Everything Old Is New Again

Posted on 1 February 2010, 0:01, by CWE, under Health.

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute reports, “A team of Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers has found that in old mice, a several-week exposure to the blood of young mice causes their bone marrow stem cells to act ‘young’ again.”

The Times Online reports, “Neurons have been created directly from skin cells for the first time.”

“If confirmed, the discovery that one tissue type can be genetically reprogrammed to become another, could revolutionise treatments for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, opening up the possibility of turning a patient’s own skin cells into the neurons that they need.”

Ponder the economic implications of a population whose mean age were significantly higher than today’s.

Invest accordingly.

CWE

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3 Comments

  1. Randall Randall says:
    1 February 2010 at 22:03

    So Heinlein’s proposed longevity treatment in Methuselah’s Children might actually work. Alrightythen.

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  2. Steve Foerster says:
    4 February 2010 at 2:10

    So bathing in the blood of children is the key to eternal life? Where have I heard that before?

    Reply to this comment
  3. CWE says:
    4 February 2010 at 8:28

    It is intriguing how, as we learn that biology is engineering, many cherished beliefs lose their moralistic luster.

    Reply to this comment

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