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ScienceDaily: Ethics News
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Science and ethics. Read the latest scientific findings relating to ethics, bioethics, medical technology, abortion, suicide and more.
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Multipotent stromal stem cells from normally discarded human placental tissue demonstrate high therapeutic potential
Placental stem cells with important therapeutic properties can be harvested in large quantities from the fetal side of human term placentas (called the chorion). The chorion is a part of the afterbirth and is normally discarded after delivery, but it contains stem cells of fetal origin that appear to be pluripotent -- i.e., they can differentiate into different types of human cells, such as lung, liver, or brain cells. Since these functional placental stem cells can be isolated from either fresh or frozen term human placentas, this implies that if each individual’s placenta is stored at birth instead of thrown away, these cells can be harvested in the future if therapeutic need arises. This potential represents a major breakthrough in the stem cell field.
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Foul-mouthed characters in teen books have it all
Analysis of best-selling teen novels shows that readers come across seven instances of profanity per hour spent reading, and the characters who cuss are usually rich, beautiful and popular.
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Religion is a potent force for cooperation and conflict, research shows
Across history and cultures, religion increases trust within groups but also may increase conflict with other groups, according to a new analysis.
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Parents are happier people: Parents experience greater happiness and meaning in life than nonparents, psychologists find
Contrary to recent scholarship and popular belief, parents experience greater levels of happiness and meaning in life than people without children, according to researchers. Parents also are happier during the day when they are caring for their children than during their other daily activities, the researchers found in a series of studies conducted in the United States and Canada.
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Clergy can fight HIV on faith-friendly terms
In the United States, where blacks bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, black religious institutions could help turn the tide. In a new study based on dozens of interviews and focus groups with 38 of Philadelphia's most influential black religious leaders, physicians and public health researchers find that traditional barriers to preaching about HIV prevention could give way to faith-friendly messages about getting tested and staying on treatment.
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