Baldness Be Gone?

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Posted by michael on Thursday March 20, 2003 @05:01AM 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."

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Finally!!! by mpweasel · 2003-03-20 05:07 · Score: 2, Funny

Could it be possible??!
Genetic therapy and a cure for my hairy palms!?
1. Re:Finally!!! by Simon+Field · 2003-03-20 06:41 · 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.
  
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2. Re:Finally!!! by bmongar · 2003-03-20 08:57 · 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.
  
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  As x approaches total apathy I couldn't care less.
3. Re:Finally!!! by fehlschlag · 2003-03-20 09:08 · 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 · 2003-03-20 10:38 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  So does a hat.
./beach by wjvdt · 2003-03-20 05:08 · 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?

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1. Re:./beach by Anonymous+DWord · 2003-03-20 15:11 · 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.
  
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Ethics, schmethics by L.+VeGas · 2003-03-20 05:12 · 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?

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1. Re:Ethics, schmethics by mfifer · 2003-03-20 14:59 · 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.
Oh joy! by psyconaut · 2003-03-20 05:17 · Score: 4, Funny

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

-psy
This poses interesting valid questions by SolemnDragon · 2003-03-20 07:26 · 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?

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Please God by LudditeMind · 2003-03-20 08:12 · 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.
Ear hair? Fine hair follicles? by phorm · 2003-03-20 08:16 · 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 · 2003-03-20 08:44 · 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.
  
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What to do? by eingram · 2003-03-20 10:34 · Score: 2, Funny

/me debates whether forwarding this link to his boss is a good idea or not...
Re:Reverse? by lexarius · 2003-03-20 10:54 · Score: 2, Funny

Nope. Nair is not for use on pubic or nipple hair. Read the bottle. Don't ask why I know that...
a little known fact of fiction by Madcapjack · 2003-03-21 05:20 · Score: 2, Funny

chewbacca was actually a victim of this wonder hair regrowth process. wouldn't ya know?
hmm...don't chewt'bacca

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