Adult Stem Cells

ASSOCIATED PRESS, Aug. 8 — Injecting patients' own stem cells into their leg muscles could create new blood vessels, eliminating pain from bad circulation and helping to prevent gangrene or amputations, new research indicates.

The study, described this week in the British medical journal The Lancet, is the first time implanted stem cells resulted in new blood vessel networks, a process called angiogenesis.

Experts say the findings offer hope to millions of people who suffer pain in their limbs because of clogged arteries but cannot have an operation.

Idaho Keeps Pro-Life Law

IDAHO STATESMAN, Aug. 8 — Idaho prolifers and legislators declared victory this week after a deadline passed to appeal a law which bans taxpayer funding of abortion.

Planned Parenthood of Idaho has opted not to appeal a judge's decision allowing the funding ban to take effect. The group said it has taken the money it would have spent in court and is offering it to women who would have otherwise turned to state funding to pay for their abortions.

The pro-life law, passed two winters ago and recently upheld by 4th District Judge Michael McLaughlin, eliminates taxpayer funding for “health-related” abortions paid through the state's Medicaid program.

Babies Can ‘Share Womb’

BBC NEWS, Aug. 4 — Doctors usually advise women who develop a molar pregnancy to have an abortion to avoid developing cancer. That might be about to change.

A molar pregnancy is caused by an error in the transfer of genetic information between the sperm and egg resulting in a hydatidiform mole, which has the potential to develop into a tumor.

One in 100,000 women become simultaneously pregnant with a healthy baby and a hydatidiform mole — which shares sustenance from the mother and grows alongside the healthy fetus as though they were twins.

A study by a team from Hammersmith Hospital and Imperial College London found as many as 40% of these women can go on to have a normal healthy birth and that none of the 53 women who opted to continue the pregnancy suffered any lasting complications.

Babies May Hold Key to Disease

BBC NEWS, Aug. 3 — Scientists are studying babies in the womb to try to establish the cause of osteoporosis and reduce fractures in the elderly.

Researchers at Southampton University will study whether unborn babies' bone growth can be affected by their mother's diet.

The researchers will study a group of about 500 pregnant women and quiz them about their diet, smoking habits and exercise levels.