Hibernation on demand
Arctic ground squirrels can be made to flip in and out of hibernation by injecting their brains with chemicals that either stimulate or block the neurotransmitter adenosine. The finding could lead to drugs that induce hibernation-like states in humans (Journal of Neuroscience, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1240-11.2011).
Stem cells to treat MS
Around 150 people in Europe with multiple sclerosis are to take part in the largest clinical trial yet using stem cells to treat the disease. Later this year Paolo Muraro of Imperial College London and colleagues will inject the subjects with stem cells produced from their own…
