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Science Friday > Archives > 2003 > April
> April 4, 2003:
Hour One: Stem Cell
Update / High-Tech Weapons / SARS Update
Researchers studying the process of cloning through the duplication
of embryonic stem cells believe they may have a lead on why so many
attempted animal clones fail. The secret, they suspect, may lie in
which genes are active in the cloned cells. We'll find out more. In
related news, two groups of researchers looking into the behavior
of stem cells are reporting findings that may change theories of how
the cells repair tissue. The generally accepted idea behind using
stem cells to treat various diseases and conditions was that the stem
cells could potentially form new cells to replace damaged ones. The
new research, however, indicates that the stem cells may instead fuse
with damaged cells, perhaps somehow reprogramming the DNA inside.
We'll talk about it.
As U.S. soldiers and their allies advance on Baghdad, they are armed
with the latest military technology. Much of their high-tech weaponry
was developed at the U.S. Army's Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey.
In this hour of Science Friday, we'll talk with one of the weapons
lab's scientists about some of the devices the troops are using --
and others that are still on the drawing board.
We'll also get an update on the respiratory illness known as SARS,
or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. To date over 75 people have
died from the illness. Some 2,200 are believed to be infected, including
85 suspected cases under investigation in the US. The outbreak is
affecting travel and trade around the world. We'll get the latest.
Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255, and share
your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).
Guests:
David Page
Professor of Biology, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology
Associate Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Member, Whitehead Institute
Cambridge, Massachusetts
John Cline
Systems Manager for Non-lethal, Combat Tech and Concepts Team
Light Armaments Division
Close Combat Armaments Center
Picatinny Arsenal,
New Jersey
C. J. Peters, MD
Virologist
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, Texas
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
World Health Organization
SARS information
CDC SARS information
- Picatinny Arsenal
Globalsecurity.org:
Picatinny Arsenal
Where
U.S. soldiers are sent, Picatinny's inventions go, too
Picatinny
weapons act as Instant Finders
- Stem
cell study offers new idea
Wired
News: Stem Cell Finds Change Everything
Nature
Science Update: Excess DNA prompts stem-cell rethink
This segment produced by Annette
Heist and Clementine Wallace
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