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Visionary progress

A retinal stem cell patch has survived for two years after implantation and continues to function without triggering immune rejection. The patch, developed through a collaboration of researchers, is one step closer to securing FDA approval and potentially restoring vision to millions of people affected by age-related macular degeneration.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateMar 16, 2022

Cellular therapy improves signs and symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

A clinical trial at UC Davis Health showed that cellular therapy offers promise for patients with late-stage Duchenne muscular dystrophy, stopping deterioration of upper limb and heart functions. The therapy appears to be safe and effective in improving skeletal muscle and cardiac function.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 10, 2022

Studying diseases with better delivery of gene-editing tools

A Penn State-led team of researchers developed a new delivery system that improves the efficiency and lifespan of CRISPR gene-editing tools after delivery into stem cells. The method uses an enzyme called PiggyBac, which enables permanent integration of the editing tools into the cell's genetic code, resulting in 99% of mutated cells b...

SourcePenn State·JournalBioactive Materials·DateMar 7, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Researchers produce fully functional pancreatic beta cells from stem cells for the first time

Scientists have successfully produced fully functional pancreatic beta cells from stem cells for the first time, offering a breakthrough in treating type 1 diabetes. The study's findings demonstrate that these stem cell-derived beta cells can regulate insulin secretion and manage glucose metabolism in both cell cultures and mice studies.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMar 3, 2022

New research findings could help improve bone marrow and stem cell transplantation for patients with blood-related diseases

Scientists have discovered the signature of genes expressed by hematopoietic stem cells that can produce healthy blood cells after being transplanted. This finding could enable scientists to expand these cells outside the body or convert other types of stem cells into functional blood cells.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2022
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Mouse study may help doctors choose treatments for leukemia patients

Researchers have identified a group of clinical signs that can be paired with genetic testing to better inform the timing of more aggressive treatment for leukemia patients. The study used a mouse model to understand how genetic mutations trigger bone marrow failure and life-threatening complications.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2022

Sonic advance: How sound waves could help regrow bones

Researchers at RMIT University used high-frequency sound waves to turn stem cells into bone cells, overcoming challenges in mass production and pain associated with extraction. The innovative treatment is faster, simpler, and more efficient than existing methods.

SourceRMIT University·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2022

Getting to the heart of complex disease

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have developed a novel method for identifying genetic variants that are likely to play important roles in congenital heart disease. The study leverages interactions between proteins to pinpoint candidate genes, including GLYR1, which is involved in turning other genes on and off.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell·DateFeb 18, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

An easier way to grow model organs

Scientists at Michigan Medicine have developed a new way to grow tiny models of organs, called organoids, using a simple suspension culture. This breakthrough improves the understanding of human development and could lead to new insights into disease.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 17, 2022

Scientists think a peptide could stop, reverse damage to nerve cells

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found a promising treatment for neurodegenerative diseases by stopping nerve cell degeneration. A peptide has been identified that inhibits mitochondrial fission and lets nerve cells grow normally.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalBrain·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

A respiratory model of COVID-19, made from patient-derived stem cells

A team of scientists has developed a three-dimensional airway model made from patient-derived stem cells to study COVID-19 infection. The model replicates the initial stages of infection and can be used to test potential antiviral drugs, with results showing that multi-ciliated airway cells are the primary entry point for the virus.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·DateFeb 9, 2022

Different autism risk genes, same effects on brain development

Researchers used 3D mini-brain models to study the effects of three autism risk genes on neural formation and development. The study found that despite unique molecular mechanisms, the genes converged on affecting specific types of neurons, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for autism treatment.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateFeb 2, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

New computational tool predicts cell fates and genetic perturbations

Researchers have developed a machine learning framework called dynamo that can predict a cell's path over time, including its fate and genetic changes. The tool uses data from individual cells to create mathematical equations describing the cell's trajectory.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalCell·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 1, 2022

Personalized dosing of preparatory drug leads to safer stem cell transplants

Researchers have developed a personalized dosing regime for anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) to improve the success of stem cell transplants in children with leukemia. The new approach led to better immune recovery and higher survival rates compared to standard treatment.

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·JournalThe Lancet Haematology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 31, 2022

Researchers identify key regulator of blood stem cell development

A new study reveals that histone H3.3 plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of blood stem cells, leading to abnormalities when deleted. The protein anchors key epigenetic marks at developmental genes and endogenous retroviruses, contributing to an inflammatory response and skewed produ...

