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Method To Repair Damaged Adult Nerves Discovered

Canadian scientist Patrice Smith at Carleton University in Ottawa has found a way to get adult nerve cells to grow in mice. Her paper in the journal Neuron this week with Harvard University co-authors Fang Sun and Zhigang He describes the discovery of a specific molecule in the central nervous system that suppresses our ability to repair injured neurons. By blocking this molecule Smith was able to get the optic nerve in blinded adult mice to regrow. It remains to be seen if the regrowth will restore eyesight, but such regrowth does restore the eyesight of baby mice. Smith was born in Jamaica and came to Canada as a poor immigrant. In a Globe and Mail article she says, "I am not from a background of privilege. But if you want to do something, you can do it." More on Smith and her discovery is available at the Carleton University news service.

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Biology

featured question

Q: Are there any species that have evolved, but still have their ancestors co existing with them on earth? For example, is there a certain type of fish, rodent, etc. that has evolved from its ancestor, but its ancestor is still living and co existing? I don't mean just slighty evolving due to climates like leopards in Russia vs leopards in Africa.