UCI researchers reveal stem cell study results...

UCI researchers reveal stem cell study results

Two UC Irvine researchers presented promising results of a

preclinical study of human neural stem cell technology as a means of

regenerating damaged nerves and nerve fibers in patients with spinal

cord injuries at the 10th annual Conference of the American Society

for Neural Transplantation and Repair in Florida on Friday.

Drs. Aileen Anderson and Brian Cummings of the Reeve-Irvine

Research Center worked with StemCells Inc., a Palo Alto biotech

company, on the technology.

Injured mice transplanted with the technology showed improved

motor function in quantitative tests measuring functional recovery

from complete hind-limb paralysis to normal walking, in comparison

with controls. Also, the technology does not contribute to scarring,

which normally prevents neuronal cell growth and recovery.

The next step is to repeat the studies and evaluate the technology

at different dose levels, Cummings said in a press release.

Shares of StemCells experienced a 140% jump after the news was

announced Friday.

‘Fun’ event set for Central Library

Children can enjoy music, magic, face painting and juggling at

“Fun for all Seasons” at the Newport Beach Central Library from noon

to 4 p.m. Saturday.

There will also be special performances: “Stories Come Alive with

Southland Opera” at noon; “Spring Into Stories with Barbara Klein” at

1:30 p.m.; and “Arts and Imagination with Wonderful Puppets” at 3

p.m. The event is part of the countywide Imagination Celebration. For

more information, call (949) 714-3816 or visit www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

Ancient Mayan cities topic of library program

Cities rich in history and beauty, some threatened by

urbanization, will be discussed by Cameron Walker, an archeology and

anthropology teacher at Cal State Fullerton, at 7 p.m. Thursday at

the Newport Beach Central Library.

The discussion, “Remote Capitals of Ancient Maya,” includes Copan,

Tikal, Yachilan Palenque and Bonampak.

Walker is vice president of the Societies for the Archeological

Institute of America.

For more information, call (949) 717-3816 or log onto

www.newportbeachlibrary.org. The event is free. The library is at

1000 Avocado Ave.

Free workshops offered to navigate the Internet

“Tools & Tricks: Internet 101,” an introduction to the World Wide

Web, will be offered at 10 a.m. today at the Corona del Mar branch of

the Newport Beach Public Library, 420 Marigold Ave.

It will also be offered at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Balboa

Branch at 100 E. Balboa Blvd., and at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at the Balboa

Branch. For more information, call (949) 717-3816 or visit www.newportbeachlibrary.org.