Popular Sciences
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The value of baby teeth may be more than parents think. Scientists have discovered in the teeth of babies a treasure of stem cells - the magical cells that precede the heart system, nerves and most other types of cells. The meaning of the discovery is that from now on parents will not tell their child to keep the tooth under the pillow and ask for a wish, but in a reserved place, so that in the future it will be possible to use them in case of injury or illness.
So far, researchers have succeeded in grafting stem cells derived from milk teeth into nerve, bone and tooth forming cells. The cells may one day allow humans to grow new bones or treat diseases related to nerves, such as Alzheimer's.
Songtao Xi, who led the study, says it all started when his daughter's first tooth fell out. While holding the tiny tooth in his hand, he suddenly noticed a spot of dark red tissue, trapped deep within the tooth. At first he believed that it was compressed fluff tissue with blood vessels and nerves that ensure the tooth's appearance. Even in adults, the fluff tissue is found in the place known as the hiding place of the stem cells.
When Shai took the tooth to the laboratory, he discovered on closer inspection the presence of stem cells in the heart of the tissue. This discovery could make the Tooth Fairy unemployed.
They knew the stem cells
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