We may say goodbye to baldness soon! Scientists have discovered the one chemical that controls the life and death of hair follicles: TGF-beta. In the right amount, it stimulates the growth of hair follicle stem cells. However, too much TGF-beta causes hair follicles to die. What about those stem cells? Well, they remain untouched even after hair follicle death. And if you put the right amount of TGF-beta on them, they’ll grow into hair again! The “right amount” is still a mystery, though; one that researchers are working to uncover. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
