The complex field of stem cell research is expanding at a remarkable rate, but public understanding of this topic is still growing. With so much information to be learned, and equally as much information available, it can be difficult to find legitimate and localized sources. Our goal is to make this information easily accessible and understandable so you, too, can be on the forefront of this cutting edge research.

One of the most basic questions in this research is two-fold: What are stem cells and where do they come from? Stem cells, like other types of cells, are found throughout the body, but they have two very unique characteristics. 1) they have the ability to divide into other types of cells and 2) they can replicate themselves for long amounts of time. So what exactly does that mean?

If we go back to the basics, all of our organs, in all parts of our body, are made of cells. In fact, there are over 200 different types of cells in the human body. There are cells that make up our skin, our bones, our blood… everything. While ordinary cells divide to create a copy of themselves, what makes stem cells so unique is their ability to divide into all of the 200+ types of cells as well as a copy of themselves.

Even though these cells can be found throughout the body, there are specific places where they are localized, and they are therefore named based on their organ of origin. Embryonic stem cells (es cells) are the type that has generated the most attention and controversy, but also the most excitement. Once an egg has been fertilized, it goes through a very rapid division process. After about three days, the structure that started as one cell, has divided into a structure of about 100 cells, called a blastocyst. A blastocyst looks almost like a microscopic version of a walnut, with a diameter less than that of a strand of human hair. Es cells are obtained by extracting the “inner cell mass” from the inside of the blastocyst. These cells are then placed in culture, which allows them to divide and replicate. They are described as pluripotent, meaning they can replicate themselves infinitely and have the unique ability to be coaxed into differentiating into all types of cells in the human body.

A common misconception is the idea that es cells come from fetuses or babies. As previously described, es cells come from a blastocyst, which is neither a fetus nor a baby; a blastocyst it is an early-stage embryo. The controversy surrounding embryonic stem cells centers on the ethical question as to when a human life begins, however a vast majority of individuals don’t attribute the same moral status to this blastocyst as to a living human.

The other major type of stem cell is collectively called adult stem cells, which are found in various locations throughout the human body, as well as in umbilical cord blood. These adult stem cells can be classified further depending on where in the body they come from. For instance, cardiac stem cells were recently discovered in the heart and neural stem cells are found in the nervous system. What makes adult stem cells different from embryonic is that they are multipotent, in that they can arguably only differentiate into a limited number of cell types, notably cells from which they were originally extracted. Adult stem cells have been in use for several decades, however largely only to treat blood disorders, as many of these have been found in bone marrow where blood is made. On the other hand, as discussed, es cells have the unique ability to differentiate into any kind of cell type, highlighting their vast potential in treating disease and becoming cell replacements.

Recently, new technological advances have opened up the possibility to create embryonic and embryonic-like stem cells through processes called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and cellular reprogramming (IPS). The results highlight the exciting and dynamic nature of this field. At the same time though, they all offer something unique and must be studied together in order to find cures and treatments to disease.

The Brooke Ellison Project

http://www.brookeellisonproject.org

When we think of Silver we normally think of silver plated utensils or ornaments and sometimes of silver coins. However this is only a small % of total silver consumption.

Silver has a number of properties that make it highly useful as metal with industrial applications.

Silver has the highest thermal conductivity among metals, high reflectivity and highest electrical conductivity. These properties have seen it applied in numerous uses including a coating on windows (think of those mirror glass skyscrapers popular in the 80′), in high end electrical components including silver membrane switches, and as a catalyst in a number of industrial chemical processes (for example the oxidization of ethylene gas into into ethylene oxide – the major ingredient for polyester.)

Silver also has antibacterial properties that are now being more greatly exploited, particularly given the declining effectiveness of antibiotics. Such applications have included adding silver to sports clothing where it helps prevent bacterial and fungal infections. Some air conditioner and even white goods manufacturers have started to include silver in their products to prevent bacterial and fungal growth within their products. Silver has even found its way into medical dressings where the silver inhibits bacterial growth.

30% of the worlds industrial use of silver was used in the production of photographic paper – both colour and black and white film. With the switch over to digital photography there has been a temporary reduction in demand for silver, however this is quickly being taken up by new industrial uses for silver.

One of the main problems in the use of silver as an industrial metal is that the processes tend to “consume” the silver. That is it is not available for recycle. Because silver is often used in very small quantities in individual products – it is not economically viable or even sometimes industrially possible to recycle the silver. This means that as silver is consumed their is less of it available. Many people believe this demand will exceed the ability to supply the metal driving the price up to unheard of levels, similar to the concept of “peak oil”, many believe we have past “peak silver” and that long term the metal will become increasingly in greater demand whilst the amount available continues to reduce.

Interested in buying silver bullion or learning more about silver – visit http://www.getfinancialfreedom4u.ws/silver
This article is the property of Alastair HARRIS and his immediate family. It may be freely republished over the internet but must include original links.

A person who knows just one language has a narrow cultural horizon. Not all good works of literature, cinema and music are available in translation, and those that have been translated may have bits and pieces of idioms and ‘local color’ lost in translation.

Learning a new language nowadays is no longer as difficult, time-consuming or costly as it used to. You don’t have to learn it in a classroom. You don’t have to be as smart as James Joyce. And you don’t need to live in Rome, for instance (although that would be lovely), to learn Italian.

In this age of globalization, of jet travel, instant messages and quick access to information, you’ll look like a Neanderthal if you won’t learn a second language. In fact, a lot of people these days consider acquiring a second language as hip as going on a vacation to Tahiti or owning techie gizmos. And truly, learning a new language isn’t nearly as costly as a night in a classy resort or a new high-end mobile computer.

If you hate the classroom setting, as it brings back bad memories of school, you can actually learn a new language anywhere anytime. You can learn it while doing chores at home, hitting the treadmill, gardening, sailing, waiting for the fish to bite, or getting a tan at the beach.

Having the linguistic smarts can turn you into a polyglot, but even if you’re not inclined to learn a new language, learning a second language is still doable. If a parrot can learn to mimic human sound, you can do better than that. And no schoolmarm will be looking over your shoulder, making sure you’re toeing the linguistic line.

Living in Thailand to learn Thai is perhaps the best way to learn the language, but doing so will take time, some personal and cultural adjustments and a lot of money, unless there’s a job waiting for you there.

So how is it possible to learn a second language at your pace, at your own time, at any place you like and at no high cost? Well, that’s exactly what the Pimsleur language learning program is designed for.

Developed by the notable language instructor, Dr. Paul Pimsleur, you are guaranteed of easy, quick and effective method of learning a second language. The program has the widest catalog of languages to choose from, including all of the major languages in the world. You can learn any of the European languages, plus Mandarin, Hindi, Arabic, Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, Thai and many more.

Getting the program materials is even easier. No tree ever gets sacrificed for your learning module because you won’t get any textbook. The program is designed as an audio file (MP3 or WMA format) that can be easily downloaded from vendors on the internet into your personal computer.

You can then burn the file into a CD, DVD or Blu-Ray disk, or load it into your handy audio players, pocket PCs or smart phones – which means you can listen to your language lessons while doing the dishes or laundry, walking the dog, doing your early morning exercise, or even soaking in the tub before bedtime (just keep your headphones and player away from your bubbly bath). Truly, there’s no easier way of learning a second language.

For those who thirst for the real thing, here is the complete list of all your favorite language learning audio courses: foreign language learning audio books

When you happen to have a particular language course in mind, try searching for it here: second language learning