Stem cells for breast implants

Researchers in Japan are ready to create breast implants for 40 women using stem cells. By using a mixture of fat cells from a woman’s thighs and stem cells, they hope to create a safe alternative to saline or silicone breast implants. Fat has been transplanted from the thighs and buttocks to other parts of the body before. But when tissue gets moved around, a fair portion of it dies and hardens over time, creating hard lumps, which has made fat transplant breast augmentation unpopular. The Japanese scientists hope to overcome this problem by using fat mixed with stem cells, which should create new, healthier, softer fat tissue. More than 240,000 women in the U.S. had breast augmentation surgery in 2002. Over a third of breast implants are removed within ten years because of complications.

-Zoe Cormier
Source: Nature

Four-armed jellyfish found

Marine biologists have found a new species of jellyfish off the coast of California that is unlike any other creature ever found. Instead of tentacles the jellyfish has arms, like a starfish. The animal is found at depths of 150 to 500 metres. Researchers spotted the animal for the first time 13 years ago, but waited to publish their discovery until they had found out more about the creature. It is relatively large for a jellyfish, measuring 10cm across and 20cm long.

-ZC
Source: Nature

Mercury may affect brains of adolescents

A new study shows that eating seafood contaminated with mercury can affect the brains of adolescents. The study is based on examinations of the brains of children in the Faroe Islands, which lie between Scotland and Norway. People there eat large quantities of fish and whalemeat. Seven-year-old children had abnormal nerve activity when examined seven years ago; now these fourteen-year-old children have even worse nerve damage. This indicates that not only does this damage not get repaired with age, but that the damage can get worse with continued exposure to mercury. This contradicts previous studies that suggested that mercury is only dangerous to babies in the womb. Scientists warn however that more research needs to be done, as people in the Faroe islands have a unique diet, feeding largely on whales.

ZC
Source: Nature