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Science Friday > Archives > 2000 > June > June 9, 2000: Hour Two: Map of the Universe / Stem Cell Research / Open Phones
According to the astronomers, their data supports the idea that the universe will continue expanding forever, rather than eventually falling back in upon itself. That supports the findings from the Boomerang team earlier this year. We'll talk about the mapping project, and what it may tell us about the universe. Plus... There's been a good deal of attention paid by the neuroscience community to research into the use of neural stem cells to try to regenerate brain tissue. The technique offers some hope for people with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological disorders. However, the procedures carry ethical concerns as well--in the past, the prime source of these stem cells has been tissue from aborted human fetuses, or from cells derived from such tissue. Several research groups have made progress towards using cells from other sources, including pig tissue and specially-treated cells taken from a testicular cancer patient, for such treatments, and other sources are in the works as well. We'll talk about the current state of stem cell research, and its promises and pitfalls.
Guests: Evan Snyder Related Links:
Produced By: Annette Heist |
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