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Baldness Be Gone?

Posted by michael on from the not-just-the-president-of-hair-club-for-men dept.

efudddd writes "Science Daily has an interesting article about a new Nature paper; two chemical signals that turn stem cells into hair follicles have been identified. Implications are wider than just hair regrowth."

46 comments

  1. Finally!!! by mpweasel · · Score: 2, Funny

    Could it be possible??!
    Genetic therapy and a cure for my hairy palms!?

    1. Re:Finally!!! by Simon+Field · · Score: 4, Insightful


      Indeed.

      "These studies raise the possibility that drugs to activate these natural factors could promote hair follicle growth in wanted places, and inhibitory drugs could prevent hair growth in unwanted places"

      I love it that the name for a chemical signal involved in baldness is called "noggin".

      As a balding guy who isn't that worried about it, I also like the idea that those people who are worried enough to spend a lot of money on baldness cures, will also be funding research into squamous cell carcinomas. I am much more concerned about losing someone to skin cancer than losing my hair.

      --

      Free book: Science Toys You Can Make

    2. Re:Finally!!! by bmongar · · Score: 2, Informative
      I am much more concerned about losing someone to skin cancer than losing my hair.

      Your hair does help protect you against skin cancer by shading the part of your body that would get the most sun.

      --
      As x approaches total apathy I couldn't care less.
    3. Re:Finally!!! by fehlschlag · · Score: 2, Interesting
      Now, why would you want to have even more hair on your palms? ;P

      But seriously, being a happy member of the elite with extended facial surface, I have found that there are several quite distinct genetic behaviors in the follicles on my head. My beard has a strong red color with a fairly wiry (sp?) quality, but the side hair is rather lightcolored, almost a red-tinted blond. The big surprise is the back side of my head which has taken on a vary dark red coloring, almost black, and very dense.

      Any form of hair restoration methods would have the challenge of matching the existing behavior, or completely replacing them. The stem cell method could probably solve that.

      Sadly, no matter which way one chooses, it would be very expensive. And, let's face it, the whole issue is really only one of a psychological boost to self-esteem, which can be gotten much cheaper elsewhere.

      For those worried that baldness keeps the woman away, sure some, but there are plenty that are not inhibited by such. One does not have to have one's life dominated by those who judge soley on visual standards.

      ...now if someone could come up with a solution to those mysterious forests in my nose and ears...

    4. Re:Finally!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      So does a hat.

    5. Re:Finally!!! by azav · · Score: 1

      What is interesting about this is "what makes people happy?"

      If someone's hair falls out and they don't care then great.

      If someone's hair falls out and they get depressed because of it, then by all means, do something to change it.

      When your body changes without your permission, it can be very depressing. I learned this first hand when I got spinal arthritis and had to change my life. It's not always vanity that would make a person persue a cure for something as seemingly minor as baldness.

      If you are worried about squamous cell carcinomas, you may be interested in an Australian tanning pill that helps people to have a greater resistance to skin cancer and they get a good tan.

      Funny that these two somewhat "vain" persuits may have mental and physical health benefits. :]

      Cheers

      --
      - Zav - Imagine a Beowulf cluster of insensitive clods...
  2. ./beach by wjvdt · · Score: 5, Funny

    ..."These studies raise the possibility that drugs to activate these natural factors could promote hair follicle growth in wanted places, and inhibitory drugs could prevent hair growth in unwanted places," she said.

    How will we be able to recognize our fellow /.'ers at the beach in this new world?

    --
    "If I were punished for every pun I shed, there would not be left a puny shed of my punnish head." - Samuel Johnson
    1. Re:./beach by Anonymous+DWord · · Score: 2, Funny

      What kind of self-respecting slashdotter goes outside, let alone to the beach? My monitor tan is going along quite nicely, thank you very much.

      --
      "If he thinks he can hide and run from the United States and our allies, he's sorely mistaken." Bush on bin Laden
    2. Re:./beach by calethix · · Score: 1

      How will we be able to recognize our fellow /.'ers at the beach in this new world?

      Just because we have hair in all the right places doesn't mean we won't still be pasty white.. not too hard to pick out against a crowd of people with good tans. Now, if said /.'er is laying out on a beach with white sand, then they may blend in and not be noticed. ;)

  3. Ethics, schmethics by L.+VeGas · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm going to clone myself, abort the fetus, get the stem cells, and grow hair again. Then maybe women will let me be promiscuous.

    Ahh, I can dream can't I?

    ----
    Lex Luther

    --
    Best Windows Freeware
    1. Re:Ethics, schmethics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Stems cells can be acquired through your blood as well. Fetus' seem easier b/c they've yet to develop some of their cell to define aspects of the human body.

