Scientists turn blood into nerve cells in pursuit of better pain relief

Canadian researchers have discovered a way to turn blood cells into nerve cells

 (Credit: Shutterstock)

"As it stands, there's not a whole lot we know about pain. Where a tissue or blood sample can be drawn and studied, our nervous system comprising different kinds of cells running signals through complex piping around the body presents a difficult task for scientific research. But a new study details a technique that turns blood cells into different nerve cells, promising to improve our understanding of why things itch or burn. By extension, it is hoped that it could lead to new forms of pain relief that do away with unwanted side effects such as sleepiness or loss of concentration."

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The research was published in the journal Cell Reports.

Source: McMaster University (PDF)

NASA Technologist Advances CubeSat Concept for Planetary Exploration - SpaceRef

CubeSat Application for Planetary Entry Missions ©NASA

Although scientists are increasingly using pint-size satellites sometimes no larger than a loaf of bread to gather data from low-Eartho rbit, they have yet to apply the less-expensive small-satellite technology to observe physical phenomena far from terra firma. Jaime Esper, a technologist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, however, is advancing a CubeSat concept that would give scientists that capability.

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