study suggests that the skin plays a major role in sensing oxygen and could lead to new treatments for anemia and diseases affecting red blood cell counts.

UCLA stem cell scientists reprogram human skin cells into embryonic stem cells

UCLA stem cell scientists have successfully reprogrammed human skin cells into embryonic stem cells without using embryos or eggs. This breakthrough uses genetic alteration to turn back the clock on human skin cells and create cells nearly identical to human embryonic stem cells, which can become every cell type in the human body.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2008

An 'attractive' man-machine interface

Scientists at Boston Children's Hospital have created a new technology that uses magnetic fields to control cellular signaling, mimicking the binding of drugs or hormones. This innovation has the potential to lead to finely-tuned but noninvasive treatments for various diseases.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 8, 2008

Human genetic variation -- Science's 'Breakthrough of the Year'

Advances in genome sequencing and single-nucleotide polymorphisms have revealed the vast differences in human DNA, enabling researchers to identify disease-related genes and risk factors. The study also highlights the potential of 'copy number variants' and induced pluripotent stem cells to improve our understanding of genetic activity.

Artificial skin system can heal wounds

Researchers developed a new wound dressing using hair follicular cells that increased wound closure rates by two times compared to control subjects. The technique provides an effective biodressing that maintains structural strength during healing, promising early-stage wound healing improvements.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalArtificial Organs·DateDec 20, 2007

Promising approach to a more effective sunscreen

Researchers discovered a promising new agent, CP-31398, that restores mutant p53 tumor suppressor function and inhibits skin cancer growth in mice exposed to UVB light. The findings suggest potential for this approach as a sunscreen component for preventing and treating UV light-induced skin cancers.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

Motile Cilia go with the flow

Researchers at Salk Institute discovered a 2-step mechanism for cilia to agree on direction, enabling directional fluid flow. Cilia refinement phase ensures coordinated movement of up to 200 cilia per cell.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 2007

Scientists produce neurons from human skin

Researchers successfully produced neurons in vitro using stem cells from adult human skin, a breakthrough that could lead to revolutionary advances in treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. The method used involves extracting neuron precursor cells from skin samples and cultivating them in an appropriate environment.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalJournal of Cellular Physiology·DateFeb 22, 2007

Scientists clone mice from adult skin stem cells

Researchers at Rockefeller University have successfully cloned mice from adult skin stem cells using nuclear transfer, with a success rate of 19 out of 100 attempts. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of personalized embryonic stem cell lines for disease research and treatment.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 12, 2007

MIT creates 3-D scaffold for growing stem cells

Researchers have developed a new 3D scaffold made of protein nanofibers that can support the growth and differentiation of stem cells. The scaffold provides a more accurate representation of the natural context of cells in tissues and organs, and has the potential to replace traditional Petri dishes for growing cells.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 26, 2006

Hyaluronate reverses skin atrophy

A new study suggests that hyaluronate application may reverse skin atrophy, which is more common in older individuals due to the gradual loss of epidermis and dermis. The study found that hyaluronate fragments restore skin thickness and suggest a potential therapeutic approach for this condition.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 18, 2006

Signal protein shows promise for blocking tumor promoters in skin cells

A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that signal protein Srcasm can block tumor-promoting molecules in skin cells, potentially leading to targeted gene therapy for certain cancers. By increasing Srcasm levels, researchers may be able to reverse uncontrolled cell growth caused by activated Src kinases.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 3, 2006

Squid skin reveals hidden messages

Researchers from MBL found anatomical evidence of a 'hidden communication channel' in squid skin, which remains masked during camouflage. The study suggests that squid may use polarized signals to convey information about their surroundings, including the presence of predators or other squid.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalBiology Letters·DateSep 20, 2006

Hirsute-s you, Sir!

Researchers identified three proteins that determine an individual's hair pattern during embryonic development. They also found that hyperactivating one of these proteins in mice led to abnormal fur growth, providing insights into male-pattern baldness and ectodermal dysplasia.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 28, 2006