HEALTH BRIEFS: 05 August 2013

BIZARRE

DR DUANQING Pei and his team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences said new teeth can be grown in mice from stem cells found in human urine.

''This [human urine] is the most convenient source," he said.

After implanting urine stem cells into a mouse's jawbone, they observed tiny tooth-like structures beginning to grow containing elements of tooth material, including dental pulp and enamel. The ''teeth" are the first material developed using stem cells made from human waste and the researchers are hopeful that the results, published in Cell Regeneration Journal, could one day lead to the use of urine as a regenerative stem cell technique on humans.

The method has its limitations. Pei said the experiment has had only a 30% success rate so far. Also, the regrown ''teeth" are only one-third as hard as a human's original chompers.

BREAKTHROUGH

A pill used to treat type 2 diabetes has improved health and life span in middle-aged male mice.

Researchers at the National Institute of Aging, a part of the National Institutes of Health in the US, tested the type 2 diabetes drug metformin and found it was effective in reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome, a condition that can lead to heart disease and strokes. The mice tested also showed improved general fitness.

IF YOU DO ONE THING

If you have a tattoo over a mole, get it checked by a dermatologist on a regular basis. Tattoos can obscure problematic skin irregularities and make it difficult to detect melanomas. Be aware and check the skin under your ink.

NUTRITION BITE

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a nutritional all-star that belongs in your weight-loss plan. This wholegrain has 8g of hunger-busting protein and 5g of fibre in one cup, and it's as easy to cook as rice. It's full of nutrients such as iron, zinc, selenium and vitamin E.