Scientists Grow Hair Using Stem Cells
For the first time, a team of U.S. scientists has developed a technique to convert human stem cells into a type of cell that is capable of initiating hair growth. When these cells were transplanted into mice lacking hair, they successfully induced human hair growth, suggesting that with further development, this method could lead to a cell-based treatment for people suffering hair loss.
Is There a Difference between Moisturizers with SPF and Sunscreens?
There isn’t! As long as you’re applying the proper amount, 2 mg/cm², you’ll get the SPF on the label.
“Our lab is focused on three areas. First, we are looking at how immune-related changes in old blood contribute to impairments in neural stem cell function and associated cognitive functions.
Second, we are looking at the contribution of the innate immune system to age-related impairments in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function.
Third, we are looking at how exposure to young blood rejuvenates neural stem cell function, synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in the old brain.
Ultimately, our goal is to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms that promote brain rejuvenation as a means by which to combat age-related neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction.”
Read This Before You Ever Believe Another Guest on the Dr. Oz Show
One of the most ridiculous things I heard on Dr. Oz was his promotion of “Grounding” or “Earthing”.
The thought is that electrical imbalances harm our health (they actually allow us to move, think, among other things…) and touching the Earth helps discharge these imbalances.
His evidence? When we’re on vacation we touch the Earth more, and don’t you feel more healthy on vacation?
I posted about a team of scientists discovering how to untangle proteins a few days ago, well one of the chemists is doing an AMA on Reddit today!
This could lead to new treatment methods for diseases that are caused by deformed proteins, such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s.
On the beauty side of things, collagen and other connective proteins in the skin permanently denatures and deforms as it ages and is exposed to UV as well, we may one day be able to reform those collagen proteins into their “youthful” form!
Depending on concentration and bioavailability, niacinamide has been shown to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, photo-protective, sebum reducing, and lightening effects when applied topically.
Niacinamide is the amide form of niacin.
The OH (oxygen and hydrogen, or hydroxyl) molecules have been replaced by an amine group – the nitrogen and two hydrogen molecules.
There are other topical forms of niacin, where the hydroxyl group has been replaced by a fatty acid – but their use is patented (NIA24 products).
Niacin isn’t often used topically because it causes prostaglandin release, which results in skin flushing and itching. Niacinamide and other forms of niacin don’t have this undesirable side-effect.
Niacinamide is quite stable, but in the right conditions can hydrolyze (breakdown in water) to niacin.
This is a concern for manufacturers who need to ensure long-term stability of their products, but should not be of particular worry for people using a product containing niacinamide and then another containing an acid (or vice-versa).
The reason being is that this hydrolysis takes a considerable amount of time. At a pH of 2 and 90°C it takes over 75 hours to convert half of the niacinamide in to niacin. Heat greatly speeds up chemical interactions, and at normal temperatures this translates in to weeks, if not months.
While it’s certainly true and possible that a small amount of niacin will form, for most people it won’t be enough to cause skin flushing.
If you do notice skin flushing (and tingling), then space the two products further apart. But don’t worry too much, the bulk of the product is still in niacinamide form and niacin is involved in the same pathway that niacinamide is.
Addendum: There’s another paper that focuses on the interaction of ascorbic acid and niacinamide which is often brought out in this discussion.
The important part though is often missing – the interaction is minimal, reversible, and irrelevant at physiological pH.
Again, this is more of a concern for cosmetic manufacturers and not consumers mixing products.
Cool Fact: Topical niacin and the lack of flushing response could be used to help diagnose schizophrenia
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