(Credit: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images) By Pat Loeb PHILADELPHIA (CBS) Local researchers are hailing the announcement that the Supreme Court will not take up the issue of embryonic stem cell research. The court refused to review the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging funding for the research. The decision is good news for researchers at Penn and the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey, who use stem cells to explore treatment for a wide variety of diseases. But, ultimately, says Jonathan Moreno of Penns bioethics center, its patients who benefit. People who have diseases that, if not directly treated, will be much better understood because of access to human embryonic stem cells, says Moreno. He hopes the decision will remove the stigma that plagued the research as opponents argued the morality of using cells from embryos left over from in vitro fertilization. (Father Tad Pacholczyk Credit: Pat Loeb) This raises very significant moral concerns and thats why this has been so much in the eye of the public, he explains. Read more: Stem Cell Research Wins A Final Legal Battle … Continue reading →

Even as they celebrate clearing a legal hurdle, worries of stem cell research grant money evaporating constantly weigh on scientists like Dr. Ted Dawson, whose projects at Johns Hopkins Hospital have helped inform treatment of neurological diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. A three-year court battle by two researchers to stop stem cell research using human embryos ended Monday when the Supreme Court declined to review the case. Scientists like Dawson say that frees up grant opportunities and are relieved for now. "It takes some of the uncertainty out," Dawson said. "It takes us back to a situation where we're hopefully only limited by our creativity, our talent in doing the science and the resources available." The problem is that more limitations appear likely. Research advocates fear a handful of threats to funding for all types of stem cell research and scientific study in general: the so-called "fiscal cliff," more legal challenges, an eventual new administration in Washington and the possibility of a more competitive peer review process. Altogether, the hazards have tempered researchers' enthusiasm over the high court's non-decision. "It's good for research in general," said Dan Gincel, director of the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund. "It doesn't stop any … Continue reading →

Awesome Autism T-Shirts with a Mission Like Autism Live on Facebook at facebook.com Robert Thornton shares the Paper Cloud Apparel mission to help individuals with special needs by featuring their art work on T-shirts. Paper Clouds Apparel partners with organizations to help them raise funds and also hires individuals with special needs to work within their organization. Currently Paper Clouds Apparel is featuring art work by two children with Autism. The sale of these shirts will benefit the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, the world?s largest provider of a treatment to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Check out this amazing site http://www.papercloudsapparel.com for more information on these amazing shirts and special kids who designed them. The boy shirt was actually designed by Shannon Penrod?s son. There is a special incentive for the first 20 customers who buy shirts and mention Autism Live! Autism Live is a production of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), headquartered in Tarzana, California, and with offices throughout the United States and around the globe. For more information on therapy for autism and other related disorders, visit the CARD website at centerforautism.com By: AutismLive … Continue reading →

Another effort to provide insurance coverage for autism treatment and a proposal to bring agricultural education to more Iowa students are among the things a pair of Fort Dodge lawmakers will work on this year. State Sen. Daryl Beall and state Rep. Helen Miller, who are both Democrats, are preparing several bills for consideration during the legislative session that will start Monday. They are also getting ready to work on the state budget, which is expected to feature a surplus of up to $1 billion. Beall and Miller said they don't want the state to go on a spending spree. ''I definitely want us to be cautious and not rush out and start a bunch of programs,'' Miller said. Beall said he doesn't want to see legislators ''splashing money all around the place.'' The senator said he will resume his efforts to provide insurance coverage for an autism treatment called applied behavioral analysis. Inspired by a grandson who has autism, Beall introduced and passed legislation in 2010 that secured such insurance coverage for children of state employees. Last year, he introduced a bill that would mandate such insurance coverage for all Iowa children. The bill passed the Senate 43-7, but … Continue reading →

Health | Oregon OPB | Jan. 11, 2013 midnight | Updated: Jan. 11, 2013 7:05 a.m. | Portland, Oregon Portland mom Anastasia Puha has her hands full. Not only does she have four little girls, but Mili, her four-year-old, is autistic. "(Her) speech didn't develop," she says. "Really sensitive to noise and light and texture and just pretty cranky, pretty cranky child." Kristian Foden-Vencil / OPB Anastasia Puha with four-year-old Mili Puha says Mili has tantrums where she'll hit her head, scratch herself and bite.To reduce those tantrums, Mili has the relatively new treatment 'Applied Behavior Analysis' or ABA therapy. "One of the biggest things that I think she learned from ABA is, we can go to the store," she said. "Or we can walk into therapy together, before she would run away or throw herself down and you couldn't really pick her back up. And so she'll walk with me and that's just amazing. Ha ha ha." Applied Behavior Analysis is expensive - because it involves one-on-one attention. A 20-hour-a-week regimen can cost $50,000 a year. Jennifer Kessel is Mili's ABA therapist. She's has a BA in psychology and is employed by 'Building Bridges' -- a Portland company that … Continue reading →