Articles - March 2007 en-us http://www.thescizone.com/news N/A http://www.thescizone.com/news michael@thescizone.com 20 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1114/1/Stem-cell-grants-come-with-dash-of-criticism/1.html One of the state's most prominent stem cell researchers was judged to be a little "naive" on some technical areas. Another scientist was questioned as to whether he has the "expertise" to carry out his research. One other veteran investigator was said to be taking a potentially irrelevant approach "from a clinical perspective." Public criticisms of scientists by other scientists are rare. But that's part of the price for anyone obtaining a grant from California's new $3 billion stem cell research program. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Sat, 31 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1113/1/Ireland-is-set-to-play-a-significant-role-in-field-of-stem-cell-research/1.html Gary Culliton looks at progress in the field of stem cell research and finds that Ireland could be a major player as developments unfold over the next five years, particularly in NUI Galway's Regenerative Medicine Institute Ireland is set to be a significant player in the field of stem cell research over the next five years. A new clinical research facility is on the cards for Galway, which will provide beds for patients enrolled in stem cell therapy clinical trials. “This country has a clinical network that will readily facilitate such trials,” said Prof Frank Barry, the Scientific Director of NUI Galway’s Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1112/1/This-Spring-Stop-and-Smell-the-Tax-Deductions/1.html Let’s face it - tax time isn’t fun for ANYONE.  If you live with a spinal cord injury or other disability, it can be even more of a challenge to get those taxes done. Fortunately, help is available! Not to mention, you may be eligible for more deductions than you thought! The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers assistance for those with disabilities through a variety of options.  The IRS website states if you are unable to complete your return because of a physical disability, you may obtain assistance from an IRS office, or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) sponsored by the IRS. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1118/1/Many-promises-of-stem-cell-research/1.html Stem cells have been dogged by political and ethical controversies because some are derived from discarded human embryos, and because of fear and confusion about links with human reproductive cloning. The future of stem cell therapies was thrown deeper into doubt in late 2005, when a leader of the field - Woo Suk Hwang, South Korea’s stem cell king” - was found to have forged key discoveries and flouted ethical protocols. So has the stem cell miracle been postponed? No. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1126/1/Spinal-injury-patient-shows-improvement/1.html A spinal cord injury victim who was a subject of stem cell experimentation at PGI has shown tremendous progress, doctors said today. Uggar Sain had undergone surgery and after adequate decompression and stabilisation, stem cells had been placed in the vicinity of the injured spinal cord, with the hope that there may be regeneration of the injured neuro tissue. “This was done on December 20, 2006, and in three months time the patient has been able to walk,” said Professor of Department of Orthopaedics at PGI Dr Raj Bahadur. “Sain was a paraplegic. He was unable to pass urine, there was no movement in his limbs and neither did they have any sensation. Keeping in view all these factors, the progress he has made is tremendous,” Dr Bahadur said. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1117/1/Wheels-in-Motion-ready-to-roll/1.html Rick Hansen event raises funds for spinal cord injuries and research Powell River's third annual Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion takes place from 10 am to 1 pm, on Sunday, June 10 at the Powell River Recreation Complex. Community members, businesses and families can collect pledges and walk, bike, run, rollerblade, skateboard, or wheelchair along designated routes around Powell River. Route lengths vary from three to 10 kilometres. "It will be a fun time, I imagine," said Giovanni Spezzacatena, a spokesman for the event. It's a very worthy cause." michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1111/1/Paralyzed-teen-forced-to-reset-goals/1.html Seventeen-year-old Tiffany Przenkop saw her friend screaming from under the dashboard and flames shooting from under the hood when she realized she couldn't move.She saw a passing trucker put out the fire, peering in at her in the back seat every few moments to ask whether she was still alive.Tiffany Przenkop was a passenger in a car that crashed on I-95 in September. The case remains unresolved and Tiffany's family strains to pay her medical bills. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1110/1/Committee-passes-dueling-bills-on-stem-cell-research/1.html Florida lawmakers tackled the issue of stem-cell research Tuesday facing the same question that dominates a national debate: Should taxpayers fund research that involves destroying human embryos?That question played the key role as senators considered dueling bills that each call for spending $20 million a year on stem-cell research -- but differ about whether money should go to embryonic research.Faye Armitage, a Jacksonville mother, told senators about her son, Jason, who suffered a spinal-cord injury while playing soccer when he was 7. She implored lawmakers to move forward with embryonic stem-cell research, which she said holds the most promise for helping Jason and others with debilitating medical conditions. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1127/1/An-Oregon-Tale/Part-1.html RECENTLY MY OLDEST son, Noah, graduated from the University of Oregon. He wore the traditional cap with tassel as a concession to his mother’s prodding. The gown, however, bothered him. Where the hell did the long flowing folds belong? He opted to go without, etiquette be damned. In its place he put on a bright pink shirt with striped tie. If you are going to draw attention, you may as well shine. As he proceeded forward amidst the other students draped in black, he glowed like an orchid in a bed of coal. When the Provost announced Noah’s name, a loud cheer interrupted the decorum. The ovation celebrated an effort occurring parallel to the academics. These were his fans. They rightfully claimed a moment of brazen discourteousness. My resistance to the incessant urge for a feel good moment, about a story that has never felt very good, wavered. I allowed myself a smile. michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Tue, 27 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.thescizone.com/news/articles/1109/1/Doctors-stress-ATV-safety/1.html The deaths of two Arkansans in all-terrain vehicle accidents over the weekend were a reminder that ATV accidents are on the rise in the state, and doctors at Arkansas Children's Hospital want to see the trend reversed. "Arkansas has had increasing numbers of injuries for several years," said Dr. Mary Aitken, a pediatrician with the hospital's Injury Free Coalition for Kids. "And at Arkansas Children's Hospital we've seen a dramatic increase in serious injuries." michael@thescizone.com (Michael Feger) Tue, 27 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400