      Stem cells are legal. The way of getting through fetus' are illegal in the United States.

    2. Re:Ethics, schmethics by mfifer · · Score: 3, Interesting
      Then maybe women will let me be promiscuous.

      They'll be working on their own issues ;-)

      One of the aspects that scientists have been trying to understand in development of hair follicles, tooth buds, mammary glands and lungs is how these various transduction pathways work together,? said Fuchs.
    3. Re:Ethics, schmethics by httpamphibio.us · · Score: 1

      They'll be working on their own issues ;-)

      One of the aspects that scientists have been trying to understand in development of hair follicles, tooth buds, mammary glands and lungs is how these various transduction pathways work together,? said Fuchs.

      -- how do you like THEM apples?

      don't you mean how do you like them melons?

      --
      sig.
  4. Oh joy! by psyconaut · · Score: 4, Funny

    This appears on /, the day AFTER I shaved my head!!!

    -psy

  5. You mean... by Eneff · · Score: 0

    I have a chance in hell of growing that {ZZ Top, Merlin, Hassidic Jew, Muslim Fundy/Bin Laden} beard I've wanted since a teenager?

  6. Old joke. . . by Goronguer · · Score: 1

    Did you hear about the guy who invented a formula that would grow hair on a billiard ball?

    He died penniless, because no one wanted a hairy billiard ball.

    1. Re:Old joke. . . by calethix · · Score: 1

      Did you hear about the guy who invented a formula that would grow hair on a billiard ball? He died penniless, because no one wanted a hairy billiard ball.

      But hairy balls stay warmer in the cold months of winter.

  7. Hey by GigsVT · · Score: 1

    Is that a fetus on your head, or are you just happy to see me? ;)

    --
    I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    1. Re:Hey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      reference to Doctor Fun, on ibiblio.

  8. So.. by camelrider · · Score: 1


    I could save a bit on clothing expenditures?

  9. This poses interesting valid questions by SolemnDragon · · Score: 5, Insightful
    such as
    -Is this going to lead to genuine cancer-related research, or are they going to go straight for the money and fame of introducing the latest chia-hair?
    I'm thinking of Botox, and how it can be used for treating genuine muscular ailments, but is most widely known for its wrinkle-smoothing face-paralysing capacity...

    On the other hand, i guess i know the sad but true answer to this one: the research follows the money. So Maybe we aren't looking for a cure for Melanoma here... but the bald might die prettier??

    Cynicism aside, this IS serious stuff, and we COULD be looking at a way to deal with more serious skin ailments, and it will certainly put a damper on the serious scars that people are still occasionally getting from laser hair removal, or those home electrolysis kits.... (talk about a dangerous product) How long before we have do-it-yourself home stem-cell-into-hair-follicle sets?

    --
    "I'd say 'Have a good time,' but arson is still illegal.
    1. Re:This poses interesting valid questions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Money indicates demand, my friend. The research is best allocated exactly where it 'follows the money', regardless of your personal whims about what is important and what is not.

      The majority of problems on this little planet are caused by people like you deciding they know what is important for everyone else.

    2. Re:This poses interesting valid questions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obviously you aren't going bald, you insensitive clod!

    3. Re:This poses interesting valid questions by ErikBaard · · Score: 1

      I'm not one for botox and boob jobs, but rather than viewing these somewhat abusive applications of medical technology as distractions from useful ends, I see them as beneficial market mechanisms. More people want to erase wrinkles than need serious therapy for muscular disfunction. Those clients create a broad demand, which lowers overall costs associated with this biotech application, and helps refine its administration (with more case histories regarding allergies, pathologies, errors, etc).

      So, the purely medical purpose for which we agree botox is suited is more rapidly developed thanks to cosmetic demand.

      Erik Baard

  10. Reverse? by lexarius · · Score: 0, Redundant

    What if I wanted to get rid of my hair? The hair on my head is nice, but the hair everywhere else can be a bother. I'd rather just be smooth all over, like... like... an alien! Advanced lifeforms are hairless. I want to be advanced. And look good in nudey pictures.

    1. Re:Reverse? by erpbridge · · Score: 1

      Nair. Lots of Nair.

    2. Re:Reverse? by lexarius · · Score: 2, Funny

      Nope. Nair is not for use on pubic or nipple hair. Read the bottle. Don't ask why I know that...

    3. Re:Reverse? by bmorton · · Score: 1

      Sadly, I knew this too. Your secret's safe with me. ;)

    4. Re:Reverse? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      It will get rid of the hair. But there is probably a 50/50 chance that you are sensitive to it and you'll get a serious burn. Then you won't be hairy, but you will be beet red all over and quite uncomfortable.