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJan 28, 2022

Not all brains are equal: Why the human brain is more vulnerable to disease

Breakthrough research reveals Tuberous Sclerosis Complex arises from human-specific progenitor cells, explaining its pathology. Human-derived cerebral organoid models shed light on complex brain development and potential mechanisms for other diseases.

SourceIMBA- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Harnessing intestinal cells to treat endocrine disorders?

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed an organoid platform that identifies drugs that enhance enteroendocrine cell action, potentially reversing diabetes, obesity and gastrointestinal conditions. The system identified three chemicals that drive the formation of EE cells and hormone production.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·DateJan 26, 2022

Mutant stem cells defy rules of development

A recent study by Gladstone Institutes researchers found that mouse stem cells can spontaneously transition from heart cell precursors to brain cell precursors when a specific gene is removed. This discovery upends current understanding of how stem cells differentiate into adult cells and maintain their identity. The study's findings h...

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature·DateJan 26, 2022

Improved retinal transplant technique ready for clinical trials

Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new retinal transplant technique by engineering human-derived retina sheets to lose bipolar cells, allowing better connections to host retinas and improved responses to light. The technique has shown substantial functional improvement in animal studies and is now poised for human clinical trials.

SourceRIKEN·JournaliScience·DateJan 25, 2022

Old neurons can block neurogenesis in mice

Researchers discovered that old neurons can block neurogenesis in mice, highlighting excessive senescence as a driving factor behind aging. By destroying senescent cells, the study showed enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function in middle-aged mice.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2022
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Discovery of a “hidden gem” enables gene editing with a small but mighty CRISPR-Cas3 system

Scientists have developed a novel CRISPR-Cas3 editor from the bacteria Neisseria lactamica that improves editing efficiency and is more easily produced. The tool enables 50% editing efficiency in stem cells and 95% efficiency in other human cell lines, paving the way for research in genetic diseases and developmental biology.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJan 19, 2022

Tuberculosis vaccine could assist future COVID-19 vaccine development

Researchers identified 40 peptide pairs with potential cross-reactivity between BCG vaccination and SARS-CoV-2, offering a new strategy to complement existing COVID-19 vaccines. These peptides can induce T cell responses and INF-γ production, providing long-lasting immunity against viral infections.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateJan 13, 2022
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Survival rate of adult patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia after hematopoietic cell transplantation has steadily increased over the past two decades

Survival rates for adult patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after hematopoietic cell transplantation have increased significantly over the past two decades. The two-year overall survival rate rose from 27.8% in 2000-2004 to 54.8% in 2015-2019, despite a significant increase in patient age at relapse.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 12, 2022

ERC Starting Grant for Kai Kretzschmar

The European Research Council has awarded Kai Kretzschmar a Starting Grant to systematically characterise oral epithelial stem cells. This will help decipher the mechanisms underlying the diversity of the oral epithelium and its contribution to oral squamous cell carcinomas.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·DateJan 10, 2022

Leveraging space to advance stem cell science and medicine

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have identified opportunities to use microgravity in space for large-scale stem cell production, disease modeling, and biofabrication. This could lead to breakthroughs in regenerative medicine and the development of new treatments.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateDec 30, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

UCSF-led study uncovers unique stem cell trajectory in lungs damaged by COVID-19 and pulmonary fibrosis

Researchers discovered that human lung stem cells can undergo abnormal differentiation in response to injury from diseases like COVID-19 and pulmonary fibrosis. This aberrant process prevents the restoration of normal lung function, but the study also identified a potential therapeutic target for reversing damage.

SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Medical Center·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 30, 2021

“Mini-brains” provide clues about early life origins of schizophrenia

Researchers grew 'mini-brains' from stem cells of patients with and without schizophrenia, finding reduced gene expression in patient samples that stymied brain cell development. Replacing the missing genes restored normal brain cell production, suggesting a potential target for therapy.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateDec 16, 2021
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

NIH researchers identify potential AMD drugs with stem-cell based research tool

Researchers developed a dish-based model that replicates the characteristics of dry age-related macular degeneration, allowing them to screen over 1,200 drugs for their ability to slow or halt disease progression. Two drugs, Aminocaproic acid and L745, showed promise in inhibiting key phenotypes associated with AMD.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2021

NTU Singapore scientists give new lease of life to e-waste plastics

Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a new use for e-waste plastics by repurposing them as an alternative to laboratory cell culture containers. The team found that over 95% of human stem cells seeded on e-waste plastics remained healthy after a week, comparable to cells grown on conventional plates.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateDec 13, 2021

Stem-cell breakthrough could preserve diverse livestock breeds

A team of scientists led by Vimal Selvaraj has developed a way to preserve the genetic diversity of fast-disappearing native cattle breeds using stem cells. This technology could be used to clone extinct breeds or to produce animals with desirable traits, such as disease resistance and extreme weather tolerance.

