Regenerative capacity in newts is not altered by repeated regeneration and ageing

The extent to which adult newts retain regenerative capability remains one of the greatest unanswered questions in the regeneration field. Here we report a long-term lens regeneration project spanning 16 years that was undertaken to address this question. Over that time, the lens was removed 18 times from the same animals, and by the time of the last tissue collection, specimens were at least 30 years old. Regenerated lens tissues number 18 and number 17, from the last and the second to the last extraction, respectively, were analysed structurally and in terms of gene expression. Both exhibited structural properties identical to lenses from younger animals that had never experienced lens regeneration. Expression of mRNAs encoding key lens structural proteins or transcription factors was very similar to that of controls. Thus, contrary to the belief that regeneration becomes less efficient with time or repetition, repeated regeneration, even at old age, does not alter newt regenerative capacity

Educação não-formal sobre reprodução assistida: divulgação científica na Folha de S.Paulo Non-formal education on assisted reproduction: scientific divulging in the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper

Neste artigo, analisamos as matérias publicadas pelo jornal Folha de S.Paulo, no ano de 2005, sobre reprodução assistida (fertilização in vitro e outras técnicas). A análise é feita sob dois ângulos. Primeiramente, examinamos que informação é divulgada ao público sobre reprodução assistida, tendo como foco os direitos reprodutivos, o acesso público e privado às tecnologias de reprodução assistida, os interesses envolvidos e os riscos dessas tecnologias. Constatamos que não houve divulgação das leis que garantem acesso gratuito à reprodução assistida no Brasil, apesar da aprovação, naquele ano, da Política Nacional de Direitos Sexuais e Reprodutivos. As reportagens enfatizam o caráter privado do acesso às tecnologias reprodutivas e confrontam interesses comerciais envolvidos. Destacam os avanços tecnológicos como benefícios universais, sem discutir como as desigualdades sociais afetam o acesso a essas tecnologias e tratamentos. Na escassa referência aos riscos relacionados com os procedimentos, destacam a gravidez múltipla, que afeta, paradoxalmente, os casais mais pobres. Em segundo lugar, indagamos que tipo de educação não-formal é desenvolvido através dos artigos do jornal sobre reprodução assistida. Os artigos examinados mostram, ao mesmo tempo, características de divulgação científica e do mais tradicional papel desenvolvido pela mídia como formadora de opinião.<br>In this article, we analyze pieces published by the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper, in 2005, about assisted reproduction (in vitro fertilization and other techniques). The analysis is done from two angles. First, we examine what information is disclosed to the public about assisted reproduction, focusing on reproductive rights, on public and private access to assisted reproduction technologies, the interests involved, and the risks of these technologies. We found that there was no discussion regarding the laws that guarantee free access to assisted reproduction in Brazil, despite the approval, that year, of the National Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Rights. The reports emphasize the private nature of access to reproductive technologies and confront the commercial interests involved. They highlight the technological progress that has been made, such as universal benefits, but do not discuss how social inequalities affect access to these technologies and treatments. In the sparse reference to the risks associated with the procedures, they highlight multiple pregnancies which, paradoxically, affect poorer couples. Secondly, we questioned what kind of non-formal education is provided through the newspaper articles on assisted reproduction. The articles that were reviewed play both the role of disseminating the issue scientifically and the more traditional role the media play as opinion makers

The 2010, February 19 stellar occultation by Varuna

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