Ep. 34: 2014 Stem Cell Podcast Round Up

Guest: On this episode it's just me and Yosif talking about a variety of hot papers with topics ranging from F-Class stem cells, wolves are better at math than dogs, the NFL is hating on stem cell transplants, STAP author can’t replicate findings, and there are actual sparks when sperm meets egg. Resources and Links New Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Cures Lab Animals of Disease – A new treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity has been developed by researchers at Indiana University and the German Research Center for Environmental Health and has essentially cured lab animals of obesity, diabetes and associated lipid abnormalities through improved glucose sensitivity, and reduced appetite and enhanced calorie burning. Laughing Gas Studied as Depression Treatment – This article reveals a study conducted by researchers on nitrous oxide, the laughing gas, as a potential treatment for severe depression in patients whose symptoms don’t respond to standard therapies. Curcumin, Compound in Turmeric, Found to Impair Fear Memories and Ease PTSD Symptoms – Scientists have found that curcumin, the principal compound found in turmeric, can impair fear memories involved with the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rosetta Spacecraft Suggests Asteroids, Not Comets, Birthed Earth's Oceans – Asteroids, not comets, likely delivered Earth's ancient oceans from space based on the study from the Rosetta Spacecraft, which is now in orbit around a comet that is a frozen relic from the dawn of the planets. Oldest Horned Dinosaur Species in North America Found in Montana: Hooked Beak, Sharply Pointed Cheeks Distinguishes Neoceratopsian Species – This article presents the naming of the first definite horned dinosaur species from the Early Cretaceous in North America specifically in Montana as Aquilops americanus, which exhibits definitive neoceratopsian features and is closely related to similar species in Asia. Scientists Make 'Feel Full' Chemical – Based on this article, scientists have created a chemical that can be added to food to make people feel full which will help people to eat less and slow down weight gain. Gut Microbiota and Parkinson’s Disease: Connection Made – Scientists are trying to determine what is the connection between intestinal microbes and Parkinson’s disease because those who suffer from Parkinson’s have a different microbiota in their intestines than their healthy counterparts. An Evolutionary Battle Against Bacteria – This article suggests that treating infections from Haemophilus influenzae, one of the bacteria species that causes meningitis, will be more effective if scientists used the evolutionary history of transferrin as a guide for designing transferrin that the bacteria can’t attack. The Best Sign of Dark Matter Yet? X-ray Signals in Neighbouring Galaxies Could Be Emitted by One of the Universe's Greatest Mysteries – Two groups of researchers have detected a signal that could prove the existence of dark matter based on their analysis of X-rays emitted by two celestial objects – the Perseus galaxy cluster and the Andromeda galaxy. How Birds Hear Without Ears – Researchers have determined how birds accurately determine the direction of a sound, even when they do not have the complex external ear structures that most mammals, humans included, boast. It’s Official! Men Are More Stupid than Women, Says British Medical Journal – A study of 20 years of the Darwin Awards – the annual accolade which recalls foolish ways in which people have died – has revealed that 90% of the awards have been ‘won’ by men. Testosterone Increases Colon Cancer Risk – This article shows the relationship of testosterone levels with colon tumor growth and that women are less likely than men to develop non-sex specific cancer of the colon, stomach or pancreas due to female hormones such as estrogen. Dog Brains Process Human Speech in the Same Way We Do – There...