SourceCornell University·JournalBiology Open·DateDec 8, 2021

How the body uses fat to fight infection

Researchers discovered that blood stem cells use high-energy fatty acids from the body's fat stores to power up their response to infection. This finding could lead to new approaches in treating bacterial infections, particularly in vulnerable and older individuals.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

NSF grant supports study of cells’ early decisions

Researchers will investigate how cells collect and interpret signals to make differentiation decisions, using live cell imaging and mathematical frameworks. The goal is to reveal the mechanisms behind cells' earliest decisions and improve stem cell fate prediction.

SourceRice University·DateDec 7, 2021
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Breakthrough research on human embryo models paves the way for improving in vitro fertilization success rate and new non-hormonal, user-friendly contraception

Researchers have discovered molecules that could be candidates for contraceptives or fertility enhancers using human blastoid models. These models also show promise in improving the self-organization of stem cells during IVF procedures.

SourceIMBA- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 2, 2021

Reconstructable uterus-derived materials help uterine factor infertility

Researchers have created reconstructable uterus-derived materials (RUMs) to aid in the recovery of damaged uteruses. The materials, which can be formed into different states and shapes, prevent intrauterine adhesion and promote angiogenesis, endometrial regeneration, and muscle collagen rebuilding.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2021

Correcting inherited gene alterations speeds up

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have developed a method to precisely and rapidly correct genetic alterations in cultured patient cells. The new technique combines two Nobel Prize-winning approaches to produce genetically corrected autologous pluripotent stem cells, paving the way for potential therapeutic applications.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateNov 30, 2021
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Testosterone-producing Leydig cells successfully generated from iPS cells

Scientists at Kobe University have successfully generated testosterone-producing Leydig cells from human iPS cells, a significant step towards developing a regenerative medicine treatment for late-onset hypogonadism. The induced cells expressed genes specific to Leydig cells and produced functional testosterone.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Endocrinology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 28, 2021

New link between diet, intestinal stem cells and disease discovered

A new study reveals that a high-sugar and high-fat diet can disrupt the natural adaptation of the digestive system by accelerating the division and differentiation of intestinal stem cells. This can lead to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and gastrointestinal cancer.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Metabolism·DateNov 19, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

UCLA scientists make strides toward an ‘off-the-shelf’ immune cell therapy for cancer

Researchers produce large quantities of powerful cancer-fighting iNKT cells using stem cell engineering and organoid technology, offering a potential solution for mass-producing an off-the-shelf immune cell therapy. The therapy, which uses hematopoietic stem cell-engineered iNKT cells, has been shown to be effective in killing multiple...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2021

For stem cells, bigger doesn’t mean better

Researchers found that blood stem cells, which are among the smallest cells in the body, lose their ability to perform their normal function — replenishing the body’s blood cells — as they grow larger. However, when the cells were restored to their usual size, they behaved normally again.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 12, 2021

Businesses selling non-FDA-approved stem cell products grew four-fold in five years, UCI study says

A US study found that businesses selling non-FDA-approved stem cell products grew four-fold in five years, with California, Texas, and Florida leading the nation. Patients spend thousands of dollars on unproven treatments, posing significant risks to their health, while the industry's lack of regulation endangers public health.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeContent analysis·DateNov 4, 2021

Preventing leukemia by preventing rogue blood cells from taking over

A study suggests that suppressing the protective mechanisms of rogue blood stem cells can help curb clonal hematopoiesis and prevent leukemia. The researchers used zebrafish with colored 'barcodes' to track the dominance of cancerous clones, revealing a connection between anti-inflammatory genes and resistance to inflammation.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalScience·DateNov 4, 2021
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Lithium imaging method could shine new light on bipolar disorder, treatment

Researchers developed a method to image lithium in living cells, finding that neurons from bipolar disorder patients accumulate higher levels of lithium than healthy controls. This new tool could help optimize lithium dosage and improve treatment outcomes for patients with bipolar disorder.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateNov 3, 2021