By Caroline Song

On June 5, 2014 the scientists in Taiwan have found that intravenous injections of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous tooth pulp (SHED) have a protective effect against brain damage from heat stroke in mice.
According to Dr. Ying-Chu Lin of the Kaohsiung Medical University School of Dentistry, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan -study lead author “Heat stroke deaths are increasing worldwide and heat stroke-induced brain injury is the third …

By Abrigul Lutfalieva

Human organ trafficking is one of the emerging issues in the globalizing world.
Almost all the facts about the illegal trade in organs is collected by criminal justice programs, security agencies, public health organizations and other informational sources, but despite that many countries are continuing to violate the existing law and regulations on organ trafficking.
The case in MEXICO CITY (AP) — Police in Mexico’s western state of Michoacan indicated …

By Raina Jain

The practice of micro-financing, which began in Bangladesh, has become a factor indirectly contributing to organ trafficking in the country. The initiative began as a means to provide loans to help small businesses succeed in Bangladesh. Although efforts were aimed to alleviate poverty, it has led to severe problems for Bangladeshis due to strict repayments and lack of regulation. These factors have led many Bangladeshis to borrow from …

By Caroline Song

Space Coast Daily reports on the efforts of Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) in his efforts to raise funding for kidney dialysis patients in an article titled, “Foot Prints’ Raised 35K for Kidney Dialysis Patients.” This is the third annual run of “Foot Prints in the Sand” Kidney Beach Walk in Cocoa Beach, Florida, presented by the National Kidney Foundation of Florida. This year Posey led the walk, and …

By Caroline Song

David McNamee writes for Medical News Today and recently published the piece “Students produce 3D-printed artificial kidney prototypes.” Chemical engineering students at the University of Connecticut (UConn) have harnessed 3D printing to develop prototypes for artificial kidneys. The idea is not unique to the students. Surgeons in Japan have used 3D printed kidneys for practice. Currently, the only treatments for renal disease are dialysis of an organ transplant. …

By Caroline Song

Sara James, for PBS Newshour, interviewed several individuals in Australia about organ donation. Her published segment, “Can policy changes lead to an increase in organ donations?” showcased the impact of the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA) on the general public. The interview starts with the story of Damien Blumire, whom at 40 years old is suffering from an inherited form of kidney disease. He has currently been …

By Marc Beuttler

Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI) and United Therapeutics Corporation are teaming up to develop humanized pig lungs. Each year, 400,000 people die from lung disease, and the aim of this partnership is to create organs that are safe to use in humans and effective for transplantation as a treatment for terminal lung disease.
SGI designs its own DNA and uses genome-modification tools to take primary pig cells (those cells that …

Harvard Stem Cell Research Institute (HSCI) scientists have recently demonstrated that the protein GDF11 improves brain and skeletal muscle function in aging mice. Two studies, one led by Professor Amy Wagers, PhD, and one led by Lee Rubin, PhD, of Harvard’s Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (HSCRB), demonstrated the regenerative capacity that higher concentrations of GDF11 could have. Injections of the protein led to improvements in the olfactory …

By Caroline Song

Kelly Grant, a health reporter for The Globe and Mail, has recently published the article “Nova Scotia eye making organ donation automatic,” which looks at the Nova Scotia governments’ move towards presumed consent in deceased organ donation. The Health Minister Leo Glavine hopes to work in concert with the deputy health minister to run a public consultation online to gauge Nova Scotia’s response to a presumed consent law. …

By Kayla Santos

A new, federal kidney allocation system will reduce the amount of donated kidneys that are discarded by surgeons as well as better match the donor organ to the recipient. In 2012, it was determined that 1 in every 5 donated kidneys was discarded by surgeons because they were deemed unsuitable for transplantation. Candidates for transplants will be rated on an EPTS, estimated post-transplant survival score, based on age, …