      Better find a partner/mate/whatever that finds hair sexy.

    5. Re:Reverse? by erpbridge · · Score: 1

      I hope you don't know it from personal experience. Ouch.

  11. What about Star Trek. by lastninja · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    How will this affect Star Trek??? This could ruin the entire franchise!

    --
    John Carmack fan, browsing at +5 since 1999.
  12. Please God by LudditeMind · · Score: 2, Funny

    Make this be true and not just vapor. Just starting to go in the corners, and being a geek my ego just can't withstand the assault. This is enough to make me vote yes on any stem cell proposition. Need stem cells from 3 day old baby? Go ahead! I'll bring the scalpel.

  13. Ear hair? Fine hair follicles? by phorm · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I would be interested in how this would help people with problems related to the smaller-scale hairlike follicles that are found in the ear (cilia). Some people experience hearing loss due to damaged cilia, though I believe in many it's due to damage to the "stirrup."

    Hair is more than just that which is on your head (or visible on the rest of your body). Knowing more about the creation/behavior of the tiny hairs which line various internal parts of our bodies, and moreover being able to fix them, could be very useful indeed

    1. Re:Ear hair? Fine hair follicles? by C21 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      more important than the inner ear, what about the lungs, and the damage incurred from smoking. Being able to genetically modify and regrow that cilia would help TREMENDOUSLY.

      --
      this is not a sig.
    2. Re:Ear hair? Fine hair follicles? by phorm · · Score: 1

      I've wondered about that, but am unsure as to exactly what purpose lung cilia actually serve? As just a guess I would say as some sort of filtration, but perhaps you could enlighten me (and the other /. readers)?

    3. Re:Ear hair? Fine hair follicles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative
      Cilia have nothing to do with the hair that grows on your head. So, this won't help people with hearing loss. Stem cells eventually might, though.

      But why undergo such a risky, complex, and expensive procedure even when it becomes available? Yes, people hear less well as they get older, but hearing aids work reasonably well and you probably will die before you go deaf. Macular degeneration seems like something I'd be much more worried about.

    4. Re:Ear hair? Fine hair follicles? by C21 · · Score: 1

      pushes oxygen into the deeper spots of the lungs. The best analogy I can make is to think of them as tiny muscles instead of tiny hairs. Like the muscles in your throat, that work in concert in swallowing food, pushing chewed material into the stomach, these hairs wave in concert pushing and pulling air into and out of the lungs.

      --
      this is not a sig.
  14. What to do? by eingram · · Score: 2, Funny

    /me debates whether forwarding this link to his boss is a good idea or not...

  15. Think of the furries! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No longer will they be trapped in bulky, smelly, hard to clean fursuits.

    Soon they will be able to grown their own thick real pelt!

    Just imagine what this wonderful world of the future might be like...

    1. Re:Think of the furries! by hplasm · · Score: 1

      Just imagine what this wonderful world of the future might smell like...

      --
      ...and he grinned, like a fox eating shit out of a wire brush.
  16. Why? by Associate · · Score: 1

    Who the hell would want to make themselves ugly by adding hair? If mine gets any longer than a quarter of an inch, I think it looks shaggy, so I shave it.

    --
    Someone hates these cans.
  17. a little known fact of fiction by Madcapjack · · Score: 2, Funny
    chewbacca was actually a victim of this wonder hair regrowth process. wouldn't ya know?

    hmm...don't chewt'bacca

    --
    Logic, macros, and more
  18. Several proteins mentioned in the article by Muhammar · · Score: 1

    are actually promising cancer therapy targets. My company is developing assays and testing drug candidates to target the mentioned proliferation/cell adhesion mechanisms. (Can't be more specific here). Not only Homer Simpson will be happy when these cell signaling mechanism get understood in more detail.

    --
    I doubt that we will ever figure out - and I suspect that even if we did figure out we couldn't do much about it
  19. so, the tall girls by dankelley · · Score: 1

    won't anymore look down at my bald head and laugh ... they'll just look down on my head and laugh.

  20. Bad day for shaving and hat industry by h2k1 · · Score: 1

    Come on guys, have you ever considered the number of families that depend on hat makers and people that works for shaving products companies? This is a very serious issue, as a sign that scientific advance causes alterations on the social structure and in natural selection?

  21. And i suppose that there's something to be said by SolemnDragon · · Score: 1
    ... for a healthy volunteer base, all willing to try something risky for the sake of their vanity, thus providing enough people for broad field trials of the technology... Good point.

    Thanks.

    Sol

    --
    "I'd say 'Have a good time,' but arson is still illegal.