Echo Point, Blue Mountains.

During the past week we’ve discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, the ‘Paper’ and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

• Tracking Joint Cartilage Development : ‘Stem cell researchers from UCLA have published the first study to identify the origin cells and track the early development of human articular cartilage, providing what could be a new cell source and biological roadmap for therapies to repair cartilage defects and damage from osteoarthritis.‘ Very interesting indeed.
• Researchers Film Early Concussion Damage, Describe Brain’s Response to Injury : We’ve seen some very interesting research recently into brain injuries, and how best to avoid/treat them. Of particular note this week, researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) found that : ‘… applying glutathione (an antioxidant that is normally found in our cells) directly on the skull surface after brain injury reduced the amount of cell death by 67 percent. When the researchers applied glutathione three hours after injury, cell death was reduced by 51 percent.’
  Good stuff.
• A Step Closer to Muscle Regeneration : Generating skeletal muscle cells from stem cells? Yep.
• Footsteps Power 1,000 LED Bulbs : More on the Sustainable Gym idea, on an even larger scale. Fantastic.

We also talked about PRP recovery techniques, contact lenses that dispense medication and a whole lot more. Join the discussion in the Straight to the Bar Community on Google+.