Scientists have successfully regenerated myelin in the brains of mice with Multiple Sclerosis. The stem cells were able to home in on areas of recent damage, and convert into oligodendrocytes – cells that manufacture myelin. This doesn’t solve the problem of getting stem cells to peripheral nerves, but it’s another step in the right direction.

Scientists have made another breakthrough in stem cell research, bringing us a step closer to treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries.

Previous attempts to replace damaged nerve cells have failed, with only a few cells developing into neurons.
By treating the stem cells with chemicals, the scientists succeeded in changing them into neurons.

Nancy Reagan has quietly come out in favor of federal financing for embryonic stem cell research. "A lot of time is being wasted," she told a friend. "A lot of people who could be helped are not being helped." Former President Ronald Reagan’s Alzheimer’s has worsened to the point where he no longer recognizes her, and embryonic stem cells may potentially hold the key to a cure.
Says Republican Senator Arlen Specter, "She’s a former first lady, she holds a special position because of her own persuasive personality, and her husband, President Reagan, has Alzheimer’s… she’s a triple threat."

Often at odds with the rest of the country, California has taken a pro-stem cell research stand, adopting a law permitting embryos to be both donated and destroyed for research with written consent. California Governor Gray Davis was joined at the new law’s announcement by Christopher Reeve, who recently openly blasted Bush for blocking stem cell research.

Christopher Reeve rips Bush and the Catholic Church for opposing research that could someday lead to cures, not only for paralysis, but for many of the diseases that continue to plague the human race.
Note to Bush: don’t mess with Superman.

A controversial stem cell bank is set to open soon in England, in order to harvest and store both adult and embryonic stem cell lines for future use. There’s also an interesting article about using functional electrical stimulation to treat hemiplegia. FES research could have ramifications for DS someday.

(As seen on DMDoptions.com.) The Washington Post reports that stem cell research in the U.S. isn’t exactly booming, due primarily to the fact that only three colonies of embryo cells are readily available to researchers.
Can we get moving here, people?

The US government quietly released a clarification of Bush’s restrictive policy on stem cell research – making it far less restrictive than feared. And a $5 million grant has been announced to the University of California, San Francisco, in order to pursue research into stem cell applications. Things are looking up!
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992655